Patrick Ayad > Hogan Lovells International LLP > Munich, Germany > Lawyer Profile

The environmental and planning law team at Hogan Lovells International LLP particularly focuses on compliance issues and advises both large DAX companies and international clients. The practice regularly assists with environmental compliance related to M&A transactions and public funding applications, but also comprehensively advises clients on land-use planning and soil protection due diligence in the context of real estate transactions; the key contact for these matters is practice head Thomas Dünchheim. Alongside supply chain due diligence expert Christian Ritz, he also increasingly advises companies on their ESG initiatives. The team further handles product-related issues; here, clients predominantly rely on the skills of Florian Unseld and Patrick Ayad, who has particular industry expertise in the automotive sector.

Led by the trade and distribution expert Patrick Ayad, Hogan Lovells International LLP focuses on the automotive sector and advises on the development of e-mobility concepts, ​​autonomous driving and related regulatory issues. Florian Unseld is experienced in the design of distribution systems and consumer protection issues in the automotive sector, while Detlef Haß is well versed in litigation and supply chain disruption matters; Golo Edel was appointed to counsel in January 2023 and advises clients from the rail sector on commercial and distribution law, including regulatory issues, as well as on M&A transactions, particularly the acquisition of railway portfolios and logistics companies.

Hogan Lovells International LLP routinely advises large companies in the automotive industry on the structuring and regulatory framework of distribution systems and is also known for its expertise in negotiating supply and leasing contracts. International clients from the financial, healthcare and consumer goods sectors regularly instruct the team in contract negotiations and related disputes. Co-head Florian Unseld offers support in the restructuring of distribution systems and advises on supply chain disruptions in times of crisis, he jointly leads the practice with Patrick Ayad, who is renowned for his expertise in contract drafting and distribution antitrust law. Jörg Schickert comprehensively advises on supply chain due diligence, while counsel Sebastian Schnell assists with large distribution projects. Counsel Golo Edel is another key contact and frequently acts across the automotive, consumer goods and logistics sectors.

Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s strategic operations, agreements and regulation practice routinely handles investment control matters with a focus on compliance. Clients from the regulated industries such as TMT and defense instruct the team on the implementation of compliance systems as well as investment control. Thanks to the cross-location cooperation, the team assists with sanctions and planned exits from Russia. Here, the export and investment control lawyer Falk Schöning is a key contact; he jointly leads the team with supply chain expert Florian Unseld and regulatory specialist Patrick Ayad. Senior associate Stefan Kirwitzke complements this with antitrust law expertise.