Norton Rose Fulbright > Frankfurt, Germany > Firm Profile
Norton Rose Fulbright Offices
TAUNUSTOR 1 (TAUNUSTURM)
60310 FRANKFURT AM MAIN
Germany
Norton Rose Fulbright > The Legal 500 Rankings
Transport > Maritime and shipping
Norton Rose Fulbright‘s maritime practice focuses on advising banks, shipowners, charterers and P&I clubs on ship financing, although the team is also experienced in operational, regulatory and employment law matters as well as in supporting infrastructure projects. Thanks to the firm’s global network, international matters are seamlessly covered. Practice head Timo Noftz is particularly well versed in asset and project financing.Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘Pragmatic approaches, always up to date and extremely client-friendly.’
‘They know how to understand the client’s business in order to achieve the best possible result.’
‘Timo Noftz and his team have extensive knowledge in insolvency and restructuring, but what sets them apart is their ability to deliver this in an easily digestible way for non-lawyers, combined with the fact that they are up to date with curren market developments.’
Key clients
Stena
KfW IPEX-Bank
Viking River Cruises
Citi
Carnival
Work highlights
- Advising a private equity fund and a German bank in connection with the restructuring of a distressed ship financing company.
- Advising a private equity investor in connection with the purchase of a large NPL ship loan portfolio from Hamburg Commercial Bank and Cerberus.
Banking and finance > Project finance Tier 2
Norton Rose Fulbright regularly assists financial institutions, sponsors, investors and public sector clients with various energy and infrastructure projects, including PPPs. The team is well versed in international project financing and frequently cooperates across locations. Additionally, a close cross-practice collaboration with the M&A team benefits clients from the energy sector in transactions and investments. Recent projects related to the solar, wind, geothermal and conventional energy industries, while the practice also assisted with road construction projects in the infrastructure sector. Dirk Trautmann heads the practice from Munich and focuses on asset and corporate financing.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Timo Noftz; Veit Sahlfeld
Testimonials
‘Reliable support and openness to particular concerns of clients.’
‘Serious effort to leave the beaten tracks and break new ground with solid legal underpinning.’
‘Continuously reliable advice, spontaneous availability.’
Key clients
Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur (BMVI)
Brightmark
Carval
Goldbeck Solar
KfW IPEX, European Investment Bank, MEAG, KBC, CSOB
Nord/LB
Tauber Solar
Tiger Infrastructure Partners
Total Renewables
Unicredit
Work highlights
- Advice to CarVal on financing a portfolio of PV projects with a total volume of over 2.5 GW in Germany, the Netherlands and Great Britain of the ASE Group.
- Advising an asset manager from Munich on the financing of the planned acquisition of a PPP portfolio including road and railway projects.
- Advising Europe’s largest motorway operator on the execution of a PPP project contract.
Transport > Advice to the transport sector Tier 2
Norton Rose Fulbright‘s practice focuses on the transport, real estate and infrastructure sectors. The core segments include aviation and rail as well as mobility. Public-private partnerships (PPP) are another focus, where the team assists with structured project financing and advises on construction and planning law. Here, Michael Jürgen Werner is a key contact, he also covers public procurement and EU law and regularly assists with the realignment of public tasks. Markus Radbruch is well versed in aviation matters, while Timo Noftz advises on asset and project financing. The rail transport and PPP segments are among Dirk Trautmann key strengths. Ralf Springer (aviation and rail finance) left the partnership at the end of 2021 but continues to advise in the capacity of senior sonsultant.Practice head(s):
Timo Noftz; Dirk Trautmann; Michael Jürgen Werner; Markus Radbruch
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Norton Rose’s aviation team provides excellent support for all possible aircraft matters.’
‘They have a wide range of experience and the entire team has a hands-on mentality with workable solutions.’
‘Markus Radbruch leads the Aviation team and is a clear expert in his field. In addition to his enormous expertise, he has a perfect understanding of the client’s needs and is able to translate his legal knowledge into practical and economical solutions.’
‘Norton Rose Fulbright is frequently and preferentially approached in our business. What is important and relevant to us is fast and competent advice on business transactions under German law and in international jurisdictions.’
‘Markus Radbruch has a wide range of experience and is always very committed to the interests of the client.’
‘Dirk Trautmann has excellent expertise in the area of infrastructure in connection with banking/finance and has a very good understanding of economic relationships.’
‘Dr. Ralf Springer is a generally recognized expert and can already be described as a luminary in the field of aviation-related projects (especially aircraft financing and aircraft leasing). His calm, relaxed and pragmatic nature has saved many a difficult project.’
Key clients
NTT TC Leasing Co. Ltd.
Imperial International Holding
Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur (BMVI)
KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH
European Investment Bank
MEAG
KBC
CSOB
Aircraft Finance Germany
GmbH
Work highlights
- Advised NTT TC Leasing Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, on the financing of five Airbus A320 Neo aircraft.
- Advising and representing Imperial International Holding in antitrust claims for damages against several members of the truck cartel.
- Advice to the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure as part of the second project of the PPP project B 247.
Capital markets > Debt capital markets Tier 3
In addition to assisting banks and issuers with bond issuances, the set-up and updating of the entire range of issuance programs, such as EMTN programs, debt issuance programs and commercial paper programs, Norton Rose Fulbright has also recently been increasingly involved in ESG bond issuances. Capital markets-related regulatory matters, including reference value regulation pertaining to the Benchmark Regulation, also led to increased advice demand, prompting counsel Michael Born to move from the firm's regulatory team to its DCM group in September 2021; he regularly supports practice head Christoph Enderstein (DCM, structured finance and supervisory law).Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team has a deep understanding and knowledge of our business. Responsive and always fully engaged, we think they’re a really safe pair of hands. NRF is our preferred advisor in Germany.’
‘Excellent and responsive partners with excellent product and market knowledge.’
‘We have a longstanding relationship with the team who provide excellent and practical advice and get things done efficiently and in a timely manner. Good unbiased advice – the client always comes first.’
‘It is a pleasure to work with Christoph Enderstein. We appreciate his willingness to discuss complex issues over the phone and his responsiveness to questions both on and off the job. The team as a whole is very efficient and proactive.’
‘Christoph Enderstein: Excellent advice and very responsive to questions raised, as well as good relationships with issuers.’
‘Frank Regelin: Hands-on, highly knowledgeable and his strong relationships with the markets/regulators help to get things done quickly and efficiently. Frank always exudes confidence.’
‘Dr. Enderstein has excellent knowledge of the market and enjoys an excellent reputation in the market.’
Key clients
ADLER Real Estate / ADLER Group
Bank of Montreal
Citigroup Global Markets
Commerzbank
DekaBank
Deutsche Bank
Fraport
HSBC
ING Bank
Landesbank Baden-Württemberg
Landeskreditbank Baden-Württemberg – Förderbank
Mercedes-Benz Group (ehemals Daimler)
National Bank of Canada
NatWest
Nomura
Quirin Privatbank
Sixt
Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
UniCredit Bank
Work highlights
- Advising Deutsche Bank AG in connection with its €80 billion debt issuance program.
- Advising Mercedes-Benz Group AG and five other Mercedes-Benz group companies in connection with their €70 billion EMTN program.
- Advising a consortium of banks in connection with the successful issue of a bond with a total volume of $600 million by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Capital markets > Equity capital markets Tier 3
Norton Rose Fulbright's team, which acts on behalf of banks and issuers, covers the ECM area comprehensively and regularly acts across the intersection to public M&A and stock corporation law. Benedikt Gillessen and practice head Frank Peter Regelin (both extensively active in capital markets and stock corporation law) recently led particularly often on matters relating to capital increases. US securities law instructions are handled in cooperation with the firm's London and US offices.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Perfectionist advice on matters.’
‘The team is of very high quality and stands out for its very good cooperation and working atmosphere.’
‘Dr. Gillessen: He has been a level-headed, reliable and always available advisor to us.’
‘Frank Regelin: The all-purpose weapon in investment banking. Simply impeccable and very high value for money.’
‘Benedikt Gillessen: Veteran, reliable, very accurate.’
Key clients
BAUER Aktiengesellschaft
DZ BANK Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main
ERWE Immobilien AG
Futurum Bank AG
Jefferies
Quirin Privatbank
Voltabox AG
ATHOS KG
Paragon GmbH & Co. KGaA
ICF Bank AG
Industry focus > Energy Tier 3
Norton Rose Fulbright‘s advice offering includes M&A, project work, financing, regulatory matters and antitrust law and frequently pertains to the onshore and offshore wind, solar and photovoltaic sectors. Investors, funds and energy suppliers are among the client base. Dirk Trautmann is an expert in asset and project financing, while practice head Klaus Bader regularly advises on German and international M&A and PE transactions as well as joint ventures, also in connection with hydrogen, geothermal and e-mobility projects.Practice head(s):
Klaus Bader
Other key lawyers:
Dirk Trautmann; Sebastian Frech; Tim Schaper
Testimonials
‘At NRF one never feels like just a number, instead the staff and lawyers strive to solve problems quickly and to the point.’
Key clients
BayWa r.e. Energy Ventures
Brookfield
CarVal
Gesellschafter von ConUti GmbH
EGS Stromtankstellen GmbH
Gore Street Capital
JERA Co., Inc.
Munich Re/MEAG
reev (emonvia GmbH)
Smart Energy Innovationsfonds AG
Solarenergie Boitzenburger Land
SUSI Partners AG
TAUBER-SOLAR Gruppe
Tiger Infrastructure Partners
Total Renewables S.A.S
Unicredit Bank AG
wpd invest GmbH/Green Return Fund 3
Work highlights
- Advising Brookfield on the acquisition of Sunovis, a project developer and general contractor for turnkey photovoltaic systems.
- Advising JERA Co., Inc. on the strategic investment in Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies GmbH.
- Advising CarVal on the financing of a portfolio of PV projects with a total volume of over 2.5 GW in Germany, the Netherlands and Great Britain of the ASE Group.
Real estate and construction > Real estate Tier 3
Norton Rose Fulbright routinely advises on transactions and covers various asset categories for investors and developers as well as German and international companies. Maren Stölting, who recently took over practice management from Head of Germany Stefan Feuerriegel, frequently takes the lead here; Feuerriegel continues to support clients in transactions as well as rental agreements, project developments and asset management issues. This expertise corresponds with the wide-ranging focus of the practice, which also handles dispute resolution. Capacities in the transactional space were further strengthened with the addition of Oliver Beyer from Simmons & Simmons in May 2022.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
ADLER Real Estate AG
AEW Global Real Estate Investment Management Services
Ambridge
Amundi
BGW / VBG
ECE Marketplaces GmbH & Co KG
EDEKA Head Office / CEV
EDGE Technologies
Fattal Group
Frischezentrum Frankfurt am Main – Großmarkt GmbH
Garbe Logistics
GBI AG
Generali
Hamburg Trust
Int Real
Klépierre
Leonardo Hotels
Mogotel
Nuveen
Otto Family Office
P3
Panattoni
PATRIZIA
Real I.S.
Richard Ditting GmbH & Co KG
Rocco Forte
Savills Investment Management
Swiss Life
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
UniCredit / Wealthcap
Union Investment
Work highlights
- Advising Real I.S. AG on the sale of the Mosse Zentrum in Berlin by way of an asset deal, on the sale of the Oswald office property in Stuttgart and on the sale of a logistics property.
- Advice to Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield on the project development of Germany’s largest shopping center development in HafenCity in Hamburg and advice on the sale of the Gera Arcaden shopping center in Gera, Thuringia.
- Advising Garbe on the construction of an Amazon distribution center in Giengen/Baden-Württemberg, including advice on the purchase of the property and on the lease negotiations with Amazon.
Banking and finance > Fintech Tier 4
Norton Rose Fulbright comprehensively advises financial institutions, banks and payment services providers as well as asset managers, insurers, IT and fintech companies. Frank Henkel is a key contact for investment and transactional matters, while Caroline Herkströter is well versed in banking and investment law with additional expertise in the cryptocurrency segment. The team routinely advises across locations and practices with competencies at various interfaces, such as data protection and capital markets law.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Caroline Herkströter; Christoph Ritzer; Ute Brunner-Reumann
Testimonials
‘Great support, always available, good expertise, own ideas and opinions, questions critically and expresses concerns, gets involved, delivers quickly, always available, open to alternative billing models, billing uncomplicated.’
‘Christoph Ritzer: Very good expertise, a lot of experience, broad specialist knowledge, open to other ideas.’
Key clients
ABC International Bank Plc
ABN Amro
AIG
Amundi
AnaCap Financial Partners
Artifiction AG
AutoScout24 GmbH
Commerzbank
Excubate
Fondsdepot Bank
ING
Ingenico
International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group)
Munich RE
PayPal
Purplebricks Group Plc
Robert Bosch GmbH
Royal Bank of Canada
trimplement GmbH
Work highlights
- Advice to AnaCap Financial Partners on their investment in SaaS FinTech company fintus, a provider of low-code software for the financial services sector.
- Advising Fondsdepot Bank in eleven European jurisdictions on the initial connection of a FinTech platform as a tied agent to its liability umbrella.
- Advising tech-enabled car insurer Zego on its $150m Series C financing, valuing the company at $1.1bn and making Zego the UK’s first InsurTech unicorn, and advising on its expansion to Italy and Germany.
Banking and finance > Real estate finance Tier 4
The real estate financing team at Norton Rose Fulbright covers the interface between real estate law and banking & finance and is headed by Andrea Spellerberg. The group significantly expanded its advisory capacities during the reporting period: in addition to the partner appointment of Veit Sahlfeld (real estate, acquisition and project financing) in January 2022, the team previously welcomed the two banking and financial law experts Stefan Schramm and counsel Carolin Glänzel from Eversheds Sutherland in the summer of 2021. The practice comprehensively advises financial institutions, capital management companies, insurance companies, debt funds and borrowers on various national and cross-border acquisition and development financing and refinancing matters.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Veit Sahlfeld; Stefan Schramm; Bernhard Fiedler; Carolin Glänzel
Testimonials
‘Reliable, very competent, solution-oriented and they always offer suitable alternatives.’
‘Pragmatic hands-on approach paired with high professional quality.’
‘Dr. Andrea Spellerberg: Great know-how in loan agreement documentation, strong negotiator, solution-oriented.’
‘Andrea Spellerberg is accessible at all times, pragmatic and solution-oriented.’
‘Andrea Spellerberg is very flexible when it comes to finding solutions and likes to go the extra mile to get there.’
‘Dr. Stefan Schramm has been my trusted lawyer for years. He is experienced in traditional German real estate matters and is more capable than anyone else when it comes to debt or mezzanine funds.’
‘Stefan Schramm: Excellent know-how, excellent negotiator, solution-oriented.’
‘Carolin Glänzel: Very high quality in drafting contracts, enthusiastic.’
Key clients
Amundi
BF.capital GmbH
BNP Paribas / BNP Paribas Real Estate Investment Management
Corpus Sireo
HanseMerkur / HanseMerkur Real Estate Assets
Horizon Capital
HYPO NOE Landesbank for Lower Austria and Vienna AG
IntReal
Invesco Real Estate
Landesbank Baden-Württemberg
Real I.S.
Sirius Real Estate
Standard Chartered Bank
Swiss Life
UniCredit / Wealthcap
Work highlights
- Advice to Invesco Real Estate on various real estate financing transactions in Germany and other European countries with volumes of up to €650 million per transaction.
- Cross-border advice to Sirius Real Estate on the partial refinancing of the Titanium portfolio, which is a joint venture with AXA, and on a second bridge-to-bond transaction totaling over €225 million.
- Advising a German initiator and manager of real estate funds with regard to the restructuring of its loan portfolio consisting of more than 120 loans in ten jurisdictions with a total volume of more than €1.2 billion in connection with regulatory and fund law requirements.
Corporate and M&A > Corporate Tier 4
Norton Rose Fulbright advises real estate and automotive companies on M&A and joint ventures, including subsequent structural measures and conversions, but also supports medium-sized companies in negotiations with private equity investors. The practice is also increasingly visible in the area of corporate governance and advises particularly frequently on sustainability issues. Nils Rahlf, who took over the practice management from Frank Regelin in January 2022, advises strategic and financial investors on complex, cross-border M&A transactions as well as private equity and venture capital deals. Notably, the firm opened an office in Düsseldorf in September 2022 and was able to recruit Michael Prüßner and Maximilian Findeisen from Eversheds Sutherland; both focus on corporate matters and M&A transactions.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘In depth and always up-to-date detailed knowledge of all content-related topics, both with partners as well as counsels and associates. Excellent process management and goal-oriented negotiation, which always leads to excellent results.’
‘Very good team spirit, very good coordination. All are extremely performance- and solution-oriented. Very good expertise.’
Key clients
ADLER Real Estate AG
Auto-Scout24 GmbH
DNV GL SE
ERWE Immobilien AG
Fattal/Leonardo Gruppe
mantro
MOBOTIX AG
paragon GmbH & Co. KGaA
Richard Ditting GmbH & Co. KG
Voltabox AG
Westgrund AG
Corporate and M&A > M&A Tier 4
Norton Rose Fulbright advises finance, technology, healthcare and energy companies on transactions in German and abroad, while being particularly well equipped for international deals due to its close collaboration with offices in Asia, North America, Paris and London. In cooperation with the firm's insolvency and restructuring experts the practice also assists banks and strategic investors with distressed M&A transactions. In January 2022, M&A and private equity expert Nils Rahlf took over the practice management from Frank Regelin, who advises listed companies on cross-border M&A and private equity deals as well as capital market law. Katrin Stieß assists clients from the technology and financial services sectors with M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions. In October 2022, the firm received a boost with the arrival of Michael Prüßner (focus on automotive, industrial and consumer goods companies) from Eversheds Sutherland.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Excellent team, highly recommended.’
Key clients
AutoScout24 GmbH
Brookfield
Dradura
European Investment Bank (EIB)
MTG Modern Times Group
MEAG MUNICH ERGO AssetManagement GmbH (MEAG)
PATRIZIA AG
Gesellschafter der Ociris GmbH
Work highlights
- Advising Brookfield on the acquisition of Sunovis, a project developer and general contractor for turnkey photovoltaic systems.
- Advising AutoScout24 GmbH on the takeover of imove AS, which is active in the field of computer system design and related services, as well as advising on the establishment of a joint venture.
- Advising Modern Times Group MTG AB (MTG) on the sale of ESL Gaming to Savvy Gaming Group (SGG).
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 4
Norton Rose Fulbright's dispute resolution expertise extends to commercial, post-M&A and supply disputes, directors' liability conflicts and shareholder disputes and is also evident contentious real estate-related matters. Jamie Nowak heads the practice and is primarily involved in commercial disputes, while Constanze Bandilla-Dany regularly handles real estate disputes. Christian Wolf is the key contact for banking litigation.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Jamie Nowak: An outstanding litigator with a great deal of practical experience both inside and outside the courtroom.‘
‘Constanze Bandilla-Dany: Very experienced, precise, fast, calm, good feeling, tactically excellent, anticipatory, very patient.‘
‘Good structure and mix of young and senior colleagues. Outstanding work and reliability. Billing has always been fair.‘
‘Jamie Nowak: A technically very experienced partner with a lot of experience and legal skills.‘
Key clients
Barclays
Citibank
Credit Suisse International
Depo Auto Parts Ind. Co., Ltd
ECE Market Places GmbH & Co. KG
INEOS Styrolution
Wavetouch Denmark A/S
Work highlights
- Representing a pension fund against a third-party counterclaim in connection with the acquisition of a large-volume real estate portfolio in Germany and Austria.
- Advising the German subsidiary of a global Asian electronics group in a commercial dispute with a customer due to allegedly faulty battery systems.
- Advising and representing a tech start-up in court in relation to the departure of a founding shareholder from management and shareholder group.
Information technology > Data protection Tier 4
Norton Rose Fulbright 's team acts in cross-border cooperation with locations in Europe, the US and Asia and advises international companies in the finance, insurance, life sciences and healthcare sectors with a particular focus on the automotive industry. The advice offering covers data transfers, outsourcing and data breaches. The team is led by Christoph Ritzer and Jamie Nowak, who are experienced in software licensing, e-commerce and M&A transactions.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The focus of the advice is always on a quick solution to the problem and unnecessary costs are always avoided.’
‘The team around Dr. Christoph Ritzer works very harmoniously and efficiently.’
‘The associate Natalia Filkina deserves a special mention, she delivers excellent work results and is always available.’
Key clients
Landis+Gyr
Pfizer
Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 4
Restructuring and insolvency > Restructuring Tier 4
Norton Rose Fulbright's restructuring practice, headed by Oliver Sutter, covers all relevant restructuring law issues, with a focus on the implementation of StaRUG (stabilisation and restructuring framework for companies), protective shield and self-administration proceedings, distressed M&A support as well as advising insolvency administrators on contentious issues in the context of insolvency proceedings. Sylwia-Maria Bea advises all stakeholders in the context of pre-insolvency restructuring proceedings pertaining to StaRUG as well as in self-administration and protective shield proceedings and is also experienced in D&O liability matters and distressed M&A transactions. Counsel David Schrader is another key contact for insolvency disputes and liability claims. Regina Ratha (financial litigation and insolvency) joined JP Morgan in April 2022.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Ms. Bea is very dedicated and well connected in the market.’
‘Dr. Sylwia Maria Bea is an experienced and cautious colleague who, with great commercial understanding and an excellent knowledge of human nature, also solves complex and stuck situations in such a way that nobody loses face.’
‘Actively addressing new topics in the area of restructuring. Very experienced, but also innovative.’
‘Dr. Sylwia Bea: Likeable, experienced, creative, very well networked, humorous, know-how carrier.’
‘Dr. Sylwia Bea is a luminary in her field. She is very well networked and always up-to-date in her field. She gives excellent lectures and keeps track even in stressful situations. All in all, working with her is pleasant and she always finds very good solutions.’
‘Miss Dr. Sylwia Bea is very well networked, understands the “thinking” of self-administration and insolvency administration and has in-depth knowledge of restructuring and directors’ liability cases.’
‘Strong approach to the goal, understanding of medium-sized business issues and a good network of lawyers, tax consultants and consultants as well as insolvency administrators.’
‘Dr. Sylwia Maria Bea is highly recommended. With outstanding technical expertise, she is just as outstanding in the implementation of complex solutions with a large number of participants. She works in a very practical way and drives processes precisely and successfully to their destination.’
Key clients
DRADURA Holding GmbH & Co. KG
EEW Holding GmbH & Co. KG
PLUTA Rechtsanwalts GmbH
Jebsen Capital Ltd
LCM Partners
Peter Möhrle Management GmbH
Work highlights
- Advising the German parent company of an international group of companies, DRADURA Holding GmbH & Co. KG, on self-administration on the seller side in an international investor process (dual track).
- Advising the insolvency administrator of Linden GmbH and SMK GmbH as part of the Heinze Group on the seller side in an international investor process (dual track).
- Advising a shareholder and investor from Hong Kong on various liability and compensation issues in connection with a distressed M&A process in the automotive sector.
Banking and finance > Lending and borrowing Tier 5
Norton Rose Fulbright covers a wide array of financing matters and primiarily acts on behalf of lenders and, to a lesser extent, companies. Recent prominent topics include corporate and asset financing and related financing restructuring, which also reflect the competencies of practice head Oliver Sutter. He is supported by Veit Sahfeld, who made partner in January 2022 and recently assisted clients from the transport sector with various financing issues.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Pragmatic, solution-oriented and good negotiation skills.’
‘Focuses on the essentials, efficient and at the same time more cost-effective than the competition.’
‘Good weighing up of the particular interests of the stakeholders. Access to broad team of experts.’
‘Dr. Sutter: A wealth of experience and in-depth specialist knowledge that he uses very successfully to assert the client’s interests.’
Key clients
NTT Leasing Co. Ltd.
European Investment Bank (EIB)
Fitesa
BF.capital GmbH
Sirius Real Estate Limited
KfW IPEX
MEAG
KBC
CSOB
CarVal
UniCredit Bank AG
Landesbank Baden-Württemberg
Work highlights
- Advising the European Investment Bank (EIB) on its participation in a series B financing round of the German robotics company Magazino GmbH.
- Advice to BF.capital GmbH on various senior loan financings for the acquisition of real estate and preparation of sample documentation for new debt financing products.
- Advising Sirius Real Estate Limited on bridging financing for Sirius’ first bond issue on the German market. The banking consortium was led by Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley and HSBC.
Intellectual property > Patent litigation: solicitors Tier 5
Norton Rose Fulbright fields a German team that acts in patent disputes on the plaintiff and defendant side before the Federal Patent Court, the Federal Court of Justice and the European Patent Office, while disputes in an international context are handled in cooperation with other offices of the firm. The practice also has expertise in non-contentious IP issues such as freedom-to-operate opinions, due diligence and patent licensing. Practice head Clemens Rübel specializes in patent infringement and legal validity proceedings in technical areas, in particular electronics and telecommunications.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
WaveTouch Denmark A/S
Angelcare Group (einschließlich International Refills Company)
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
Depo Auto Parts Ltd
Work highlights
- Representing WaveTouch in patent infringement proceedings regarding fingerprint sensors for 5G smartphones against Huawei and Goodix.
Intellectual property > Trade marks Tier 5
Norton Rose Fulbright's IP practice is particularly strong in product piracy and border seizure proceedings and seamlessly handles cross-border mandates matters via its cross-location EMEA practice group. Daniel Marschollek assists clients from the sporting goods, luxury goods and pharmaceutical industries with trade mark, design patent and copyright matters as well as with IP litigation. Licensing agreements, registration strategies and transactional IP issues are among Manuel Merling's strengths.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The law firm offers exemplary service.’
‘Excellent and valuable network.’
Key clients
Adler Modemärkte AG
Abercrombie & Fitch
AllStar CV (Converse)
BNP Paribas SA
Canopy Growth Corporation
Celine S.A.
Christian Dior Couture SA
Emilio Pucci Srl
Energizer Brands LLC
Engelbert Strauss GmbH & Co. KG
Fair Isaac Corporation
Givenchy S.A.
Indeed Inc.
Kema BV
Kenzo S.A.
Koch Industries
Loewe S.A.
NIKE International CV
Sandvik Mining and Construction Crushing Technology
Sunflower Management GmbH & Co KG
Work highlights
- Advising and representing a French luxury goods company in court proceedings against a Germany-based international manufacturer of handbags and shoes with regard to the enforcement of trade mark-protected designs.
- Advising and representing a Swiss luxury goods company in court proceedings against a well-known German company in the field of customised second-hand luxury watches pertaining to the limits of trade mark exhaustion.
Private equity > Transactions Tier 5
Norton Rose Fulbright advises well-known national and international private equity investors and focuses primarily on the sectors technology, digitisation, financial services, healthcare, energy, mobility and infrastructure. The transactional support primarily covers the mid-cap segment. Frank Henkel (PE, VC, corporate, M&A, fintech as well as investment and banking regulatory law) and Nils Rahlf (PE, VC, corporate, M&A and capital market) jointly head the practice from Munich and Frankfurt respectively.Practice head(s):
Key clients
AnaCap Financial Partners
Ancala Partners LLP
Arcus Capital AG
Armira Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG
AutoScout24 GmbH
Chaos
ConUti GmbH
Cube II Communications
Dradura Gruppe
European Investment Bank (EIB)
FSN Capital VI
Gamut Capital / JPW Industries
H.I.G. European Partners
Löwenstark Digital Group GmbH
Purplebricks Group Plc
Stürtz Gruppe
SUSI Partners
Tiger Infrastructure Partners
Vitruvian Partners
Work highlights
- Advising FSN Capital VI on an investment in MEGABAD, a leading e-commerce retailer of sanitary products and accessories in the DACH region.
- Advice to AnaCap Financial Partners on their investment in SaaS fintech company fintus, a provider of low-code software for the financial services sector.
- Advising the shareholders of CONUTI GmbH in connection with the investment by the PE investor NORD Holding.
Germany > Antitrust Tier 6
With industry expertise in retail, automotive and energy, the Norton Rose Fulbright team is particularly visible in the context of transaction-related merger controls, while forensic and preventive antitrust law advice, cartel damages claims and the interfaces to state aid and foreign trade law represent further practice pillars. Embedded in the international network, the German team often cooperates with the London, Paris, New York and Brussels offices. At the latter, Michael Jürgen Werner (sector focus energy, automotive, transport and telecommunications) is one of the key contacts of the group, which is headed by Tim Schaper in Hamburg; Schaper is well versed in antitrust investigations and abuse of market power.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Michael Jürgen Werner: A proven expert in antitrust and competition law with excellent knowledge of the international financial services sector.’
‘Michael Jürgen Werner is not only available to us on a regular basis for the legal assessment of complicated matters relevant to competition, but also supports the internal further training of employees with tailor-made training courses.’
‘Michael Jürgen Werner can be contacted at any time and is characterized by his calm and level-headed manner in discussions with difficult contractual partners.’
Key clients
Imperial International Holding
FSN Capital
Modern Times Group (MTG)
CAE, Inc.
C3 Gruppe
Brookfield Asset Management Limited
Tiger Infrastructure Partners LP
Work highlights
- Advising and representing Imperial International Holding in an cartel damages claim against several members of the truck cartel.
- Advice on merger control law to FSN Capital on the acquisition of all shares in the sanitary group Stiller GmbH; registrations in Germany and Austria.
- Advice on merger control law to Modern Times Group (MTG) on the sale of ESL Gaming Group to Savvy Esports Investment Limited. In addition, coordination of merger control law filings in the US and Saudi Arabia and investment control filing in Australia.
Germany > Tax Tier 6
Compliance
Private equity > Venture capital
Norton Rose Fulbright > Firm Profile
The firm: Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm. We provide the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We have more than 4000 lawyers and other legal staff based in more than 50 cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.
Areas of practice: Recognized for our industry focus, we are strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and life sciences and healthcare. Through our global risk advisory group, we leverage our industry experience with our knowledge of legal, regulatory, compliance and governance issues to provide our clients with practical solutions to the legal and regulatory risks facing their businesses.
Wherever we are, we operate in accordance with our global business principles of quality, unity and integrity. We aim to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of our offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.
Norton Rose Fulbright Verein, a Swiss verein, helps coordinate the activities of Norton Rose Fulbright members but does not itself provide legal services to clients. Norton Rose Fulbright has offices in more than 50 cities worldwide, including London, Houston, New York, Toronto, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Sydney and Johannesburg. For more information, see nortonrosefulbright.com
Offices: We have offices in the world’s most important business, financial and regulatory centres and are active in strategically important growth markets. Our offices are located in Amsterdam, Athens, Austin, Bahrain, Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Brussels, Calgary, Canberra, Cape Town, Casablanca, Dallas, Denver, Dubai, Durban, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Houston, Istanbul, Jakarta (in association with Norton Rose Fulbright Australia), Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Luxembourg, Melbourne, Mexico City, Milan, Minneapolis, Monaco, Montréal, Moscow, Munich, New York, Ottawa, Paris, Perth, Piraeus, Port Moresby, Québec, Rio de Janeiro, Riyadh (in association with Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm), San Antonio, San Francisco, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, St Louis, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Vancouver, Warsaw and Washington, DC. In Africa, we have alliances with firms in Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Zimbabwe
Number of partners (worldwide): 1,000+
Number of other fee-earners (worldwide): 2,000+
Total staff: 7,500+
Global key contacts
Financial institutions: James Bateson
Energy: Anne Lapierre and John Mauel
Infrastructure, mining and commodities: Nick Merritt
Transport: Harry Theochari
Technology: Nick Abrahams
Life sciences and healthcare: Stacey Martinez and Randy Sutton
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Financial institutions | James Bateson | ||
Energy | Charles Whitney | ||
Infrastructure, mining and commodities | Dirk Trautmann | ||
Transport | Harry Theochari | ||
Technology and innovation | Sean Murphy | ||
Life sciences and healthcare | Huw Evans |
Other
Other offices : Amsterdam Other offices : Athens Other offices : Austin Other offices : Bahrain Other offices : Bangkok Other offices : Beijing Other offices : Bogotá Other offices : Brisbane Other offices : Brussels Other offices : Calgary Other offices : Canberra Other offices : Cape Town Other offices : Caracas Other offices : Casablanca Other offices : Dallas Other offices : Dar es Salaam Other offices : Denver Other offices : Dubai Other offices : Durban Other offices : Hamburg Other offices : Hong Kong Other offices : Houston Other offices : Istanbul Other offices : Jakarta (in association with Norton Rose Fulbright Australia) Other offices : Johannesburg Other offices : London Other offices : Los Angeles Other offices : Luxembourg Other offices : Melbourne Other offices : Mexico City Other offices : Milan Other offices : Minneapolis Other offices : Monaco Other offices : Montréal Other offices : Moscow Other offices : Munich Other offices : New York Other offices : Ottawa Other offices : Paris Other offices : Perth Other offices : Piraeus Other offices : Port Moresby Other offices : Québec Other offices : Rio de Janeiro Other offices : Riyadh (in association with Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm) Other offices : San Antonio Other offices : San Francisco Other offices : São Paulo Other offices : Shanghai Other offices : Singapore Other offices : St Louis Other offices : Sydney Other offices : Tokyo Other offices : Toronto Other offices : Vancouver Other offices : Warsaw Other offices : Washington, DC Other offices : In Africa, it has alliances with firms in Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Zimbabwe.Legal Briefings
-
Establishing an open, mature and resilient insurance market in China
Since China’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001, China has been making significant efforts to comply with its WTO commitments and has been progressively opening the Chinese insurance market to the world. Since 2017, China has been the world’s second largest insurance market, only next to the United States. Official data shows …
Comparative Guides
-
France: Lending & Secured Finance
Published: April 2023
Authors: Alexandre Roth
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Lending & Secured Finance laws and regulations applicable in France.
-
United States: International Arbitration
Published: November 2023
Authors: Matthew H. KirtlandKatie ConnollyEsha KambojEddie SkolnickErnesto M. Hernández
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of International Arbitration laws and regulations applicable in United States.
-
South Africa: Pharmaceutical Advertising
Published: December 2023
Authors: Natasha Naidoo
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Pharmaceutical Advertising laws and regulations applicable in South Africa.
-
United Kingdom: Banking & Finance
Published: March 2024
Authors: Hannah Meakin Matthew GregorySimon Lovegrove Uzmah Yunis Lizzie Cox Hishaam Khan
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Banking & Finance laws and regulations applicable in United Kingdom.
- Transport > Maritime and shipping
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Capital markets > Debt capital markets
- Capital markets > Equity capital markets
- Industry focus > Energy
- Real estate and construction > Real estate
- Banking and finance > Fintech
- Banking and finance > Real estate finance
- Corporate and M&A > Corporate
- Corporate and M&A > M&A
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation
- Information technology > Data protection
- Insurance > Advice to insurers
- Restructuring and insolvency > Restructuring