Osborne Clarke > Cologne, Germany > Firm Profile

Osborne Clarke > The Legal 500 Rankings

Industry focus > Artificial Intelligence Tier 1

Osborne Clarke follows an interdisciplinary approach in advising on AI use and is particularly well versed in regulatory matters as well as IP, data protection and contract law. The team regularly advises on the applicability of the AI ​​regulation and subsequent matters as well as AI use in the context of trade secrets protection as well as pertaining to regulated industries such as the financial industry; transaction support is another core topic, which was most recently demonstrated in advising on the takeover of an AI company specialising in deep learning. Practice head Jens Schefzig is experienced in regulatory matters pertaining to data use in the context of AI.

Information technology > Data protection Tier 1

Media > Entertainment

Osborne Clarke‘s offering includes supporting gaming developers in independent product launches, where the firm advises on youth and consumer protection issues as well as marketing. The practice also covers regulatory aspects in connection with e-commerce and IT projects across the media and digital industries; this interface is a key focus of practice head Konstantin Ewald, who also advises on platform compliance and software licensing.

Private equity > Venture capital Tier 1

Osborne Clarke is experienced in advising start-ups on investments via large-volume financing rounds and routinely acts across the pharmaceutical, fintech, energy and technology sectors; the team is also well versed in supporting leading European start-ups from the AI segment. The venture capital practice acts integrated into the corporate group and is led by Nicolas Gabrysch, who focuses on growth financing in the venture and growth capital areas, primarily in the US. Robin Eyben mainly advises clients from the technology sector as well as transformation-driven investors, funds and start-ups on the entire VC value chain.

Banking and finance > Fintech Tier 2

Osborne Clarke's general expertise in technology and digitisation is regularly demonstrated by its banking and capital markets practice. Eric Romba leads the team, which advises various fintechs on BaFin licensing procedures, platform development and implementation as well as products and cooperations. These topics are also key strengths of Robert Oppenheim, who is well versed in regulatory matters, distributed ledger technologies and robo-advisors. Cryptocurrencies and digital distribution systems are another focus.

Industry focus > Energy Tier 2

Osborne Clarke most recently supported various energy-related transactions and financing matters, with recent instructions pertaining to wind and solar energy as well as battery storage. Other mainstays include the advice on contract drafting as well as related regulatory issues; this expertise was strengthened in April 2024 with the arrival of Martin Geipel from Noerr. Practice head Daniel Breuer focuses on renewable energies, PPAs, asset management as well as litigation.  

Information technology > Information technology and digitalisation Tier 2

Information technology > IT transactions and outsourcing Tier 2

Intellectual property > Unfair competition Tier 2

Osborne Clarke's competition advice is particularly dedicated to the automotive and life sciences industries, while recent instructions predominantly concerned licensing issues in the pharmaceutical sector and access to technical data and information. Under the leadership of Marcus Sacré, who is particularly active in the automotive and consumer goods industries, the team regularly assists with competition disputes concerning advertising statements and counterfeiting as well as strategic issues. In addition to trade mark, copyright and competition law, Matthias Kloth and Robert Briske are also well versed in licensing and distribution issues.

Trade and distribution > Trade, distribution and logistics Tier 2

Osborne Clarke boasts longstanding expertise in trade and distribution law in connection with the automotive industry, where the team advises domestic and cross-border players, including associations, on the restructuring of distribution systems, trade agreements and supply chain disruptions. The team, led by Sebastian Hack, who is well versed in online trading and distribution systems, also advises clients from the fashion, consumer goods and online marketplace segments on franchise and logistics matters. Carsten Dau is experienced in distribution law, while Daniel Stein focuses on distribution and distribution antitrust law.

Industry focus > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3

Osborne Clarke is experienced in pharmaceutical contracts, cooperation agreements in the pharmaceutical sector, medical device law issues as well as regulatory aspects of cross-border transactions. Among the client roster are pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, which also benefit from the cooperation with the IP experts, who routinely act across the life sciences sector, this area was strengthened with the arrival of Florian Reiling from Clifford Chance in April 2024; another key contact here is practice head Tim Reinhard. Reinhard is additionally well versed in technology transfer and licensing agreements as well as mediation.

Intellectual property > Trade marks Tier 3

Osborne Clarke has a focus on the automotive and life sciences sectors, while scoring particularly well in trade mark disputes. In addition, the team is also adept in strategic advice and, thanks to its broad practice group, can skilfully cover adjacent IP areas such as copyright and competition law. Marcus Sacré leads the team and is particularly popular with clients from the consumer goods and automotive sectors, and also has in-depth expertise in compulsory license claims on data and information. Robert Briske, who assists with trade mark, copyright and competition law, made partner in January 2024.

Corporate and M&A > M&A Tier 4

Osborne Clarke's M&A advice primarily concerns small-cap transactions for PE investors, family offices and leading German companies, including listed companies such as BayWa AG and Bechtle AG. Practice head Björn Hürten is one of the key contacts for company acquisitions and sales, joint ventures, carve-outs and related restructurings.

Transport > Advice to the transport sector Tier 4

Osborne Clarke combines its expertise in the technology and transport sectors and advises both public and private transport and logistics companies on the integration of AI and other evolving technologies into their operations. The practice is led by antitrust specialist Thomas Funke, he is also experienced in investigations and fines proceedings.

Germany > Antitrust Tier 5

Osborne Clarke's antitrust team impresses with expertise in abuse, merger control and investment control proceedings as well as internal investigations, antitrust compliance and the drafting of distribution and cooperation agreements in accordance with antitrust law. The team is particularly well versed in cartel damages compensation claims, which corresponds with the focus of practice head Thomas Funke.

Germany > Employment Tier 5

Osborne Clarke's employment advice focuses on issues related to New Work, such as compliance, data protection and AI, as well as issues concerning discrimination, occupational health and safety. These topics are also addressed by practice head David Plitt, whose clients frequently seek advice on new working models and sustainability in employment relationships. The support of business transfers, transformations and restructurings as well as issues relating to works constitution law represent further areas of expertise.