Taylor Wessing > Berlin, Germany > Firm Profile

Taylor Wessing > The Legal 500 Rankings

Information technology > Data protection Tier 1

From its five offices in Germany and with an international outreach, Taylor Wessing regularly assists with cutting-edge matters related to big data, machine learning and artificial intelligence, especially in the healthcare, finance and insurance sectors as well as in the automotive industry. The regarded Axel Freiherr von dem Bussche, who heads the technology, media and telecommunications practice as well as the international US Group for Germany, predominantly advises on international transactions, contractual and regulatory issues as well as on the transformation of digital business models and negotiations with supervisory authorities. Paul Voigt on the other hand, does 'a bombastic job' on international data protection projects as well as on e-commerce, IT contract and security law issues. Additionally, Thomas Kahl focuses on data protection incidents, cyber attacks and regulatory data protection procedures. Fritz-Ulli Pieper made partner in January 2021.

Information technology > Information technology and digitalisation Tier 1

Taylor Wessing impresses with its broadly skilled, European-oriented and very experienced IT team that is led by Axel Freiherr von dem Bussche. The practice has a clear focus on digital transformation, hereby advising on digitization projects relating to office and home environments (smart homes) as well as within the health and mobility sectors. In addition, the team is regularly instructed by international blue-chip technology players to advise on matters concerning artificial intelligence, machine learning and virtual reality, as well as on e-commerce issues pertaining to AI. Among other things, Detlef Klett is highly regarded for his assistance to the public sector with IT infrastructure matters. Tobias Schelinski 'is an extremely practical and solution-oriented specialist for all IT issues' and heads the firm's logistics and transport industry group. Maraike Gehrmann is recommended.

Intellectual property > Trade marks

International firm Taylor Wessing is well positioned for cross-border mandates. Germany was among the countries, where the firm broadened its prosecution and litigation offering with the expansion of newly acquired as well as existing mandates. The practice advises at national and international level and assisted with numerous China-related matters in 2020 and 2021 via the IP agency Beijing Tailun Intellectual Property Agency Co. Ltd, founded in 2019, under the leadership of Thomas Pattloch and Helen Wan, formerly at the firm’s Beijing office. The soft IP practice is increasingly active in the life sciences sector, reflecting the firm's overall strength in this regard. Led by Olaf Gillert in Düsseldorf, clients are advised by teams tailored to their needs as well as specific regions. Nikolai Voss, who has expertise in the consumer goods and retail sectors, was appointed salary partner in July 2020.

Media > Entertainment

As part of the TMT group led by Axel Freiherr von dem Bussche, Taylor Wessing's broad media practice offers high-quality advice at the interface of media and technology. The team assists international players with the launch of new products and services as well as with strategic matters such as in connection with European copyright policy and the new EU copyright directive. Recently, issues such as copyright levies, liability for third-party content and general terms and conditions control procedures for terms of use also played a central role within the group's forensic advice. The assistance with several tech-based venture capital projects and M&A transactions further underline the practice's additional focus on corporate, digital business, entertainment and video games. Svenja-Ariane Maucher is particularly active in the latter area; she also co-heads the international practice group on commercial technology and data. Gregor Schmid is a regulatory expert and co-heads the video games practice.

Real estate and construction > Construction (including construction litigation)

Taylor Wessing 's construction law team focuses on plant construction as well as infrastructure. Clients such as chemical, logistics and energy companies are supported throughout the entire life cycle of the project. Renewable energies and digital infrastructure constitute industry focuses, including offshore wind projects  – a focus of André Guskow – data centres and the fibre optic network expansion being further key sectors. The team also has 'very well-founded knowledge of the industry ' in the areas of logistics (mainly warehouse automation) and hydrogen production. The team is led by Janina Pochhammer, who represents clients before national and international arbitral tribunals as well as state courts. Michael Baumhauer (maritime plant construction) switched to of counsel status at the beginning of 2021.

Dispute resolution > Product liability Tier 2

National and international product recalls, defence against and enforcement of liability claims as well as contentious follow-up issues relating to product compliance are all part of the advice offered by Taylor Wessing‘s dispute resolution group. Clients often stem from the technology, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors and can also be supported across borders with the help of the firm’s international network. Henning Moelle is experienced in product liability and advises on product recalls in the pharmaceutical sector, whereas practice head Philipp Behrendt is increasingly instructed for matters in the product safety field.

Industry focus > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Taylor Wessing covers both the healthcare and life sciences sectors. In 2020, the firm expanded its expertise in digital health, including IT and data protection advice, regulatory advice on pharmaceutical law, pharmaceutical advertising law and advising clients from the biotechnology sector. Corona-related instructions have also led to an increased demand in the advice on medical device law, distribution agreement matters as well as patent law. In the hospital sector, the team handles matters pertaining to the Hospital Future Act, including related procurement and data protection aspects. The  firm’s transaction practice, in frequent cooperation with the regulatory specialists, saw further growth in matters pertaining to medical care centers, inpatient facilities and in the care property sector, while the group also advised on transactions in the pharmaceutical and life sciences arena, including venture capital. The group’s international presence and its established relationships with US firms continue to generate numerous cross-border instructions. Cornelius Weitbrecht retired in December 2020. In Munich, patent law specialist Anja Lunze and Daniel Tietjen, who specialises in competition and trade mark law, were promoted to equity partners in May 2021, while Andrea Sautter, who specialises in regulatory advice and IP, was promoted to salary partner in December 2020. In Hamburg, M&A and venture capital specialist Niclas von Woedtke, previously at the Otto Group, joined the team as salary partner. Manja Epping in Munich and Michael Stein in Frankfurt jointly head the practice. The ‘Next Norm Legal’ initiative, launched in 2020, deals with the legal and social changes caused by the corona pandemic, especially those in the context of digitisation. The firm’s ‘Digital Legal Academy’ is dedicated to matters at the interface between digitisation and law.

Information technology > IT transactions and outsourcing Tier 2

The breadth of Taylor Wessing's TMT offering represents one of the practice's key success factors and generates synergies with several other practices including transactions and IT projects. The team around Axel Freiherr von dem Bussche is particularly active in outsourcing and infrastructure projects in connection with data centres and 5G communication as well as in cloud implementation matters and agile software projects. The group predominantly acts for clients from the e-commerce, insurance, healthcare and banking sectors including regulated financial service providers. Nicolai Wiegand is also a key contact.

Intellectual property > Patent litigation: solicitors Tier 2

Taylor Wessing is a renowned address for pan-European-oriented patent litigation. The German team, led by Christian Lederer, is particularly well integrated into the firm’s network in Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Austria and Eastern Europe, but also advises on cross-border proceedings beyond this. Mainly US, Japanese, Chinese and Taiwanese clients call upon the team’s expertise. The core focus areas are technology and life sciences, with the former covering primarily IT, electronics and automotive companies, while the latter includes pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical products companies. In January 2021, the team expanded with the appointments of Munich-based Andrea Sautter (pharma, biotech, medical products) and Julius Zacharias (life sciences) to partner, while further growth was noted in May 2021 when the equity partner roster was strengthened with the appointments of Anja Lunze (life sciences and healthcare) and Daniel Tietjen (life sciences).

Intellectual property > Unfair competition Tier 2

In competition law, Taylor Wessing is primarily active in advertising law and contentious proceedings. The IP practice is also increasingly aligning itself to the firm's overall focus on the life sciences, with large healthcare companies and pharmaceutical manufacturers among the client roster. Internationally, the firm can draw on its own extensive network in order for a one-stop shop offering for cross-border projects. The head of the practice is Olaf Gillert in Düsseldorf. In July 2020, Nikolai Voss made salary partner in Frankfurt. He mainly covers issues pertaining to advertising campaigns and unfair product counterfeits.

Private equity > Venture capital Tier 2

Taylor Wessing is regularly involved in large-volume VC financing rounds, but oversees the entire spectrum of relevant matters, ranging from early stages to exit. The group mainly acts for venture capital funds and in the field of corporate ventures and has particular expertise in the technology sector, especially in the areas of digital health, fintech and cleantech; the team's cross-border skills are also notable. In addition to both practice heads Jens Wolf and Klaus Grossmann, Norman Röchert (co-head of the industry group technology, media and communication) and transaction specialist Hassan Sohbi are also among the key contacts.

Real estate and construction > Project development Tier 2

Trade and distribution > Trade, distribution and logistics Tier 2

In commercial and distribution law, Taylor Wessing has a broad practice, which assists clients in the distribution of consumer and industrial goods. The group has industry-specific expertise in the areas automotive, logistics and transport, healthcare as well as consumer goods and retail with a special geographical focus on Italy and China. Other core topics incude product compliance, smart products, mobility, e-commerce and franchising. Recently, efforts have also been made to expand the range of advice on CSR and the restructuring of supply chains and distribution systems. Martin Rothermel heads the Commercial Agreement & Distribution department and convinces with broad experience in the field, including product liability and commercial agency systems. The automotive industry is primarily covered by Peter Hofbauer, while Julia Wulf focuses on technology-oriented companies. Benedikt Rohrßen made partner in May 2021 and advises on commercial, franchise and distribution law, he plays a key role in the development and expansion of the Italy desk.

Banking and finance > Real estate finance Tier 3

In close cooperation with its real estate practice, Taylor Wessing covers a wide range of financing issues mainly for banks, but also increasingly for sponsors and borrowers. Hence, the group is experienced in acquisition and development finance, sale-and-lease-back transactions, senior, mezzanine, CMBS and RMBS finance and restructuring. Matters involve individual properties as well as portfolios and span various asset classes; most recently, the team was especially active in the commercial, office and residential sectors. The team, which was strengthened by the arrival of salary partner and real estate financing specialist Jennifer Maiworm (previously principal associate at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer) in November 2020, is headed by Clemens Niedner, who is experienced in restructuring as well as financing.

Corporate and M&A > Corporate Tier 3

Taylor Wessing‘s ongoing corporate advice includes restructuring, corporate and domination agreements, amendments of the statutes, mergers and spin-offs as well as takeovers and annual general meetings. Companies, corporations and listed stock corporations from technology-driven industries as well as their executive and supervisory boards are among the client roster. Also noteworthy are the frequent synergies with the capital markets team as well as the team’s experience in China-related matters. The team, headed by Klaus Grossmann, also includes Lars-Gerrit Lüßmann, who is a key contact for listed companies. Sebastian Beyer, who is experienced in stock corporation and capital markets law, is another key lawyer. This interface competence was further strengthened with the arrival of Nikolaus Plagemann (previously at Ceconomy) as a salary partner in January 2022.

Corporate and M&A > M&A: mid-sized deals (sub-€500m) Tier 3

Taylor Wessing's transactional team is divided into subgroups focusing on technology, energy, real estate, healthcare, private wealth, capital markets and industrials. The team offers comprehensive support for investors, funds and corporations in national and cross-border transactions, especially in the US and China context. Interfacing corporate law matters are regularly handled by practice head Klaus Grossmann, while Peter Hellich routinely covers issues at the interface with venture capital and private equity.

Industry focus > Energy Tier 3

Taylor Wessing advises on transactional and financing issues, primarily in the sectors onshore wind and photovoltaics. Another key topic is plant construction, where offshore wind farms are a particular focus. The practice is also expanding its expertise in other power plants. Regulatory issues, including energy industry law issues, as well as environmental and planning law are also covered by the team. Salary partner Markus Böhme in Düsseldorf oversees the regulatory practice in Germany. Other key contacts are Carsten Bartholl, head of the international M&A and corporate practice, and Tillmann Pfeifer, who heads the corresponding German practice, both are based in Hamburg.

Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 3

Insurance supervision law and insurance agency law, including related compliance issues, form the core of Taylor Wessing's insurance practice. The team further focuses on M&A and reinsurance contracts and is led by Gunbritt Kammerer-Galahn, who, in addition to the team's aforementioned mainstays, also advises on consolidation, insurance portfolios run-offs and W&I policies. Oliver Klöck specialises in matters related to statutory health insurance companies. Associate Yannick Eckervogt assists clients with transactions, run-offs and company formation.

Germany > Private clients and non-profits Tier 3

Taylor Wessing has 'a very high legal standard for multinational and highly complex contracts in the  family and inheritance law sphere '. The team assists with matters related to companies, land, art and real estate and advises on a broad spectrum of asset structures; these increasingly entail cross-border aspects, for which the team is well equipped due to its close cross-locational cooperation. Axel Godron is also experienced in international succession planning. He jointly heads the practice with transaction specialist Martin Kraus.

Public sector > State aid Tier 3

Taylor Wessing's practice offers a wide range of state aid advice to federal ministries, banks and international companies, with a focus on the public finance, infrastructure and healthcare sectors. The team advises on state aid aspects related to various large-scale projects and recently often assisted public finance sector clients with matters pertaining to financial Covid-19 aid. Marco Hartmann-Rüppel in Hamburg heads the practice.

Real estate and construction > Real estate Tier 3

Taylor Wessing advises on transactions, project developments, asset management and joint ventures, including various related topics. An interdisciplinary approach is apparent in advising on specialist properties, such as data centres and nursing homes, particularly with regard to the firm's technology and healthcare departments. Practice head Anja Fenge is well versed in drafting and negotiating contracts for complex portfolio transactions and advises regulated funds on commercial tenancy law.

Trade and distribution > Foreign trade law Tier 3

At Taylor Wessing, the foreign trade law team is integrated into the Competition, EU & Trade practice group. On the one hand, the team around Michael Brüggemann is convincing in the area of trade compliance, in which industrial and service companies are among the core clients. On the other hand, investment audit procedures are among the firm's core competencies, where the group is frequently instructed by Chinese investors and German sellers. Brüggemann's main focuses include compliance with foreign trade regulations for imports and exports, as well as embargoes, dual-use regulations and investment control procedures. André Lippert bridges the interface to public law and advises clients extensively on trade compliance matters. In October 2020, associate Johannes Schaadt-Wambach joined the firm's team from Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH and has expertise in EU law.

Transport > Advice to the transport sector Tier 3

Taylor Wessing specialises in aviation, infrastructure and e-mobility and, in this context, not only handles regulatory issues but also environmental and planning matters; however, the team also experienced an increase in instructions from the railway and airport sectors. Norbert Kämper's predominantly focuses on airport planning and various issues related to specialist planning and environmental law. He jointly heads the practice with Michael Brüggemann, whose advice also covers public procurement and state aid issues in the transport sector. Timo Stellpflug handles technology-based projects and digitisation matters.

Banking and finance > Lending and borrowing Tier 4

Taylor Wessing focuses on acquisition and corporate finance as well as on financial restructuring, while the arrival of Jennifer Maiworm in Hamburg as a salary partner at the end of 2020 (previously Principal Associate at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer) also strengthened the group's real estate finance capacities. Practice head Clemens Niedner also devotes himself to this range of topics, including restructuring advice, for which the group routinely cooperates with the firm's insolvency and restructuring teams. In the acquisition financing field, the team predominantly advises private equity and private debt funds, and in the corporate loan area, it is primarily instructed by banks.

Capital markets > Equity capital markets Tier 4

Taylor Wessing's capital markets practice is an integral part of its corporate team, resulting in special interdisciplinary competencies, which were further strengthened by the arrival of Nikolaus Plagemann (previously at Ceconomy) as salary partner in January 2022. Lars-Gerrit Lüßmann further advises on public takeovers and M&A transactions in addition to traditional capital and stock corporation law issues. The team predominantly assists companies, mostly in the context of (reverse) IPOs, legal form changes, stock dividends and stock buyback programs. For US stock exchange listings, the practice cooperates with US firms. Due to its close cooperation with the supervisory and IT teams, the group is also experienced in the issuance of token-based securities.

Compliance Tier 4

Taylor Wessing offers a full-service approach by covering interfacing corporate, employment and data protection matters. The group is experienced in the implementation and review of compliance management systems and also offers related legal tech tools. Recent topics include money laundering prevention issues as well as business partner due diligence. Since 2020, the team is jointly led by Jan-Patrick Vogel (focus on criminal employment law and human resources) and Martin Knaup (focus on contentious corporate law matters) and also includes Mike Goldammer (corporate and M&A issues with outbound links to China), Axel Freiherr von dem Bussche (TMT), Oliver Bertram (employment law) and Dirk Lorenz (corporate compliance).  

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 4

Taylor Wessing's dispute resolution practice is experienced in distribution, commercial, corporate and transaction-related disputes. Recently, the group saw an increase in instructions pertaining to contentious tech matters where it was able to provide cross-practice and cross-border advice thanks to the firm's full-service approach. The team is led by Philipp Behrendt and frequently represents companies in the life sciences, energy, pharmaceutical and consumer goods sectors. Other important contacts are IT specialist Jörg Wimmers, Volker Herrmann and Donata von Enzberg, both of whom are experienced in assisting with proceedings before arbitration and federal courts.

Germany > Employment Tier 4

With the partner promotion of Christian Maron in April 2021, Taylor Wessing emphasised its focus on the US, reflected in the increased support for North American clients entering the German market. The Japan desk already expanded with the partner promotion of Michael Johannes Pils in mid-2020. At the same time, Johannes Simon also made partner. He comprehensively handles all individual and collective employment law issues, including restructuring advice, a key advisory focus of the practice. Since 2021, the team is headed by Kilian Friemel, who took over from restructuring expert Marc André Gimmy, while the latter was simultaneously promoted to the firm’s management. Other key topics are data protection– particularly for technology-oriented companies – healthcare and compliance.

Insurance > Insurance litigation Tier 4

Taylor Wessing recently experienced an increase in instructions related to major damages which includes coverage and recourse proceedings, and this in particular with regard to property, fire and construction work damages as well as damage from technical insurance.  Gunbritt Kammerer-Galahn's team also assists with cyber damage and D&O cases. Franz Janssen specialises in defending against and enforcing property damages and default damages claims, valuables transport and related recourse, while Claus Peter Knufinke assists with industrial and technical insurance cases. Senior associate Yannick Eckervogt primarily advises on D&O issues.

Public sector > Planning and environment Tier 4

One of the strengths of Taylor Wessing's team is its construction planning advice to retail industry clients, while the practice is also well versed in airport planning, compliance issues and regulatory energy issues. The team is headed by 'very calm, prudent and experienced specialist' Norbert Kämper, who has expertise in infrastructure projects such as airports and inland ports.

Public sector > Public procurement Tier 4

Taylor Wessing's practice around Michael Brüggemann in Düsseldorf covers a wide range of procurement issues, with the group being particularly often instructed by federal ministries and companies in the armaments industry to advise on procurement in the defence and security sector; notably, the team assists with the federal government's IT consolidation. The practice also assists state ministries and transport and telecommunications sector players with infrastructure procurement, and is further present in the health sector where its advises pharmaceutical companies on pandemic-related procurement. Further expertise exists in EU's self-awarding law. Marco Hartmann-Rüppel heads the competition, EU and trade practice from Hamburg.

Restructuring and insolvency > Restructuring Tier 4

Taylor Wessing has special expertise in pre-insolvency and insolvency litigation, resulting in regular instructions by insolvency administrators, creditors and financial investors. The team also assists with distressed M&A transactions and financial restructuring and advises on the preparation of orderly insolvency proceedings as well as on bank pools and creditor committees. Hendrik Boss is routinely instructed by creditors and investors to assist with crisis situations and protective shield proceedings. Headed jointly heads the practice with Martin Heidrich, who is experienced in protective shield, self-administration and insolvency plan proceedings. Ingo Gerdes (focus on insolvency litigation) is another key contact.

Dispute resolution > Arbitration (including international arbitration) Tier 5

Led by Philipp Behrendt, the Taylor Wessing team assists clients from Germany and abroad with various contentious issues, while being able to rely on support from its international network in cross-border matters; the group focuses on the life sciences, energy and pharmaceuticals industries. Donata von Enzberg heads the arbitration group and is active in contentious matters relating to acquisitions, commercial and distribution law, while Carsten Müller takes on contentious corporate issues.

Private equity > Transactions Tier 5

Taylor Wessing focuses on advising on PE transactions in the middle market segment and in this context assists numerous portfolio companies of private equity houses. The group has particular expertise in the healthcare and technology sectors. Thanks to cross-practice cooperation, the team is also well equipped to assist with transactions in the distressed area as well as with related financing issues. Walter Henle and Maria Weiers jointly head the practice which also includes corporate and commercial law expert Ernst-Albrecht Von Beauvais.

Germany > Antitrust Tier 6

Taylor Wessing's antitrust practice advises a diverse and often international client base with a focus on automotive and mobility, manufacturing and the digital economy. In this context, the team frequently assists with cross-border transactions, while the practice's constantly increasing internationalization is particularly tangible with regards  to its Asian business. Practice head Marco Hartmann-Rüppel in Hamburg has expertise in international transactions, strategic cooperation and competition litigation, Stephan Manuel Nagel has 'an excellent understanding of economic relationships' and Stefan Horn made salary partner in June 2020.

Corporate and M&A > M&A: smaller deals (-€100m)

Taylor Wessing is well positioned to advise on transactions of all sizes and has particular experience in technology-driven industries, advising companies as well as investors. Via a designated China desk and good relationships with the US offices, transactions in these jurisdictions are also advised on. Klaus Grossmann heads the group, from which Martin Kraus (specialisation in transactions linked to tax law and inheritance law issues) and Peter Hellich (in addition to M&A, also PE and VC transactions) should be highlighted as active advisors.