Taylor Wessing > Munich, Germany > Firm Profile

Taylor Wessing > The Legal 500 Rankings

Corporate and M&A > M&A

Taylor Wessing advises medium-sized German companies as well as large international corporations from the technology, energy, real estate, life sciences and health sectors on M&A transactions, with the practice's cross-border capacities being particularly strong in relation to China, the Middle East, the US and Brazil . Practice head Klaus Grossmann is experienced in cross-border M&A and joint ventures and regularly acts for companies in the logistics, chemical and automotive industries, while Michael Stein primarily assists clients in the life sciences and healthcare sectors and Peter Hellich focuses on the technology industry. In May 2023, four partners joined Gowling WLG: M&A and capital markets lawyers Lars-Gerrit Lüßmann and Ulrich Reers, M&A and joint venture specialist Michael Sinhart as well as Michael Lamsa, who is experienced in private equity. Venture capital and M&A specialist Armin Bartsch had previously joined from Noerr in October 2022.

Industry focus > Healthcare and life sciences

Taylor Wessing's focus is mirrored in the practice group management: Anja Lunze heads the life sciences segment, while Michael Stein is the key contact for the healthcare sector. Clients benefit from the close cooperation of the corporate, M&A and regulatory teams, where the team regularly supports buyers in transactions in the outpatient and inpatient sectors and in the formation of groups of medical care centers; the team also covers the procurement law interface, including advising hospital chains on the Hospital Future Act and the implementation of IT system, above all, hospital information systems. The focus in the life sciences area is on advising pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies on medical, pharmaceutical, patent and trademark law issues, including product liability and contentious matters. This is completed by capacities in the digital healthcare segment, where the regulatory team frequently cooperates with the TMT practice. Medical law expert Karolina Lange-Kulmann was appointed partner in April 2023, while Stefanie Greifeneder (regulatory, commercial and contract-related matters in the pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology sectors; compliance) joined the team the following month from Fieldfisher.

Information technology > Data protection Tier 1

Taylor Wessing‘s data protection and cyber security expertise is regularly called upon by international and national companies from various sectors as well as public sector clients. The team is particularly well versed in the automotive and healthcare sectors, where the team respectively advises on e-mobility, autonomous driving and cyber security matters as well as data collection, the development of data structures and cloud applications. The practice acts from five German locations and assists with the transformation of digital and global business models and the development of new products. Mareike Gehrmann routinely covers data protection and cyber security issues in connection with digitisation projects; she made partner in April 2023. Malek Barudi (data protection, IP and e-commerce) made partner at the same time. The team also represents clients in contentious proceedings, here, practice head Paul Voigt is regularly instructed by online gaming providers.

Information technology > Information technology and digitalisation Tier 1

Taylor Wessing routinely advises national and multinational companies from the finance, gaming, telecoms, automotive and e-health sectors as well as public sector clients, where Detleff Klett regularly leads in large-scale IT and infrastructure projects. The team focuses on matters pertaining to digital transformation, cyber security, cloud solutions and AI. Clients from the healthcare segment frequently instruct the practice on cloud solutions for hospitals and electronic patient records, while in the automotive sector OEMs and automotive suppliers are supported with digital transformation strategies (connectivity services, autonomous driving systems, e-mobility). Related data protection issues are covered by Axel Freiherr von dem Bussche. Mareike Gehrmann (digitisation, IT contract law, SaaS) and Malek Barudi (copyright and copyright contract law) were appointed to partners in April 2023. The practice is led by IT contract and security law expert Paul Voigt, who also cover ​​e-commerce matters.

Intellectual property > Trade marks

Taylor Wessing manages a considerable trade mark portfolio across a wide range of sectors, which is not least due to the firm's international network. The practice further acts in disputes before various courts and authorities  such as the BGH and EUIPO. In addition to the firm's international offices, the German trade mark team also benefits from its network with IP agency Beijing Tailun, which allows for a strong foothold in the Chinese market. Contentious matters and strategic advice are among the core competencies of practice head Olaf Gillert, who combines his trade mark skills with expertise in design, copyright and competition law.

Media > Entertainment

Taylor Wessing fields a diverse TMT practice, which primarily supports large technology companies and platforms in the media sector. A key strength is the advice on the launch and expansion of digital tools and copyright-related products as well as data protection and competition law. Led by data protection lawyer Paul Voigt, the team is particularly well versed in supporting user-based platforms in matters pertaining to transparency and youth protection. Gregor Schmid is experienced in IT and e-commerce and routinely handles licensing agreements, terms and conditions and gaming-related matters. Jörg Wimmers regularly supports transactions and product launches in the digital space, while Malek Barudi, who made partner in April 2023, represents clients in copyright and personal rights proceedings.

Private equity > Venture capital Tier 1

Taylor Wessing comprehensively advises investors, venture capital funds and companies on early stage and large-volume financing rounds as well as exits. Clients benefit from the close cooperation with the M&A team as well as a US law firm in transactions in the technology and life sciences sector. The team has further industry expertise in the digital healthcare, fintech, foodtech, cleantech and spacetech segments. Jens Wolf primarily acts on behalf of PE funds, VC investors and technology-oriented companies; Wolf is well versed at the interface between VC and M&A and jointly heads the practice with Norman Röchert, who is experienced in capital markets law, VC and M&A.  Armin Bartsch (financing rounds, exits/buy-outs as well as advice on setting up and expanding digital business models) joined the team as a salary partner in October 2022; he was previously at Noerr.

Real estate and construction > Construction (including construction litigation)

Taylor Wessing's projects, energy & infrastructure practice is led by Janina Pochhammer and supports national and international clients in infrastructure and technology-related projects as well as in large-scale projects in industrial plant construction. The team focuses on energy, logistics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and maritime plant construction as well as on digital infrastructure and the aerospace and defense segment, thanks to the close cross-practice cooperation. Core topics are project contract drafting and negotiations as well as project and contract management; the practice also handles related dispute resolution.

Real estate and construction > Project development Tier 1

Trade and distribution > Trade, distribution and logistics

Taylor Wessing impresses with expertise in supply chain and franchise matters and routinely advises in connection with e-commerce platforms and supply chain due diligence. Practice head Benedikt Rohrßen also heads the firm's Italy desk and is regularly instructed by companies with German-Italian business relations on the design and digitisation of innovative distribution systems; he also covers distribution antitrust law matters. Compliance expert Martin Rothermel primarily assists with risk management pertaining to supply chain due diligence and Peter Hofbauer frequently advises clients from the automotive industry on contract law; Hofbauer is also experienced in ​​commercial litigation.

Dispute resolution > Product liability Tier 2

Taylor Wessing's in-depth experience extends from product liability, product safety and compliance to product recalls and is reflected in numerous instructions from high-profile international companies from the life sciences, manufacturing and engineering as well as automotive and pharmaceutical sectors. Product liability specialist Henning Moelle is particularly well versed in the latter sector and regularly advises on complex product liability cases, product recalls and product safety matters; areas in which practice head Philipp Behrendt is also renowned.

Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 2

Taylor Wessing focuses on insurance supervision and insurance broker law. The German team is led by Gunbritt Kammerer-Galahn, who also coordinates the firm’s international financial services & insurance practice and is known for her expertise in ESG matters, insurance M&A, run-offs, reinsurance contracts as well as D&O, liability, accident and residual debt (life) insurance. Claus Peter Knufinke specialises in industrial insurance claims in connection with the settlement of property damages and Oliver Klöck is well versed in statutory health insurance law, while Karolina Lange-Kulmann focuses on regulatory matters. Franz Janssen (property and default damages as well as aviation liability) retired in September 2022.

Intellectual property > Patent litigation: solicitors Tier 2

Taylor Wessing impresses with cross-border skills, which also benefit clients in extensive patent litigation. This has resulted in an international client base, particularly from the US, Japan and China as well as Taiwan and South Korea, although start-ups and German companies also form part of its client roster. The practice group’s sector focus primarily lies on life sciences and technology. Gisbert Hohagen leads the team and has expert knowledge of employee invention law, while Dietrich Kamlah is experienced in antitrust- and SEP-related matters. Roland Küppers, who assists with issues in the telecommunications, optoelectronics and semiconductor technology areas among others, is another key contact.

Intellectual property > Unfair competition Tier 2

Due to the firm's global outreach, Taylor Wessing's competition advice often entails cross-border aspects. With a focus on the life sciences and healthcare sectors, it handles contentious proceedings and various strategic issues such as product launches, although it has recently also been increasingly active in matters on ​​climate-related advertising. In addition to competition law, practice head Olaf Gillert is also experienced in trade mark, design and copyright law.

Real estate and construction > Real estate Tier 2

Taylor Wessing focuses on real estate transactions, which include the asset categories care homes, healthcare, logistics, residential, office and hospitality, as well as on project developments, such as district developments and infrastructure projects. Asset management constitutes another core area and covers related tenancy and investment law issues; the team also advises on ESG-related matters, which is another key strength. Practice head Johannes Callet focuses on individual and portfolio transactions and is regularly instructed by real estate funds, project developers and French investors. The real estate tax capacities were strengthened in March 2023 with the addition of Julian Ludwig, previously at PwC Legal (PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal AG Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft). In early 2023, Sarah Anderson (transactions, commercial tenancy agreements with a focus on hotel and hospitality) and Renke Waller (transactions, tenancies and real estate financing) were appointed to salary partners, and Joachim Mandl (social housing and healthcare properties) was appointed to equity partner.

Trade and distribution > Foreign trade law Tier 2

Taylor Wessing's competition, EU & trade practice specialises in trade compliance and routinely advises clients from the infrastructure and industrial sectors on export control, German and EU sanctions as well as FDI. Thanks to the close international network, the team covers matters pertaining to Russia-related sanctions as well as US regulations. Trade compliance expert Michael Brüggemann is well versed in investment control proceedings and is a key contact for sanctions law. Practice head Marco Hartmann-Rüppel has expertise in investment control.

Banking and finance > Real estate finance Tier 3

Taylor Wessing's team cooperates closely with the firm's other practices, including real estate, tax and investment law, and assists both lenders and borrowers with acquisition financing and refinancing. The practice is led by Clemens Niedner (acquisition financing and restructuring) and also advises on project developments across all asset classes; this is complemented by expertise in cross-border matters. Salary partner Jennifer Maiworm is another key contact and comprehensively advises on national and international banking and finance law.

Compliance Tier 3

Taylor Wessing comprehensively advises a diverse client roster, including start-ups, medium-sized companies, associations as well as international corporations, across various industries such as finance and technology. Key competencies are issues pertaining to compliance management systems, HR compliance, whistleblower systems, ESG as well as healthcare compliance. Martin Knaup (corporate compliance, compliance management systems and internal investigations) and Jan-Patrick Vogel (HR compliance) jointly head the interdisciplinary practice. Other key contacts are Mike Goldammer (China-related compliance), Stephan Manuel Nagel (antitrust compliance) as well as Jan-Lieven Stöcklein, who joined from PwC Legal (PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal AG Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft) in December 2022 and is experienced in compliance management systems.

Corporate and M&A > Corporate Tier 3

Taylor Wessing's corporate expertise is drawn upon by German medium-sized companies and international corporations in the technology, media, communications, real estate, energy and life sciences sectors seeking advice on restructuring, carve-outs, transactions and joint ventures as well as general meetings. Klaus Grossmann leads the team and is mainly active in M&A transactions and joint ventures, but also has longstanding experience in advising companies and corporate bodies on corporate law. Lars-Gerrit Lüßmann (stock corporations and capital markets law), Michael Sinhart (focus on international and national transactions within the infrastructure sector) and Michael Lamsa (private equity transactions) joined Gowling WLG in spring 2023.

Germany > Employment Tier 3

Taylor Wessing's employment advice focuses on restructuring, compliance, data protection, mobile work and corporate co-determination issues. Most recently, the team also acted before the ECJ and the BAG in precedent proceedings regarding temporary employment agreements; here, Oliver Bertram and Anne Förster are the key contacts as well as for matters regarding the compliant use of external personnel. Other recent key topics included works council remuneration, the Evidence Act as well as working time recording. The team is led by Kilian Friemel, who is experienced in developing concepts for personnel, pay and working time flexibility, and includes restructuring expert Marc André Gimmy. Jan-Patrick Vogel (HR compliance and corporate compliance) made partner in May 2023.

Industry focus > Energy Tier 3

Taylor Wessing's energy expertise focuses on transaction and project support and covers all sectors, including photovoltaics, offshore wind and other renewable energies. This approach is mirrored in all three practice heads, the M&A experts Carsten Bartholl, Tillmann Pfeifer and Markus Böhme. The practice also advises on regulatory matters, here, Böhme frequently takes the lead, as well as market entry, insolvency-related matters, power supply contracts, security of power supply matters and the construction of power plants. The client roster includes both energy companies and project developers. Senior associate Jasmin Schlee is experienced in energy-related transactions.

Information technology > IT transactions and outsourcing Tier 3

Taylor Wessing regularly supports IP-related transactions thanks to Tim Jonathan Schwarz's specialisation in transactions in which the use, licensing and utilisation of intellectual property are the focus. The team recently supported a large-scale partial sale of IP rights in the gaming sector. Paul Voigt (IT and data protection law) heads the practice, which also includes Mareike Gehrmann (digitisation projects) and Malek Barudi (copyright and media law); the latter two made partners in April 2023.

Germany > Private clients and non-profits Tier 3

Taylor Wessing's private clients team comprehensively advises wealthy private individuals, family offices and family businesses on inheritance, family, foundation and tax law matters pertaining to the structuring of German and foreign assets as well as corporate succession and routinely cooperates with the corporate law team. This range of topics is also covered by Axel Godron, who jointly heads the practice with Martin Kraus; Kraus is well versed in traditional company succession matters as well as transaction-related topics. Jens Escher is a key contact for related tax matters, including the structuring of tax-optimised foundations. Family law matters are a core strength of Cornelia Maetschke-Biersack; this expertise is utilised in drafting marriage contracts, wills, separations, divorces as well as in connection with inheritance law issues. In December 2023, Luise Hauschild (focus on cross-border matters) joined the team as a salary partner from Loschelder.

Public sector > Public procurement Tier 3

Thanks to its in-depth expertise in strategic project support and dispute resolution, Taylor Wessing is able to provide comprehensive advice on procurement law to federal and state ministries as well as various companies and institutions on the bidding and tendering side. The practice focuses on defense and infrastructure as well as healthcare and assists with tenders and contracts for important administrative and clinical digitalisation projects and also represents large companies in security-relevant bidding procedures. While practice head Marco Hartmann-Rüppel assists with procurement antitrust issues, Michael Brüggemann is experienced in defense procurement and represents the public sector in procurement and review proceedings, among other matters.

Public sector > State aid Tier 3

Taylor Wessing's team focuses its state aid advice on clients from the healthcare and infrastructure sectors as well as from the public finance sphere. Procurement and EU state aid expert Michael Brüggemann assists companies and project sponsors with the funding of future-oriented construction and infrastructure projects as well as digitalisation projects in connection with the Hospital Future Act. Under the leadership of antitrust expert Marco Hartmann-Rüppel, the practice further advises on insolvency applications and restructuring.

Restructuring and insolvency > Restructuring Tier 3

Taylor Wessing regularly advises banks on financing, including the appointment to creditors’ committees, and supports companies across various industries in the context of restructuring, distressed M&A, financial restructuring and StaRUG-related proceedings. Hendrik Boss‘ restructuring expertise is frequently drawn on in the financial restructuring of national and international companies as well as in creditor committees, while Martin Heidrich focuses on reorganisation, protective shield and self-administration proceedings as well as distressed transactions; the duo jointly heads the practice.

Transport > Advice to the transport sector Tier 3

Taylor Wessing demonstrates particular strength in the aviation sector and handles aviation and procurement law issues, financing, transaction-related topics and matters in connection with ground handling services. Salary partner Alper Utlu is a key contact for financing and leasing and has additional expertise in rail vehicles. He is part of the practice led by of counsel Norbert Kämper (planning and environmental law, approval procedures) and Michael Brüggemann (procurement, EU and state aid law).

Banking and finance > Lending and borrowing Tier 4

Taylor Wessing focuses on acquisition and corporate financing. Clemens Niedner heads the team, which is also instructed by financial institutions, private equity funds and international companies on project financing and restructuring; these competencies are increasingly tied to ESG matters. Other recent work includes instructions from debt funds and startups in the venture debt financing area.

Capital markets > Equity capital markets Tier 4

Based on its combined capital market and corporate skills, Taylor Wessing assists clients across a broad ECM spectrum, which includes ongoing advice on stock corporation law as well as the preparation of IPOs. This also mirrors practice head Marc-Oliver Kurth's expertise, which includes public takeovers, bond issues and capital increases.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 4

Various national and international medium-sized companies and large corporations regularly draw upon Taylor Wessing's experience in commercial, insurance and corporate disputes as well as in product liability litigation. In the latter segment, practice head Philipp Behrendt and product liability specialist Henning Moelle are particularly experienced. Moelle also represents high-profile clients from the pharmaceutical industry who, in addition to energy, shareholder and post-M&A conflicts, contribute to the practice's case load.

Insurance > Insurance litigation Tier 4

Taylor Wessing specialises in insurance supervision and broger law relevant to sales, as well as reinsurance contract law. Practice head Gunbritt Kammerer-Galahn, who also coordinates the international financial services & insurance group, is particularly well versed in this area. Kammerer-Galahn and the team also focus on advising on cyber risks and D&O damage as well as on the niche area of ​​valuables transport insurance. Claus Peter Knufinke specialises in industrial insurance cases, particularly coverage and recourse procedures. The focus here is on property, fire and construction damage as well as technical insurance. Franz Janssen (including property and default damage as well as aviation liability) retired in September 2022.

Private equity > Transactions Tier 4

Taylor Wessing primarily supports transactions in the mid-cap segment and frequently acts across the technology, healthcare and life sciences sectors. Private equity houses and their portfolio companies are regularly advised across locations and practices; cross-border matters are routinely handled with the location in London. The transactional support is complemented by the advice on buy-and-build strategies and management participations. Maria Weiers heads the team since Walter Henle’s retirement in September 2022; Weiers is well versed in buy-outs and exits. Michael Lamsa moved to Gowling WLG in April 2023, where he co-leads the M&A, PE and VC practices.

Public sector > Planning and environment Tier 4

Taylor Wessing advises industrial companies and public sector clients on land-use planning and environmental compliance and is also regularly involved in administrative proceedings. The team is particularly well versed in emissions control, waste and contaminated sites law, which it applies in industrial construction and expansion projects, among other matters; clients also regularly draw on its expertise in product-related environmental law. While Norbert Kämper primarily acts in approval and plan approval proceedings for commercial and infrastructure projects, Oliver Klöck, who took over the practice management from Kämper in 2023, is adept in regulatory health law. André Lippert (compliance) joined CMS in May 2023.

Germany > Antitrust Tier 6

Taylor Wessing is experienced in transaction support in connection with merger controls, official antitrust proceedings, antitrust compliance as well as cooperation agreements and internal investigations; Recent instructions pertain to matters in the digital economy and antitrust damages. Marco Hartmann-Rüppel heads the team from Hamburg and is experienced in supporting international transactions and strategic cooperations, where he also covers issues at the interface with IP law. In Düsseldorf, Stephan Manuel Nagel boasts relevant expertise in distribution antitrust law and contract-related antitrust matters.

China > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms

Taylor Wessing LLP Beijing Representative Office advises on both foreign direct investments into China and Chinese companies’ investments into Europe. Areas of sector growth include automotive and mobility, engineering and high-tech, and life sciences and healthcare. Christoph Hezel heads the Beijing office, where Johnny Zhao is an automotive industry expert.