Bird & Bird LLP > Dusseldorf, Germany > Firm Profile

Bird & Bird LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Industry focus > Telecoms

Bird & Bird LLP impresses with traditional telecommunications law expertise as well as with the advice on convergent services. This combined advisory approach is utilised in cross-disciplinary and cross-locational regulatory issues as well as transactions and project work. The team focuses on the hightech sector and advises numerous service providers, network providers, resellers and providers of over-the-top services. Thanks to the close cooperation with the IT practice, the team also handles data protection issues, while the integration into the international network and in particular the cooperation with the locations in Great Britain, France and the Netherlands lead to frequent cross-border instructions. Telecommunications law specialist Sven-Erik Heun heads the team, which also includes senior counsel Valerian Jenny (telecoms, data protection and compliance), Simon Assion (focus on new developments) and Marianne Nawroth (transactions); the latter two made partners in May 2022.

Information technology > Data protection Tier 1

Bird & Bird LLP ‘s versatile team impresses with in-depth data protection expertise and cross-locational capacities via its international network. DAX companies, global market leaders and state-owned companies are among the client roster, which the team advises on international data transfers, data analytics and cloud matters, but also increasingly on new business models and current trends such as AI, blockchain, IoT and digitisation. Companies from the healthcare, automotive, media and consumer goods sectors are supported in digital disruption, which is a core focus of Lennart Schüßler. Practice head Fabian Niemann focuses on technology, digital media, cloud computing, copyright and data protection law. In May 2022, Simon Assion, a specialist in information and telecommunications law, and Benjamin Wübbelt, who acts at the interface between public procurement law and IT law, made partners. IT and data protection expert Alexander Duisberg joined Ashurst LLP in February 2023.

Information technology > Information technology and digitalisation Tier 1

Bird & Bird LLP is among the top addresses for cross-border digitisation projects and offers expertise in recent topics, such as IoT, cloud solutions, AI, blockchain, data, metaverse and, increasingly, on data rights, licensing and cybersecurity. The team supports numerous international companies as well as German companies in the public sector. Renowned IT experts Henriette Picot and Lennart Schüßler cover agile software development, big data, e- and m-commerce, cloud computing as well as contractual and regulatory issues pertaining to digital media. Practice head Fabian Niemann specialises in international technology and data protection projects. Simon Assion (information and telecommunications law) in the Frankfurt office and Benjamin Wübbelt (interface between public procurement law and IT law) in Düsseldorf were both appointed partners in May 2022. In February 2023, IT and data protection expert Alexander Duisberg joined Ashurst LLP.

Information technology > IT transactions and outsourcing Tier 1

Bird & Bird LLP impresses with its international network, versatile advice offering and in-depth experience. Technology transactions and the outsourcing of digital business processes are supported with combined expertise in outsourcing and IT matters. A particular strength of the practice is supporting outsourcing projects driven by new technology and business developments, such as cloud infrastructure, big data and the Internet of Things. The client roster, of which many are long-term clients, includes large companies from the technology, communication, retail and consumer goods sectors as well as the service and finance sectors. Clients from the latter segment frequently call upon Jörg-Alexander Paul‘s expertise in the context of business process outsourcing and IT outsourcing transactions. Fabian Niemann heads the practice, which has expanded at partner level with the appointment of Simon Assion (information, communications and technology law)in May 2022.

Intellectual property > Patent litigation: solicitors Tier 1

Bird & Bird LLP‘s patent team has wide-ranging expertise in contentious patent proceedings on the national and international stage, skilfully navigating the interface between IP and antitrust law, as well as in proceedings relating to standard-essential patents. Companies in the life sciences, technology and telecommunications sectors particularly often turn to the practice headed by Christian Harmsen, who is especially active in international technology patent disputes. The consumer goods and automotive industry represent other focuses for the team. Oliver Jan Jüngst primarily handles patent cases before all German courts and the European Patent Office, Matthias Meyer has experience in medical device patents, while Felix Rödiger assists with patent law issues in the pharmaceutical, automotive and software industries. Furthermore, Boris Kreye primarily coordinates international disputes relating to technology and pharmaceuticals, and Daniela Kinkeldey is a highly regarded contact for clients from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Sebastian Höpfner left the practice in June 2022 and joined ZSP Patentanwälte.

Intellectual property > Trade marks Tier 1

Bird & Bird LLP's trade mark practice is headed by Christian Harmsen and excels across the entire spectrum of design and trademark matters, advising clients on applications and portfolio management as well as representing them in infringement proceedings; here, the sectors technology, media and telecommunications, automotive, life sciences as well as retail and consumer goods take center stage for the team. Furthermore, the group is often involved in cross-practice matters such as transactions. Richard Dissmann primarily assists with litigation in areas such as product piracy, while Frederik Thiering's expertise includes litigation and strategic advice. The intersection of IP, media and sports law is covered by Markus Körner who is also adept at advising clients from the technology sector and became part of the firm's German management in January 2023. Christian Lindenthal made partner in May 2022 and primarily advises clients from heavily regulated industries.

Intellectual property > Unfair competition Tier 1

Bird & Bird LLP comprehensively advises on all competition matters and also skillfully covers trade mark and design as well as cross-border and contentious issues. The team's expertise is particularly often drawn upon by clients from the technology, automotive, telecommunications, media, life sciences and healthcare sectors, with a further focus on the retail and consumer goods industry; hereby, the team also frequently assists with competition matters related to M&A, corporate and the regulated areas. Practice head Christian Harmsen in Düsseldorf has extensive experience in the life sciences and technology sectors as well as in healthcare, while Christian Lindenthal, who made partner in May 2022, advises on the whole array of trade mark, design and competition law with a focus on the pharmaceutical industry.

Public sector > Planning and environment

Bird & Bird LLP primarily focuses on advising industrial companies on soil protection law compliance as well as on relevant aspects during due diligence and transactions. Clients from the automotive and healthcare sectors also seek assistance with product-related environmental law, while companies in the energy sector regularly turn to practice heads René Voigtländer and Matthias Lang. The practice possesses further expertise in planning approval proceedings.

Public sector > Public procurement Tier 1

Bird & Bird LLP‘s extensive procurement expertise is called upon by both contracting authorities as well as contractors, with a particular focus on the security and defense, infrastructure, transport, energy and construction sectors. In addition, the team is increasingly involved in in cross-border issues in the life sciences sphere and has further seen an increase in instructions concerning IT procurement; for the latter area, Guido Bormann, who also advises on matters in the telecommunications sector, and public procurement and IT lawyer Jan Byok are particularly important contacts. The practice also provides interdisciplinary advice on contractual, regulatory, financial and litigious issues, with Alexander Csaki being particularly experienced in the latter, as well as the online platform Access for public sector clients, which enables the legally secure provision and management of tender documents.

Industry focus > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Banking and finance > Fintech Tier 3

Bird & Bird LLP fields Michael Jünemann, who heads the finance and financial regulation practice as well as the fintech team. Fintechs and start-ups rely on the group's regulatory expertise for the launch of new products and expansion of business activities. These are mainly virtual currencies and issues pertaining to distributed ledger technology (DLT) such as token regulation, DLT-based platforms, crypto custody transactions and subsequent licensing matters. The appointment of Johannes Wirtz to partner in May 2022 strengthened the team’s regulatory competencies which also cover matters at the interface with data protection and IT law.

Germany > Consumer goods and food law Tier 4

Numerous German and international companies in the food, beverage, cosmetics and other consumer goods industries benefit from Bird & Bird LLP 's extensive trademark law expertise and regularly instruct the team, led by Uwe Lüken, in contentious trademark and competition law procedures; the team also covers relevant matters pertaining to antitrust and corporate law. In the area of food law, the practice primarily assists with novel tobacco products and novel foods, including a particular focus on the use of cannabis products in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Niels Lutzhöft advises, among others, food, tobacco and cannabis manufacturers on regulatory issues, while Richard Dissmann primarily leads in trademark infringement and competition proceedings.

Corporate and M&A > M&A Tier 4

Bird & Bird LLP assists start-ups, medium-sized companies and well-known international companies with transactions, mergers and acquisitions and particularly focuses on the automotive, life sciences and TMT sectors; the group's transactional expertise is further complemented by pre- and post transactional antitrust, commercial, IP and employment advice. Practice head Hans Peter Leube acts at the interface of M&A and private equity and assists with restructurings, especially in the telecommunications, media, infrastructure and automotive sectors, while Peter Veranneman advises bidders and target companies on national and cross-border transactions. Stefan Münch is an experienced contact for private equity issues and joint ventures.

Dispute resolution > Product liability Tier 4

Bird & Bird LLP applies its liability law knowledge along the entire product cycle and thus advises manufacturers on product safety obligations, recalls and legal liability disputes, among other matters. In the latter area, the industry specializations in the technology and automotive sectors result, for example, in regular instructions from industrial insurers and automotive suppliers seeking representation in high-volume warranty and product liability proceedings. Matthias Spilker acts with a focus on the automotive industry and frequently advises on recall campaigns, while Philipp Egler is primarily active in contentious proceedings. Christian Kessel (contractual disputes) retired in April 2022.

Industry focus > Energy Tier 4

Bird & Bird LLP focuses on renewable energies and is well versed in supporting national and cross-border transactions and the launch of funds. Onshore and offshore wind farms (in particular offshore wind farms in the German North Sea) as well as solar and geothermal power plants are among the key strengths, while the hydrogen sector constitutes a recent growth area. René Voigtländer (regulatory, energy, public procurement and environmental law) in Munich and Matthias Lang (energy, regulatory, state aid and environmental law) in Düsseldorf head the practice.

Media > Entertainment Tier 4

Bird & Bird LLP focuses on the areas copyright, freedom of speech and contract law as well as regulatory issues. Sports law constitutes a key topic, where the team has recently been particularly active at the interface between media antitrust law and sports marketing. Further advisory strengths are online advertising and marketing issues as well as cooperation agreements and advertising partnerships, particularly in the e-sports sector. The sports and media lawyer Joseph Fesenmair in Munich heads the group and is well versed in sponsoring matters and contract drafting. Markus Körner focuses on TV rights and license agreements.

Private equity > Venture capital Tier 4

Bird & Bird LLP focuses on technology-related matters and predominantly advises companies, including start-ups, in the context of digital innovations. The team, led by Hans Peter Leube, maintains long-term relationships with its client base, which recently expanded with new additions. Transaction support, including joint ventures, and financing advice are among the core areas as well as early-stage advice and the implementation of due diligence processes.

Trade and distribution > Foreign trade law Tier 4

Bird & Bird LLP offers clients comprehensive advice on all aspects of foreign trade law, including export control, technology transfer, trade barriers and sanctions compliance; here, the team assists with due diligence, foreign trade audits and offers compliance training. In addition to international, European and German export control law, the firm also advises on US export control law, including the support on relevant regulations and authorities. Practice head René Voigtländer has experience in compliance, export control and customs law as well as embargoes, approval procedures and commercial aspects of contract law.

Germany > Antitrust Tier 5

Embedded within its global firm network, Bird & Bird LLP's antitrust team is extensively active in German and European antitrust law. The practice focuses on merger controls, including the interface to FDI, antitrust compliance, internal investigations and contentious antitrust proceedings; the group has additional particularly strong expertise in related IP issues such as license agreements, R&D and FRAND. IP-related antitrust law is also the focus of practice head Jörg Witting in Düsseldorf, who is further well versed in antitrust and merger control proceedings. Anne Federle, who divides her time between Düsseldorf and Brussels, also specialises in merger control.

Corporate and M&A > Corporate Tier 5

Bird & Bird LLP's corporate advice focuses on company creations, financing and restructuring as well as mergers and insolvency-related matters,while IPO-related private capital contributions and joint venture structuring represent further mainstays. Due to its close interaction with other practice groups and as part of an international network, the team is well positioned for international matters and, under the leadership of Hans Peter Leube , regularly advises on M&A transactions, PE and VC investments as well as on the sale of companies and business areas. In addition to its strong focus on new technology, the firm has been increasingly active in the medicinal cannabis field. Kai Kerger and Stefan Gotttreu are well versed in providing corporate support related to joint ventures and restructuring.

Private equity > Transactions Tier 5

Bird & Bird LLP assists numerous private equity investors as well as companies from the technology sector and is regularly instructed on mid-cap transactions and technology-related financings. Practice head Hans Peter Leube offers expertise in the telecoms sector, where he frequently advises lenders and investors on fibre optic operation and expansion projects.

Trade and distribution > Trade, distribution and logistics Tier 5

The commercial and distribution law practice at Bird & Bird LLP focuses on clients from the automotive industry, which the team primarily advises on commercial contracts and crisis management. Contentious matters constitute another mainstay, where the team exclusively represents on the automotive suppliers’ side. Practice head Matthias Spilker regularly advises clients on the drafting of business contracts and general terms and conditions. A key contact for contentious matters, particularly in the automotive sector, is Philipp Egler. Florian Hoffmann (automotive, contract law and dispute resolution) made partner in May 2022, while former co-head of the practice group Christian Kessel retired in April 2022.

Germany > Employment Tier 6

Bird & Bird LLP advises companies, managing directors and supervisory board members, often from the consumer goods, health, IT and telecommunications sectors, on individual and collective employment issues. Collective bargaining expert Martin Nebeling and Barbara Geck, who impresses with her expertise in reorganizations and co-determination, jointly head the team. Due to its integration into an international law firm network, the group also often assists with international projects and restructurings which corresponds with Nebling and Geck's mainstays. Core competencies further include the negotiation of company agreements, reconciliation of interests and social plans with works councils as well as negotiations with trade unions.