Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP > Dusseldorf, Germany > Firm Profile

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Private equity > Venture capital Tier 2

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP advises German and international VCs, corporates and start-ups on a wide array of venture capital issues, including financing rounds, add-on acquisitions, exits and IPOs. The close cooperation with US colleagues also benefits clients in international transactions, with Jörg Ritter, who mainly covers matters pertaining to software and life sciences, and practice head Sven Greulich among the key contacts here. The team underwent some recent changes: Christoph Rödter (focus on technology and life sciences) was appointed partner in January 2022 and Damien Simonot (focus on corporate transactions in the tech sector) joined from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in July 2022.

Dispute resolution > Arbitration (including international arbitration) Tier 3

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP's arbitration practice broadly covers party representation, thereby benefiting for both governments and corporations. Thus, the arbitration team recently accompanied post-M&A and joint venture disputes, investment arbitration proceedings as well as supply, commercial and insolvency law disputes, with numerous matters stemming from the energy sector, but also from the technology and life sciences industries. Practice head Siegried Elsing also often acts as an arbitrator, as does Nicholas Kessler who further focuses on post-M&A, delivery and construction disputes. Karsten Faulhaber is well versed in international arbitration on both state and corporation side.

Information technology > Data protection Tier 3

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP primarily advises technology companies on data protection compliance (in the transactional framework), prevention and response to cybersecurity breaches, data transfers and matters pertaining to licensing, IP and the Internet of Things. Cross-border mandates are also routinely handled, thanks to the integration into the firm’s global network. Data protection law expert Christian Schröder leads the team and, in addition to the advisory role, also represents companies in court, before supervisory authorities as well as patent and trademark offices.

Corporate and M&A > Corporate Tier 4

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP's corporate practice focuses on advising companies in the technology, infrastructure and financial services sectors, representing a range of start-ups as well as established international companies. The practice is led by Thomas Schmid (corporate and capital market law) and also assists with issues related to restructuring and insolvency as well as capital market and stock corporation law; notably, the group also contributes its corporate expertise in the context of cross-border joint ventures and venture capital transactions. Jörg Ritter represents companies in disputes, while Oliver Duys and Christoph Rödter, who made partner in January 2022, are experienced in M&A transactions, VC deals as well as reorganizations and restructurings; Sven Greulich advises technology companies on expansion projects in Europe and the US as well as on international restructuring.

Private equity > Transactions Tier 4

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP's team, headed by Christoph Brenner and Oliver Duys, advise a loyal client base, consisting of national and international players from the life sciences and healthcare sectors on transactions in the mid-cap segment, whereas technology-related transactions constitute a recent growth area. In January 2022, Christoph Rödter (industry focus on technology and life sciences) was appointed partner and in July 2022, the team welcomed PE, VC and M&A specialist Damien Simonot (previously at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP).

Corporate and M&A > M&A Tier 5

International transactions are at the heart of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP's practice, with its China and India/Middle East desks facilitating advice on cross-border matters. The team specializes in advising technology companies on company acquisitions and sales as well as on joint ventures, but is also active in private equity and venture capital arenas; here, practice head Thomas Schmid primarily advises technology and life sciences companies. Oliver Duys is the key contact for real estate transactions and, like Sven Greulich, is particularly well versed in venture capital deals and joint ventures.