Eversheds Sutherland > Berlin, Germany > Firm Profile
Eversheds Sutherland Offices

KURFÜRSTENDAMM 22
10719 BERLIN
Germany
Eversheds Sutherland > The Legal 500 Rankings
Corporate and M&A > Corporate Tier 3
Eversheds Sutherland is regularly instructed by DAX30 companies, large corporations and executive bodies on corporate law issues and cooperates frequently with the firm's tax and dispute resolution practice. Led by Christof Lamberts, the group advises on restructuring, joint ventures and corporate governance issues as well as compliance matters and liability disputes. Christian Mense is a key contact for the M&A and capital markets interface. The team has industry-specific expertise in automotive, manufacturing, technology, energy as well as healthcare.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Excellent, forward-looking project and cost planning, even if different departments and offices (also internationally) are involved.’
‘Economic, comprehensive approach; Look beyond the legal horizon. Understanding of company or group-internal processes.’
‘The team has a very broad range of expertise and works in a very solution-oriented and economically viable manner. Every issue could be clarified and different solutions were always shown, in order to then go together with the most feasible way for the client. In addition, the team always reacted adequately and satisfactorily to short-term problems.’
‘All contacts were always available and very committed, even after the project was completed. All goals were met to our complete satisfaction, which is why we are happy to recommend the law firm.’
‘With the help of the good cooperation, the organization and the professional advice, the general meeting was very successful and took place to the satisfaction of everyone involved. Even for short-term problems, solutions could always be found. The human and professional cooperation with the partners was consistently pleasant, friendly and professionally unobjectionable.’
Key clients
All for One Group SE
Allegion (Trelock, Kryptonite)
BioNTech SE
Bourns Inc.
CEWE
Funkwerk AG
Glanbia Nutritionals
Hanwha Q Cells
Hörmann Industries
Kering
Knorr-Bremse AG
Montanhydraulik
Sonnedix
SP Group
Work highlights
- Advising All for One Group SE on the conversion of its legal form from a German to a European stock corporation (Societas Europaea, SE).
- Advice to the CEWE Foundation on the virtual general meeting.
- Advising a semiconductor company on the international spin-off of a business unit.
Corporate and M&A > M&A: mid-sized deals (sub-€500m) Tier 3
Eversheds Sutherland offers specialised expertise in the automotive, technology, energy, manufacturing and life sciences sectors and provide a ‘one-stop shop for all major areas of law‘. The team, led by Christof Lamberts, advises on takeovers on both buyer and seller side, mergers, carve-outs and post-M&A issues as well as on financing, reorganisation and restructuring issues. Admitted to the bar in Germany and as a solicitor in England and Wales, Anthony Cross made partner in May 2021 and covers joint ventures, M&A transactions and restructurings.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘The team consisted of Max Findeisen and Anthony Cross. They worked very well together, helped by Anthony’s qualifications in the UK and Germany.’
‘Max Findeisen is an excellent business lawyer and very practical. Being less used to civil contracts, he gave sound advice on where we should and shouldn’t agree.’
‘It was very reassuring that Anthony Cross is qualified in both Germany and the UK as the contracts are in English but governed by German law.’
‘One-stop-shop for all major areas of law relevant to transactions. Good networking between the offices.’
‘Michael Prüßner: Pragmatic consulting approach. Very good client perspective due to in-house GC experience. Knows what matters.’
Key clients
Benteler
BioNTech
Bourns
Cyrus One
Dräger
EG Group
Experian Ventures
Glanbia Nutritionals
Hörmann Industries
Kingspan
Knorr-Bremse
Mutares
Norges Bank Investment Management
Reconomy
Shell
Sonnedix
Work highlights
- Advising Norges Bank Investment Management on the acquisition of 50% of the offshore wind farms Borssele 1 and 2 in the Netherlands from the Danish energy group Ørsted for around €1.38 billion.
- Advising Reconomy on the takeover of the German Reverse Logistics Group and Duales System Noventiz.
- Advising Shell on the takeover of the charging infrastructure provider Ubitricity from the shareholders, including Heinz Dürr Invest, the Siemens subsidiary Next47, Honda, EDF and earlybird.
Information technology > Data protection Tier 3
In the data protection sphere, Eversheds Sutherland's group around Alexander Niethammer focuses on topics such as data usage, digital process design, digital transformation, cloud computing and EU data protection regulations. Cybersecurity is a further significant topic for the practice that is mainly tackled by its global cybersecurity and data privacy group as well as within the international network of the firm; here the team regularly advises on complex cyber incidents and cross-border data transfers. Lutz Schreiber frequently assists with cloud computing issues and IT disputes.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Very responsive. Experienced lawyers and very competitive fees. ‘
‘Very friendly, good turnaround, generally very reliable and always high-performing.’
Key clients
Allm EMEA
Aspen Pharma
Coinbase
Coupa Software
Cyrus One
DKE-Data
Dyson
Edwards Lifescience
Lyondell Basell
Microsoft
Modine Manufacturing Company
MTS Systems Corp.
NSK
Ricoh
Special Olympics Deutschland
Toyota Motor Credit Corporation
Turkish Airlines
Veoneer
Work highlights
- Advising crypto stock exchange Coinbase in connection with the awarding of the first BaFin license for proprietary trading and crypto custody in Germany.
- Advising a manufacturer-dependent financial service provider in the automotive sector on an international IT compliance and data protection matter involving several European countries.
- Advising several companies from the industrial and technology sectors on how to respond to cyber attacks.
Real estate and construction > Real estate Tier 3
Eversheds Sutherland advises on all stages of the project developments and offers tailored interdisciplinary practice teams for related regulatory, corporate and tax issues. A particular focus is on transaction and project development support for various asset categories, including specialist properties such as data centres and retail parks. This is complemented by relevant expertise in prop tech, co-living and co-working. Gerhard Molt, who specialises in project developments, asset management, prop tech as well as logistics and healthcare real estate, heads the practice.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘We work with Eversheds exclusively in real estate financing. The team works through processes very correctly and is always master of the processes. As a customer, this reliability enables us to use our capacities elsewhere.’
‘Thomas Ziegler negotiates financing documents very emphatically and his leadership through the financing enables us to leave processes completely to Eversheds at any time.’
‘Eversheds is characterized by professional competence, extraordinarily high responsiveness and targeted consulting services. In this way, our interests are efficiently pursued and maximized.’
‘Thomas Ziegler is extremely responsive and provides professional, competent and goal-oriented advice. In this way, with Mr. Ziegler, we are able to optimize the results of negotiations and secure our legal positions.’
Key clients
AXA Investment Managers
Boeing
Cyrus One
Europa Capital
Finch Properties
Microsoft
Patrizia
Stadt Wuppertal
Wealthcore
WeWork
Work highlights
- Advising Finch Properties on a joint venture with Partners Group on the sale of the Golden House in Frankfurt to DIC Asset.
- Advising an investment fund company on a forward asset deal for the acquisition of a property for senior living.
- Advising an investment manager on the financing of the acquisition of several logistics properties in Europe.
Trade and distribution > Trade, distribution and logistics Tier 3
Eversheds Sutherland 's commercial team assists clients in the areas of trade, distribution and logistics with strategic planning and operational issues in day-to-day business. Topics such as franchising, contract law and purchasing and logistics contracts are an integral part of the advisory services, as well as claims management, including product liability. In the areas of digitisation and e-commerce, clients benefit from the close cooperation with the IP, IT and data protection groups. Team leader Alexander Niethammer has in-depth expertise in the automotive sector and on questions relating to digitisation, while co-leader Joos Hellert focuses on contentious disputes and franchise law. Tobias Maier combines commercial and distribution law competencies with the pharmaceuticals sector as co-head of the Health & Life Sciences practice group.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Great competence in drafting distribution agreements.’
‘Thanks to his own in-house experience, Hellert can empathize with the client’s needs.’
Key clients
Aspen Pharma
Autoliv
Avis Budget
BioNTech
Burger King
COR Sitzmöbel
Ecco Schuhe
Ineos
Kering
Leica Geosystems/ Hexagon
Otsuka
Philip Morris
Resystra
Tönnies
Veoneer
Work highlights
- Advising Aspen Pharma on the sale of its European thrombosis business to Mylan.
- Advising Ineos on the free distribution of disinfectants to German clinics during the Covid 19 crisis.
- Advising Veoneer on the sale of driver assistance systems for autonomous driving and on strategic projects with German car manufacturers.
Germany > Employment Tier 4
Eversheds Sutherland handles all individual and collective employment law issues, including regular cooperations with other practices such as corporate and M&A, data protection and restructuring. Taskforces, joining experts from across its German and international offices, routinely cover cross-border instructions on mergers, restructurings and business transfers. Practice head Frank Achilles also focuses on cross-border project support, while Rolf Kowanz is a renowned expert for matters pertaining to occupational pension schemes. The client portfolio consists mainly of large international corporations, including the healthcare and life sciences, automotive, consumer goods and technology sectors.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Even complex topics are quickly grasped, reduced to the essentials and carefully introduced to possible solutions. Legal formalities limited to what is necessary. Good practice look.’
‘Bernd Pirpamer: Very experienced, safe, prudent, pleasantly practice-oriented; grasps the topics very quickly and gives possible solutions without losing sight of special features. Leaves room for your own. Elegant legal advice.’
‘Mr. Bernd Pirpamer: Very confident, competent and goal-oriented appearance. Solution-oriented.’
‘Professional competence, friendly, available until late in the evening, flexible in making appointments – a call to discuss matters is also possible in the evening.’
‘The cooperation is great.’
Key clients
AR Packaging
Aspen Pharma
BioNTech
Celenus-Kliniken
Knorr-Bremse
Philip Morris
Reconomy
Ricoh
Securitas
Work highlights
- Advising Aspen Pharma in connection with the €642 million sale of the European thrombosis business to the US pharmaceutical company Mylan.
- Support of a global energy management group in the negotiation of a reconciliation of interests and a social plan in connection with the closure of a German site with simultaneous production relocation to Romania.
- Employment law advice to a leading global semiconductor manufacturer in connection with the worldwide carve-out of a business unit.
Industry focus > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 4
At Eversheds Sutherland, practice head Tobias Maier and Magdalena Anna Kotyrba-Hagenmaier, who made counsel in May 2021, advise healthcare companies as well as technology companies with their own healthcare departments. Regulatory advice, including on biocides and other chemicals, support with cross-border agreements in the health and life sciences sector and regulatory support with transactions generate the largest proportion of mandates. Alexander Niethammer complements the service offering with his experience in commercial matters. In addition to corona-related mandates in 2020, the team also advised on digital health, particularly health apps and telemedicine issues. Since 2020, the international sector group Health and Life Sciences is jointly led by Maier and Elizabeth Graves in Great Britain, which further underpins the practice’s international orientation.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Very practical approach, very good understanding of processes in companies, very high level of professional competence, precision and availability with a very good feeling for specific and practicable solutions.’
‘We mainly work with Magdalena Kotyrba, she has a very good client orientation, is very pragmatic and very good at communication.’
Key clients
INEOS
PPD
Otsuka
EuroEyes
Allm EMEA
Edwards Lifesciences
Owens& Minor
Movianto
Aspen Pharma
Archer Daniels Midland
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Work highlights
- Longstanding international advice to INEOS, including on regulatory and technical requirements for biocides in Germany and on labeling requirements.
- Advising Otsuka on a strategically important and global collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute and as further cooperation partners Evotec as well as the international pharmaceutical companies GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson & Johnson.
- Advising Owens & Minor, the listed US pharmaceutical wholesaler, on the sale of the pharmaceutical logistics group Movianto to the French EHDH Holding Group as well as ongoing regulatory and contractual issues.
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 5
In the dispute resolution field, Eversheds Sutherland's team has expertise in commercial, antitrust, insolvency and corporate law disputes which is not least based on the close cooperation across practices and locations. The group also assists with arbitration proceedings and contentious product liability matters, as well as compliance-related issues, which are regularly overseen by practice head Joos Hellert. Ralf-Thomas Wittmann is experienced in insurance disputes and Stephan von Marschall, who made partner in May 2020, is well versed in in post-M&A and D&O liability disputes.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Global presence was very helpful as multiple jurisdictions were involved.’
‘Stephan von Marschall: Great competence, communication and great service. You feel taken seriously.’
Key clients
Allianz
Burger King
Johnson Controls
Mettop
Securitas
Tönnies
Wolff & Müller
Work highlights
- Advising and representing Burger King in distribution law disputes, among other matters.
- Advising and representing the British Financial Services Compensation Scheme in connection with the insolvency of the German Property Group.
- Advising a German semiconductor manufacturer in connection with allegedly defective car chips.
Insurance > Insurance litigation Tier 5
Eversheds Sutherland's insurance team represents policyholders, intermediaries and financial services providers in contentious matters as well as companies in product liability cases and liability claims. Practice head Fabian Volz specialises in insurance claims, while Ralf-Thomas Wittmann impresses with expertise in classic insurance litigation. Associate Nicola Wessely is particularly active in product liability insurance and D&O. Christian Becker is adept at industrial insurance, especially in the energy sector.Practice head(s):
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Key clients
Allianz IARD
Eickhoff Antriebstechnik
GE Renewables Energy
Johnson Controls
Senvion
Work highlights
- Advising Johnson Controls on the defense against a recourse claim.
- Advising a US industrial company on securing insurance coverage for a product recall in the automotive sector.
- Advising an industrial company on securing insurance coverage after a product damage event.
Intellectual property > Trade marks Tier 6
Eversheds Sutherland focuses on trade mark portfolio management, forensic advice as well as licensing matters. Large international companies and German medium-sized companies are among the client roster, which utilises the firm’s international network with regard to multi-jurisdictional matters. Practice head Tobias Maier in Munich also co-heads the international sector group Healthcare & Life Sciences and has corresponding industry know-how. Another strength is the expertise in sports and media law, where Axel Zimmermann in Munich, who jointly leads the German soft IP practice with Maier, is the key contact. The firm’s headquarters are in Munich, while the Hamburg office expanded with principal associate Thomas Farkas, who focuses on fashion and premium brands.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘ Very client-friendly team that combines pragmatic and entrepreneurial advice with legal expertise.’
‘ Tobias Maier is very responsive, thinks economically and quickly finds solutions. ‘
Key clients
Alpargatas (Havaianas)
Autoliv
Burger King
DJE Kapital
ECOM
Eurosport/Discovery Channel
Kering Group (Gucci, Brioni, Pomellato etc.)
Leica/Hexagon
Leonine (Tele München Gruppe)
Munich Re
Next
Otsuka Pharmaceuticals
Resysta International
Sinclair Pharma
Strama Group
Ted Baker
Tele 5
WeatherTec Services
Wolford
Work highlights
- Advising Otsuka Novel Products on contract negotiations, including the distribution of IP usage rights and licenses.
- Comprehensive advice to Leonine, the media company that emerged from the Tele München Group, on trademark and competition law.
- Representing Havaianas against a large international goods retailer and against a Europe-wide discounter because of the sale of counterfeit designs and brands in Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark.
Eversheds Sutherland > Firm Profile
In Germany, more than 160 lawyers, tax advisors and notaries in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Munich provide advice to multinational groups, listed and medium-sized companies, investors, financial service providers as well as family businesses in all relevant areas of commercial law.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Antitrust and competition | Martin Bechtold | martinbechtold@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 146 |
Banking and finance | Dr Alexander Honrath | alexanderhonrath@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 232 |
Compliance | Dr Joos Hellert | jooshellert@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 185 |
Construction | Dr Steffen Jung | steffenjung@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 310 |
Corporate | Dr Matthias Heisse | matthiasheisse@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 231 |
Employment | Frank Achilles | frankachilles@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 275 |
Energy | Dr Werner Brickwedde, LL.M. | wernerbrickwedde@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 211 86467 51 |
Energy | Dr Martin Weitenberg | martinweitenberg@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 211 86467 58 |
Financial services and investment management | Dr Carola Rathke | carolarathke@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 40 808094 200 |
Insurance | Fabian Volz | fabianvolz@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 391 |
Intellectual property | Dr Tobias Maier | tobiasmaier@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 262 |
IT and data privacy | Dr Alexander Niethammer, LL.M. (UConn) | alexanderniethammer@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 318 |
IT and data privacy | Dr Lutz Schreiber | lutzschreiber@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 40 808094 444 |
Life sciences | Dr Tobias Maier | tobiasmaier@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 262 |
Litigation and dispute management | Dr Joos Hellert | jooshellert@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 185 |
M&A | Christof Lamberts | christoflamberts@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 217 |
Pensions | Dr Rolf Kowanz | rolfkowanz@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 40 808094 230 |
Private equity | Sven Schweneke | svenschweneke@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 153 |
Procurement law | Carsten Eichler | carsteneichler@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 264 |
Real estate | Dr Gerhard Molt | gerhardmolt@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 137 |
Restructuring and insolvency | Dr Christian Hilpert, MBA | christianhilpert@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 30 70 01 40 600 |
Tax | Dr Stefan Diemer | stefandiemer@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 239 |
TMT | Dr Lutz Schreiber | lutzschreiber@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 40 808094 444 |
Trade and distribution | Dr Joos Hellert | jooshellert@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 185 |
Trade and distribution | Dr Alexander Niethammer, LL.M. (UConn) | alexanderniethammer@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 89 54565 318 |
Notary | Carsten Brüninghaus | carstenbrueninghaus@eversheds-sutherland.com | +49 30 700140 950 |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 3,000 in this country : 160Languages
VariousMemberships
Eversheds Sutherland the global law practice that sets the standardsOther
Contact : Dr Alexander Niethammer, LL.M. (UConn) (managing partner) Other offices : Please see www.eversheds-sutherland.com for details of offices around the worldPress Releases
Eversheds Sutherland: Wenzel Röhsner has been admitted to the Vienna bar
26th April 2022 Wenzel Röhsner, LL.M. (29) has been admitted to the Vienna bar in March 2022 and appointed Legal Director at Eversheds Sutherland in Austria. He specializes in intellectual property and litigation law with a focus on tort, civil and corporate law.Eversheds Sutherland is pleased to announce the admission of Michael Röhsner to the Vienna bar
24th January 2022 Michael Röhsner, LL.M. (26) has been admitted to the Vienna bar in December 2021 and has been promoted to Legal Director at Eversheds Sutherland in Austria. He focuses on data protection, IT law and cybersecurity.Eversheds Sutherland berät Reconomy bei Übernahme der deutschen Noventiz-Grupp
7th January 2021 München, 10. Dezember 2020 - Die globale Wirtschaftskanzlei Eversheds Sutherland hat Reconomy, den führende Anbieter von Entsorgungs- und Rücknahmelösungen in Großbritannien, bei der Übernahme des deutschen Entsorgungsfachbetriebs Noventiz beraten. Verkäufer ist das deutsche PE-Haus SEAFORT Advisors.Legal Briefings
Corporate reorganisations: key considerations on a global reorganisation project
Robin Johnson, Christian Mense and Nicola Evans continue their series of papers on corporate reorganisations. In this article, they look at the key considerations on a multinational reorganisation project.The deal is done – what happens next?
In the third of their series of articles on corporate reorganisations, Robin Johnson, Christian Mense and Nicola Evans of Eversheds Sutherland consider what to do once an agreement is signed When a company buys a business or group of companies, a lot of work, time and cost goes into due diligence of the target. Due …Recent motives and trends for corporate reorganisations
In the fourth of their series of articles on corporate reorganisations, Robin Johnson, Christian Mense and Nicola Evans give on overview on the most recent motives and trends for corporate reorganisations.Why employers should engage more with employee mental health
For several years, employers have been urged to do more to look after the mental health of their workforce. Even before the pandemic, in January 2019, mental health at work was a primary discussion topic at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting accompanied by huge estimations of the financial impact, globally, in terms of lost …
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