Dentons > Frankfurt, Germany > Firm Profile
Dentons Offices
Thurn-und-Taxis-Platz 6
60313 FRANKFURT AM MAIN
Germany
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Dentons > The Legal 500 Rankings
Public sector > Planning and environment
Dentons is particularly well versed in product-related environmental law and advises large trading and industrial companies, including representatives of the packaging industry. The team is also strategically involved, particularly in connection with the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive. Ilka Mehdorn leads the team and has in-depth expertise in European regulations such as WEEE, RoHS and REACH/CLP.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
BVE, HDE, IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen, IPV Industrieverband Papier- und Folienverpackung e. V., Bundesverband der Systemgastronomie, BVTE, Markenverband
DPG Deutsche Pfandsystem GmbH
Stiftung Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister
TEDi GmbH & Co. KG
Work highlights
- Advising the BVE, HDE, IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen, IPV Industrieverband Papier- und Foil-Packaging e. V., Federal Association of System Gastronomy, BVTE and Markenverband for the development of a concept for the implementation of the single-use plastic guideline by setting up a single-use plastic fund at the Foundation Central Office Packaging Register for various associations.
- Advice on packaging law and strategy for the German one-way deposit system since its inception. Annual adjustment of the system contracts, advice in connection with the implementation of the requirements of the 2nd amendment to the Packaging Act.
- Comprehensive advice to the Foundation Central Office for the Packaging Register, including on all environmental and waste-related matters prior to the foundation and for the further significant expansion of the packaging register through the 2nd amendment to the Packaging Act.
Capital markets > Structured finance and securitisation Tier 2
At Dentons, the cross-practice and cross-location cooperation results in regular cross-border instructions at the interface between banking and capital markets law as well as at the restructuring and insolvency intersection. Practice head Arne Klüwer also focuses on the restructuring of non-performing transactions and loan trading transactions. Like the rest of his team, he also assists with the securitization of loans, leasing and trade receivables and inflation-indexed heritable building rights. The client portfolio predominantly consists of prestigious financial institutions, but also includes a number of fintechs.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They give on-point advice and focus on getting the job done, which we really appreciate. Also, they are extremely available and tech-savvy. ‘
‘Arne Klüwer is characterized by a very good knowledge of both the law and the market. Together with his efficiency and focus, this makes working with him extremely pleasant.’
‘High professional competence, efficient, fast, solution-oriented.’
‘Arne Klüwer: Clear communication, high level of expertise, very goal-oriented and good negotiator.’
‘Competent and smooth processes, even for large and complex transactions.’
‘Arne Klüwer: Competent and solution-oriented, especially in complex transactions.’
Key clients
Deutsche Bank
UniCredit Bank
Hamburg Commercial Bank AG (HCOB)/ SmartFact S.A.
S-Kreditpartner GmbH (SKP)
NIBC Bank N.V.
Berenberg Bank
J.P. Morgan Securities
PEAC (Germany) GmbH (ehemalige IKB Leasing)
Commerzbank AG
Barclays Bank
Oldenburgische Landesbank AG
Bayerische Landesbank
solarisBank AG
Wilmington Trust SP Services (Frankfurt) GmbH
Work highlights
- Advising S-Kreditpartner GmbH on the development of a new platform for refinancing existing loans and balance sheet adjustments. Additional support in the development and establishment of a syndication platform for the syndication and refinancing of consumer loans issued by savings banks and in the creation of underlying documentation.
- Advising promissory note creditors of automotive supplier Benteler and sponsors of Benteler’s ABCP program on the successful development of a comprehensive financing concept in connection with the restructuring of the automotive supplier. Simultaneously advising the sponsors on the restructuring of the existing euro trade receivables securitization program for Benteler.
- Advising PEAC (Germany) GmbH on the structuring and documentation of various financing structures for international group companies.
Industry focus > Energy Tier 2
Dentons significantly expanded its energy law practice with transaction and project specialists Tim Heitling and Thomas Dörmer in Berlin, who joined the team from Baker McKenzie in June 2020, M&A specialist Michael Krömker in Düsseldorf (until November 2020 at Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH) and Florian-Alexander Wesche (until December 2020 specialist for energy-intensive companies at Deloitte Legal Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH) in March 2021. Transactional and project work remain the core focus of the team led by Thomas Schubert in Berlin, while regulatory advise is on the increase including matters pertaining to renewable energies and emissions trading. The hydrogen economy and digitisation of the energy sector are further growth areas. The team’s focus on advising financial investors is visible beyond the energy sector, such as in telecoms and waste management. Integrated into the firm’s global network, the African transaction practice too expanded in 2020.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Commerz Real
Enersis
Gazprom
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG)
Mobisol
Porsche
TNG
UniCredit Bank AG
VNG
Guizhou Changtong Group Intelligent Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Work highlights
- Advice on antitrust law to Porsche and Transnet BW on the establishment of a joint venture in the field of intelligent energy systems (autonomous and data-driven control of energy systems and networks), advice on global merger control and compliance.
- Advising Commerz Real on the acquisition of a 49.9% stake in a wind farm portfolio from EnBW for the klimaVest fund set up by Commerz Real AG.
- Advised Gazprom on several antitrust matters, for example in connection with the implementation of the commitments ending the European Commission’s abuse proceedings.
Public sector > Public procurement Tier 2
Dentons stands out due to its expertise in national and European public procurement law as well as in matters pertaining to public procurement of international organisations. The group assists its considerable client base, which includes prestigious international companies, federal ministries and federal states, with procurement matters as well as with review procedures. Wolfram Krohn in Berlin, for example, advises an international cloud services provider, while Peter Braun in Frankfurt stands out for his expertise in tender exclusions at international financial institutions; the duo jointly lead the practice. In March 2021, antitrust and public procurement lawyer Maria Brakalova made partner, while counsel Lars Hettich, previously at ADVANT Beiten, strengthened the Düsseldorf team. Counsel Christian Miercke is considered an up-and-coming lawyer in public procurement law.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
ALBA Group
Bundeskanzleramt
Bundesministerium des Innern, für Bau und Heimat
Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales
Deutsche Bahn AG / DB Regio
Deutsche Post AG und DP Inhouse Services GmbH
Duisburger Hafen AG
EFN eifel-net Internet-Provider GmbH
Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR)
Fujitsu
KfW Entwicklungsbank
Kreis Paderborn
Kreis Wesel
Landesbetrieb IT.NRW
LMBV
logport Ruhr GmbH
Optimal Systems Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH Konstanz
Prosoz Herten GmbH
Prospitalia GmbH
Roche Diagnostics GmbH
Stadt Lübbenau
Stiftung Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister
Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank des Landes Hessen (WIBank)
Work highlights
- Representation of the Federal Chancellery in a procurement law review procedure before the Federal Public Procurement Chamber.
- Preparation of an expert opinion for the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) on the possibilities of procuring a uniform IT procedure for the implementation of sovereign tasks in the area of social administration by the federal states.
- Comprehensive support in the concession award procedure for the operation of a container terminal for combined transport on the Cologne North industrial site as well as subsequent procedural support and procedural representation in the review procedure before the Rhineland Public Procurement Chamber due to unlawful cancellation of the award procedure.
Public sector > State aid Tier 2
Andreas Haak in Düsseldorf heads Dentons' state aid team, which acts before European courts and the Commission as well as in national matters. While Haak has relevant experience in infrastructure sector-related matters, Munich partner Matthias Nordmann increasingly represents clients in proceedings before national and European courts. Public-private cooperation and state aid aspects of transactions represent additional key issues for the practice, while the close cooperation with other practice areas, especially public procurement law, plays a central role for the group. The arrival of counsel Lars Hettich from BEITEN BURKHARDT in February 2021 strengthened not only the firm's procurement but also its state aid practice.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Powerful team around the two partners Andreas Haak (Düsseldorf) and Dr. Matthias Nordmann (Munich).’
‘Very cooperative collaboration with Dr. Nordmann – also as a lawyer for the other side.’
Key clients
ALBA Group
Duisburger Hafen AG
EFN Eifel-Net Internet-Provider GmbH
Landesbetrieb IT.NRW
logport Ruhr GmbH
NeXovation Inc.
Prospitalia GmbH
Prosoz Herten Softwareentwicklungs- und Beratungsgesellschaft für Gemeinden, Städte und Kreise GmbH
Volotea
Work highlights
- Comprehensive advice and representation of the US investor NeXovation Inc. in the course of the state aid proceedings regarding the Nürburgring and the subsequent court proceedings before the General Court of the European Union and the European Court of Justice.
- Advising Duisburger Hafen AG on EU state aid and public procurement law in connection with the construction and operation of a container facility in the immediate vicinity of the Greenport Venlo rail terminal by a duisport competitor.
- Comprehensive advice to the Spanish airline Volotea with regard to a clawback decision by the European Commission of July 29, 2016 and representation in the court proceedings before the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Justice.
Real estate and construction > Real estate Tier 2
Dentons offers a full-service approach and has developed a strong foothold in transactions, both at national and international level. In addition to traditional real estate law, the group also covers related corporate and tax law issues as well as real estate financing and investment law issues. Practice head Dirk-Reiner Voß focuses on transactions and related financing issues, while René Dubois focuses on international real estate projects. David Zafra Carollo and Bernhard Gemmel, who is admitted to the bar in Germany and France, routinely cover the financing aspects of real estate transactions. Asset and property management issues are a strength of Volker Mergener and Dominik Thomer advises on the tax law structuring of transactions.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Long-term advice that has created a deep understanding of the client’s issues. This understanding is used very profitably – technically highly qualified and at the same time pragmatic approach – great value for money.’
‘René Dubois: Individual understanding of topics; Goal orientation.’
‘The Dentons team is extremely professional and reliable. From my point of view, a law firm should always be reliable and correct towards its clients. The cooperation is excellent. What should be particularly emphasized compared to other law firms would be the very good availability and the strength of the team!’
‘Very careful and forward-thinking for the client!’
‘The collaboration with Mr. René Dubois deserves special mention. Very committed, competent and extremely pleasant in negotiations as well as preparation and advice!’
‘Mr David Zafra Carollo is a very reliable and extremely professional partner. He always delivers on time and sticks to the agreements that have been made.’
Key clients
Vonovia
Union Investment
Principal Real Estate
PATRIZIA
Nuveen Real Estate
CTP
P3 Logistic Parks
Harrison Street
gsp Städtebau
GIC
Berliner Sparkasse / Landesbank Berlin
Kriton Immobilien / Black Horse Development
Société Générale
IREIT Global
Berlin Hyp
Harz Metall
Work highlights
- Advising Vonovia on the acquisition of a portfolio of 1,000 apartments in Kiel. The seller is the Danish H&L Ejedndomme A/S.
- Advising gsp Stadtbau on the acquisition of the Lurgihaus in Frankfurt am Main from Aroundtown and on the development of the Grand Tower in Frankfurt’s Europaviertel.
- Advising Palmira Capital Partners on the acquisition of corporate real estate near Dresden in the form of a sale-and-lease-back transaction. The transaction is Palmira’s first investment for its Palmira UIC 2 fund.
Restructuring and insolvency > Restructuring Tier 2
Dentons advises lenders and creditors – predominantly financial institutions and investors – on syndicated loans, distressed M&A transactions, self-administration and protective shield proceedings. The practice has established a particularly good reputation with regards to trusteeships and the coordination of promissory note loan creditors. Andreas Ziegenhagen, who jointly heads the practice with Arne Friel, regularly assumes trusteeships in crises and restructuring situations as well as the role of general representative in self-administration proceedings. Friel is well versed in corporate-related insolvency matters and experienced in assisting with insolvency plan debt-equity swaps. Holger Ellers, who joined from Baker McKenzie in September 2020, particularly assists with international distressed M&A transactions.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team was approachable and available at all times and the team members are proven experts in their field across all departments.’
‘Experienced colleagues who are particularly active in the area of trusteeship and representation of promissory notes. Excellent knowledge of the market and a realistic view of the possibilities that can be implemented as part of a restructuring.’
‘The team around Andreas Ziegenhagen and Dirk Schoene gave me excellent support in insolvency proceedings under self-administration. The team clarified all relevant legal issues and worked on the overall solution.’
‘High professional competence, pragmatic nonetheless. Good accessibility. Commercial understanding present.’
‘Daniel Fritz: Great expertise, especially in the international arena, and very solution-oriented.’
‘Despite threats and great complexity, a cool head was kept at all times, which gave us as a client the security for the respective decision. Excellent consultants do their utmost for the client and at the same time give a clear indication when “a limit has been crossed” in order to be able to make the best decision. This description fully applies to practice. In addition, we were able to draw on a large, valuable network for various challenges, and connections were made quickly and professionally.’
‘The practice has very good expertise and extensive experience in the field of restructuring and insolvency, including insolvency proceedings. It is characterized in particular by the fact that, on the one hand, it has a wide range of advice through Dentons, and on the other hand, it can conduct insolvency proceedings – especially self-administration proceedings – itself. Haven’t seen it on the market yet, but these skills should also be easy to apply to the StaRUG. In addition, a large and diverse restructuring team with several acquisitions in recent years.’
‘Andreas Ziegenhagen is one of the key figures in the German restructuring market.’
Key clients
Air Berlin PLC
Arlington Germany GmbH
Astaris Capital Management und weitere Anleihegläubiger der TUI AG
Benteler-Schuldscheingläubiger
DIHAG Holding GmbH
Dradura Holding GmbH & Co KG
Dräger Wullenwever
Grillo-Schuldscheingläubiger
Harz-Metall GmbH
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
hubergroup-Schuldscheingläubiger
IFA-Schuldscheingläubiger
Losberger de Boer
Mobisol
Nanogate-Schuldscheingläubiger
Paracelsus-Kliniken
Sammode
Stadtbäckerei Münster Limberg
Treveria F S.Ŕ.R.L.
Wealth Option Trust Ltd.
Weser-Metall GmbH
Work highlights
- Advising the promissory note creditors of the automotive supplier Benteler on the successful development of a comprehensive financing concept in connection with the restructuring of the automotive supplier. Simultaneously advising the sponsors on the restructuring of the existing euro trade receivables securitization program for Benteler.
- Advising Weser-Metall GmbH on the sale of its business operations to companies in the Swiss Glencore Group as part of its insolvency.
- Advising the insolvent Arlington Germany on the sale of their business to the US financial investor Cartesian Capital Group.
Trade and distribution > Foreign trade law Tier 2
Dentons impresses with comprehensive advice on all aspects of foreign trade law, including investment audits and compliance. Most recently, the advisory offering expanded with added capabilities in human rights-focused risk management and due diligence. Andreas Haak's team is also well versed in advising on export control, sanctions matters as well as offering support in self-reporting and subsequent criminal and administrative fine proceedings. Julia Pfeil is another key contact and, in addition to in-depth China expertise, is admitted to the bar in the US. Accordingly, topics such as export controls, sanctions and embargoes also form part of her client work. Trade compliance and industry-specific expertise in areas such as defence, security, IT and healthcare are covered by Haak. Maria Brakalova made partner in May 2021 and advises investors on the foreign trade regulations of foreign investments.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The cooperation is very effective. Inquiries from us are received and understood correctly and answered as precisely as possible in the shortest possible time. There are few inquiries from our side. The expertise is very good.’
‘Ms. Brakalova – our contact person at Dentons – is extremely competent, reliable, always available and if she is not available, she will call you back immediately if possible. Our export control issues are properly received and professionally processed and answered.’
‘Ms. Brakalova is a committed, friendly contact who enables a very pleasant and effective cooperation.’
Key clients
AKA Ausfuhrkredit-Gesellschaft mbH
AMEPA Angewandte Meßtechnik und Prozeßautomatisierung
Aves One
Duisburger Hafen AG
Guizhou Changtong Group Intelligent Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Honeywell International Inc.
Internationaler Medizinprodukthersteller
OC Oerlikon – verschiedene Gesellschaften
Recycles GmbH (Weser-Metall GmbH)
SHOWA DENKO CARBON Germany GmbH
SMS group GmbH
Solvay
Yonsung Group
Work highlights
- Advising the SMS Group on individual sanctions regimes under EU and US law as well as reviewing and drafting sanctions clauses in contracts and strategic advice on the further development of internal export control compliance.
- Representing a Russian state-owned company in a lawsuit before the EU court for cancellation of the listing in the EU sanctions regime against Russia.
- Advising and supporting Solvay on various export control issues, such as obtaining export licenses for dual-use goods and the corresponding communication with BAFA and BMWi.
Compliance Tier 3
Dentons offers preventive compliance advice on business partner due diligence, money laundering issues as well as the growth areas data protection, ESG, corporate social responsibilities and whistleblower policies. This offering is complemented by expertise in the CMS context, such as training sessions and legal tech. After the departure of former practice leader Lars Kutzner to Osborne Clarke in January 2022, the practice is now jointly led by corporate lawyer Christian Schefold and Judith Aron, who focuses on anti-corruption. Peter Braun handles matters at the interface with public procurement law and frequently advises clients from the healthcare, IT and transport sectors, while Gabriele Haas focuses on energy and regulatory law support. Ann-Kristin Cahnbley is a criminal law expert, while Julia Pfeil and Maria Brakalova are experienced in export control. The latter made partner in March 2021.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Good understanding of the needs of our business; excellent communication and advice.’
Key clients
AKA Ausfuhrkredit-Gesellschaft mbH / European Export and Trade Bank
Fresenius Medical Care
Jacobs UK Ltd.; Jacobs GmbH
AMEPA Angewandte Meßtechnik und Prozeßautomatisierung GmbH
DPG Pfandsystem
Honeywell International Inc.
KSB SE & CO. KG aA
Volkswagen AG
Work highlights
- Advising Volkswagen on the international introduction of a central whistleblower hotline in 91 jurisdictions and a central business partner due diligence procedure in 107 jurisdictions.
- Advising an international provider of streaming services on compliance with regulatory requirements for market entry to the EU, especially in Germany.
- Support for a hospital association in the implementation of a tax compliance management system and in the compliance-related processing of a liquidation in the association, including assessments under white collar crime.
Industry focus > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3
The core topics of Dentons‘ healthcare and life sciences practice are corporate and M&A matters as well as regulatory advice. Clients can also draw on the expertise of other practices such as public procurement law, employment law and insolvency law. Christof Kautzsch specialises in transactions in the hospital sector, including restructuring and privatisations, and jointly heads the practice with Peter Homberg, head of the firm’s German life sciences and European cannabis sector groups, as well as medical law specialist Ilka Mehdorn. She is also one of the leaders of the European life sciences regulatory group and co-head of the public sector practice in Germany. Her areas of expertise include contracts with regulatory aspects, social data protection issues, arbitration and court proceedings under social law and compliance. Thomas Strassner (Munich) and his team cover the private equity sector and in particular the venture and growth capital practice. Ann-Kristin Cahnbley (Düsseldorf) covers the white collar crime and compliance space, while Jörg Karenfort is a key contact for antitrust law. Utz Andelewski moved to Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek at the beginning of 2021.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
AMEOS Gruppe
BG Kliniken Holding; BG Kliniken Tübingen und Reutlingen gGmbH
COLDPLASMATECH GmbH
EU Malaria Fund
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA
Greenfield Global Opportunities Fund Limited Partnership
HÄVG Hausärztliche Vertragsgemeinschaft
Immunic AG
Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB)
Johanniter GmbH
Kaia Health Software
KKR-Portfoliounternehmen WebMD
Nordwest Dental GmbH & Co KG
numares AG
Prospitalia GmbH
Roche Diagnostics GmbH
Velvio GmbH
Yonsung Group
Work highlights
- Ongoing advice to an internationally active Swiss pharmaceutical company on a large number of distribution contracts, model contracts of all kinds and on compliance issues.
- Advising Greenfield Global Opportunities Fund Limited Partnership on a significant investment in CANSATIVA, a German medical cannabis company and logistics partner of the Cannabis Agency (BfArM).
- Advising the Berlin-based EU Malaria Fund on risk financing for the biotech company Sanaria (venture loan for the development of two malaria vaccines, a malaria therapeutic and an oral Covid-19 vaccine).
Germany > Antitrust Tier 4
Denton‘s practice stands out for its ‘sound sector knowledge and business-related advice‘, international network as well as a strong presence at various German locations. Jörg Karenfort in Berlin co-heads the global competition and antitrust practice group and frequently acts in tort and antitrust proceedings at EU level while Florian Wiesner‘s team in Düsseldorf ‘works excellently’ and advises on merger controls among other things; Wiesner and René Grafunder jointly took over the lead of the firm’s German antitrust practice in January 2022. Maria Brakalova, a specialist in investment control-related antitrust matters, made partner in March 2021 and highly regarded expert Bertold Bär-Bouyssière, previously at DLA Piper, joined the Berlin and Brussels team as of counsel in June 2021. New focuses for the practice relate to the pharmaceutical sector and digital antitrust law.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team around Dr. Wiesner works excellently and can always be reached at short notice. Competent advice even in time-critical phases.’
‘Dr. Wiesner is our confidante for all antitrust issues.’
‘At Dentons in Germany we work exclusively with Dr. Josef Hainz on antitrust law. Dr Hainz can be reached in a very client-oriented manner, quickly grasps even industrially complex situations and is able to offer a mostly immediately well-founded solution with a high practical value. Can empathize well with the in-house perspective and gives hands-on advice to the point. Last but not least, his way of understanding other opinions and putting them on the right track as well as his excellent knowledge of English help him.’
‘In-depth sector knowledge and business-related advice.’
‘Dr René Grafunder has proven sector expertise in the FMCG/retail sector. He is well connected and pragmatic, has a very good understanding of business requirements and impresses with practical consulting approaches .’
‘Very innovative law firm, for example with a dawn raid alert system for a large corporation. Outstanding technical experts and fast, pleasant cooperation.’
‘Josef Hainz: Technically excellent, very responsive.’
‘Led by an experienced partner, the practice offers bespoke, cost-effective advice.’
Key clients
Air Products
Aves One
Bundesverband deutscher Banken
Flughafen München
Gazprom
HENSOLDT Group
Munich RE
Otto Group
Porsche
Recylex GmbH (Weser-Metall GmbH)
Silgan Holdings Inc.
Solera Holdings
Tech Data Corporation
Wacker Chemie AG
Yonsung Group
5N Plus Inc.
Work highlights
- Advising the Association of German Banks on damages claims under civil law in follow-up proceedings B4-9/11- EC Cash of the Federal Cartel Office.
- Advising Gazprom on a number of antitrust matters, including in connection with the implementation of the commitments ending the European Commission’s abuse proceedings.
- Joint antitrust advisor to Porsche and Transnet BW on the establishment of a joint venture in the field of intelligent energy systems, including advice on global merger control and compliance. In addition, advice on merger control law on the establishment of a joint venture with the P3 Group and Customcells.
Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 4
Dentons' insurance law practice is spread across four locations, of which all assist extensively with W&I insurance matters. The group also has broad expertise in insurtech and digitisation matters. Practice head Kai Goretzky ensures a seamless combination of classic insurance contract and supervisory law, while Michael Graf acts at the interface to tax law. Sascha Grosjean advises on company pension schemes and Philipp Becker made partner in March 2021; he has special knowledge of warranty insurance and corresponding transactional issues.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘High professional competence and good interdisciplinary cooperation with the individual departments.’
‘High reliability and quick response to questions.’
Key clients
CherryHUB
UPS Capital
Stonebridge International Insurance/ AEGON
elinor
Baloise Vie
AIG
ERGO Group AG
Deutsche Vermögensberatung AG
Work highlights
- Advising CherryHUB on the German market entry of the Hungarian InsurTech with five insurance products.
- Advised UPS Capital on all insurance and regulatory aspects from product development to digital marketing.
- Advice to Stonebridge International Insurance Limited/ AEGON on all issues relating to the design and implementation of the Brexit-related relocation of their business activities and adjustment of the organizational structure.
Germany > Tax Tier 4
Advice to insurance companies on W&I and special risk insurance remains an essential part of Dentons' tax practice, although the group also routinely assists large national and international companies, which make up its client base alongside funds and investors, with tax aspects of transactions and conversions; practice head Michael Graf is a key contact for both areas. Furthermore, the group assists with tax and company audits as well as contentious issues, which often stem from double taxation scenarios. Stephan Busch, among others, is experienced in representing clients in proceedings before fiscal courts including the federal fiscal court. Thanks to its integration within the firm's international network and cross-locational cooperation, the team is also experienced in handling international issues.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Large wealth of experience and intelligent solutions, even for very difficult and complex issues.’
‘The internal team coordination worked smoothly – a reliable interaction of all employees! Terrific. ‘
‘Thomas Voss: Intelligent and economical thinking; very solution oriented. ‘
‘Michael Graf: Very competent, was able to provide very detailed information over the phone without any preparation, very pleasant to deal with and responsive. ‘
‘The quality of the advice is particularly noteworthy, which is also reflected in the fact that colleagues who specialize in tax areas are called in to answer them. Despite this, you have the feeling that you are always being looked after by a team and not by different individual lawyers, even if the team members are spread over different locations. This is true even when colleagues from other departments or other countries are involved.’
‘Our primary contact at Dentons is Michael Graf. He is an excellent corporate tax lawyer who is also able to involve colleagues with questions about specialist tax areas in such a way that our problem is easily solved. We have been working with him for over 10 years.’
‘Miss Dr. Pia Dorfmüller advises us with a wide range of tax expertise and always keeps an eye on the entire company or group of companies. She has an extraordinary command of the interaction of domestic and foreign circumstances, regardless of the legal form and right down to the owners and their interests. Your international network is complete and offers solutions for all needs. Particularly noteworthy is her pronounced customer orientation, which is not only reflected in the high speed, but also in the analytical competence and approach. She is negotiating fluent in all areas and does not shy away from emphasizing good processes.’
‘Very fast and uncomplicated problem solving. Cost effective.’
Key clients
AIG
ATAI Lifesciences NV
Berliner Wasserbetriebe
BNP Paribas Real Estate Investment Management GmbH
BVV Versicherungsverein des Bankgewerbes a. G.
Deutsche Vermögensberatung AG
Deutscher Sparkassen und Giroverband
Dual Specialty M&A GmbH
Franger Investment GmbH & Co. KGaA
Riskpoint A/S
Ruby Hotels GmbH
S Broker AG & Co KG
S-Kreditpartner GmbH
Work highlights
- Tax advice to ATAI Life Sciences NV on all matters relating to the IPO on the US technology exchange NASDAQ in June 2021.
- German lead tax adviser to Johnson Controls International plc (JCI) in an arbitration proceeding primarily relating to a hypothetical dividend payment by a highly liquid German group company to a Luxembourg holding company after the balance sheet date and the impact of the German anti-treaty shopping regime on the hypothetical dividend withholding tax in a private equity environment.
Trade and distribution > Trade, distribution and logistics Tier 4
Dentons' commercial, trade and distribution law practice group, which was founded in the reporting period, benefits from the firm's national and international reach and thus includes well-known companies in its portfolio. The team advises on a wide range of distribution and commercial law issues, including franchise systems, official distributor and logistics law as well as IT-related topics. Under the leadership of Christiane Zedelius, the industry focuses are primarily on consumer goods, for example in the areas of fashion, cosmetics and food. Zedelius joined the team in May 2020 and previously worked for a startup. She advises clients from the Munich office on, among other things, multi-channel distribution systems, franchise and licensing agreements, and sourcing and quality agreements. Stefan Dittmer is regularly instructed on IP and IT-related matters.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
AirWair
Carl Hanser Verlag
PERI
Showa Denko Carbon Group
Work highlights
- Ongoing advice to an international drug manufacturer on a large number of distribution agreements, standard contracts of all kinds and on compliance issues, as well as comprehensive antitrust advice in connection with a drug distribution agreement.
- Advising a mining company on the declaration of operating expenses as part of the restructuring of its North American business.
- Advising an Azerbaijani private equity investor on a strategic joint venture with a German Tier 1 automotive supplier and on a joint R&D agreement between the client and the supplier.
Corporate and M&A > Corporate Tier 5
Dentons' team is increasingly instructed by listed companies and German corporations on corporate law issues, which are supported in close cooperation with the capital markets and tax experts. The group's expertise covers corporate restructuring, liability issues, annual general meetings, corporate litigation, corporate governance and compliance issues. Robert Weber, Rebekka Hye-Knudsen and Alexander von Bergwelt head the practice, which was strengthened in March 2021 with Gesine von der Groeben (M&A, venture capital and corporate law) from BEITEN BURKHARDT.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Access Microfinance Holding
ATAI Life Sciences
Air Products Plc
Bayerische Gewerbebau
Bethmann Bank
Bundesverband deutscher Banken
BVV-Gruppe
Carl Hanser Verlag
Covivio Office-Group
Daimler
Dillinger Hütte
GfK
KWS Saat
Munich Airport International
SHS – Stahl-Holding Saar
Stabilus S.A.
Volkswagen AG
Work highlights
- Comprehensive advice to the Covivio Office-Group on the corporate law squeeze-out of the minority shareholders.
- Advice to the investment bank Berlin on the creation of a new corporate structure with the aim of enabling transparent and efficient investment management by founding a new holding company in the legal form of an institution under public law.
- Advised Microvast on a cooperation agreement (supply and development agreement) with CNH Industrial for the joint development, manufacturing and marketing of electric battery systems.
Corporate and M&A > M&A: mid-sized deals (sub-€500m) Tier 5
Dentons is a renowned address for M&A transactions with regulatory aspects, particularly in the (renewable) energy, healthcare and financial services sectors. The arrival of Michael Krömker from Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH in December 2020 further strengthened the team's expertise in the energy, infrastructure, automotive, industrials, IT and media segments. The group is increasingly active for DAX30 companies, but also advises international companies and private equity investors, who benefit from the interfacing advisory capacities in restructuring and distressed M&A. Alexander von Bergwelt , Robert Weber and Rebekka Hye-Knudsen jointly head the practice.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘ Pragmatic, entrepreneurial understanding. ‘
Key clients
Volkswagen
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG)
Aves One AG
Arlington Germany
Commerz Real
WebMD
Yinglei Wang Holding / Sedant Roba
Yonsung Group
Infracapital Accursia Capital
Carl Hanser Verlag
Infinex Group
Accursia Capital
Work highlights
- Advising Volkswagen on the takeover of the front camera software business of the listed automotive supplier Hella.
- Advising Aves One on the $182.5 million sale of its entire sea container portfolio to a fund managed by investment firm Oak Hill Advisors.
- Advising WebMD, the portfolio company of leading global private equity firm KKR and Singaporean investment fund Temasek, on the acquisition of coliquio.
Dispute resolution > Arbitration (including international arbitration) Tier 5
Dentons advises on numerous contentious issues with a focus on construction and plant engineering as well as post-M&A. The practice is very active in cross-jurisdictional proceedings, for which the team is particularly well equipped due to its integration within the firm's global network. Co-head Heiko Heppner focuses on arbitration proceedings relating to investment protection law, while co-head Thomas Nebel has a focus on arbitration law in plant construction. Matthias Hadding is experienced in cross-border arbitration and another key team member. Amy Kläsener, who is experienced in engineering and construction disputes, left for Jones Day in May 2021, followed by Courtney Lotfi in January 2022, who joined the same entity as of counsel.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Fresenius Medical Care
Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Work highlights
- Representing a major European state in CIETAC arbitration proceedings involving predominantly Chinese manufacturers and distributors of FFP2/KN95 masks.
- Representing a DAX30 group in numerous international arbitration proceedings as well as cross-border litigation with a distributor from the Middle East in connection with the end of contractual relationships in various Middle Eastern jurisdictions.
- Representing a Chinese-European automotive supplier in arbitration proceedings regarding damages claims in connection with a supplier’s lack of production capacity.
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 5
Dentons' dispute resolution team provides expertise in disputes related to antitrust and capital markets law and has a strong focus on the energy, automotive and plant engineering sectors. Key contacts are counsel Matthias Hadding, who is experienced in plant construction projects, co-practice head Heiko Heppner, who is adept at contentious competition issues, and co-head Thomas Nebel, who focuses on international commercial disputes. In cooperation with its international network, the team also regularly advises on interdisciplinary and cross-jurisdictional disputes.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Extensive knowledge of day-to-day business and special topics such as M&A. The experience is the decisive, positive difference!’
‘Very flexible, customer-oriented and competent with a very large spectrum that they cover professionally. A law firm with worldwide coverage, which is absolutely essential in complicated cases.’
‘They are led by heart and knowledge. The knowledge of digitization and B2B software was always above average. You have a team by your side with which you can overcome the biggest crises and never feel alone.’
‘The dispute resolution practice has grown to an impressive size. The teams in Frankfurt and Düsseldorf can also assist with large mass proceedings before German courts. The Frankfurt team, led by co-head Heiko Heppner, has particular strengths in complex cross-border civil litigation, particularly with US or China links. Heiko Heppner has built up an extremely diverse team of lawyers from a wide range of backgrounds, whose cultural diversity means that they have a particularly deep insight into the way of thinking of foreign litigants.’
‘Thomas Nebel’s and Matthias Hadding’s experience in German and international construction proceedings is impressive. Like Heiko Heppner, Thomas Nebel stands for the highest legal quality.’
‘Thomas Nebel is a lawyer who, like Heiko Heppner, stands for the highest legal quality. I would instruct him in construction law disputes.’
‘Matthias Hadding: Extremely intelligent, very broad expertise, extraordinarily energetic.’
‘The team has experienced a really outstanding development in recent years, which is reflected in increasingly visible matters. The decisive factor is the extremely successful connection of “young wild ones” – highly motivated lawyers of the next generation who are greedy for exciting cases and at the same time extremely competent and personable.’
Key clients
Fresenius Medical Care
Daimler AG
Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Bundesgesundheitsministerium)
König & Bauer
Work highlights
- Defending and advising a major German automaker against thousands of consumer and corporate claims.
- Defending an international chemical company against claims for repayment and damages in connection with the non-delivery to Iranian companies in view of US anti-terrorist and anti-proliferation sanctions and associated existential risks for the client.
- Representing a large European state in enforcing claims for material defects in connection with the procurement of personal Covid-19 protective equipment.
Intellectual property > Trade marks Tier 5
Dentons‘ strengths are litigation, including cross-border, border seizure and product piracy matters, trade mark portfolio management as well as contract law advice, including cooperation, IT and project-related issues. The team also assists with transactions and its industry focuses include the automotive, fashion and life sciences industries. Constantin Rehaag in Frankfurt and Stefan Dittmer in Berlin head the team, which also demonstrates know-how at the interface between IP and criminal law and regularly cooperates with the Paris team. In April 2021, the Berlin office was strengthened with counsel Julia Wiencke (formerly at Ernst & Young Law; digitisation, trade mark and title protection law) and the Frankfurt office with counsel Nadine Neumeier (formerly at Baker McKenzie; IT, data protection, e-commerce). Berlin-based Jana Semrau-Brandt specialises in IP, IT and licensing agreements and made counsel in March 2021.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Abbott
AbbVie
Agence France-Presse
Amazon
ANTONOV
BASF/BASC
Bayer AG
Bundesministerium des Inneren
Daimler AG
Delta Airlines
eKomi Holding GmbH
GOAT
Industrie Cartarie Tronchetti S.p.A (ICT)
Infracapital
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG)
Konica Minolta & Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe
König & Bauer AG
KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA
Mil – Moskauer Hubschrauberfabrik M. L. Mil
Mobility Trader Holding GmbH
Novartis AG
Ringspann GmbH
Roche Pharma AG
RoX GmbH
Ruheforst GmbH
Schneider Electric
Sky Fernsehen Deutschland GmbH
Umicore
Volkswagen AG
ZURU
Work highlights
- Advising and successfully representing Amazon in a complex legal dispute against Coty’s trademark infringement claims before the Federal Court of Justice (BGH).
- Advising the investment company Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) and its infrastructure unit ICG Infra on the acquisition of a majority stake in the fiber optic network operator TNG.
- Advising Novartis AG on trademark and patent litigation matters and on civil and criminal law in a major pharmaceutical crime case (criminal infringement of the client’s trademarks in the form of counterfeit packages and leaflets of anti-cancer drugs estimated at €20 million).
Germany > Employment Tier 6
Dentons‘ strength is collective employment law advice, in particular restructuring and M&A transactions, including insolvency-related mandates. The team, co-led by Markus Diepold, offers interdisciplinary support and regularly operates across different locations. Diepold also advises clients on various day-to-day employment and social security law issues with particular sector expertise in the healthcare, metal and electronics as well as automotive industries. Co-head Sascha Grosjean complements this approach with expertise in occupational pension schemes and HR compliance.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Mr Diepold is extraordinarily competent.’
‘Fast, high-quality advice with results that can be implemented in practice. The mandates from the litigation area are also managed excellently and in a resource-saving manner by the team. In the case of absences, there is always a representative who is very well incorporated into the factual and legal status.’
‘Markus Diepold deserves special mention with his outstanding knowledge of employment law and his many years of experience, which pays off in particular in employment law issues relating to M&A transactions and in collective employment law matters .’
‘ I notice that there is good teamwork in what is undoubtedly a large law firm. Lawyers, academic staff and secretarial staff work in a well-coordinated manner and exchange ideas, so that I as a client receive competent answers and working aids quickly and well-founded, even in complex or new subject areas.’
‘The individual contacts are binding, dependable and reliable. The lawyers always provide competent answers and solutions. The interaction is characterized by friendliness and courtesy.’
‘Competent, careful and structured. Good internal substitution rules. Balanced representation of the interests of the law firm and the client . ‘
‘Markus Diepold is very helpful for employment law issues, the advice is always understandable, discussions at eye level, no “useless” legal advice is sold or incomprehensible memos are written, but exactly the questions that exist are solved.’
‘ Very pragmatic approaches, availability at short notice, solution-oriented, trusting cooperation at eye level.’
Key clients
Arjobex
Arlington Germany GmbH
BG Kliniken Holding; BG Kliniken Tübingen und Reutlingen gGmbH
BVV Bankenversicherungsverein a.G.
Dillinger Hütte (Stahl-Holding-Saar GmbH & Co. KG)
ERGO Group AG
Infracapital
Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer e.V.
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG)
IOTA Foundation
KKR-Portfoliounternehmen WebMD
Nordwest Dental GmbH & Co KG
SKODA AUTO Deutschland GmbH
Solarisbank AG
Unser Heimatbäcker Unternehmensgruppe
Volkswagen AG
Yamaha Music Europe GmbH (einschließlich der Tochtergesellschaft Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH)
Yonsung Group
Work highlights
- Advising the Recylex Group (in particular Harz-Metall GmbH and Weser-Metall GmbH) in self-administered insolvency proceedings on complex restructuring measures and the clarification of individual and collective labor law issues in day-to-day business.
- Comprehensive employment law advice to Volkswagen AG in connection with the acquisition (carve-out and transfer of business) of HELLA’s camera software division.
- Advising the KKR portfolio company WebMD on the acquisition of the leading information and education platform coliquio.
Private equity > Venture capital
Dentons > Firm Profile
Dentons is designed to be different. As the world’s largest law firm with 20,000 professionals in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries, we can help you grow, protect, operate and finance your business. Our polycentric and purpose-driven approach, together with our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and ESG, ensures we challenge the status quo to stay focused on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com
Since 2019, Dentons counts a total of four offices in Germany (Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf). The Dentons office in Berlin offers advice across all major areas of commercial and tax law, and additionally, provides a full range of notarial services. Our clients can rely on our long-standing experience in the market. We provide the legal tools they need to get a deal done or a project completed. A large number of our specialists are locally and globally ranked as leading personalities within their area of specialization. As one of the leading law firms in the region, we can ensure our clients success, whether with negotiations, in litigation, or with the implementation of your investment ambitions and business ideas.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banking and Finance | Dr. Arne Klüwer | ||
| Capital Markets | Robert Michels | ||
| Corporate/M&A | Dr. Christof Kautzsch | ||
| Employment | Dr. Utz Andelewski | ||
| Intellectual Property and Technology | Dr. Constantin Rehaag | ||
| Competition and Antitrust | Dr. Jörg Karenfort | ||
| Litigation and Dispute Resolution | Amy Kläsener | ||
| Real Estate | Dirk-Reiner Voß | ||
| Restructuring, Insolvency and Bankruptcy | Andreas Ziegenhagen | ||
| Tax | Dr. Stephan Busch |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Dr Peter Braun | Dr. Peter Braun is a partner in the Dentons’ Frankfurt office and… | View Profile |
 | Bernhard Gemmel | Bernhard Gemmel, Maître en Droit, is a partner in Dentons’ Frankfurt office.… | View Profile |
 | Michael Graf | Michael Graf is is the Office Managing Partner of Dentons’ Frankfurt office… | View Profile |
 | Andreas Haak | Andreas Haak is Düsseldorf Managing Partner and Co-Head of the German Public Sector… | View Profile |
 | Dr Gabriele Haas | Dr. Gabriele Haas is a partner in Dentons’ Frankfurt office and a… | View Profile |
 | Heiko Heppner | Heiko Heppner is co-head of the German Dispute Resolution practice group and… | View Profile |
 | Dr Arne Klüwer | Dr. Arne Klüwer is a partner in the Frankfurt office and Head… | View Profile |
 | Stefan Korten | Stefan Korten is Of Counsel in Dentons’ Frankfurt office and a member… | View Profile |
 | Dr Christian Miercke | Dr. Christian Miercke is a counsel in Denton’s Frankfurt office. He is… | View Profile |
 | Dr Julia Pfeil | Dr. Julia Pfeil is a partner in Dentons’ Frankfurt office. She is… | View Profile |
 | Dr Constantin Rehaag | Dr. iur. Constantin Rehaag, M.A., is a partner in Dentons’ Frankfurt office… | View Profile |
 | Dr Robert Weber | Dr. Robert Weber is a partner in Dentons’ Frankfurt office and Co-Head… | View Profile |
 | Sabine Wieduwilt | Sabine Wieduwilt is a partner in Dentons’ Frankfurt office. She is a… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 12,000+ At this office : 100+Languages
70+ languages including: Arabic Afrikaans Azerbaijani Bulgarian Czech English French Georgian German Hungarian Italian Kazakh Chinese (Mandarin) Polish Romanian Russian Slovak Spanish Turkish Ukrainian UzbekOther
Other offices : Dentons now has 180+ offices in over 70 countries.Dentons > Firm Profile
Dentons is the world’s largest law firm, delivering quality and value to clients around the globe. Dentons is a leader on the Acritas Global Elite Brand Index, a BTI Client Service 30 Award winner and recognized by prominent business and legal publications for its innovations in client service, including founding Nextlaw Labs and the Nextlaw Referral Network. Dentons’ polycentric approach and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client interests in the communities in which we live and work.
With 180+ offices in over 70 countries, Dentons’ global team builds agile, tailored solutions to meet the local, national and global needs of private and public clients of any size.
Since 2019, Dentons counts a total of four offices in Germany (Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf). Our team at the Dentons Frankfurt office provide our clients with the full range of legal services, offering profound expertise to multinational conglomerates, institutional investors and banks in all major areas of business and tax law. Our clients benefit from our particular strengths in intellectual property, private equity, financial market regulation and technology. This is due to our extensive experience in working with leading domestic and international enterprises from the life sciences, digital media and entertainment, consumer and luxury goods sectors, as well as in banking and finance, regulation and funds.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banking and Finance | Dr. Arne Klüwer | ||
| Capital Markets | Robert Michels | ||
| Corporate/M&A | Dr. Christof Kautzsch | ||
| Employment | Dr. Utz Andelewski | ||
| Intellectual Property and Technology | Dr. Constantin Rehaag | ||
| Competition and Antitrust | Dr. Jörg Karenfort | ||
| Litigation and Dispute Resolution | Amy Kläsener | ||
| Real Estate | Dirk-Reiner Voß | ||
| Restructuring, Insolvency and Bankruptcy | Andreas Ziegenhagen | ||
| Tax | Dr. Stephan Busch |
Staff Figures
Number of lawyers : 10,500+ At this office : 60+Languages
70+ languages including: Arabic Afrikaans Azerbaijani Bulgarian Czech English French Georgian German Hungarian Italian Kazakh Chinese (Mandarin) Polish Romanian Russian Slovak Spanish Turkish Ukrainian UzbekOther
Other offices : Dentons now has 180+ offices in over 70 countries.Diversity
At Dentons, we believe that inclusion and diversity are essential to the success and strength of our Firm and the quality of our advice to, and representation of, our clients. We are committed to providing a flexible environment where everyone respects, supports and learns from our collective skills, talents and differences. Click here for our global statement on inclusion and diversity.
Over the last 12 months only, we have advanced numerous inclusion and diversity initiatives for both our people and our clients:
- Women’s Professional Advancement Strategy – Europe: Our policy sets out a comprehensive strategy to reach a target of 30% women in partnership and key leadership roles by 2025. This includes an agile working policy, mentoring and sponsorship for up and coming female talent, business development support, anti-bias training for partners and HR managers, participation of women in leadership development programs, involvement of a member of the women’s advancement committee in partner admission interviews, and various other steps.
- 2020 the Year of the Ally: A year-long campaign to use allyship to produce positive, sustained change, including International Women’s Day, Global Pride Day, Global Virtual Town Halls and Global Allyship Trainings. Our Global CEO led a series of global listening sessions to share experiences and co-create responsive actions. The result was five enhanced Global Commitments to Inclusion and Diversity along with clear actions to support change. We also held town hall webinars around themes such as discrimination, racism, allyship, multiculturalism, LGBT+ inclusion in Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Warsaw.
- External collaboration: We have strengthened our collaboration with key organizations promoting inclusion, such as Stonewall, Catalyst, Global Women Connect, International Women’s Forum. Dentons was named a Stonewall Top Global Employer 2020.
- Pro bono: As part of our Positive Impact strategy, key focus of our pro bono work has been supporting human rights of diverse groups such as women/girls, LGBT+ and migrants and promoting access to justice. We work closely with organizations such as UN Women and Led by Her to promote equality, support reproductive rights and combat violence against women. Dentons lawyers have worked alongside civil society organizations and taken on important strategic litigation cases to promote LGBT+ rights and promote marriage equality. As part of the Greece Pro Bono Collaborative Project, we have provided direct legal support to asylum seekers on Lesbos.
- Big Inclusion Project: The Big Inclusion Project was designed to accelerate the inclusion agenda at Dentons and leverage the power of our people to build solutions aligned with our business objectives. Over 225 people across 68 offices at all levels within the Firm, including 12 of our Global Board members, participated on 22 teams to come up with inclusion and diversity solutions at Dentons. The Big Inclusion Project continues as we work to put into action the solutions developed by our Big Inclusion Project teams.
Press Releases
Dentons advised on the global offering of €75 million 4.60 per cent. Credit Enhanced Bonds due 2026 for Gaoyou City Construction Investment Development Group
7th March 2023 Dentons has represented Gaoyou City Construction Investment Development Group, a leading state-owned infrastructure construction company principally engaged in the construction of municipal infrastructure, water facilities, roads, environmental governance-related facilities and shantytown redevelopment projects in Gaoyou City and Suzhou City, in its global offering under Regulation S of its English law governed €75 million 4.60 per cent. Credit Enhanced Bonds due 2026, with the benefit of an irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit issued by Bank of Jiangsu Co., Ltd., Yangzhou Branch, underwritten by China Industrial Securities International, Industrial Bank of Co. Ltd., Hong Kong Branch, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, Hong Kong Branch, China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd., Hong Kong Branch, CEB International, Guotai Junan International, Guosen Securities (HK), Central Wealth Securities Investment Limited, CNCB Capital, CITIC Securities, CMBC Capital, China International Capital Corporation and Caitong International.Dentons Rodyk kicks off 2023 with the introduction of next generation leaders
16th January 2023 Singapore’s Big Five law firm Dentons Rodyk unveiled its new Executive Committee and also announced the admission of two outstanding young individuals into the senior partnership of the firm, with effect from 1 January 2023.Court of Appeal releases written grounds for upholding decision in US$1.48b environment related claim
9th December 2022 The Singapore Court of Appeal on 2 December 2022, issued its written grounds for upholding the High Court (General Division)’s decision in Ok Tedi Fly River Development Foundation Ltd and others v Ok Tedi Mining Ltd and others [2021] SGHC 205. The appeal was successfully resisted by the Dentons Rodyk team led by Mark Seah, Co-Head of the Litigation Practice and comprised Andrea Gan, Martin See, Alexander Choo and Philip Teh. TSMP Law Corporation’s Mr Adrian Tan and Dr Tang Hang Wu acted for the Appellants.Mr. Phuc Le rejoined Dentons LuatViet to strengthen its offshore legal services
7th July 2022 Dentons LuatViet is delighted to welcome back Mr. Phuc Le to join our firm as a Special Counsel. He will primarily provide legal services to our clients in the US and Moscow.Singapore Big Five Law Firm Dentons Rodyk Boosts Corporate Practice with Two Senior Lawyer Hires
4th July 2022 Singapore, 1 July 2022 – Singapore’s Big Five Law Firm Dentons Rodyk are today announcing the arrival of senior corporate lawyers Evelyn Ang and Emily Low. Together with six other lawyers, they join Dentons Rodyk from Big Four accounting firm EY’s Singapore law practice, Atlas Asia Law Corporation (AALC). The news follows Dentons' recently launched combination with leading Vietnamese law firm LuatViet, as the Firm pursues its goal of being the leading pan-ASEAN law firm.Dentons launches combination with LuatViet in Vietnam
17th June 2022 Dentons has launched its previously announced combination with leading Vietnamese law firm, LuatViet, which has more than 40 legal professionals serving clients from offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.Former Deputy Director of Attorney-General’s Chambers Navin Naidu joins Big Five Law Firm Dentons Rodyk
17th June 2022 Big Five Law Firm Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP is pleased to announce the arrival of Attorney-General’s Chambers’ former Deputy Director Navin Naidu to the firm’s White Collar and Government Investigations practice.How Singapore’s Big Five law firm Dentons Rodyk is embracing the future of work and ditching its traditional office for good
14th April 2022 Visions for the future of work have never been bolder. The COVID-19 pandemic changed notions on how many felt a work environment should be. The world was rushed into accelerating technology adoption, increasing digital connectivity and embracing virtual collaboration. As we usher in a new and dynamic decade, Dentons Rodyk envisions the future of work by ditching its traditional office for good and introducing a permanent hybrid work model.Dentons secures final victory for ICT on European patent infringement case against ESSITY
18th August 2020Global law firm Dentons is pleased to announce that the Paris Court of Appeal, the Higher Regional Court of Karlsruhe and the Barcelona Provincial Court have all issued final decisions dismissing Essity’s claims of patent infringement in regards to Industrie Cartarie Tronchetti’s (ICT) three ply toilet paper. With Dentons’ counsel, ICT successfully demonstrated beyond a doubt that its branded and private label products are produced based on its own proprietary process, and patented under European patent 2 353 859.
Dentons has been advising Industrie Cartarie Tronchetti S.p.A since 2016. Based in Lucca, ICT is a leader in the category of high quality tissue paper products for domestic use, and has subsidiaries in Italy, Spain, Germany, France and Poland.
The Paris decision, which is the most recent, ends a long-running patent infringement litigation with Essity and affirms ICT can continue to produce and distribute absorbent paper based on its own proprietary technology. The three courts in France, Germany, and Spain have confirmed ICT’s argument that it is using its own novel technology, also patented. Essity’s claims of infringement were based on a patent originally filed by Georgia Pacific, and subsequently becoming Essity’s.
Dentons partner David Masson served as lead partner and represented ICT in France. Dentons partner Dr. Constantin Rehaag represented ICT in Germany, and PwC partner Alejandra Matas Brancós represented the client in Spain, with the support of Dentons partner Juan Ignacio Alonso.
David Masson, lead lawyer on the case, commented: “It has been very interesting to understand ICT’s own technology and work closely with different teams, including ICT’s R&D department, which has been part of all strategic and technical decisions throughout the case”.
Constantin Rehaag, who represented the client in the German court hearings and coordinated the work with the client’s patent attorneys, said: “This is an outstanding success of a great team formed by the client, who provided us with invaluable technological insight, the team of patent attorneys and, finally, by the Dentons teams in France, Spain and Germany.”
The patent litigation began in 2016 when Essity sued ICT in France, Germany and Spain for the alleged infringement of its patent related to the technical solution for the bonding of three layers of tissue for paper products such as high quality, soft and bulky, toilet paper.
In France, Essity claimed that ICT had breached the French part of its European patent 1 081 284 and that the toilet paper marketed as Foxy Soie Plus, and also certain other private labels produced by ICT France, had infringed on their patent. Essity demanded that all production operations be halted. The rolls of toilet paper were carefully analyzed and there were no findings of infringement. The two French courts - in first instance and appeal - rejected the claims and ordered Essity to pay compensation for the legal fees to ICT Italy and ICT France.
In Germany, the case was first taken to the Mannheim District Court, which is well reputed in patent matters. The lawsuit mainly focused on the complex questions regarding the construing of the claims of Essity’s patent. The court ruled in favour of ICT, and Essity filed an appeal. In August 2019, the Higher Regional Court of Karlsruhe also ruled that the German subsidiary of ICT did not infringe the German part of the patent 1 081 284.
In Spain, after a first decision in favor of Essity in the lower court, the Barcelona Provincial Court clearly stated in a written appeal that ICT’s products - and in particular, Foxy Seda, Foxy Bouquet, certain three-ply private label products - did not infringe the Spanish part of the patent 1 081 284.
About ICTIndustrie Cartarie Tronchetti (ICT) was founded in 1976 in Italy, in the Lucca province, to operate in the tissue sector, producing high quality paper exclusively from virgin fibre. The first production facility was opened in 1978 in Piano della Rocca, Lucca, and over the years new plants and facilities have been set up in Piano della Rocca, Diecimo and Piano di Coreglia. The Foxy brand, one of the leading brands in the European market, was launched in 1982. ICT is an example of excellence in the paper industry, in full harmony with the tradition of the Lucca region, where the most important Italian papermaking hub is located, on a par with those of Green Bay (USA) and Fuji (Japan). In Lucca in particular, great expertise has been nurtured in the field of paper for household use, and the city is in fact known as the world tissue capital. Today, ICT SpA boasts an annual production capacity of about 160,000 tonnes.
About DentonsDentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic.
Dentons advises Snam on US$10.1 billion consortium investment in ADNOC Gas Pipelines
3rd August 2020 Global law firm Dentons advised Italian-based multinational energy infrastructure operator Snam in relation to its agreement, in consortium with several international investment funds, to purchase a 49 percent share of ADNOC Gas Pipelines from The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). ADNOC Gas Pipelines is valued at approximately US$20.7 billion (US$10.1 billion for 49%).The transaction is one of the most important in the global energy infrastructure sector, as well as Snam’s first acquisition outside Europe. ADNOC Gas Pipelines holds the tariff-based rights for the 38 pipelines that connect ADNOC’s upstream activities to Abu Dhabi’s consumption points and the export and interconnection terminals to neighboring Emirates.
The transaction was financed by a pool of international banks for approximately $8 billion, plus an equity contribution from each of the consortium members. In addition to Snam, the other consortium members included Global Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Asset Management, GIC, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, and NH Investment & Securities.
Dentons acted with a cross-border team from Italy and UAE, coordinated by partner Sara Biglieri in Milan. Partners Luca Pocobelli (Rome) and Mhairi Main Garcia (Dubai), counsel Claudio Segna (Milan), senior associate Craig Hughson (Abu Dhabi) and associate Stephanie Hawes (Dubai) advised on corporate and M&A aspects. Partners Alessandro Fosco Fagotto (Milan) and Stephen Knight (Abu Dhabi), counsel Franco Gialloreti, senior associate Tommaso Zanirato and junior associate Giulia Caselli Maldonado (all Milan) advised on financing aspects. Partner Michele Carpagnano (Rome) and associate Giulia Giordano (Rome) advised on the competition and antitrust aspects.
Snam’s internal legal team was led by General Counsel, Marco Reggiani - assisted by Michela Schizzi, Senior Vice President Regulated Assets Legal Affairs - and included senior legal counsels Rosanna Pallotta and Claudia Jolanda Fanelli. The legal aspects related to the financing were handled, together with Marco Reggiani, by Gloria Bertini, Head of Finance and Capital Market Legal Affairs and Roberta Di Mauro, legal counsel.
Dentons advises Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) on the establishment of the EU Malaria Fund
3rd August 2020 The EU Malaria Fund was initiated by the kENUP Foundation, a not-for-profit organization promoting research-based innovation with public and societal benefit. The fund is managed by the IBB Group. The target volume of the fund amounts to €280 million, with a first closing of €70 million on June 3, 2020.A Dentons team from Berlin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Munich provided comprehensive advice to IBB Group on the establishment of the EU Malaria Fund. This included the development of the legal and tax conception of the fund, regulatory advice, corporate law support on the setup of the fund, and the negotiation of the financing agreements with the EIB, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other investors.Berlin-based partner Dirk-Reiner Voss and Frankfurt-based partner Arne Klüwer jointly led the Dentons team, with support from partners Stephan Busch, Matthias Santelmann and senior associates Holger Hölkemeier and Bernd Düsterbeck in Berlin; counsel Verena Etzel and Oda Elmoutaouakil in Frankfurt; partner Axel Schlieter in Dusseldorf, and partner Richard Fagerer in Munich.About DentonsDentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.comDentons advises on ACS Group’s €500 million NEU-CP Program
3rd August 2020 Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, has advised Spanish-based multinational construction group, Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A. (ACS), on the renewal of its €500 million Negotiable European Commercial Paper (NEU-CP) Program. The NEU-CP program is registered with the Central Bank of France, with the involvement of BNP Paribas, BRED Banque Populaire, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, ING Bank N.V. and Natixis, as dealers for the Notes.Headquartered in Madrid, the ACS Group is a worldwide leader in construction and services. It is currently the only non-financial issuer with a NEU-CP Program registered with the Central Bank of France.Dentons’ Capital Markets group in Madrid advised ACS on all aspects of the transaction. Partner Ignacio Corujo led and coordinated the transaction with the support of junior associate Ana Artola.Ignacio Corujo joined Dentons in January this year to establish and lead the Capital Markets group in Spain. In addition to this most recent deal for ACS, he has closed several high-value debt capital markets deals since his move, including most notably, Grupo Cajamar’s €1 billion issuance of mortgage bonds, as well as Sacyr’s renewal of its €500 million EMTN Program.About DentonsDentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.comDentons advises UniCredit on a €450 million secured sustainability-linked financing for Gunvor Gro
3rd August 2020 Global law firm Dentons has advised UniCredit Bank AG as Mandated Lead Arranger, (Sustainability) Coordinator, Bookrunner, Facility Agent and Security Agent as well as the lenders on a €450 million secured sustainability-linked borrowing base facility agreement with Gunvor Group. Gunvor Group will use the funds to cover the working capital requirements of its Ingolstadt refinery.The innovative financing model is tied to the borrower's achievement of predetermined ESG key performance indicators (Sustainability KPIs) and provides for a sustainability discount or premium in case the company overachieves or underperforms the predefined targets. An independent sustainability auditor will report on the performance of the Sustainability KPIs on an annual basis. The ESG-based scoring of certain key performance indicators provides a unique way for borrowers and lenders to communicate their commitment to sustainability and incentivizes sustainable corporate measures.Participating banks included DZ Bank, KfW IPEX-Bank, Raiffeisen Bank International, Erste Group Bank, Commerzbank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, CA Indosuez (Switzerland), Bank of China and First Abu Dhabi Bank.Gunvor Group is one of the world’s largest independent commodities trading houses by turnover, creating logistics solutions that safely and efficiently move physical energy from where it is sourced and stored to where it is demanded. With strategic investments in industrial infrastructure – refineries, pipelines, storage and terminals – Gunvor Group further generates sustainable value across the global supply chain for its customers. UniCredit is one of the pioneers in sustainable loans in the German market.Düsseldorf finance partner Dr. Axel Schlieter fully advised the bank on the drafting and negotiation of the loan agreement. The Dentons team further comprised Julia Heitmann (senior associate, Banking and Finance, Düsseldorf) and Eike Hinrich Pradt (associate, Banking and Finance, Frankfurt). Axel Schlieter is a core member of Dentons’ Sustainable Finance group in Europe and is regularly involved around the topics of issuance of green bonds and on sustainable financing.Advisors to UniCredit: Dentons (Düsseldorf): Dr. Axel Schlieter, (lead partner), Julia Heitmann (senior associate, both banking and finance, Düsseldorf), Eike Hinrich Pradt (associate, banking and finance, Frankfurt am Main)UniCredit inhouse lawyers: Carina Engelhardt, Alexander Strigin, Christian HentrichAbout DentonsDentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.comDentons advises Qair on refinancing of the acquisition of Rzepin and Linowo wind farms in Poland
3rd August 2020 Dentons’ Banking and Finance practice team advised Qair SAS, Qair International and Qair Polska Sp.z o.o. in connection with the refinancing of two wind farms under operation, Rzepin (58 MW) and Linowo (48 MW). The financing institutions are BNP Paribas and EBRD.The two wind farms are part of Qair’s larger portfolio of almost 200 MW of renewable energy sources, which also includes 93 MW of new capacity from three wind farms – Udanin (50 MW), Parzeczew (9 MW) and Września (9 MW) – and 25 MW of solar photovoltaic.The project was supervised by Mateusz Toczyski, Head of the Europe and Co-Head of the Global Banking and Finance practice, and led by Tomasz Zwoliński, counsel, with assistance from lawyers Klaudia Szymańska-Rutkowska, Katarzyna Mazur, Katarzyna Kaptur and Jakub Walawski. Supporting the Warsaw team were counsel Surbhi Malhotra-Trenkel in Munich and partners Jean-Marc Allix and Olivier Genevois, and associates Djésia Meziani, Philippine de Fouchier and Hugo Casasnovas in Paris. Dentons’ London team consisting of partner Matthew Sapte and associate Annreika Ray advised on the hedging documentation.“We are very pleased and honored to have had this opportunity to assist Qair in yet another wind power project the company has undertaken in Poland,” said Mateusz Toczyski.“We would like to congratulate Qair on this financing and to wish every success with further developments and investments in Poland and elsewhere in the world,” added Tomasz Zwoliński.About DentonsDentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.comDentons advises Sev.en Energy on aacquisition of US-based Blackhawk Mining
3rd August 2020 Dentons has advised international energy group Sev.en Energy on its strategic acquisition of US-based metallurgical coal producer Blackhawk Mining, LLC. C. The transaction comes on the heels of Sev.en Energy’s acquisition of a 17% ownership interest in Corsa Coal in May 2020, further reinforcing its access to the metallurgical coal mining industry in the US market.Blackhawk Mining is one of the largest metallurgical coal producers in the US. With annual production capacity of seven to eight million tonnes of metallurgical coal among its five underground and open pit mining complexes in West Virginia and Kentucky, Blackhawk Mining is an important supplier of metallurgical coal both locally and internationally. It also owns three thermal coal mine complexes producing three to four million tonnes per annum. In 2019, Blackhawk Mining had $1bn revenues and $120m EBITDA. Commenting on the acquisition, Dentons partner Petr Zákoucký, said: “Having worked for Sev.en Energy for many years, I am inspired by their sustained dynamism, and by this bold strategic move, even during these difficult market conditions. We were delighted to have opportunity to play our role in this success.” Alan Svoboda, Executive Director of Sev.en Energy who leads the Group’s international expansion added: “Once again, the Dentons team exceeded our expectations and delivered the transaction within a tight time frame of less than a month, nailing both the complexity of the deal and challenges created by the current worldwide pandemic. What was really outstanding was the dedication and flexibility that the entire team showed.” Dentons’ cross-border team was composed of partners Petr Zákoucký (Prague, Energy/M&A), Ilan Katz (New York, M&A), Lee Smith (New York, Finance), Christopher Van Bever (Lexington, Mining) and John Rhine (Evansville, Mining) Robert E. Richards (Chicago, Insolvency), Managing Associate Gregory DiBella (New York, M&A) and Associate Barbora Obračajová (Prague, Energy). Alvarez & Marsal advised Sev.en Energy on financial due diligence and Weir on technical due diligence. About Sev.en EnergySev.en Energy owns significant coal and energy production assets in the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Australia and the USA. It is the largest private operator of coalmines and conventional power plants in the Czech Republic, and employs more than 3,500 people. In 2019, Sev.en Energy acquired additional power generation assets from Swiss energy group Alpiq and a 50% stake in the multinational energy company – InterGen N.V., which is one of the leading independent power generators with gas-fired power plants in the UK and coal-fired power plants and coal mines in Australia. When pro-forma aggregated with the financial results of InterGen and Alpiq CZ, Sev.en Energy group combined revenues in 2019 were EUR 1,4 billion and EBITDA of EUR 319 million. About DentonsDentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.comDentons supports German subsidiaries of the Recylex Group in restructuring
3rd August 2020 Global law firm Dentons is assisting Weser-Metall GmbH and Harz-Metall GmbH, both subsidiaries of the French-German Recylex Group, with their restructuring through ‘self-administration’ proceedings. In addition, Dentons restructuring lawyers Andreas Ziegenhagen and Dirk Schoene and their team are advising the German management of the Recylex Group within the scope of its self-administration.As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the dramatic decline in metal prices, the German subsidiaries of Recylex have each applied for protective shield proceedings under German insolvency law. The aim of the protective shield is to allow the companies to continue their individual restructuring measures and to return to economic stability after the pandemic - if necessary, in a new shareholder structure.Weser-Metall produces about 100,000 tons of lead per year at its headquarters in Nordenham (Lower Saxony), making it the third largest lead smelter and the second largest lead recycler in Europe. Harz-Metall has its headquarters in Oker in the Harz Mountains and is one of the leading European recycling companies for lead and zinc contaminated waste.The Recylex group has a total of eleven operating units and two administrative sites in France and Germany. In addition to the companies supported by Dentons, two other companies in the group, Norzinco GmbH and PPM Pure Metals GmbH, have also submitted applications for protective shield, whilethree other German subsidiaries requested self-administration under creditor protection. The Group's French companies are not affected.Andreas Ziegenhagen, Head of the Europe and German Restructuring practice, said: "With the filing for protective shield proceedings, we are making use of the most restructuring-friendly court proceedings in the interest of all stakeholders of the companies”.Advisor to Harz Metall / Weser Metall / German management of Recylex:Dentons (Berlin): Andreas Ziegenhagen (Partner, Restructuring, Berlin/Frankfurt), Dirk Schoene (Partner), Dr. Jan Seelinger (Counsel), Dr. Benjamin Kurzberg (Counsel), Judith Schmid (Senior Associate), Dr. Jakob Pickartz (Senior Associate), all Restructuring and InsolvencyAbout DentonsDentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting talent to the world's challenges and opportunities in more than 75 countries. Dentons' legal and business solutions benefit from deep roots in our communities and award-winning advancements in client service, including Nextlaw, Dentons’ innovation and strategic advisory services. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client and community interests in the New Dynamic. www.dentons.comLegal Developments
Hong Kong legal update on the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies promulgated by the CSRC
7th March 2023 On 17 February 2023, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) announced the new regulations for the filing-based administration of overseas securities offering and listing by domestic companies, which are set to take effect on 31 March 2023. The new measures comprised six documents, including the "Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies" (境内企业境外发行证券和上市管理试行办法) (the Trial Measures) and five supporting guidelines. The Trial Measures regulate the system, filing management and other related rules in respect of direct or indirect overseas issuance of securities by PRC enterprises and PRC enterprises with overseas parent entities and/or variable interest entity structures, which are referred to as "domestic enterprise(s)" in this article. We set out below some of the key changes and implications to Hong Kong market participants.Quincecare duty in insolvency scenario
7th March 2023 The recent case of Stanford International Bank Ltd (In Liquidation) (Appellant) (SIB) v. HSBC Bank PLC (Respondent) (HSBC)[1] confirms that a bank only owes its customers a Quincecare duty (i.e. an implied term and a co-extensive duty of care owed by the bank to its customer to refrain from making or executing a payment when the bank is put on inquiry that a payment instruction from its customer may be a result of fraud) and such duty does not extend to creditors of its customers. This UK Supreme Court case considered the question of whether, under a Quincecare duty, the Liquidators of SIB could recover damages from HSBC for the loss of chance suffered in respect of payments made to the early subscribers of a Ponzi scheme, who successfully withdrew their funds in full and escaped without loss (earlier customers) despite SIB’s insolvency and to the detriment of subscribers who were subsequently unable to withdraw their funds and suffered loss (later customers).Focus on “G” in ESG
7th March 2023 In the continuing “mainstreaming” of the importance of corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, let us focus on “G” as we start the new year. Hong Kong is one of the earliest jurisdictions to have introduced ESG reporting of listed companies, and the requirements have undergone several rounds of updates since the first iteration in 2013. Under the revised ESG Reporting Guide issued in July 2020, a key enhancement is the focus on board governance and oversight of ESG issues. The enhanced ESG disclosure framework requires mandatory reporting on the board’s engagement and oversight on ESG matters and “comply or explain” disclosure on four environmental aspects and eight social aspects; and in relation to each aspect to cover (a) general disclosures on the issuer’s policies and/or compliance with laws and regulations (as applicable), and (b) key performance indicators (KPIs).Hong Kong tax update on foreign-sourced income
7th March 2023 On 28 October 2022, Hong Kong introduced into the Legislative Council for review the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Taxation of Specified Foreign-sourced Income Bill 2022 (the Foreign-sourced Income Amendment Bill), which renders certain specified categories of foreign-sourced income subject to Hong Kong profits tax liability. With the Legislative Council’s passing on 14 December 2022, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Taxation on Specified Foreign-sourced Income) Ordinance 2022 (the Foreign-sourced Income Amendment Ordinance) took effect on 1 January 2023 and has brought about significant changes to Hong Kong’s long-standing territorial source basis of taxation, applying tax on specified foreign-sourced income received in Hong Kong with the stated objective of addressing “double non-taxation”.HKEx proposes new listing regime for Specialist Technology Companies
7th March 2023 Following the successful launch of the biotech listing regime, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx) issued a Consultation Paper on New Listing Rules for Specialist Technology Companies in October 2022, which proposes to lower the bar for innovative technology enterprises with high growth potential that seek to list on the HKEx.Hong Kong Court of Appeal confirms that “standby time” is not a “rest day” under Hong Kong law
7th March 2023 In a recent decision of the Hong Kong Court of Appeal in Breton Jean v. 香港麗翔公務航空有限公司[1], the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the District Court in its findings pertaining to what constitutes a "rest day" for employees.Overview on Digital Assets Regulations in SEA
1st December 2022 The digital assets wave has swept across South-East Asia (SEA). From Axie Infinity (a popular play-to-earn blockchain game) in the Philippines to Cambodia’s Project Bakong (a central bank digital currency), the adoption of digital assets in SEA has been rapid. Digital assets investments in SEA is expected to further increase. This demand for digital assets will likely cut across all wealth and demographic sectors.Starboard: Draft Convention on the effect of judicial sales of vessels approved by UNCITRAL
1st December 2022 The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) approved on 30 June 2022 a draft convention (the Draft Convention) on the effects of judicial sales. The Draft Convention will now be put to the United Nations General Assembly to consider signature. The Draft Convention originated from a long-standing project of the Comité Maritime International (CMI) commenced in 2007 and eventually known as the ‘Beijing Draft’ [1] which was adopted by the CMI in its 2014 Hamburg Conference. In 2018, the Draft Convention was accepted by UNCITRAL into its work programme.Carbon Projects and ASEAN: Opportunities and Challenges
1st December 2022 Carbon transactions are a multi-fold process encompassing in them offsets strategy, credit generation and purchase, monitoring and verifying credits, project finance, retirement of credits, and reporting. Carbon transactions include carbon trade which is the buying and selling of credits that permits a company or other entity to offset their greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions by investing in carbon sequestration projects, renewable energy projects or buying credits off an exchange/platform. One tradable carbon credit equals one tonne of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent amount of a different greenhouse gas reduced, sequestered or avoided. Carbon markets are trading systems in which carbon credits are sold and bought.Light at the end of the tunnel – A case study of a successful restructuring
1st December 2022 In his opening remarks at the SICC INSOL seminar on debt restructuring in the Asia-Pacific held on 22 September 2022, Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong SC cited the court sanctioned schemes of arrangement of Singapore-listed Pacific Radiance group as an example of the Singapore insolvency framework facilitating successful outcomes. He mentioned that these schemes tied in with a wider consensual restructuring negotiated earlier this year. This consensual restructuring recently completed with the resumption of trading of the securities of Pacific Radiance Ltd (Pacific Radiance) on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (SGX-ST) on 26 September 2022. It was the culmination of close to five years of restructuring efforts by Pacific Radiance, in which Dentons Rodyk played a key role as its legal counsel.Private Equity Leans into ESG
1st December 2022 Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues are a growing concern for investors, consumers, governments and other stakeholders.Dentons Rodyk Dialogue 2022
1st December 2022 The Dentons Rodyk Dialogue 2022, the sixth of its series, is co-organised by Dentons Rodyk & Davidson LLP and the Singapore Management University (SMU) under the auspices of the SMU Yong Pung How School of Law’s Centre for Commercial Law in Asia. This year marks the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that we were able to host a full in-person audience of more than 200 attendees, with many more live viewers tuning in virtually from more than a dozen different countries. This year’s Dialogue focused on maximising the commercial opportunities and profound societal benefits brought about by digitalisation, while effectively minimizing the often unforeseen and inadvertent risks and consequences digitalisation has on society and the environment.Comparative Guides
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Qatar: Product Liability
Published: March 2022
Authors: Dorina Drowniak Zaher Nammour
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Product Liability laws and regulations that may occur in Qatar.
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Ireland: Construction
Published: May 2022
Authors: Mary Liz Mahony Andrew Muckian Tom Dalton Thomas Timlin
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Construction laws and regulations that may occur in Ireland.
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UAE: Construction
Published: April 2022
Authors: Dean Ryburn Suzannah Fairbairn Ahmed El-Bayouk Patrick Hassan
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Construction laws and regulations that may occur in UAE.
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United Kingdom: Construction
Published: April 2022
Authors: Mark Macaulay Esther McDermott Kirsti Olson Tracey Summerell Akin Akinbode
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Construction laws and regulations that may occur in United Kingdom.
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United Kingdom: Public Procurement
Published: January 2023
Authors: Catherine Bingham David McGowan Dan Bodle Jennifer Robinson
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Public Procurement laws and regulations that may occur in United Kingdom.
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Germany: Banking & Finance
Published: February 2023
Authors: Dr. Arne Klüwer Dr. Holger Schelling
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Banking & Finance laws and regulations that may occur in Germany.
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Germany: Securitisation
Published: March 2023
Authors: Dr. Matthias Eggert Dr. Arne Klüwer
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Securitisation laws and regulations that may occur in Germany.
Indonesian Fintech Business Update
Published: September 2022
Authors: Andre Rahadian Mika Isac Kriyasa Peter Christopher Devandra Maula Zakki
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