Dentons > Frankfurt, Germany > Firm Profile

Dentons > The Legal 500 Rankings

Public sector > Planning and environment

Dentons is particularly renowned for its expertise in packaging law and is also able to advise on product-related environmental issues and circular economy matters. Practice head Ilka Mehdorn is regularly instructed by industrial associations and consumer goods manufacturers to assist with environmental compliance, appropriate contract drafting and the development of recycling systems, but also advises on waste and packaging regulatory standards and frequently represents clients in administrative proceedings. Further expertise exists in ​​pollutant and disposal regulation.

Public sector > Public procurement Tier 1

Dentons' broad range of advice is aimed at large companies in the IT, defense and healthcare sectors as well as the public sector and comprehensively covers both project-related procurement matters as well as litigation. In addition to innovative projects for network expansion, the promotion of quantum technology and digitalisation, the team also advises on procurement compliance in connection with M&A transactions; Peter Braun, who also represents clients in procurement blocking proceedings, is a sought-after contact here; he jointly heads the practice with Wolfram Krohn, who regularly represents various companies in EU-wide procurement and review proceedings. Christian Miercke made partner in May 2023 and advises on state aid-related procurement issues. Former co-practice head Andreas Haak (procurement law, infrastructure projects) and Lars Hettich (procurement law, public commercial law) joined Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB in October 2023.

Restructuring and insolvency > Restructuring Tier 1

Dentons‘ restructuring practice is based in Berlin and Frankfurt and has expertise in distressed M&A, restructuring via trusteeships and restructuring companies as well as in advising lenders and coordinating bond and promissory note creditors; the team is particularly active in the area of ​​financial restructuring. The European head of the restructuring practice Andreas Ziegenhagen is renowned for his expertise in trusteeships and also advises on insolvency law; he jointly heads the German restructuring practice with Arne Friel, who is well versed in cross-border distressed transactions, corporate law matters and large restructurings. Dirk Schoene (trusteeships, pre-insolvency restructuring, distressed M&A, protective shield and self-administration proceedings) and Holger Ellers (restructuring, distressed M&A, insolvency) are other key contacts of the practice. In January 2023, Hans Beyer (out-of-court restructuring, restructuring proceedings according to StaRUG, self-administration, protective shield and insolvency plan proceedings) joined the team; he was previously at K&L Gates LLP.

Trade and distribution > Foreign trade law

Dentons‘ team impresses with expertise in investment and merger control, which is regularly requested by large corporations in international M&A transactions and joint ventures. Here, FDI expert Maria Brakalova advises clients on German and international foreign trade law matters; she is also experienced in related proceedings and investigations. Other mainstays are export control and sanctions law, where Julia Pfeil is a key contact for economic relations between China, Russia, Europe and the US. Pfeil is the sole practice head, former co-head and compliance expert Andreas Haak joined Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB in late 2023.

Trade and distribution > Trade, distribution and logistics

Dentons's commercial and distribution law team draws on the expertise in IT and contract law and advises on matters pertaining to general terms and conditions, data protection as well as supply chain due diligence. Practice head Christiane Zedelius covers franchise law and is regularly instructed on the structuring of franchise systems. Zedelius is also well versed in project work pertaining to selective and online distributiom systems. Counsel Christine Seiz complements this with IP law advice on commercial and supply contracts.

Compliance Tier 2

Dentons ' compliance team impresses with cross-border capacities and frequent cross-practice cooperation. The team advises companies across various sectors, including the fashion and defence industries. A core focus is on compliance management systems, where the practice is experienced in current ESG and supply chain due diligence matters, as well as traditional topics such as data protection, money laundering and tax law. The team is jointly led by Christian Schefold (data protection, money laundering and fraud prevention) and Judith Aron (co-head of the European compliance practice) and also includes Peter Braun (implementation of CMS for international financial institutions), Gabriele Haas (corporate governance) and the antitrust experts Josef Hainz and René Grafunder. Jobst von Steinsdorff (corporate finance and regulatory) joined OIKON in November 2022.

Industry focus > Energy Tier 2

Dentons' energy team offers expertise in transactions and project work, including related financing with frequent ties to ​​renewable energies, as well as advising on LNG and conventional energy projects. Among the key contacts for transactions is practice head and offshore wind expert Thomas Schubert, while Gabriele Haas and Florian-Alexander Wesche are experienced in regulatory matters, another core focus of the practice. Here, recent instructions pertain to security of supply and price caps. The client roster includes energy suppliers, energy-intensive companies, energy providers and energy customers, which the team also advises on interfacing antitrust law matters as well as on e-mobility and charging infrastructure. Transaction experts Thomas Dörmer and Tim Heitling joined Hogan Lovells International LLP in January 2024.

Transport > Advice to the transport sector Tier 2

Dentons focuses on transaction support and regulatory advice to companies in the automotive sector, where topics such as e-mobility and autonomous driving, including related AI software, are covered. The co-head of the global autonomous vehicles team, Michael Malterer, regularly takes the lead here; he is also well versed in corporate law and transactions. Alexander von Bergwelt is the co-head of the corporate and M&A practice and focuses on transaction support, corporate law matters, M&A and private equity transactions as well as structuring measures; he frequently assists clients from the automotive and aviation sectors. Interfacing antitrust and merger control issues are handled across all practices; this offer is complemented by experience in advising airports and airlines on state aid and procurement law as well as project support.

Germany > Antitrust Tier 3

Dentons‘ team comprehensively covers German and EU antitrust law and is regularly instructed on merger control, cartel proceedings, market dominance issues and antitrust compliance. The practice is also experienced in issues pertaining to investment control, public procurement and state aid law. René Grafunder acts from Frankfurt and focuses on distribution antitrust law, including the structuring of distribution systems, and jointly heads the practice with Düsseldorf-based Florian Wiesner, who is well versed in drafting contracts in accordance with antitrust law. Both are also experienced in antitrust proceedings, as is litigator Jörg Karenfort, who frequently leads in cartel and abuse proceedings before the European and national competition authorities and also heads the firm’s global antitrust practice. Counsel Arne Karsten (merger control) and Bertold Bär-Bouyssière, who is experienced in cartel damages compensation proceedings and state aid law, are other key contacts. The latter divides his time between Brussels and Berlin and made partner in April 2023.

Capital markets > Structured finance and securitisation Tier 3

Dentons assists financial institutions, payment service providers and funds with the set-up of refinancing platforms and ABCP programs as well as with asset-based lending. Practice head Arne Klüwer is experienced in the securitisation of leasing and commercial receivables as well as loans and has particular expertise in true sale securitisations. Loan financing, restructuring and portfolio transactions represent Matthias Eggert's mainstays, who is frequently instructed by banks, Fintech companies and borrowers.

Industry focus > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3

Dentons is led by Christof Kautzsch and comprehensively advises innovative pharmaceutical manufacturers, hospital groups, health insurance companies as well as companies from the medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostics sectors, financial investors and research institutions. The practice closely cooperates with other locations as well as with the corporate, M&A, procurement and employment law teams, thereby covering regulatory issues. Kautzsch offers transaction support, while Ilka Mehdorn is well versed in regulatory issues and Peter Homberg advises on matters pertaining to medicinal cannabis. Matters at the interfaces with IP and IT are also covered, where the team represents pharmaceutical companies in trademark and patent disputes as well as in civil and criminal law proceedings in connection with pharmaceutical crime. Homberg also advises on cross-border IP licences, commercial contracts and transactions, he is supported by senior associate Malte Goetz.

Industry focus > Telecoms Tier 3

Dentons' team offers a cross-practice approach and advises at the interfaces with M&A as well as regulatory, administrative and contract law; this is also mirrored in the team members' individual focus areas: Volker Junghanns is a regulation and contract law expert and Christian Miercke, who joined the partner roster in April 2023, frequently acts at the interfaces with state aid and procurement law. This expertise is regularly called upon in connection with commercial contract drafting, product launches, cooperation agreements, telecommunications consumer protection regulations and transactions in the fibre optic and broadband segments. The practice is also experienced in proceedings before the Federal Network Agency.

Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 3

Dentons impresses with its expertise in insurance distribution and supervision as well as the interface expertise in insurance contract, corporate, antitrust and tax law. Kai Goretzky leads both the German and European insurance practice and demonstrates particular strength in European insurance supervisory, broker and insurance contract law as well as in compliance matters; his current advisory focus includes the digitisation of the insurance industry via insurtechs, automatic processes and AI, as well as the distribution of sustainable insurance products. Michael Graf (head of German and European tax practice) is the key contact for tax law issues. Andreas Berberich primarily advises on W&I insurance and tax risk insurance matters.

Public sector > State aid Tier 3

Dentons is primarily known for its expertise in state aid litigation: the team regularly acts for both plaintiffs and defendants in disputes concerning the legality of EU aid payments and primarily represents players from the transport and infrastructure sectors in review proceedings and competitor lawsuits. Matthias Nordmann's contentious skills span state aid and antitrust law, while practice head Ilka Mehdorn is considered an environmental law expert. Andreas Haak joined Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB in October 2023.

Real estate and construction > Real estate Tier 3

Dentons follows a cross-location as well as cross-practice approach and is well versed in cross-border transactions and financing in the real estate sector. Clients also benefit from the close cooperation with the locations in Luxembourg and Amsterdam in the context of real estate investments via Luxembourg S.àr.l. structures and Dutch BV structures. This expertise was strengthened with the arrival of Maximilian Schulte in January 2023 (previously at HFK Rechtsanwälte LLP), he is experienced in project developments, the repositioning of large commercial or mixed-use properties as well as portfolio transactions; Schulte also acts as a notary. Dirk-Reiner Voß (transactions and financing) heads the team, which also includes the office managing partner at the Munich location René Dubois, who is a key contact for real estate transactions, while Counsel Janina Diesm focuses on asset management in the retail sector. In November 2022, real estate financing expert Bernhard Gemmel joined Baker Tilly Roelfs.

Capital markets > Debt capital markets Tier 4

Dentons primarily assists banks and financial services providers and is experienced in bond issues, often linked to ESG criteria, as well as in program matters. Due to the close cooperation between the DCM and restructuring practice, the group possesses further expertise in advising on financial restructurings, including promissory note financing. Oliver Dreher leads the team and focuses on structured issuance programs, registered bonds and structured products.

Corporate and M&A > Corporate Tier 4

Dentons places a particular focus on advising listed companies and large national corporations on SE conversions, squeeze-outs, corporate restructurings, general meetings and on corporate governance and compliance issues. The team is jointly led by Robert Weber, who is experienced in stock corporation and corporate law, Alexander von Bergwelt (corporate law, corporate restructuring and litigation) and Rebekka Hye-Knudsen, who is experienced in joint ventures, private equity and restructuring.

Corporate and M&A > M&A Tier 4

Dentons focuses on the regulated sectors, including energy, healthcare, finance and pharmaceuticals, and is primarily instructed to advise on mid-cap national and cross-border M&A transactions. Rebekka Hye-Knudsen (focus on private equity and venture capital companies), Alexander von Bergwelt (cross-border transactions and restructuring of listed corporations, medium-sized German companies and financial institutions) and Robert Weber (stock corporation, corporate and capital markets law) jointly lead the practice . Michael Krömker, who focuses on cross-border transactions, joined Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB in January 2024.

Dispute resolution > Arbitration (including international arbitration) Tier 4

Dentons' German arbitration practice has extensive experience in post-M&A, corporate and liability disputes, but is also present in international commercial and investment arbitration. The practice also focuses on contractual and (plant) construction law disputes, particularly in the industrial, automotive, energy and construction sectors, in the context of which Matthias Hadding is particularly well versed. The dispute resolution practice is jointly led by Heiko Heppner, who stands out for his expertise in arbitration proceedings relating to China, and Thomas Nebel, who specialises in civil, commercial and economic law disputes with a particular focus on construction and plant engineering.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 4

Dentons' cross-border dispute resolution practice operates across a broad spectrum, ranging from corporate, commercial and liability disputes to post-M&A conflicts. The practice is also assisting with a growing number of contractual and (plant) construction disputes, particularly in the industrial, automotive, energy and construction sectors; Matthias Hadding and Thomas Nebel are particularly active here. The latter jointly heads the practice with Heiko Heppner, who focuses on contractual and corporate disputes.

Intellectual property > Trade marks Tier 4

Dentons' trade mark expertise ranges from the development of protection strategies and transactional IP support to border seizure procedures and the prosecution of organised IP crime, while also having experience in future-oriented areas such as trade marks in the digital space. Constantin Rehaag, who is adept in trade marks, competition, copyright and patent law, jointly leads the practice with digitalisation and technology expert Stefan Dittmer.

Private equity > Transactions Tier 4

Dentons‘ PE team acts from four German locations and focuses on supporting buy-out transactions. Thanks to the expertise in funds, distressed M&A and infrastructure transactions as well as employment, tax, banking and antitrust law, the team advises on the entire private equity value chain. The practice primarily assists with mid-cap transactions and is jointly led by Volker Junghanns and Robert Bastian. Cross-border matters are frequently handled in cooperation with the locations in London, Amsterdam and the US.

Germany > Tax Tier 4

Dentons' expertise spans tax advice on transactions and conversions as well as international transfer pricing, where the team regularly assists with cross-border matters. The group focuses on the energy, real estate, financial services, transport and insurance sectors and is also experienced in asset management and compliance. Managing partner of the Frankfurt office and co-head of the European tax practice Michael Graf leads the practice and focuses on international corporate tax. Thomas Voss (W&I and special tax insurance) left for an in-house role at the end of 2023.

Information technology > Data protection Tier 5

Dentons offers competencies at the intersection between compliance, IT, IP, corporate and employment law, which are frequently called upon by clients in international data transfers, GDPR compliance and the establishment of data protection compliance systems; practice head Christian Schefold is a key contact for the latter area. This advisory offering is complemented by expertise in crisis management issues such as data breaches. In December 2022, compliance specialist Ann-Kristin Cahnbley left the practice.

Germany > Employment Tier 6

Dentons' focus on collective employment law leads to regular instructions related to operational changes, co-determination and the establishment of employee representatives. The practice also advises on New Work, including on matters such as external staff compliance, HR compliance and employee data protection; the central importance of this subject was underlined with the arrival of employee data protection and HR compliance expert Philipp Byers from Watson Farley & Williams LLP in May 2023. Sascha Grosjean is also adept in the New Work sphere and jointly leads the team with restructuring expert Markus Diepold.