Dentons > Dusseldorf, Germany > Firm Profile

Dentons > The Legal 500 Rankings

Public sector > Planning and environment

Dentons' environmental and planning practice particularly stands out for its expertise in product-related environmental law and waste law. Here, the group primarily advises packaging manufacturers, industry associations and manufacturing companies on recycling and product compliance issues, as well as on associated contracts. The group is also experienced in construction and emission control approval procedures, development plan procedures and administrative procedures. Ilka Mehdorn, who is adept in product-related environmental law, heads the practice, which also includes Norman Hölzel; he is well versed in product-related environmental law and made partner in April 2024. In October 2024, Sebastian Helmes, who is a skilled advisor on decarbonisation issues, joined from EY Law.

Public sector > Public procurement Tier 1

Dentons' procurement advice is primarily sought after by global players in the healthcare, IT, transport and defence sectors, while the group also assists public sector players on contracting entity's side, and also features German and European procurement issues. These include procurement and review procedures, particularly relating to large-scale IT and infrastructure projects such as the expansion of the fibre optic network, procurement compliance and procurement bans. Peter Braun, who is well versed in advising on procurement bans imposed by international financial institutions, is one of those who focuses on the latter. Braun jointly heads the practice with Wolfram Krohn, who is frequently instructed by public clients and bidding companies in the transport, IT and healthcare sectors. They are supported by Christian Miercke, who is experienced in procurement and review procedures.

Restructuring and insolvency > Restructuring Tier 1

Dentons ' restructuring practice has particular expertise in the structuring of hybrid trusteeships and other creditor-led restructuring solutions using a restructuring company, as well as matters pertaining to bond and promissory note creditors and distressed M&A. The team is co-led by Arne Friel and Andreas Ziegenhagen; Friel is well versed in cross-border distressed transactions, while Ziegenhagen acts as European Head of the Restructuring Practice Group and focuses on restructuring via trusteeships; the latter is also experienced  in representing bond creditors and regularly advises on promissory note loans.

Trade and distribution > Foreign trade law Tier 1

Dentons Europe (Germany) GmbH & Co. KG' integrated foreign trade law practice advises on export control, including  interfacing compliance matters, investment audits as well as embargoes and sanctions; the latter area also includes the support in criminal and fine proceedings in connection with Russia sanctions. Practice head Julia Pfeil boasts longstanding expertise in the economic relations between Russia, the EU and China; Pfeil was appointed to co-head of the firm's European foreign trade practice in May 2024 with Maria Brakalova, who is experienced in export control and sanctions law. Andreas Haak, who is well versed in foreign trade, WTO and customs law, moved to Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB in December 2023.

Trade and distribution > Trade, distribution and logistics

Dentons Europe (Germany) GmbH & Co. KG acts integrated into the international network and advises various renowned consumer goods and fashion companies on distribution law and is particularly well versed in franchise matters. Supply chain compliance is a recent growth area, while the team is also experienced in supporting start-ups in the expansion of distribution systems and cooperation agreements. The practice regularly advises companies from the cosmetics, food, real estate and medical sectors and is headed by Christiane Zedelius, who has experience in cross-border distribution matters.

Germany > Antitrust Tier 2

Dentons Europe (Germany) GmbH & Co. KG comprehensively advises on all aspects of antitrust law and offers support in antitrust proceedings, merger control, antitrust investigations and cartel damages proceedings, including clients' representation before the Federal Cartel Office and the European Commission. The practice is jointly headed by Florian Wiesner and René Grafunder; Wiesner is well versed in advising on cooperations with competitors and Grafunder has expertise in antitrust compliance and state aid law. The team also covers interfacing procurement law and ​​investment control matters. Counsel Arne Karsten is experienced in drafting contracts in accordance with antitrust law, which is regularly drawn upon in connection with distribution antitrust law matters. Global practice head Jörg Karenfort, who is experienced in cartel and market power abuse proceedings, and Norman Hölzel (cartel damages) are further key contacts; the latter was appointed to partner in April 2024.

Compliance Tier 2

Dentons's full-service approach also covers cross-border matters and the team advises on traditional compliance topics, such as data protection, money laundering, compliance management systems, foreign trade law, capital markets and securities compliance as well as compliance issues at the interface with tax, antitrust, corporate and employment law. Current growth areas include AI, data governance, supply chains and ESG matters. These competencies are regularly called upon by clients from the healthcare, energy, insurance, automotive, banking and financial sectors. The team is jointly led by Judith Aron (co-chair of the global compliance and investigations practice), who is experienced in the implementation of compliance management systems, and Christian Schefold (data protection, money laundering prevention). Gabriele Haas, who is experienced in energy issues, moved to Noerr in mid 2024.

Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 2

Dentons' insurance law practice offers longstanding expertise in European insurance supervisory, broker and insurance contract law and is also well versed in insurance-related compliance issues; these competencies are regularly called upon by international insurers, insurance brokers and insurtechs. Another focus is on digitised topics pertaining to the insurance industry, including online distribution, AI and embedded insurance; practice head Kai Goretzky is a key contact here. Co-head of the European tax practice Michael Graf is experienced in tax-optimised structuring and tax audits.

Real estate and construction > Real estate Tier 2

Across all locations, Dentons advises on portfolio transactions with a focus on the residential, office and retail sectors, and also covers related financing structures. As part of transaction structuring, the practice demonstrates expertise in the development of S.àr.l. and BV structures, and further advises domestic and foreign investors and asset managers on tax and corporate issues. Dirk-Reiner Voß heads the practice and in accordance with the team-wide focus, assists clients with real estate transactions and financing. David Zafra Carollo is also well versed in the financing arena, while additionally displaying expertise in the restructuring of industrial sites and in representing clients in court. Asset management issues, particularly in the retail sector, are part of counsel Janina Diesem's advice offering, who, like René Dubois, also assists with national and cross-border real estate transactions.

Transport > Advice to the transport sector Tier 2

Dentons Europe (Germany) GmbH & Co. KG' transport practice group primarily acts across the automotive sector, including the advice to German and international manufacturers and suppliers, and offers strategic support in regulatory matters pertaining to the autonomous driving and e-mobility sector as well as corporate, antitrust and procurement law issues. The aviation industry is another focus, where the team advises airlines and airports on construction and modernisation projects as well as disputes. Co-head of the firm's Autonomous Vehicles team Michael Malterer is experienced in future topics in the automotive sector such as autonomous driving. Malterer also offers transaction support in the automotive sector, where he frequently joins forces with transaction expert Alexander von Bergwelt . Co-head of the German antitrust practice Florian Wiesner is well versed in cross-border merger control and antitrust proceedings.

Capital markets > Structured finance and securitisation Tier 3

Financial institutions regularly instruct Dentons to handle securitisation transactions across a variety of asset classes, including the securitisation of loans, leasing and trade receivables, and even inflation-indexed leaseholds. Recently, practice head Arne Klüwer led several matters on supply chain finance and ABCP programs, while he was also tasked with restructuring distressed transactions; here, the group particularly focused on the infrastructure and energy sectors, while the real estate industry represents another regular interface.

Dispute resolution > Arbitration (including international arbitration) Tier 3

In addition to representing clients in international arbitration proceedings, often involving states, Dentons' German arbitration practice also handles commercial and investment arbitration proceedings, with other focus areas including contractual and corporate disputes as well as ICSID proceedings pertaining to investment protection law. Here, practice head Heiko Heppner is the key contact and also a renowned expert for international arbitration law, particularly with regard to China. Plant engineering disputes are also a mainstay for Matthias Hadding. Thomas Nebel (antitrust, corporate and commercial disputes) joined Hogan Lovells International LLP in December 2024.

Industry focus > Energy Tier 3

Dentons focuses on energy-related transactions, including cross-border aspects, as well as regulatory issues such as matters pertaining to the heat supply planning legislation and the decarbonistion of heating networks. Thomas Schubert heads the team and offers M&A expertise, which is regularly called upon in connection with renewable energies, particularly ​​offshore wind energy. Following the departure of transaction experts Thomas Dörmer and Tim Heitling to Hogan Lovells International LLP in January 2024 and Michael Krömker to Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB in December 2023, Gabriele Haas (regulatory and compliance) moved to Noerr in September 2024.

Industry focus > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3

Dentons comprehensively advises across the healthcare sector and supports physician and pharmacy associations, hospital groups, financial investors as well as medical device, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The practice focuses on corporate law and transaction-related matters as well as contractual and regulatory advice, with most recent instructions pertaining to medicinal cannabis. Practice head Ilka Mehdorn boasts regulatory expertise and advises on selective, distribution and research-related contracts, she also regularly leads in proceedings before arbitration tribunals and courts.

Industry focus > Telecoms Tier 3

Dentons supports network operators, municipal companies, joint ventures and telecommunication services start-ups in transactions, contract-matters, as well as interfacing compliance, state aid law and data protection issues. Christian Miercke is well versed in fibre optic expansion, regulatory proceedings and the negotiating of agreements, while Volker Junghanns covers corporate law matters such as joint ventures, financing issues and transactions.

Public sector > State aid Tier 3

Under the leadership of environmental law expert Ilka Mehdorn, Dentons' state aid practice serves numerous clients from the transport, telecommunications, industry and financial services sectors and represents them in proceedings before national authorities, in notification proceedings before the EU Commission and in court proceedings before the ECJ. In addition, the practice regularly assists with funding agreements, M&A transactions and aid recovery disputes with the public sector. EU state aid expert Matthias Nordmann is considered the key contact for companies and public institutions that require support in proceedings before the EU Commission, national courts and the European Court of Justice.

Capital markets > Debt capital markets Tier 4

In addition to advising banks and, to a lesser extent, companies on the placement of secured and unsecured securities, issuing activity expansion and program work, Dentons covers various interface areas through close cross-practice collaboration. Particular attention is paid to financial restructuring and the restructuring of promissory note financing and bonds. This is complemented by ESG expertise. The team is led by Oliver Dreher, whose advice mirrors these practice mainstays and also assists with derivatives.

Corporate and M&A > Corporate Tier 4

Dentons advises DAX, MDAX and SDAX companies as well as international corporations and medium-sized German companies on various corporate issues and transactions, including restructurings, squeeze-outs, relocations and divestitures. In addition to project-related matters, the firm is well versed in ongoing advice with typical instructions pertaining to corporate governance, board issues and annual general meetings. The team is jointly led by Robert Weber, who frequently assists with annual general meetings and corporate structural measures, and transaction experts Alexander von Bergwelt and Rebekka Hye-Knudsen. Tobias Bünten (stock corporation, GmbH, group and capital markets law) made partner in April 2024.

Corporate and M&A > M&A Tier 4

Dentons' M&A practice advises national and international companies, including DAX companies, as well as PE investors on mid-cap transactions. The spectrum of expertise extends from joint ventures, group structuring and distressed M&A to corporate and stock corporation issues as well as regulatory matters. Sectorally, the practice often operates in the energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and financial services industries. The practice is headed by a trio consisting of Rebekka Hye-Knudsen (M&A, PE, VC), Alexander von Bergwelt (M&A, joint ventures and PE in the media and automotive sectors) and corporate expert Robert Weber. In April 2024, Tobias Bünten (stock corporation law, restructuring and corporate law) made partner, while previously in January 2024, Tim Heitling and Thomas Dörmer left for Hogan Lovells International LLP; both focus their transactional advice on the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 4

In addition to cross-border civil disputes, Dentons' dispute resolution practice also focuses on complex commercial and corporate conflicts, including post-M&A issues. Here, the team is particularly active in advising clients from the energy, infrastructure, plant engineering, automotive and industrial sectors, which are the focus of practice co-head Thomas Nebel (antitrust, corporate and commercial law disputes). Heiko Heppner, who jointly heads the practice with Nebel, is particularly well versed in contractual and corporate conflicts as well as ICSID proceedings concerning investment protection law, while Matthias Hadding has extensive expertise in proceedings relating to plant engineering.

Intellectual property > Trade marks Tier 4

Dentons impresses with a broad practice that works both forensically and in an advisory capacity and, thanks to the firm's global positioning, can draw on an extensive network of soft IP expertise to serve cross-border instructions seamlessly. In addition, the team is also active in innovative areas, such as trade mark advice on AI-based products. Constantin Rehaag, whose focus areas include design and trade mark disputes as well as portfolio management and counterfeit protection, leads the team together with Stefan Dittmer, who specialises in outsourcing, licensing and development agreements.

Private equity > Transactions Tier 4

Dentons focuses on the mid-cap segment and advises along the entire investment value chain, including the longstanding experience in buy-outs, fund structuring and distressed transactions for investors. The practice regularly cooperates with the locations in London, Paris and the US, accordingly, the team frequently assists with cross-border matters. Volker Junghanns (telecoms, multimedia and renewable energy sectors) and Robert Bastian (leveraged buyouts and venture capital funds) jointly lead the team.

Germany > Tax Tier 4

As an integral part of its international network, Dentons often assists German and global companies across locations and covers a wide range of tax issues. Main areas of activity include group tax law and transactional support as well as tax disputes and transfer pricing, while the practice is particularly experienced in the financial services, energy, real estate and logistics sectors. Michael Graf heads the German team and also co-heads the European tax practice; he frequently handles group tax matters. With the arrival of Joachim Kayser in February 2024 from Goodwin Procter, the firm was able to expand its advisory capacity in fund tax law.

Information technology > Data protection Tier 5

Dentons Europe (Germany) GmbH & Co. KG is experienced in data protection governance structures, data breach response as well as clients' representation in disputes; the most recent instruction also include the support in various individual data protection issues such as access to personal data or the use of patient data. Practice head Christian Schefold focuses on compliance and corporate governance, while the arrival of Philipp Byers in May 2023 from Watson Farley & Williams LLP strengthened the team's existing competencies in employee data protection.

Germany > Employment Tier 6

Dentons' employment advice often relates to collective bargaining issues in a restructuring context, employee data protection, HR compliance, company pension schemes and the use of external personnel. The latter two segments are focus areas for Sascha Grosjean, who jointly leads the team with Markus Diepold (restructuring).