At Watson Farley & Williams LLP, lawyers are instructed by a varied client roster which includes consortiums of commercial banks and subsidiaries of companies, placing an emphasis on energy transition and transport financing. Thomas Hollenhorst spearheads the group and is a key contact for renewable energy sector mandates, while Florian Kutzbach takes on many of the group’s cross-border mandates due to a strength in international project financing. The latter a strength of the group more broadly, in particular in emerging markets, and the financing of projects involving matters are the intersection of English & Welsh and German law is a further area of focus. Clemens Hillmer departed from the firm to join Clyde & Co LLP in January 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team possesses deep legal expertise, while also demonstrating a strong capacity for developing new ideas, both in relation to legal issues and the specific facts of each case. Their analysis of the circumstances is particularly impressive and consistently generates fresh approaches to present their position more clearly.'
- 'Collaboration within the team is outstanding. It is truly remarkable to see how each member contributes their individual strengths. No idea is dismissed; instead, every suggestion is welcomed positively and thoroughly evaluated.'
- 'Fact-based professional responses, well-reasoned. Proactive approach by showing well-balanced alternatives in case the client is losing track.'
Key clients
- Alpha Trains
- Allied Irish Banks
- ABN AMRO
- KfW IPEX
- Bayerische Landesbank
- Calik Enerji
- Commerzbank AG
- Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
- Deutsche Bank
- Eavor Erdwärme Geretsried GmbH
- Ellomay
- Goldman Sachs
Work highlights
Advised a consortium of lending banks comprising Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale, Nordic Investment Bank and KfW IPEX-Bank on a c. €330m loan granted to LT Energija UAB for the development of what will be the largest onshore wind farm in the Baltics.
Advised Eavor Erdwaerme Geretsried GmbH on a €350m investment to build its first commercial-scale Eavor-Loop geothermal project in Geretsried, Bavaria, Germany.
Advised a consortium of commercial banks on the €488m financing of Masdar’s 49% shareholding in the 476MW Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm.
Practice head
Thomas Hollenhorst
Other key lawyers
Florian Kutzbach