The foreign trade team at Hogan Lovells International LLP stands out for its comprehensive expertise across investment control, sanctions compliance, investigations, export control, customs and matters relating to the energy transition. The practice is particularly well regarded for its deep sectoral knowledge in defence, artificial intelligence, life sciences and technology industries at the intersection of innovation and regulation. The team is jointly led by partners Patrick Ayad, Falk Schöning and Florian Unseld. Schöning brings extensive experience on national security reviews, FDI and FSR proceedings, as well as the strategic structuring of cross-border transactions and merger control. Ayad advises multinational clients on international commercial agreements, including supply, distribution, licensing and cooperation. Unseld advises in the areas of consumer goods, mobility and logistics, industrial goods as well as services, excelling in matters of contract, trade and distribution law.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'I have worked together with Christian Ritz, partner in Munich. Excellent lawyer, great advisor. What makes him different? Not only does he have outstanding knowledge of FDI, he is also open to support in areas where other experts are needed. The collaboration was excellent, the client received the best possible benefit and was able to successfully complete the FDI process.'
- 'Falk Schöning is an excellent foreign trade lawyer, very well connected, with a quick understanding of what a client needs and of underlying economics of the issues.'
- 'Great team, exceptional expertise, excellent international network.'
- 'I would like to emphasise that Hogan Lovells is one of the key players in Germany when it comes to FDI. Falk Schöning and Christian Ritz are excellent lawyers - it is great to work together with both. I would always recommend the firm to my clients.'
Key clients
- Rosneft Germany
- eightyLEO Holding GmbH
- Helsing
- Lockheed Martin
- IBM
- SES
- Kudelski Group
- Sartorius
- Flaxtec
- The Exploration Company GmbH
- SUNfarming
- LabCorp
Work highlights
Delivered advice on export control and other regulated areas.
Advising eighty LEO Holding GmbH on the investment control review of the takeover by SSST and CAD (China).
Practice head
Patrick Ayad; Falk Schoning; Florian Unseld
Other key lawyers
Stefan Kirwitzke