act legal focuses on distressed M&A transactions that arise from financial crises, internal disputes and insolvency, and advises German companies, private equity investors and family offices. Sven Tischendorf (employment law, restructuring and private equity), Matthias Müller (mid-cap transactions, joint ventures, insolvency law) and Fabian Brocke (insolvency law) jointly lead the team and are supported by Tara Kamiyar-Müller (real estate transactions).

Ashurst LLP's transactional practice is dedicated to private and public M&A as well as PE and VC deals, primarily in the mid-cap segment, and particularly often acts in the energy sector. This industry also represents practice head Benedikt von Schorlemer's focus, who further assists with private M&A and private equity deals in the infrastructure sector and has additional industry expertise in medical technology, chemistry and automotive. The latter area is also one of Thomas Sacher's mainstays , who is experienced in both transactional and corporate law and who frequently assists with matters in the digital economy.

Renowned companies from the automotive and technology industries regularly rely on Baker McKenzie's expertise in large- and mid-cap cross-border M&A transactions, including Russian exits and China-related deals. Christian Atzler advises German and Chinese companies on M&A transactions and jointly heads the practice with Berthold Hummel, who primarily assists life sciences and biotech companies as well as investors with M&A, private equity and capital market transactions. Florian Kästle (large-cap M&A and private equity transactions and post-M&A disputes), Peter Wand (cross-border M&A transactions), Thomas Gilles (chairman of the firm's internal EMEA-China group) and Jakub Lorys (M&A and private equity) complement the team's expertise, which was further enhanced with the arrival of corporate and M&A lawyer Katharina Stüber (previously A&O Shearman ) in April 2022. Silke Gantzckow, who specialises in cross-border transactions, joined Eversheds Sutherland in May 2023, while Nikolaus Reinhuber retired in July 2022.

BRP RENAUD's transactional practice advises on small-cap deals as well as venture capital and private equity transactions, with a clear focus on China-related deals; however, the group also regularly assists companies from the UK, the US and Switzerland thanks to its Interlaw network, which facilitates cooperation between foreign offices. Ulrich-Peter Kinzl leads the team and has expertise at the interface between corporate and tax law as well as in international transactions, as does Sonja Ströhle, who made salary partner in January 2023 and primarily advises investment companies and medium-sized companies. Axel Neumahr is experienced in M&A transactions, conversions and restructurings.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton advises on public and private M&A transactions, including going-private transactions, delistings, mergers, spin-offs and demergers, and also assists with private equity and venture capital acquisitions. The team's expertise further includes transaction-related tax and regulatory issues, with its client base spanning German and international companies from a range of industries, including chemicals, healthcare and banking. Michael Ulmer (specialist in public and private M&A transactions), Nico Abel, who also handles post- and pre-M&A restructurings and joined from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in February 2023, and Mirko von Bieberstein, who made partner in January 2023, focuses on foreign direct investments and primarily assists strategic and institutional investors as well as sovereign wealth funds, jointly lead the practice.

Clifford Chance is primarily active in the energy and infrastructure, telecommunications and automotive sectors and advises DAX and other major German companies on joint ventures, minority investments, sell-offs and demergers as well as on public takeovers and capital market transactions. Jörg Rhiel (acquisitions, sales, mergers and joint ventures) and Christoph Holstein (cross-border transactions and global restructuring) have been jointly heading the corporate department since November 2022 and are supported by transaction specialist Thomas Krecek (focus on financial services companies), Anselm Raddatz, who focuses on private equity, and public and private M&A expert Markus Stephanblome. The group also promoted three lawyers to the partnership: Dominik Heß, who is experienced in corporate law, and Simon Schmid, who advises on private M&A deals in the automotive and healthcare sectors, made partner in May 2022, while Moritz Petersen, who assists financial investors and companies with transactions, followed in May 2023.

CMS advises global corporations and German listed companies on small, mid and large-cap M&A transactions in the energy, life sciences, healthcare, automotive and technology sectors, whereby clients also often make use of its established IP practice in the context of mergers, joint ventures and takeovers. Company and share acquisitions also represent a focus for Antje Becker-Boley, who primarily acts in the energy sector, Richard Mitterhuber, who advises international corporations and strategic investors on distressed M&A and cross-border conversions, and Jacob Siebert, who assists private equity funds with joint ventures, M&A and private equity transactions; all three jointly head the practice. Hendrik Hirsch advises clients on M&A transactions on both buyer and seller side, Tobias Grau focuses on US deals in the healthcare sector and Christoph Lächler is regularly instructed by investors to advise on private equity and M&A transactions. Wolfgang Richter (capital markets law) and Peter Baisch (joint ventures and restructurings) retired in autumn 2022, while Florian Plagemann (M&A) made partner in January 2023.

Covington & Burling LLP advises companies in the technology, life sciences and healthcare sectors on mid-cap M&A and private equity transactions of both national and cross-border nature. Henning Bloss focuses on cross-border transactions, carve-outs and IPOs and jointly leads the practice with transaction lawyer Jörn Hirschmann, who focuses on the healthcare and life sciences industries. Jan Friedeborn (capital markets law, corporate financing and restructuring) and associate Simon Stöhlker (public and private M&A and private equity transactions) are other key contacts.

Dechert LLP provides holistic advice on mid-cap M&A transactions as well as on associated corporate reorganisations, restructurings and M&A disputes and is also active in the venture capital and private equity sectors. The practice also regularly assists investors and national and international companies from the automotive, TMT, financial services, health and life sciences sectors in a cross-border capacity. Practice heads Federico Pappalardo and Giovanni Russo are primarily active in M&A, private equity, venture capital and corporate finance matters, while Carina Klaes-Staudt complements the practice's skills with her expertise in transaction-related employment and tax law.

Deloitte Legal Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH is very active in the mid-cap sphere and, in addition to cross-border M&A transactions, also advises on bidding procedures, due diligence and W&I aspects. The firm's multidisciplinary approach further enables tax and financial deal support. Practice head Michael von Rüden focuses on cross-border M&A and joint ventures and primarily acts for private equity clients, while Harald Stang assists strategic investors and family companies with corporate and transaction law. In May 2023, corporate and M&A specialists Michael Falter, Mathias Reif and Boris Kröpsky joined Grant Thornton.

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.

DLA Piper focuses on the mid-cap segment and advises DAX40 clients as well as German companies from the technology, IT, gaming and life sciences sectors. An important part of its corporate and M&A practice are the Africa, China and India desks, through which the teams regularly handle cross-border transactions and restructurings. The group is co-led by Benjamin Parameswaran, who assists with cross-border M&A transactions, and Andreas Füchsel, who focuses on private equity, venture capital and capital markets. Former practice head Nils Krause (private equity and venture capital), Sebastian Decker (cross-border projects in the industrial sector and head of the Africa desk) as well as Mathias Schulze Steinen (cross-border transactions for financial investors) further contribute to the team's expertise. The joint venture-savvy Moritz von Hesberg made partner in May 2023, while the arrivals of private equity and M&A lawyer Lars Jessen in September 2022 from Paul Hastings LLP and Murad Daghles (cross-border transactions related to the Middle East) from White & Case LLP at the beginning of 2024 additionally strengthened the team.

Eversheds Sutherland advises large and medium-sized companies as well as financial and private equity investors on complex cross-border transactions, while the private capital practice focuses on assisting German family offices with national transactions. In Munich, Anthony Cross focuses on M&A transactions, restructurings and joint ventures, while new practice head Steffen Schneipp is particularly well versed in international PE and M&A transactions; the latter joined from PwC Legal (PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal AG Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft) in October 2022 to open the firm's new Frankfurt office in January 2023, which also saw the arrival of notary and corporate finance expert Silke Gantzckow from Baker McKenzie in May 2023. The Frankfurt M&A practice was further strengthened in January 2024 with the arrival of two partners from King & Wood Mallesons: Sandra Link and Hui Zhao both provide comprehensive advice on transactions and corporate law and have extensive experience in supporting Chinese investors and companies. Michael Prüßner, Maximilian Findeisen and Sven Schweneke joined Norton Rose Fulbright in autumn 2022 to strengthen the M&A practice there, while Werner Brickwedde, who focuses on cross-border M&A, joined Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in April 2023.

EY Law advises private equity investors, energy and public sector companies on medium-sized transactions and distressed M&A. Robert Manger took over management of the practice in July 2022 and oversees M&A, joint venture and restructuring matters, while Torsten Göcke assists strategic and financial investors with distressed M&A and venture capital transactions. Kerstin Henrich joined from Jones Day in September 2022 and is considered a key contact for M&A and venture capital transactions in the renewable energies and infrastructure sectors, while transaction lawyer Claus Elfring joined PwC Legal (PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal AG Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft) in October 2023.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is involved in large and mid-cap transactions, including inbound and outbound deals, public acquisitions and cross-border joint ventures. The team is instructed by private equity investors as well as multinational corporations and medium-sized companies, particularly in the automotive, energy, chemical and technology sectors; clients can also draw upon the group's US law expertise. Lutz Englisch (experienced in stock corporation and conversion law) and Ferdinand Fromholzer advise on cross-border and multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions, the latter primarily for strategic and private equity investors; Dirk Oberbracht (cross-border and domestic transactions for private equity investors as well as family and management teams), Wilhelm Reinhardt (public takeovers on buyer and seller side) and Jan Schubert, who made partner in January 2023 (venture capital financing, joint ventures and co-investments) are further key contacts.

Gleiss Lutz focuses on public takeovers, but is also familiar with carve-out transactions, distressed M&A and large and mid-cap private equity transactions, where it advises German corporations and family-owned companies in the technology, healthcare, real estate and infrastructure sectors. Ralf Morshäuser leads the M&A practice and acts in cross-border acquisitions and sales for national and international companies, while Jochen Tyrolt is primarily active in public takeovers and Christan Cascante also advises on private equity and cross-border transactions. Martin Viciano Goferje further covers private equity, venture capital and corporate law. Vanessa Rendtorff (private equity transactions) and Anselm Christiansen (cross-border transactions related to Asia) made partners in January 2023, as did Moritz Alexander Riesener (M&A, private equity, carve-outs) in November 2023, while Stefan Widder (cross-border transactions) joined from Latham & Watkins LLP in September 2023.

Greenberg Traurig Germany is primarily active in the healthcare, automotive, IT, telecommunications and infrastructure sectors and advises international companies and investors on private and public mid- and large-cap transactions, including private equity deals and joint ventures;  distressed M&A represents another mainstay. Peter Schorling and Henrik Armah, who both focus on  M&A transactions, joint ventures and corporate law, co-lead the practice. Josef Hofschroer (advising public companies on corporate and capital markets law, M&A), Nicolai Lagoni (M&A in the automotive, technology, pharmaceuticals and life sciences sectors), Sara Berendsen (corporate transactions of all kinds) and Oliver Markmann and Philipp Osteroth (private equity) are other key contacts.

Private equity investors, hedge funds, various manufacturers and German media groups trust Greenfort to advise on mid-cap cross-border M&A deals, particularly with regard to Asia and the US. The team also assists family businesses on both the buyer and seller side and has further experience in distressed M&A. Private and public M&A transactions are the focus of Carsten Angersbach and Andreas von Oppen, while Martin Asmuß and Tobias Glienke, who made equity partners in January 2023, exclusively advise on private M&A. Daniel Röder assists with post-M&A disputes and Gunther Weiss is primarily active in cross-border transactions and joint ventures, as is Ahn-Duc Cordalis, who focuses on advising private equity investors.

Hengeler Mueller continues to be a renowned heavyweight that advises large German and international companies and financial investors on large and mid-cap transactions; in addition to public takeovers, joint ventures and cross-border transactions, the practice further impresses in crisis situations with relevant expertise in antitrust and foreign trade law as well as in regulatory issues. Maximilan Schiessl focuses on cross-border M&A, public takeovers and private equity, Hans-Jörg Ziegenhain assists listed companies, family businesses and private equity clients, Andreas Hoger is experienced in M&A and private equity transactions and Thomas Meurer focuses on capital market, corporate and group law aspects. Maike Hölty (M&A transactions, equity financing and joint ventures) and Oda Christiane Goetzke (public takeovers and corporate acquisitions) made partners in January 2023.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP advises national and international blue chips, major German corporations and private equity companies, primarily from the insurance, industrial, infrastructure and energy sectors, on mid-cap transactions and joint ventures. This also reflects the focus of practice head Sönke Becker, while Christian Johnen, who made partner in May 2023, focuses on advising financial investors and family-run companies. Nico Abel (M&A in the financial, technology and energy sectors) joined Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in September 2022.

K&L Gates LLP's M&A team has expertise in various transactions, including carve-outs, LBOs, public-to-private transactions, joint ventures and distressed M&A on both domestic and international level and focuses on advising Fortune 500 and medium-sized companies in the manufacturing, automotive and technology sectors. Thomas Lappe assists companies and financial investors with M&A and intra-group reorganisations, while Martina Ortner has expertise in advising private equity funds on M&A and portfolio management. Ramona Ruf, who made partner in January 2023, focuses on corporate aspects.

Latham & Watkins LLP advises major German corporations from the technology, energy and infrastructure, life sciences and healthcare sectors on transatlantic transactions and is particularly experienced in public M&A, P2P deals, carve-outs as well as distressed M&A and restructuring. Since Nikolaos Paschos (general meetings and corporate governance) joined Paul Hastings LLP in February 2024, Heiko Gotsche (joint ventures, reorganisations and carve-outs) has been the sole practice head. He is supported, among others, by Tobias Larisch, who regularly assists with transactions in the energy and infrastructure sector, and Rainer Traugott, who advises international companies, private equity houses and infrastructure investors on complex transactions. M&A and private equity transaction specialist Stephan Hufnagel made partner in January 2023 and Carsten Loll, who focuses on real estate and private equity transactions, joined from Linklaters in October 2022, as did Alexander Stefan Rieger, who specialises in M&A transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors and came from Hogan Lovells International LLP in May 2023. In September 2023, Stefan Widder (cross-border transactions) joined Gleiss Lutz.

Linklaters advises DAX40 and international companies and their bodies on large and mid-cap, often cross-border transactions. A particular practice focus rests on advising companies from the energy, health, infrastructure and mobility sectors, with clients from the technology, chemical and financial services sectors also accessing the team’s expertise. Tim Johannsen-Roth, who primarily advises on public takeovers, restructurings and national and international acquisitions, and corporate and private equity expert Marco Carbonare jointly lead the group. The core team also includes Ralph Wollburg, who heads the global M&A practice and primarily looks after DAX companies, Kristina Klaaßen-Kaiser, who is experienced in national and international M&A, Christoph van Lier, who is well versed in public takeovers, as well as the M&A and corporate disputes-savvy Staffan Illert. In May 2023, private equity specialist Carl Sanders and Andreas Zenner (M&A transactions, restructuring, corporate law) made partners, while real estate lawyer Carsten Loll joined Latham & Watkins LLP in October 2022. The two managing associates Dominik Wegener (in addition to M&A also VC) and Alina Kaufmann (in addition to M&A also general corporate law) are additional key contacts.

McDermott Will & Emery Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater LLP focuses on cross-border M&A advice to family offices, medium-sized and DAX companies as well as international groups in the healthcare and life sciences, TMT, food, aerospace and automotive as well as real estate sectors and is particularly active in the European and US sphere. Practice head Philipp Grenzbach assists financial investors with acquisitions and public takeovers, as does Clemens Just, who also advises on private takeovers and corporate law; Norbert Schulte further advises on cross-border joint ventures. Rolf Hünermann and Philip Schmidt (corporate and investigation) joined the team from Reed Smith LLP in September and October 2022, respectively, while the arrival of Holger Ebersberger (previously Noerr) and Hanno Witt (previously Latham & Watkins LLP) strengthened the firm's private equity practice in March 2023. Nikolaus von Jacobs (M&A, private equity and venture capital), senior counsel Christian von Sydow (M&A and restructurings) and private equity lawyer Germar Enders left for Reed Smith in May and August 2023 respectively.

Milbank advises listed stock corporations, financial and institutional investors and, most often, private equity houses on large and mid-cap M&A transactions, due diligence, post-merger integration, joint ventures and venture capital, with the team having particularly deep expertise in the latter area. Norbert Rieger is the Global Chair of the corporate practice and focuses on corporate acquisitions, private equity, stock corporations and corporate law, while Michael Bernhardt assists with corporate acquisitions and sales as well as cross-border M&A transactions and Sebastian Heim is particularly experienced in advising financial investors on matters related to distressed M&A.

German and international clients from the energy, infrastructure, consumer goods and technology sectors regularly instruct Norton Rose Fulbright to advise on cross-border M&A transactions, joint ventures, carve-outs and corporate organisations, while the team also possesses expertise in assisting banks, insurance companies and other financial services providers with distressed M&A situations. Practice head Nils Rahlf advises strategic and financial investors on cross-border M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions, while Katrin Stieß primarily acts for technology companies, banks and financial investors. Recent team changes include the arrival of three partners from Eversheds Sutherland, including Maximilian Findeisen (cross-border M&A transactions and projects), Michael Prüßner (advising automotive and industrial companies) and Sven Schwenke (national and international private equity transactions) at the end of 2022 and the simultaneous arrival of corporate lawyer Anne Fischer from A&O Shearman, who is experienced in the insurance sector. Philipp Grzimek, who frequently acts in joint venture transactions and restructurings, joined GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB in April 2023.

Oppenhoff advises on cross-border M&A transactions in the mid-cap segment and, due to the firm’s global positioning, maintains good relationships with clients from France, China and India, with companies in the healthcare, insurance and defense industries draw upon the team’s expertise in particular. Günter Seulen advises on corporate and capital market law as well as compliance issues, while Markus Rasner primarily acts in cross-border M&A and private equity transactions for Asian investors and tax lawyer Gunnar Knorr handles transactions and corporate finance matters.

Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB provides international companies and investors with comprehensive transactional support, including due diligence and resulting corporate restructuring; however, companies from a range of industries, including automotive and technology, also call upon the team's expertise in cross-border joint ventures and distressed M&A. M&A specialist Thomas Peschke leads the practice and focuses on matters in the consumer goods and retail industries, while Ronald Meißner assists companies in the manufacturing, healthcare and infrastructure sectors with cross-border transactions and joint ventures. Nina Leonard, who specialises in transactions in the life sciences, technology and energy sectors, joined Addleshaw Goddard in September 2023, while the group welcomed Michael Krömker from Dentons in January 2024; he focuses on cross-border deals.

RENZENBRINK & PARTNER's team, which is primarily visible in the small-cap segment, predominantly advises industrial companies, financial and private investors on cross-border M&A deals and joint ventures and also has expertise in due diligence reviews and W&I insurance. Private equity and M&A transaction specialist Ulf Renzenbrink, venture capital advisor Andreas Stoll and Dennis Schlottmann (M&A, also in the venture capital and private equity area) jointly lead the practice.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP's client base includes large international corporations, financial institutions and listed German companies, which the team assists with large acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures, primarily with a US connection and often entailing cross-border aspects. Practice head Matthias Horbach acts in various transactions including cross-border mergers, joint ventures and public takeovers and is particularly active in the banking sector. Holger Hofmeister and Jan Bauer have expertise in private equity and M&A.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP assists large international companies across a variety of sectors with large M&A transactions, initial public offerings, private equity deals and SPAC transactions, with an additional focus on public acquisitions. Carsten Berrar (public M&A in the German market), York Schnorbus (public and private M&A) and Konstantin Technau (public takeovers) jointly lead the practice.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP's client roster includes private equity funds, investors, banks as well as municipalities and German companies, most of which stem from the transport and energy sectors, and advises them on joint ventures and mid-cap cross-border transactions. Christian Finnern has led the M&A practice since May 2022 and has particular expertise in joint ventures, investments and M&A transactions in the maritime sector. Marcus Bechtel acts for companies from the energy, infrastructure and real estate industries as well as private equity investors in joint ventures and M&A deals, while Dirk Janssen focuses on leveraged buyouts and cross-border deals.

Due to the firm's global network in the US, Europe and Asia, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is primarily involved in mid-cap and large cross-border deals as well as acquisitions of insolvent companies and also provides regular advice on tax aspects thanks to its close cooperation with the tax team. Practice head Gerhard Schmidt has experience in public and private M&A, joint ventures, delistings and distressed M&A, while transaction specialist Christian Tappeiner primarily acts in the technology, energy and infrastructure sectors.

The M&A team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is particularly adept at handling complex cross-border transactions, including pan-European and transatlantic deals, not least due to the close collaboration with its international offices. Medium-sized companies and private equity portfolio companies particularly often turn to the team, which is led by Georg Linde; he is primarily visible in M&A and private equity transactions in the technology, telecommunications, chemicals and energy sectors. Kamyar Abrar has experience in distressed M&A and Axel Wahl advises financial investors on private equity, venture capital and joint ventures.

YPOG focuses its advice on the technology sector and assists clients, ranging from start-ups to national and international funds, with M&A as well as private equity and venture capital deals, including exit transactions and strategic acquisitions. In addition to his M&A and venture capital advice, practice head Martin Schaper also focuses on the establishment of European stock corporations and carve-outs, while Stephan Bank advises strategic and institutional investors on secondary transactions, including recapitalisations and restructurings. Johannes Janning and Frederik Gärtner have experience in advising start-ups on venture capital and M&A deals.