Banking & Finance: Germany

"Leading finance practitioner" Neil Weiand has been busy of late leading the group's work for Voith. According to sources, he remains a standout individual and "an absolute expert in his field."

Head of the banking and finance practice Peter Hoegen is acknowledged for his capabilities in restructuring and real estate finance matters.

Described as "someone to be recommended," Wolfgang Melzer is applauded for his asset finance and leasing work within aviation.

Walter Uebelhoer is recognised and respected for his work within acquisition finance and syndicated lending. With a special focus on general lending and restructuring matters, he recently worked on the Schaeffler credit agreement.

Cathy Bell-Walker is currently based in London but previously worked in the firm's Frankfurt office for ten years. She retains a strong working knowledge of the German finance market, and is highly experienced in both European and UK cross-border leveraged finance transactions. 

With a specialist focus on syndicated lending, Tom Beckerhoff is one of the lead partners involved in the acquisition of Open Grid. He also has notable strength in domestic and cross-border structured finance transactions.

Anne Grewlich impresses sources with her prowess in acquisition financing. Also strong in project and structured finance, she has advised on a number of high-profile mandates for the firm, including the Open Grid mandate.

Department head Stephan Kock specialises in international finance and is currently advising a consortium including NIBC Bank, Nord/LB, and HSH Nordbank on the acquisition of a 22,000-strong German multi-family property portfolio by Cerberus Capital Management, valued at approximately EUR1 billion.

Oliver Socher's practice covers banking and finance and distressed debt matters. His recent mandates involve advising the Landesbank Baden-Württemberg on a facility agreement.

Paris-based Michael Foundethakis is involved in many international acquisition and project finance transactions, and is recommended in the market for his German expertise. 

Max Gutbrod in Moscow is highly knowledgeable about Russian and German business law, and is the author of several articles on this subject. He frequently advises on financial regulatory issues.

German-qualified Kathrin Marchant recently relocated to the firm's Paris office. She maintains close links with German clients and advises on topics such as acquisition finance, syndicated loans and debt restructuring.  

Werner Meier is the main contact for the banking and finance practice. A significant mandate for the practice is its work for the Greek government regarding its sovereign debt restructuring.

Described as "one of the top finance lawyers in Germany," Alexandra Hagelüken draws praise for her technical skill and business acumen. She recently advised Fluxys G on the acquisition of Eni's interest in the TENP (Germany) and Transitgas (Switzerland) pipelines.

"Excellent finance lawyer" Barbara Mayer-Trautmann earns rave reviews from both clients and peers. Clients appreciate that she "never fails to give a first-class service and is available around the clock."

The "extremely diligent" Bettina Steinhauer focuses on general bank lending as well as structured and acquisition finance.

Impressed by Edmund Boyo's significant prowess in asset finance and leasing in both aviation and rail matters, clients affirm that he is "a strong negotiator who always strives to provide excellent legal support." He is also recognised for his broad knowledge of the Nigerian market.

Riko Vanezis advises on both rail and aviation-related financial issues. In addition to his strong domestic presence, he is recognised outside Germany for his specific knowledge of the Turkish market and clients.

Dietrich Stiller is a member of the panel of arbitrators of the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board, as well as a member of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association. He has notable experience in the refinancing of distressed enterprises.

Senior associate Maia Welters is admitted to the German and Bulgarian Bars, and advises on cross-border and domestic transactions, restructurings and corporate finance. 

Hamburg-based Marc Riede focuses on project finance, restructurings and shipping finance. He leads the majority of the practice's key mandates within shipping asset finance and leasing, and peers confirm that "he plays an important role in the shipping sector."

Focusing on real estate finance, corporate lending and acquisition finance, department head Markus Pfaff is "a very experienced lawyer who co-ordinates deals very effectively and delivers very constructive and pragmatic results," say clients.

Bernhard Gemmel co-heads the banking and finance team and is leading the group's work for Capita Asset Services. He is qualified in both France and Germany, and impresses interviewees with his excellent client service.

Frank Schwem currently leads the firm's finance practice from the Frankfurt office. His scope of expertise includes project and acquisition financings in a variety of industry sectors.

Clients commend "outstanding lawyer" Stefan Rindfleisch  for his work within shipping finance. He also frequently advises clients in the Marshall Islands.

Yorck Jetter has led many of the practice's key mandates of late, including its work for Fresenius. Interviewees agree he is one of the top names in the market, saying "he is excellent in tough negotiations and works well with both the clients and with lawyers on the other side."

Respected leading figure Dirk Schmalenbach is "one of the most senior aviation partners in Germany," say sources.

The "brilliant" aviation and rail finance specialist Konrad Schott recently advised Deutsche Bank on the syndicated loan financing for VTG, valued at EUR900 million.

Frank Laudenklos is leading the practice's work relating to SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH. Peers affirm that he "commands a sizeable portion of the market."

Mario Hüther was recently made partner and provides a broad-ranging practice covering corporate debt restructuring, acquisition finance, and syndicated lending. Key mandates include advising Porsche on the refinancing of its EUR2.5 billion syndicated credit facility.

Frankfurt-based associate Lucas Annes is a member of the firm's finance practice group. He studied at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and his expertise lies within structured finance and capital markets.

Gabriela Gomes Strieder is an associate specialising in domestic and cross-border project finance at the firm's Frankfurt office. Her previous experience includes working at a Brazilian law firm in São Paulo advising on the financing aspects of cross-border transactions. 

Helge Kortz focuses on syndicated loans, ABS and acquisition finance. He was recently instructed by the shareholders of CD Cartondruck in relation to financial questions regarding the merger of the company with Multi Packaging Solutions.

Burkhard Jäkel enters the rankings on the back of glowing client feedback. He is especially strong in asset finance and recently advised Mustang on the sale of its company shares to a group of investors.

Frank Schlobach wins praise for his dedicated approach and business understanding.

The firm's German desk advises Danish and German-speaking clients on a variety of banking and finance issues from its Denmark base. Several members of the desk have worked in Germany, and clients have access to multilingual lawyers. Lotte Eskesen is the first point of contact for German clients doing business in Denmark. Her practice includes banking and finance, dispute resolution, and environmental law.

Widely regarded as a leading light in the banking and finance market, Thomas Oliver Cron is admired for his "outstanding" expertise and experience. He led on an EUR800 million syndicated loan for Amprion as well as a EUR1 billion financing deal for JPMorgan.

Johannes Tieves is recommended as "one of the best lawyers in finance transactions." He handles private equity and restructuring as well as banking and finance, and recently advised on the refinancing of Schaeffler Group with a new credit agreement worth EUR8 billion.

Banking and finance head Katlen Bloecker recently advised Crédit Agricole and Unicredit on a EUR800 million financing for voestalpine Group.

Based in Denmark, this firm's German desk primarily advises Danish and German-speaking clients on the development, financing and sale of wind and solar energy projects in Germany. It has considerable experience of Danish-German legal issues and in-depth knowledge of the two legal systems. The desk is headed by Nicolai Mallett, who often assists clients with the financing of renewable energy projects in Germany.

Detlef Zschoche has a strong background within the maritime arena and continues to be regarded as one of the top shipping litigators in the country.

Sources identify Andreas Diem as "pragmatic and commercially aware, with a good market overview." He recently advised on the acquisition of the Kabel BW Group by Liberty Global, a transaction equating to EUR2.25 billion.

Christina Ungeheuer focuses on acquisition finance and enjoys a "strong reputation" in the financial markets.

Carl-Peter Feick has a wealth of experience in restructurings of cash flow-driven financial transactions, LBOs and the financings of public takeovers.

"Top finance lawyer" Eva Reudelhuber handles acquisition financing, structured and project finance, as well as syndicated lending matters.

Marc Trinkaus receives glowing praise from clients, who say "he gives us sound advice in all matters relating to senior and junior loan documentation, and has a very calm and precise manner." He recently advised Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and IKB Deutsche Industriebank on the financing of the acquisition of Jack Wolfskin by Blackstone.

Julian Zaich's expertise includes leveraged finance and syndicated lending. He recently led the team's work advising REpower Systems on a EUR750 million growth financing.

Markus Strelow is the key contact for the banking and finance practice. His broad-ranging practice covers private equity and M&A, as well as leveraged and corporate finance.

"The godfather of the German LBO business," Rainer Magold enjoys a strong market presence. Clients confirm that he is "responsive and pragmatic," and his recent work highlights include representing Commerzbank in its syndicated credit facilities for Georg von Holtzbrinck.

Clients describe Thomas Ingenhoven as "very pleasant to work with." He is a member of the firm’s leveraged finance and high-yield debt group, and recently advised UniCredit on syndicated credit facilities for Norma Group.

UK-qualified Anthony Morton  is recognised for building up the English law practice in the firm's Frankfurt office. He advises both borrowers and lenders on several German, European and other cross-border leveraged transactions.  

In New York, Helfried Schwarz has in-depth knowledge of the German market, having headed the Frankfurt office from 2001 until 2005. He has substantial experience of advising on cross-border and domestic leveraged lease transactions.

Sebastian Bock remains active in acquisition financing, refinancing, and capital investments.

Andreas Naujoks recently joined the firm and is already garnering strong praise from clients, who describe him as "very hands-on and proactive." He focuses on real estate and acquisition finance.

Matthias Kapteina splits his time between London and Frankfurt, where he advises on project, corporate and acquisition finance. He lectures at the Frankfurt School of Management & Finance.

Department head Ralf Springer has solid expertise in aviation and rail asset finance matters. Sources describe him as "very business-minded - he tries to resolve problems and doesn't overcomplicate matters to create new problems."

Oliver Sutter handles acquisition and real estate finance, as well as restructuring. He recently led the group's work with UniCredit on the financing of a real estate portfolio in Berlin, and clients state he is "very innovative and responds quickly to our queries."

Asset finance practitioner Duncan Batchelor is based in London but spent five years in the firm's Munich office. He has substantial knowledge of both ship and aircraft finance, as well as transactions in structured finance.

Aviation asset finance and leasing is a key area of strength for Peter Smeets, whose practice also covers structured finance, restructuring and distressed equity/debt transactions.

Clients say Winfried Carli is "really proactive and very commercial in his judgements. Some lawyers only offer a legal perspective, but he also has an economic perspective." He specialises in domestic and cross-border leveraged acquisition financings and refinancings.

Strong work highlights and positive client feedback propel Esther Jansen into the rankings this year. As one client enthuses, "she is very experienced and speaks with authority in this business." Clients include adidas and Oxea.

Clients praise department head Johannes Kremer for his "excellent service, analysis and counsel." He led the team's work on both a EUR600 million syndicated credit facilities agreement for AGRAVIS and refinancing and restructuring matters for Doughty Hanson.

Group head Maren Brandes advises on all shipping and ship finance-related matters.

Clients hail Leïla Röder 's straightforward and efficient service, saying "she works hard and gets things done." She focuses on advising banks and private equity investors on all aspects of financing matters, and recently led the group's work on the refinancing of Xella International.

As well as handling transport finance-related matters, Jan-Holger Arndt also handles structured asset investments through closed-end funds.