Environment: Germany

THE FIRM This firm specialises in all forms of public law, from public construction and planning issues to all aspects of environmental law. Working out of Bonn and Stuttgart, the group is frequently described as a leading German player for classic environment issues. The team is very active in the approval and permit procedures for the construction of energy, waste and other types of industrial plants.

Sources say: "The best environmental law boutique in the country." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Klaus-Peter Dolde is lauded as "the doyen of German environmental law," and is credited for "pushing forward the law in this area for many years."

THE FIRM This magic circle giant fields a ten-partner environment, planning and regulatory law team, which advises on all aspects of environmental law. It has been busy advising Germany's four major energy suppliers on the extension of operational life spans of nuclear power plants and the subsequent government moratorium. Other mandates relate to major industrial and infrastructure projects, such as providing advice to Fraport on the Frankfurt airport extension.

Sources say: "The team has a broad range of expertise and is one of the most active environmental law practices in Germany."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Wolf Friedrich Spieth co-heads the firm's global low-carbon energy group and sources appreciate his great knowledge of all energy-related regulatory and environmental issues. 

THE FIRM This compact team covers a wide range of environmental issues and builds on the firm's strength in M&A, real estate and energy. The successful standalone practice handles a number of environment mandates and is part of Clifford Chance's international environment group, which enables it to tackle multi-jurisdictional cross-border instructions for international clients. Notable work highlights include advising Nord Stream on the legal approval procedures for the Baltic Sea gas pipeline. 

Sources say: "Very professional, always available and responsive."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Horst Schlemminger specialises in advising real estate companies on all issues surrounding the purchase and development of property. He is highly regarded for his environmental law expertise, offering clients "excellent team leadership, top-level legal expertise and the ability to tackle really tricky issues."

THE FIRM This firm handles the full spectrum of environment and administrative law. The team is involved in high-profile environmental instructions relating to water and waste water, and it further benefits from the firm's strong position in the energy sector. Recent highlights include advising K+S Kali on the disposal of salt water from the potash industry in the states of Hesse and Thuringia, which involved representation in several administrative court proceedings.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Fritz von Hammerstein is "an exceptional figure in the German market." He is a highly respected environment adviser, who is particularly renowned for his work in the energy sector.

THE FIRM This eight-partner environment and planning practice covers all aspects of regulatory law, project development and construction, as well as supporting the firm's transactional work. Notable mandates include representing Schluchseewerk in the approval process of the Atdorf pump storage hydropower plant. Other key clients include IKEA and EnBW.

Sources say: "The team's lawyers are experienced, pragmatic and goal-oriented."

KEY INDIVIDUALS A marker leader in environment law,  Christoph Moench "has been active in emissions trading and other environmental issues since they first arose in Germany."

THE FIRM With offices in Berlin, Bonn and Leipzig this firm offers comprehensive coverage of the domestic market. It also has international offices in London and Brussels, which enables the team to easily handle work for international clients. The team advises both companies and public sector bodies on approvals for industrial plants, infrastructure projects and mining operations and also conducts environmental due diligence in corporate transactions.

Sources say: "A boutique with a very strong reputation in the field of environmental law. A clear leader for domestic work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Dieter Sellner is "a hugely respected authority" on constitutional and administrative law, with a particular focus on environmental issues such as emissions controls, waste economy, mining and atomic energy law.

THE FIRM This 11-lawyer environment team forms part of the firm's public law group. The lawyers frequently handle cross-border mandates and work closely with colleagues from White & Case's international offices. Notable highlights include advising First Solar and First Solar Deutschland on environmental and planning law issues arising from the production of a photovoltaic plant in Germany.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Norbert Wimmer is the practice contact for the Berlin office, whilst Martin Hoffmann is the responsible partner in Hamburg. 

THE FIRM This four-partner practice has broad-ranging environmental and administrative expertise. The team is particularly well regarded for its work in the chemical industry, as well as regulated industries and the automotive sector. With its truly global presence and over 300 environmental law specialists in total, the firm excels in advising on cross-border matters, advising multinational companies on environmental issues on an international basis.  

Sources say: "The team really goes above and beyond, it is honest about what it can and cannot achieve, and offers great value for money." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Regulatory expert Ulrich Ellinghaus heads the team and focuses on environmental, health and safety and product safety law. Clients say: "He is very responsive, customer-focused and always looks out for our best interests."

THE FIRM This environmental law boutique regularly acts on behalf of government departments and municipal bodies. Sources view it as particularly strong in waste management and energy law issues. It also provides advice on nuclear safety, emissions trading, town planning, and climate protection.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers commend Hartmut Gaßner's “excellent public law practice.” He advises on a range of energy law matters, including renewable energy and nuclear power, and also assists clients with environmental policy development. Klaus-Martin Groth represents clients in planning and conservation issues in addition to mining and energy law.

THE FIRM As well as providing environment law support to the firm's busy transactional practice, this team also advises on environmental mandates related to regulated industries and public procurement. The team recently represented DK Recycling and Roheisen in appeal proceedings before the Federal Administrative Court in respect of an insufficient allocation of emission rights under German law.

Sources say: "We use this team for particularly complex matters where it can really add value. The lawyers are absolute top-quality."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice contact Thomas Schmidt-Kötters is a key member of this highly respected regulatory and environmental law practice. 

THE FIRM This firm's environment practice is best known for its work in the energy sector, notably advising on the environmental and planning law implications of various wind and solar park transactions. Highlights include advising Macquarie Bank on risks under environmental and planning law in relation to the acquisition of the gas transmission network operator Thyssengas from RWE.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head Jan Endler specialises in European law, public procurement, and regulated industries. He is widely praised for his broad knowledge of public law, planning and environmental law.

THE FIRM This firm deals with environmental issues from its public business law and energy and utilities teams. The full-service environment practice continues to grow and it boasts highly regarded emissions trading expertise. Recent mandates include representing Vattenfall in an Energy Charter Treaty arbitration against the Federal Republic of Germany, relating to the late and only partial approval of the coal-fired Moorburg power plant.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Claudia Schoppen specialises in the planning and approval of power plants and industrial facilities. According to clients, she is "very reliable, provides precise and timely advice and has comprehensive knowledge of environmental law." Recent arrival Gabrielle H Williamson splits her time between Brussels and Düsseldorf. Clients enthuse about her "practical, reasonable and reliable advice. She is a strong and dependable advocate on our behalf and has an excellent understanding of both our products and the industry."

THE FIRM This compact boutique has an excellent reputation for advising both public and private sector clients on waste management issues. The team also assists clients with mining, soil protection, planning and pollution control questions.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The highly esteemed Ludger-Anselm Versteyl is the main contact here. He specialises in waste management.