act legal's combined PE, M&A and corporate practice primarily advises European PE investors, but also family offices and international corporations on small M&A and PE transactions, including carve-outs, strategic partnerships and distressed M&A. The practice is jointly headed by Sven Tischendorf (employment and restructuring law, distressed M&A), Matthias Müller (M&A, joint ventures, restructuring and insolvency law), Fabian Brocke (PE) and Christoph Breithaupt (PE). Maximilian Dieler made partner in January 2024 and advises on corporate restructurings and distressed M&A.

Baker McKenzie counts multinational companies and German corporations, including various DAX40 companies, among its client base and advises them on large and medium-sized transactions, including carve-outs, share sales, strategic partnerships and, most recently, Russia exits. Its sectoral focus is on the technology industry, although its case load also covers other areas. The practice is headed by Christian Atzler, who regularly advises clients on M&A transactions, joint ventures and direct investment projects in China, and Berthold Hummel, who frequently applies its M&A and PE expertise in the biotechnology and life sciences sectors. In January 2024, Johannes Baumann (M&A and PE) joined the team from Hengeler Mueller. He was followed by Daniel Dehghanian (M&A and VC in the healthcare and technology sectors) from Hogan Lovells International LLP in June 2024 as well as Dirk Horcher (M&A, public takeovers, post-merger integrations, corporate restructurings) from Linklaters in October 2024.

Bird & Bird is an experienced advisor to German and international companies from technology-focused and future-oriented sectors on mid-cap M&A transactions, both on the buyer and seller side, joint ventures and divestments. Stefanie Orttmann heads the practice and has extensive experience in cross-border, strategically important M&A transactions. In December 2023, Hans Peter Leube (M&A, PE) and Marianne Nawroth (M&A, PE, VC) joined Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.

Stuttgart-based unit BRP RENAUD assists German companies with small M&A transactions, divestures and joint ventures and is also experienced in post-merger advice and related corporate issues. Practice head Ulrich-Peter Kinzl complements the group's M&A expertise with advisory capacities in related tax, restructuring and corporate matters.

Clifford Chance operates in the large and medium-sized deal segment, handling share and portfolio purchases and sales, joint ventures and transactions. Matters are often of cross-border nature, which is not least due to its close cooperation with the firm's international offices. With regards to its sector focus, the firm regularly acts in the energy and energy transition , infrastructure, healthcare, technology and automotive industries, and advises Fortune 500 technology companies, FTSE100 and other listed companies, among others. The combined corporate and M&A practice is jointly headed by Christoph Holstein, who often assists German companies with cross-border transactions and international reorganisations and is also part of the Healthcare, Life Sciences and Chemicals Sector Group, and Jörg Rhiel, who is one of the key contacts for M&A and joint ventures in the automotive industry. Other key advisors include Dominik Heß (acquisitions, investments in listed companies, corporate mergers, joint ventures, private M&A; industry focus on energy and infrastructure) and counsel Tobias Nogami Kamerling, who focuses on the energy and infrastructure sectors and also co-heads the Japan Group Germany. In March 2024, Stefan Bruder (M&A, PE) joined Ashurst LLP.

Covington & Burling LLP's transactional practice spans cross-border mid-cap M&A transactions, including carve-outs and related restructurings, with a particular focus on matters in the technology, life sciences and healthcare sectors. Through close cooperation with the firm's US offices, the firm is also well versed in cross-border instructions, particularly those with a US connection. Henning Bloss (public and private M&A, particularly related to the US and Asia) and Jörn Hirschmann (M&A, PE, VC) jointly lead the team.

Dechert LLP particularly focuses on the mid-cap deals and, in addition to M&A transactions, also handles related corporate structuring and restructuring, shareholder investments and joint ventures. The firm is further well versed in distressed M&A. This offering is routinely called upon by institutional investors, German and global corporations and family offices. The practice is headed by Federico Pappalardo, whose broad range of expertise extends across M&A, PE, VC and corporate finance. Carina Klaes-Staudt is another key contact and, in addition to transactions, also handles relevant restructuring, employment and tax law aspects.

Deloitte Legal Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH focuses on mid-cap M&A transactions, including acquisitions from insolvency and other distressed transactions, and is also an experienced advisor on related tax and financial issues thanks to cross-practice collaboration. Michael von Rüden heads the team and the US desk and is therefore one of the key contacts for cross-border transactions, carve-outs and joint ventures.

Dentons' M&A practice advises national and international companies, including DAX companies, as well as PE investors on mid-cap transactions. The spectrum of expertise extends from joint ventures, group structuring and distressed M&A to corporate and stock corporation issues as well as regulatory matters. Sectorally, the practice often operates in the energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and financial services industries. The practice is headed by a trio consisting of Rebekka Hye-Knudsen (M&A, PE, VC), Alexander von Bergwelt (M&A, joint ventures and PE in the media and automotive sectors) and corporate expert Robert Weber. In April 2024, Tobias Bünten (stock corporation law, restructuring and corporate law) made partner, while previously in January 2024, Tim Heitling and Thomas Dörmer left for Hogan Lovells International LLP; both focus their transactional advice on the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Eversheds Sutherland demonstrates particular expertise in cross-border M&A, particularly those related to China. This is not least a result of its close cooperation with partner firms, while the hire of Sandra Link and Hui Zhao in January 2024 from King & Wood Mallesons further underlined this geographical focus. The team is instructed by international investors as well as German and international energy, manufacturing, chemical and IT companies. Practice head Steffen Schneipp advises DAX-listed companies and investors on M&A and PE transactions, while Anthony Cross is one of the key contacts for minority investments, restructurings and joint ventures.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP advises national and international corporations, owner-managed medium-sized companies and private equity investors on large and mid-cap transactions, joint ventures and public takeovers. Cross-border matters are regularly handled in cooperation with offices in other European countries and the US. The team frequently, but not exclusively, operates in the automotive, pharmaceutical and technology sectors. Key contacts include Ferdinand Fromholzer, who routinely advises PE investors and listed companies on public M&A and private M&A transactions, Dirk Oberbracht (carve-outs, joint ventures and minority shareholdings) and Wilhelm Reinhardt (M&A, joint ventures). In January 2024, Sonja Ruttmann, who is particularly experienced in carve-outs, made partner.

Greenberg Traurig Germany advises national and international companies and investors, focusing on players in the real estate industry, although it is also increasingly active in other sectors, including life sciences and healthcare, technology, food and chemicals. It advises its client base on cross-border mid-cap M&A and joint ventures, including distressed M&A. Peter Schorling (M&A) and Henrik Armah (M&A, joint ventures and corporate law) jointly lead the team, which also includes M&A and PE expert Oliver Markmann.

Greenfort advises German and international companies of various sizes as well as investors from the media, pharmaceutical and healthcare, technology, food and consumer goods sectors, among others, on medium-sized M&A transactions, including joint ventures and divestitures as well as share purchases and sales. The practice is headed by a sextet consisting of Carsten Angersbach (private and public M&A), Andreas von Oppen (M&A), Daniel Röder (M&A and corporate disputes), Gunther Weiss (cross-border transactions and joint ventures), Ahn-Duc Cordalis (private equity) and Martin Asmuß (private M&A).

GSK Stockmann advises national and international (listed) companies from the high-tech, healthcare, finance, real estate and industrial sectors on small-cap M&A, including insolvency-related transactions, divestitures and joint ventures. Through its cooperation with the London office, the group increasingly acts in cross-border matters, particularly for financial investors. Michael Stobbe (focus on M&A in the automotive sector) and Max Wilmanns (M&A, PE and VC in the healthcare and real estate sectors) jointly lead the team, which was strengthened by the arrival of Robert Korndörfer in November 2023 from Noerr and Daniel Fehling, who joined from Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH in January 2024; both additions boosted not only the practice's M&A, but also PE, VC and corporate capabilities.

Hengeler Mueller impresses with expertise in complex large and mid-cap transactions, which includes company purchases and sales, share acquisitions as well as public takeovers. Recent highlights include the €12 billion cross-border sale of the Viessmann Climate Solutions division of Viessmann Group to Carrier Global Corporation. In addition to leading German companies, including family businesses, the client base also spans strategists and financial investors. Maximilian Schiessl, Hans-Jörg Ziegenhain and Oda Christiane Goetzke, who are extensively experienced in public takeovers and cross-border M&A transactions, are among the key contacts.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP advises national companies and blue chips, including Deutsche Lufthansa and Rheinmetall, on mid-cap M&A, including joint ventures, divestitures and acquisitions. Sönke Becker leads the team and focuses on cross-border transactions, joint ventures and corporate issues. The departure of Jan Eltzschig (M&A and joint ventures in the insurance sector) to ADVANT Beiten in December 2023 was balanced by the arrival of Gregor Klenk (industry focus on technology and life sciences) from Goodwin in February 2024.

German and international companies, including DAX-listed companies, financial institutions and investors instruct Hogan Lovells International LLP  to advise on large and mid-cap M&A, many of which relate to the energy and infrastructure sectors. The practice group is headed by Volker Geyrhalter, who is experienced in cross-border transactions and in particular in matters pertaining to the US, and Nikolas Zirngibl, who complements his expertise in M&A and joint ventures with VC consulting skills. In January 2024, Tim Heitling and Thomas Dörmer joined from Dentons, further strengthening the group's energy and infrastructure expertise. In December 2023, Joachim Habetha (M&A, PE) joined Schalast Law | Tax.

K&L Gates LLP mainly assists its client base, which consists of national and global corporations from the automotive and technology sectors, with mid-cap M&A, with matters spanning carve-outs and joint ventures to public-to-private transactions and venture capital transactions. Thomas Lappe heads the practice and, in accordance with the team approach, primarily handles transactions in the automotive sector.

Latham & Watkins LLP's strength lies in cross-border matters and particularly transatlantic transactions, which is not least due to its close cross-location cooperation with offices in Europe and the US. The practice operates in both the large and mid-cap sectors and advises large German and international companies, including various listed companies, as well as investors, who often stem from the technology, healthcare, life sciences, energy and infrastructure sectors. The group is headed by Heiko Gotsche, who regularly advises listed and family-owned companies on joint ventures, reorganisations and carve-outs. Other key contacts include Rainer Traugott, who frequently assists PE houses and infrastructure investors, and Alexander Stefan Rieger, who focuses on energy and infrastructure and has been heading the continental European corporate practice since September 2024. M&A and PE expert Tobias Larisch (sector focus on energy and infrastructure) joined Kirkland & Ellis International LLP in September 2024.

Linklaters is an experienced partner for large German and international clients, including numerous listed companies such as Volkswagen, ThyssenKrupp and Deutsche Lufthansa, in large and mid-cap transactions. Its expertise extends from takeovers and sales to spin-offs and joint ventures to capital market-related matters and covers, among others, the areas of energy, healthcare, infrastructure and automotive. Marco Carbonare heads the practice and, in addition to cross-border M&A transactions and reorganisations, also handles ECM issues. He is supported by Ralph Wollburg, who counts all DAX companies among his client base, Kristina Klaaßen-Kaiser, who handles general corporate issues in addition to sales, takeovers and joint ventures, Alina Kaufmann (M&A and VC), Christoph van Lier (public takeovers and joint ventures) and Dominik Wegener (cross-border M&A, VC and joint ventures).

In addition to well-known German and international corporations such as Zalando SE, Volkswagen Financial Services AG and Deutsche Telekom AG, McDermott Will & Emery Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater LLP advises numerous family offices and medium-sized companies on small and mid-cap M&A transactions, regularly in a cross-border context. Recently, the practice significantly expanded its advisory capacities with the additions of Benedikt von Schorlemer (cross-border M&A and joint venture transactions in the renewable energies and infrastructure industries) and Maximilian Uibeleisen (sector focus on renewable energies) in April 2024 as well as Matthias Weissinger (restructuring and financing) in November 2023, who all joined from Ashurst LLP. The practice is headed by Philipp Grenzebach, who regularly advises investors on private and public M&A transactions.

In addition to traditional transactions, public takeovers and joint ventures, Milbank's comprehensive M&A advice also includes PE and VC matters as well as various related tax, finance and antitrust issues. Large national and international corporations, family businesses and investors rely on the team's expertise in both the large and mid-cap areas as well as in an international transaction context. Global Chair of the Corporate Practice Group Norbert Rieger, whose advisory focus rests on company acquisitions, private equity and stock and corporate law, is one of the key contacts.

German and international corporations from the energy, insurance, technology and automotive sectors regularly rely on Norton Rose Fulbright's M&A expertise in mid-cap transactions, including distressed M&A and related restructuring measures, joint ventures, carve-outs and divestments. Clients also benefit from cross-practice and cross-location collaboration. Nils Rahlf, who is experienced in cross-border M&A, PE and VC transactions, heads the practice and is supported by Katrin Stieß, who frequently assists technology companies and financial investors, among others. While the group welcomed Valerian von Richthofen (M&A in the energy sector) from Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB in January 2024, it also saw Sven Schweneke (cross-border M&A and PE transactions) leave for Taylor Wessing in May 2024.

Oppenhoff advises financial investors, strategists, German companies and family businesses on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions in the mid- and small-cap arena, including various related issues such as transaction insurance and investment control, particularly frequently across the insurance, energy and defense sectors. In addition to M&A, practice head Till Liebau also handles PE matters and general corporate issues. In spring 2024, the group strengthened its team with Regina Engelstädter (M&A and joint ventures in regulated industries) from Paul Hastings LLP and Barnim von den Steinen (corporate and M&A, financial regulatory law) from ROTTHEGE.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP focuses on advising technology and software companies as well as clients from the energy, infrastructure, financial services and life sciences sectors on mid-cap M&A transactions. Due to its cooperation with the firm's US and London offices, the practice has extensive experience in advising on cross-border matters. Since Oliver Duys' move to Herbert Smith Freehills LLP at the start of 2025, Christoph Brenner (PE) is leading the team alone, which further lost Christoph Rödter to PwC Legal (PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal AG Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft) in February 2024; he focuses on M&A and corporate advice for tech and life sciences companies.

Osborne Clarke's M&A advice primarily concerns small-cap transactions for PE investors, family offices and leading German companies, including listed companies such as BayWa AG and Bechtle AG. Practice head Björn Hürten is one of the key contacts for company acquisitions and sales, joint ventures, carve-outs and related restructurings.

National and international companies as well as financial investors from the energy, automotive, life sciences and infrastructure sectors regularly rely on Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB's expertise in cross-border mid-cap transactions and related reorganisations, including share acquisitions, disposals and bidding processes. Practice head Thomas Peschke complements the group's sectoral focus with expertise in the retail and consumer goods sectors. In January 2024, Michael Krömker, who regularly acts for investors, joined the team from Dentons, while Nina Leonard (cross-border M&A transactions in the life sciences and technology sectors) left for Addleshaw Goddard in September 2023.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP's M&A team moves in the large and mid-cap arena and advises German and international companies as well as financial investors on cross-border, often US-related takeovers, divestitures and joint ventures. Matthias Horbach heads the team and is one of the key contacts for industrial companies, PE investors and investment banks. Ruediger Schmidt-Bendun made partner in April 2024 and complements the M&A and joint venture expertise with corporate skills.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP advises leading German companies and international PE houses from the pharmaceutical, technology and consumer sectors on large private and public M&A; clients particularly benefit from the practice's related capital market expertise, which recently showed in its assistance with de-SPAC transactions. Carsten Berrar also operates at this interface and jointly leads the team with York Schnorbus, who handles transactions and joint ventures as well as general corporate issues, and Konstantin Technau, who is experienced in public takeovers, among other matters. In January 2025, Peter Klormann (M&A and capital markets) and Stephan Rauch (M&A, PE) made partners.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP advises national and international investors and companies on portfolio purchases and sales as well as joint ventures primarily in the mid-cap sector, with a sectoral focus on infrastructure, renewable energies and transport. Practice head Christian Finnern complements the sectoral spectrum with expertise in the maritime sector and, among others, is supported by Christian Kleeberg, who joined the team in December 2023 from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP; he is particularly experienced in cross-border transactions.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP  focuses on large and mid-cap transactions, including those in the distressed sector, which is complemented by expertise in related tax, regulatory, financial, IP and employment issues, among others. German and international companies and investors, who primarily operate in the energy and infrastructure sectors, call upon this offering, while most recently, the practice acted particularly often on the buyer side. Gerhard Schmidt heads the practice and, alongside classic transactions, joint ventures and takeover offers, also handles delistings.

White & Case LLP's client base, which consists of European corporates and international PE houses, particularly draws on the team's expertise in large and mid-cap cross-border M&A as well as joint ventures and also benefits from the team's competencies in the energy and energy transition, infrastructure as well as financial services sectors. This industry expertise is partially due to its close cross-practice cooperation, while cross-location collaboration has boosted its cross-border skills. The practice is led by Stefan Koch, who predominantly advises PE investors on M&A transactions, public takeovers, carve-outs and joint ventures. His team includes Thyl Haßler, who made partner in January 2024 (public and private mergers and acquisitions in the energy, infrastructure and chemicals sectors), and Thomas Sacher, who joined from Ashurst LLP as of counsel in June 2024 (sector focus on automotive, energy, infrastructure, industry). Murad Daghles (M&A, distressed M&A and joint ventures) left for DLA Piper in January 2024 and Sebastian Pitz (M&A and PE) for Kirkland & Ellis International LLP in October 2024.

In addition to classic mid-cap M&A, YPOG's transaction practice is also well versed in assisting with PE and VC deals as well as various related financing and tax structuring issues. Due to its focus on the high-tech and growth sectors, the group is particularly active for investors and start-ups. Martin Schaper, who focuses on M&A, PE and growth investments, leads the team; Adrian Haase (M&A and VC) made partner in January 2024.