Gleiss Lutz‘s partners are regulars before the European Commission and other competition authorities in cartel proceedings, acting for defendants in both investigations and damages hearings. Alongside this, the practice is also well placed to assist clients through Phase I and II merger controls before the German Federal Cartel Office. Litigator Petra Linsmeier spearheads the firm’s competition efforts, using her extensive experience in cartel proceedings to represent defendants across, inter alia, the energy and automotive sectors. Ulrich Denzel combines litigation expertise with a strong merger control practice, while Christian Steinle is noted for his capabilities in defending cartel claims, including in private proceedings, while also overseeing clients’ internal investigations and assisting them with competition law compliance programmes. Ines Bodenstein departed the firm in June 2025, moving to the BGH.

Hengeler Mueller offers its clients a broad spectrum of competition matters, guiding private equity and corporate buyers through merger control proceedings initiated by the European Commission or Federal Cartel Office, while also representing companies accused of participating in cartels in investigations and, should they materialise, damages hearings. Thorsten Mäger acts on the gamut of contentious and non-contentious competition matters, ranging from compliance training up to cartel and merger proceedings before the European Commission. Thomas Paul is sought after for his expertise in cartel damages claims, with Sarah Milde providing further expertise in this field and in merger control proceedings.

Latham & Watkins LLP consolidated its position in the competition field with the May 2025 hire of White & Case LLP‘s Tilman Kuhn, augmenting the practice’s ability to handle complex antitrust litigation, with Kuhn also bringing his expertise to bear for clients facing merger and FDI control hearings. He joins a team that includes Michael Esser, a specialist in handling European and global cartel investigations across a range of sectors, and Max Hauser, who focuses on securing merger and FDI clearances. Jana Dammann de Chapto is particularly well versed in FDI regulations, frequently appearing for clients before the European Commission and domestic courts on this topic. Jan Höft left the firm in January 2025, with Niklas Brüggemann returning in August 2025, having previously been a case handler for the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition.

Clifford Chance assists corporate and private equity clients across the spectrum of merger and FDI control procedures, utilising the firm’s pan-European network to secure clearances across multiple jurisdictions and at EU level. On the contentious front, the team appears for claimants and defendants in cartel and subsequent damages claims, also handling investigations by the European Commission. Marc Besen, who heads the firm’s German and global competition practices, specialises in seeing clients through merger control hearings and cartel investigations, while Dimitri Slobodenjuk is the group’s key contact for queries concerning FDI regulations. Caroline Scholke combines expertise in cartel matters with a focus on state aid law and FSR.

Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s competition capacities extend to cross-border merger control and FDI hearings, with the German team also working with the firm’s Brussels-based practice to oversee complex cartel and abuse of dominance cases before the European Commission. Martin Sura, who took on leadership of the team in 2025, continues to represent clients in initial cartel investigations and subsequent litigation. Christoph Wünschmann co-heads the firm’s global competition team, advising on both German and European merger control-related matters and representing clients in cartel and follow-on damages hearings. Splitting his time between Berlin and Brussels, Falk Schöning is tasked with securing pan-European approvals for mergers and investments.

Linklaters is the firm of choice for several clients looking to secure German and EU approval for mergers and joint ventures, guiding them through Phase I and, where it becomes necessary, Phase II hearings. The team also assists clients with the filing of FDI and FSR notifications across European jurisdictions, and is also sought after for help with competition compliance programmes. Daniela Seeliger advises on the spectrum of competition matters and is noted for her expertise in assisting automotive and telecoms clients among others. Both Seeliger and Christoph Barth offer expertise in cartel litigation, with the latter also taking on abuse of dominance and Phase II hearings for his clients. Kaan Gürer advises clients facing competition investigations, in addition to seeing them through FDI proceedings. Carsten Grave departed the firm in May 2025.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton maintains a focus on both merger control proceedings and complex competition litigation, accompanying clients through such hearings before Federal Cartel Office and the European Commission. Alongside its work opposite regulatory bodies, the team also helps clients maintain compliance with German and European competition and state aid regulations. Wolfgang Deselaers takes on the spectrum of competition challenges, with particular expertise in appearing for, inter alia, automotive and consumer goods clients in abuse of dominance, cartel and follow-on damages proceedings. Julian Sanner adds further expertise in abuse of dominance cases and is also well versed in merger control proceedings. Romina Polley transitioned to a senior counsel role in 2025.

CMS advises clients requiring guidance through EU FSR strictures, acting for both buyers and sellers in carrying out assessments and subsequent notifications to the European Commission, alongside its work tackling merger control proceedings. Combining expertise in the latter with experience representing clients before the Federal Cartel Office and European authorities is practice head Rolf Hempel, while Brussels-based Michael Bauer oversees multi-jurisdictional merger control filings. Nantje Johnston assists companies in dominant positions maintain compliance with German and European competition law.

Commeo‘s competition specialists are called upon by clients on both sides of cartel damages claims, in addition to acting for defendants in initial investigations led by the Federal Cartel Office. The practice also has experience in seeing companies through merger and FDI controls, in both Phase I and II hearings. Stephanie Pautke is particularly well versed in competition matters as they impact the pharmaceutical, chemical and consumer goods sectors, while Dominique Wagener is the key contact for clients targeted by cartel investigations and follow-on claims.

Dentons is instructed by clients requiring guidance through cartel investigations, and is also sought after where corporates need to navigate merger control proceedings, including for joint ventures and investments into other companies. Beyond this, the team also advises its clients on FDI and FSR guidelines, and assists them in maintaining compliance with these and other German and EU competition law regulations. Jörg Karenfort heads the firm’s global competition team, while René Grafunder leads the German practice, both frequently appearing in cartel and abuse of dominance hearings.

In addition to undertaking merger control screening for clients on the buy and sell-side of cross-border mergers, Glade Michel Wirtz - Corporate & Competition‘s team is also tasked with representing DAX-listed companies in cartel proceedings before the German and European courts. Markus Wirtz is a key name for cartel hearings, with a notable defence practice, while Silke Möller offers combined expertise in cartel matters and merger and FDI controls. Competition litigation forms the core of Christian Karbaum‘s workload, including cartel and follow-on damage claims, and abuse of dominance matters. December 2024 saw Max Schulz elevated to the partnership, guiding clients through cartel investigations and assisting them with setting up compliance programmes.

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH‘s competition expertise spans the spectrum of day-to-day advisory work and contentious hearings, overseeing national, pan-European and global merger control and FDI notifications and defending clients accused of cartel activity. Heading up the firm’s combined competition efforts is Anne Wegner, whose practice spans the gamut of merger control matters, cartel damages hearings and abuse of dominance issues. Sebastian Janka co-ordinates multi-national merger control filings overseen by the Federal Cartel Office and the EU Commission, with additional expertise in seeing clients through cartel investigations.

Noerr is trusted by both German and foreign clients requiring representation in cartel investigations and subsequent damages claims, defending clients facing such claims while also acting for claimants seeking to mitigate damages caused by cartel activities. The practice is overseen by Fabian Badtke, whose expertise in merger control filings and competition litigation is sought after by financial services, life sciences and media clients, among others. Kathrin Westermann appears before German and European courts in disputes concerning both mergers and cartel allegations, while Sebastian Wrobel, currently on secondment to Macfarlanes LLP in London, supports clients in follow-on damages claims, in addition to helping them structure competition compliance programmes.

Oppenländer Rechtsanwälte is the firm of choice for claimants requiring expertise in bringing cartel damages claims, acting for a client base spanning the automotive, media and chemicals sectors, among others. The practice is also able to support clients facing merger-related competition issues, including overseeing notifications and also handling litigation stemming from adverse regulatory decisions. Albrecht Bach heads the group, handling both cartel and merger-related disputes, with Andreas Hahn bringing expertise in abuse of dominance matters and cartel damages claims. Ulrich Klumpp is a specialist in media sector competition matters, including follow-on claims. Simon Gollasch left for BRP RENAUD in September 2025, followed by Simon Schmauder in October.

WilmerHale‘s contentious antitrust capacities extend to cartel investigations and subsequent damages claims before the Federal Cartel Office, German courts and the ECJ, in addition to overseeing merger and FDI control proceedings across Europe. Hans-Georg Kamann, who splits his time between Frankfurt and Brussels, heads the team and offers combined EU competition, state aid and data protection expertise to his client base. January 2025 saw merger and investment control specialist Oliver Fleischmann elevated to the partnership, while Peter Gey maintains a strong focus on antitrust matters in the life sciences sector.

A&O Shearman‘s competition expertise is frequently utilised by clients on both the sell and buy-side of cross-border M&A deals, overseeing their merger control notifications to the Federal Cartel Office and ensuring they maintain compliance with German and EU regulations. Taking the lead on such matters is practice co-head Ellen Braun, who co-ordinates global competition filings across a range of sectors. Alongside her, Börries Ahrens handles cartel investigations for his clients.

Baker McKenzie is noted for its capacity to tackle multi-jurisdictional merger control filings, with the Germany-based team working alongside the firm’s global network to oversee such mandates. Nicolas Kredel heads the team, and alongside merger control, advises automotive and manufacturing clients on FSR matters and guides them through cartel investigations. Anika Schürmann combines expertise in cartel and criminal matters, while Jan Kresken is instructed in merger control hearings.

BLOMSTEIN Rechtsanwälte provides combined expertise in German and European competition and state aid regulations, handling merger control and FDI notifications and subsequent hearings for its clients. The practice is also able to assist companies as claimants in cartel follow-on claims. Anna Huttenlauch heads up the team, frequently leading for clients facing Federal Cartel Office and European Commission merger and cartel proceedings. Max Klasse provides additional merger control expertise, and is also well versed in cartel and other behavioural matters.

BUNTSCHECK Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH‘s team is well versed in handling the spectrum of competition litigation, with a particular focus on acting for both claimants and defendants in cartel damages claims. Under the guidance of founding partner Martin Buntscheck, the practice also handles merger and FDI control. Buntscheck himself specialises in civil competition proceedings, and leads the team alongside Tatjana Mühlbach, whose practice spans merger control, abuse of dominance and cartel claims, and Andreas Boos, who focuses on German and European cartel matters.

Hausfeld Rechtsanwälte LLP is the firm of choice for claimants looking to recover damages from defendants found to have acted as part of a cartel, with the firm’s partners frequently appearing before the Federal Cartel Office, ECJ and European Commission. The practice is also able to utilise its claimant expertise to represent defendants in such proceedings. Heading up the team is Alex Petrasincu, an expert in German and European cartel matters, with Germany managing partner Ann-Christin Richter acting for clients in issues arising under the DMA. René Galle is active across the spectrum of competition disputes, assisting clients seeking injunctions against anti-competitive practices, including denials of access and refusals to supply. Thomas Höppner departed for Geradin Partners in September 2025.

Drawing on its international network, Jones Day is able to act for clients in German, EU and global merger control and cartel matters, in addition to assisting companies maintain compliance with competition regulations. Heading the team is Carsten Gromotke, a specialist in merger control issues with expertise in advising the automotive, chemicals and telecoms industries, among others. Jürgen Beninca and Johannes Zöttl are noted for their expertise in taking on cartel proceedings, while Brussels-based Philipp Werner handles FSR and state aid matters. Kevin Wilcock guides clients through German and European merger control hearings.

Milbank is adept at handling multi-jurisdictional merger control and FDI filings for corporate and private equity clients, acting on both the sell and buy-side of deals. Alongside its filing practice, the team also takes on cartel claimant and defence work in Germany and before the European courts. Overseeing the firm’s efforts is Alexander Rinne, who specialises in both FDI/FSR filings and cartel proceedings, including follow-on damages hearings. Moritz Lichtenegger, who made partner in January 2025, also handles matters across the spectrum of competition.

SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft‘s merger control practice is tasked with securing clearance in Germany and around Europe, with further expertise in FDI and FSR filings. Under the auspices of Hans-Joachim Hellmann and Brussels-based Stephanie Birmanns, the group is also able to act for parties to cartel and follow-on proceedings. Hellmann takes the lead on cartel matters, with Birmanns specialising in merger control challenges, in addition to assisting clients remain in compliance with German and European competition law.

White & Case LLP leverages its global network to tackle global merger control procedures and is also able to act for clients facing cartel investigations and damages claims across multiple jurisdictions. Heading up the team in tandem are Ingo Brinker, an expert in merger control investigations who also handles Art. 102-related challenges, and Thilo Wienke, an FDI specialist with particular focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors. Tilman Kuhn departed the firm for Latham & Watkins LLP in May 2025.

Bird & Bird LLP utilises its expertise in the IP sphere to assist clients facing FRAND-related challenges, including before the UPC, in addition to handling merger control and FDI matters. Practice head Jörg Witting is particularly noted for his expertise in matters at the intersection of IP and competition law, including matters arising out of licensing and cooperation agreements. Brussels-based Anne Federle is sought after for merger control proceedings, including Phase II investigations, while Stephan Waldheim provides addition FRAND expertise.

DLA Piper ‘s Germany-based antitrust team works in close collaboration with the firm’s teams around Europe to tackle merger and FDI filings necessitated by both acquisitions and joint ventures across Europe. Taking the lead on the coordination of pan-European filings is Semin O, who has experience in both Phase I and II investigations, while Justus Herrlinger handles contentious matters including cartel and abuse of dominant position issues.

Both private equity houses and corporates call on Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP‘s competition team when they require assistance with the merger control aspects of their acquisitions in Germany and around Europe. The practice, under the guidance of Kai Gesing, also acts for clients facing cartel investigations and damages proceedings. Gesing himself acts for a client base consisting of healthcare, IT and telecoms companies. Georg Weidenbach and Jan Vollkammer moved to Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in May 2025.

Mayer Brown LLP‘s competition practice is positioned to allow it to tackle both merger and FDI control hearings and complex litigation, where the November 2024 addition of Freshfields‘ Jan Henning Buschfeld serves to expand the firm’s claimant-and defence side cartel damages claims capacity. Buschfeld joins a team led by Christian Horstkotte, who has experience in taking clients through Phase II merger clearances and minimising penalties where breaches of competition law are proven. Johannes Weichbrodt guides clients across the spectrum of competition matters, from the initial investigatory stage to proceedings before the ECJ.

With a notable niche in competition matters impacting the energy sector, Norton Rose Fulbright accompanies its clients through merger control proceedings at the German and European level, and is also able to oversee cartel damages claims. The team is led by Tim Schaper, whose expertise lies in navigating merger control and FDI hearings and abuse of dominance investigations, with Jens Steger focusing on cartel-related litigation. Focusing on competition and FDI matters in the energy and media sector is Tobias Teichner.

Osborne Clarke is often instructed by claimants seeking to recover cartel-related damages, while also assisting clients facing merger and FDI control challenges in Germany and around the European Union, working with the firm’s competition and M&A teams around the continent. Heading up the group is Sebastian Hack, who specialises in merger control and is particularly well versed in matters affecting the digital sphere. Susanne Schricker supports clients in both merger and investment control proceedings before the Federal Cartel Office. Thomas Funke left for Geradin Partners in May 2025.

Redeker Sellner Dahs‘ competition team brings together expertise in both claimant and defence-side cartel damages claims, and is also adept at handling merger and investment control hearings. Andreas Rosenfeld leads the practice, overseeing merger, FDI and FSR matters for his clients in addition to bringing damage claims for victims of cartel activity. In Brussels, Sebastian Steinbarth also handles the spectrum of cartel proceedings, acting for parties on both sides of claims.

ROCAN Rechtsanwälte‘s competition offering spans the gamut of merger control and cartel matters, with the firm assisting clients to secure approvals for mergers and joint ventures at the national and European level. The core team includes founding partners Timo Angerbauer, who handles both cartel litigation and compliance issues, Paul Drößler, whose practice spans both cartel proceedings and the setup of compliance systems, and Tobias Pukropski, a specialist in handling merger control proceedings.

Taylor Wessing is called on by clients from sectors as varied as life sciences, energy and automotive when they require assistance with merger and FDI control matters, and the firm is also up to the task of filing claims on behalf of claimants that suffered damages as a result of cartel behaviours. Leading the team are Marco Hartmann-Rüppel and Stephan Manuel Nagel, both specialists in merger control filings and subsequent hearings, with further expertise in acting for clients in competition and cartel litigation before the Federal Cartel Office and the German and European courts.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP entered the German competition market with the statement hires of cartel damages litigators Rüdiger Lahme and Andreas Ruster in February 2025 , both from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, allowing the practice to act for a range of claimants in follow-on damages claims. On the merger control front, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP‘s Georg Weidenbach and Jan Vollkammer arrived in May 2025, overseeing the full spectrum of merger and FDI control challenges, with additional expertise in abuse of dominance matters.

Fieldfisher maintains a notable presence in the digital sector, where it assists clients comply with the DSA and DMA, in addition to tackling traditional merger control and cartel challenges. The core team consists of Christian Bahr, who guides clients through Federal Cartel Office-led investigations and also oversees private cartel litigation, and Sascha Dethof, for whom the setup of compliance programmes, follow-on damages proceedings and merger control filings are key aspects of his practice.

GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB‘s competition team is tasked with seeing clients through merger controls at the German and European level, assisting them in avoiding Phase II proceedings where possible. The practice also offers expertise in cartel claims, with practice heads Maxim Kleine and Christian Bürger representing claimants and defendants before the Federal Cartel Office and European Commission.

Haver & Mailänder Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft mbB handles a mixture of contentious and advisory competition matters, acting for clients facing or bringing cartel follow-on claims, in addition to guiding corporates and private equity investors through merger, FDI and FSR clearance proceedings. Practice head Ulrich Schnelle offers a notable track record on both sides of cartel damages claims, while Elisabeth Wyrembek oversees cross-border merger control filings.

Heuking‘s expertise in the competition field lies primarily in contentious matters, with the firm acting for claimants in cartel follow-on damages claims before the Federal Cartel Office, regional courts and European bodies, acting for a client base that includes automotive, energy and public sector clients. Heading up the team’s efforts is Stefan Bretthauer, who combines expertise in compliance matters tied to cooperation agreements, merger filings and is also adept at assisting clients through damages claims in the wake of cartel activity.

Kapellmann und Partner‘s competition offering spans the gamut of merger control and cartel matters, overseeing merger filings and acting for clients looking to claim damages from cartel participants, in addition to assisting corporates with their competition compliance programmes. Heading up the team are Axel Kallmayer, an expert in merger control notifications and subsequent proceedings, and Brussels-based Robin van der Hout, who frequently appears for clients in hearings before the European Commission.

LUTZ | ABEL RECHTSANWALTS PARTG MBB is tasked by clients to defend them when faced with cartel damages claims, where allegations of cartel behaviours, including price fixing, have been alleged. The practice also frequently oversees clients’ competition compliance programmes and accompanies them through merger control hearings. Heading up the team is Daniel Petzold, who appears on both sides of cartel follow-on claims, while also handling Federal Cartel Office investigations and merger-related matters.

Morrison Foerster appears for both direct parties to and intervenors in cartel matters, including defending clients facing considerable damages claims, or guiding them through initial investigations. The practice, led by DSA specialist Andreas Grünwald, also sees clients through Phase I and II merger control proceedings. The practice saw notable growth in early 2025, adding cartel defence expert Alexander Israel in February, and merger control, abuse of dominance and cartel litigator Jan Lang in May; both join from Cooley LLP and split time between the firm’s Berlin and Brussels offices.

Oppenhoff is sought after by clients looking to conclude joint venture and cooperation agreements, with longstanding expertise in the digital sector and a growing presence in the European defence market. Practice head Daniel Dohrn oversees multi-jurisdictional merger filings for his clients, in addition to appearing for clients on the claimant and defence-side of cartel claims. Simon Spangler and Renée Eckruth departed for GSK Stockmann in August 2025.

With particular expertise in vertical competition matters, Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB is frequently mandated by clients looking to set up compliance systems and navigate merger and FDI control proceedings. Heading up the team is Michael Reich, who specialises in merger filings and competition litigation, with noted expertise in matters pertaining to tech and FMCG clients. Arkadius Strohoff took up an in-house role in July 2025.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP  brings its contentious expertise to bear for clients on both sides of cartel damages claims, in addition to litigating abuse of dominance cases before the German and European courts. Leadership of the group is shared between Joachim Lehnhardt and Henning Wienstroth, who counts both initial cartel and subsequent follow-on damages claims amongst his areas of expertise. Rüdiger Lahme and Andreas Ruster departed the firm for Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in February 2025.

Raue maintains a broad approach to competition matters, handling merger control and FDI proceedings, overseeing compliance programmes and acting for clients bringing on follow-on damages claims against cartel participants domestically and at the European level. Michael Bergmann heads up the group, with a practice centred on cartel damages proceedings, while Alexander Schwarzkopf advises on the spectrum of German and European competition law issues.