A&O Shearman showcases a strong track record in strategic acquisitions, shareholder restructurings, reorganisations, and private equity transactions. The practice is headed by Nicolaus Ascherfeld, a seasoned expert in M&A and joint ventures, particularly within the renewable energy sector, including wind, hydrogen, and electric vehicles. Hans Diekmann is well-equipped to handle public takeovers, complemented by his solid understanding of corporate and capital markets law. The team recently announced the promotions to partner of Michael Fink, who advises on corporate and fund law, Sebastian Remberg, who is knowledgeable in cross-border M&A and private equity, and Hauke Sattler, who focuses on corporate restructurings. M&A specialist Michiel Huizinga left the firm for Jones Day in January 2025, while private equity partner Nils Koffka has retired.

act legal is highly respected for its in-depth understanding of deal dynamics in the small-cap market. The group delivers legal counsel on a broad range of transactions, including M&A, disposals, joint ventures, carve-outs, and strategic partnerships, with particular expertise in distressed M&A, restructuring-driven sales, and management buyouts. The quartet leading the practice comprise Sven Tischendorf and Matthias Müller, both specialists in distressed and special situations M&A, including carve-outs and insolvency acquisitions; and Fabian Brocke and Christoph Breithaupt, who focus on buy-and-build strategies, carve-outs, minority investments, and growth financings.

Addleshaw Goddard offers strong expertise in executing complex M&A and private equity transactions, including acquisitions, joint ventures, carve-outs, and minority stake investments. The firm has significant reach in the technology, energy, media, and healthcare sectors. Key figures within the team include Nina Leonard, a driving force behind numerous cross-border M&A, corporate reorganisations, and joint ventures, and Hubertus Schröder, who is particularly adept in distressed M&A and carve-outs.

ADVANT Beiten’s clients include corporates, investors, and entrepreneurs across diverse industries and regulated sectors. The M&A practice covers strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, divestments, and reorganisations. It is led by Barbara Mayer, whose M&A acumen covers acquisitions, divestments, post-deal integration, and corporate structuring; and Hans-Josef Vogel, who brings a thorough understanding of M&A, corporate, commercial, and contract law. Moritz Jenne, experienced in cross-border transactions, was recently promoted to equity partner.

With a particularly active M&A practice, Arnecke Sibeth Dabelstein offers key advisory services, including acquisitions, divestitures, capital increases, and joint ventures. The firm typically receives mandates from clients across the real estate, medical technology, automotive, aviation, and energy industries. The team is led by Sebastian Jungermann, an expert in merger control and regulatory compliance for M&A transactions, alongside Wolfgang Scholl, a seasoned corporate, M&A, and corporate finance lawyer.

ARQIS focuses on providing efficient legal guidance across acquisitions, divestments, mergers, private equity and venture capital investments, joint ventures, and corporate restructuring. The practice is headed by Jörn-Christian Schulze, who leads work on complex mergers, acquisitions, and corporate succession across the healthcare and private equity sectors.

Integrated into its corporate transactions group, Ashurst LLP's M&A team handles both domestic and cross-border deals, spin-offs, investments, fund structuring, and joint ventures. Practice leader Florian Drinhausen brings extensive M&A experience, complemented by additional strength in corporate law, boardroom advisory, and regulatory investigations, with Stephan Hennrich overseeing both public and private mergers. 2025 saw the team expand its roster with the hires of Freshfields' Sascha Arnold and Florian Hirschmann, previously of Goodwin.

Baker McKenzie has a longstanding reputation for advising on acquisitions, carve-outs, private equity exits, and auction processes. The team also supports the financing aspects of public takeover offers and provides ongoing support in transactions involving listed companies and compliance-driven contexts. The practice is co-led by Christian Atzler, who is frequently instructed on M&A, corporate, and joint venture transactions, and Berthold Hummel, who focuses on private equity and venture capital matters, particularly in the biotech and life sciences sectors. Richard Raoul Stefanink, known for his expertise in M&A, co-investments, and restructurings, was recently promoted to partner, while Andreas Lohner has left the team.

 

Bird & Bird LLP provides technical and robust advice pertaining to public and distressed M&A, share and asset deals, spin-offs, joint ventures, add-ons, and MBOs. Practice head Stefanie Orttmann is best known for acting in cross-border M&A, venture capital investments, and reorganisations in the energy and life sciences spheres. The practice saw several enhancements over the past year, with Sandra Schuh and Sebastian Weller joining from Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB and ADVANT Beiten, respectively. Peter Veranneman retired in May 2025.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is a port of call for corporates, private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, and other institutional investors seeking guidance on complex M&A, divestitures, squeeze-outs, and management buy-outs. The practice is led by Nico Abel, who is distinguished in international M&A, including private acquisitions and disposals, public takeovers, and restructurings, alongside Mirko von Bieberstein, who is lauded for his expertise in M&A, joint ventures, and general corporate law. In January 2025, Jens Hafemann was promoted to partner, complementing the M&A practice with his tax advisory skills.

Drawing on the firm’s wider international presence, Clifford Chance advises on M&A, joint ventures, integrations, and portfolio acquisitions across a variety of sectors, including insurance, energy, life sciences, financial services, and infrastructure. The practice is jointly steered by Christoph Holstein and Jörg Rhiel, both of whom have extensive experience in international M&A, corporate reorganisations, and joint venture structuring. Dominik Heß is adept at handling takeovers, investments in listed companies, and private M&A transactions, as well as matters involving corporate governance, ESG, and reorganisations. In 2025, the team celebrated two partner promotions: Tobias Nogami Kamerling, whose primary focus is energy and infrastructure-specific M&A, and Samuel Frommelt, who assists with cross-border M&A and private equity matters, including carve-outs, add-ons, and minority investments.

CMS is rated for its deep sector expertise across technology, life sciences, energy, infrastructure, and finance. The firm frequently acts for private equity firms, corporates, government entities, and institutional investors on public and private M&A, divestitures, and strategic investments. The practice is led by an experienced trio: Richard Mitterhuber, known for his work on complex, cross-border M&A, buy-and-build strategies, and joint ventures; Kai Wallisch, who focuses on global carve-outs, share acquisitions, and corporate transactions; and Jacob Siebert, who specialises in M&A and corporate restructurings, including distressed deals and reorganisations. Patrick Lühr was promoted to partner in January 2025, while Ralf Kurney left the firm in June 2024.

 

Mid-cap M&A forms a central part of Covington & Burling LLP's practice, which provides guidance to clients across the life sciences, healthcare, IT, financial services, and defence sectors. The practice is steered by the duo of Henning Bloss, who handles public and private M&A, corporate transactions and investments, and Jörn Hirschmann, who focuses on cross-border M&A, venture capital and private equity matters.

Dechert LLP serves mid-market clients, including family offices, private equity funds, and venture capital investors, across sectors such as technology, healthcare, energy, financial services, and real estate. Led by Federico Pappalardo, the team facilitates acquisitions and mergers, disposals, investments, spin-offs, and complex restructuring transactions. Carina Klaes-Staudt is highly adept in the M&A, private equity, and venture capital spaces.

Deloitte Legal Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH harnesses its talents in both distressed and solvent M&A transactions, as well as corporate restructurings, insolvency proceedings, joint ventures, and mergers. The group is co-chaired by Andreas Jentgens, who is a trusted advisor in M&A, joint venture, and corporate mandates, and Michael von Rüden, who is heavily involved in cross-border M&A and reorganisations.

Dentons‘ M&A practice straddles both traditional industries and emerging sectors, with active experience across apparel, defence, chemicals, infrastructure, and environmental services. The firm’s recent transactions span the acquisition of consumer and industrial brands, infrastructure investments, and distressed asset restructurings. The department is co-chaired by Thomas Schubert, who specialises in cross-border M&A and strategic investments, and Robert Weber, who advises on distressed and conventional M&A, shareholder investments, and capital markets-driven corporate transactions. Recent team developments include the arrival of Kerstin Henrich, who joined as a partner from Ernst & Young Law in October 2024, and the promotions of Bernd Düsterbeckmr and Fabian Herbst to the partnership in June 2024.

DLA Piper handles both distressed and growth-driven deals across the large- and mid-market space. The department is led by a senior trio comprising Benjamin Parameswaran, who focuses on cross-border M&A and serves as co-head of the global corporate group; Nils Krause, a key contact for international transactions with strong China-related expertise; and Andreas Füchsel, who heads the German corporate group and advises on private equity, venture capital, capital markets, and special situations. Key support is provided by Sebastian Decker, who is noted for his capabilities in M&A, joint ventures and corporate law. Promotions to the partnership in May 2025 included Hanna Lütkens, Christoph Dachner, and Till Burmeister.

Ernst & Young‘s M&A practice works closely with its tax and financial teams to manage transactions smoothly and efficiently. Practice head Torsten Göcke advises on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, with particular expertise in corporate reorganisations, restructurings, and distressed M&A. Recent team changes include the arrival of Valentin Pfisterer from Ashurst LLP and Oliver Beyer, Barbara Heinrich, and Michael Böger from Norton Rose Fulbright in 2025, while Robert Manger, Jan Feigen and Maximilian Menges departed in December 2024.

Eversheds Sutherland’s M&A practice advises on all aspects of acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and strategic investments, providing holistic counsel on corporate structuring, regulatory compliance, tax, IP,  and financing matters. Practice head Steffen Schniepp focuses on guiding international corporations, DAX-listed companies, and private equity investors through high-profile M&A and private equity transactions. Anthony Cross shines in cross-border M&A, restructurings, joint ventures, and minority investments. Over the past year, the practice strengthened its team with the additions of Matthias Kiesewetter and David Smith from White & Case LLP.

Flick Gocke Schaumburg’s M&A practice is a key pillar of the firm’s full-service offering. The team offers sophisticated transactional advice to corporates, private equity sponsors, foundations, and family-owned businesses across M&A, buyouts, divestitures, reorganisations, joint ventures, and corporate governance. The practice is overseen by Mathias Bülow, an expert in M&A, private equity, and venture capital transactions. In January 2025, Matthias Heusel was promoted to partner, while Christoph Brünger, Denis Fehrmann, Alexander Heinen, Ralf Richter, and Paul Schirrmacher were elevated to associated partner. Stefan Thilo departed the firm for RSM Ebner Stolz at the same time.

M&A is a cornerstone of Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner‘s offering, which assists corporates, portfolio companies, and start-ups on minority and majority stake acquisitions, corporate exits, carve-outs, joint ventures, and asset deals. The practice is headed by Arnt Göppert, who advises on M&A, corporate law, and financing; Alexander Hartmann, who focuses on M&A and venture capital, particularly in the technology sector; and Stefan Lammel, who specialises in M&A, corporate succession, restructuring, and insolvency law. Stephanie von Riegen was made local partner in January 2025.

Known for delivering on big-ticket deals, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP also serves as a trusted adviser on significant mid-cap transactions. The firm’s corporate and M&A team advises on private equity buyouts and investments, strategic and minority stakes, complex joint ventures, divestitures, spin-offs, restructuring-related takeovers, and corporate transformations. The practice is fronted by Dirk Oberbracht, a highly regarded M&A and private equity lawyer with experience acting for private equity sponsors, corporates, and management teams.

Gleiss Lutz is known for its work on high-stakes M&A, joint ventures, and public takeovers. Its clients include listed companies and multinational corporations operating across sectors such as automotive, insurance, pharmaceuticals, technology, and telecoms. The department is led by Patrick Mossler, who advises on both standard and distressed M&A, alongside Cornelia Topf and Jochen Tyrolt, whose work spans corporate carve-outs and joint venture agreements. Christian Cascante brings expertise in public takeovers and private equity transactions. In 2025, M&A and corporate specialist Christoph Auchter was promoted, while Michael Rickert joined the team from Linklaters, bringing experience in corporate restructuring and capital markets. Gerhard Wegen and Micha Pfarr recently departed the firm.

Greenberg Traurig Germany has established enduring relationships with private equity firms, multinational corporations, real estate investors, and government-owned entities, providing expert guidance on share and asset acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and regulatory compliance. The M&A practice is led by the duo of Peter Schorling, who excels in joint ventures, restructurings, and distressed asset sales; and Henrik Armah, a comprehensive advisor for acquisitions, joint ventures, and corporate transformations. Oliver Markmann continues to distinguish himself in private M&A and private equity deals, advising on buyouts, minority stakes, and co-investments. Recently, the practice brought on board M&A and private equity specialists Stephan Rau, known for his proficiency in regulatory and structuring issues, and Björn Biehl, who concentrates on distressed deals and restructurings.

GSK Stockmann continues to impress with its seamless handling of national and cross-border deals. The team handles share and asset deals, joint ventures, restructurings, and investments across sectors such as real estate, technology, infrastructure, financial services, private equity, industrials, and healthcare. The practice is powered by the dual leadership of Michael Stobbe, who possesses deep knowledge of M&A, corporate law, shareholder disputes, insolvency advisory and restructuring; and Max Wilmanns, who focuses on corporate and M&A law, particularly joint ventures, private equity, and venture capital. The team evolved over the past year, with Chara Papagiannidi and Hawa Mahamoud promoted to counsel in January 2025, while Alexander Thomas, Tobias Valentin Abersfelder, and Katharina Schiffmann departed between March 2024 and February 2025.

GvW Graf von Westphalen continues to demonstrate strength in advising on cross-border and domestic M&A transactions as well as complex joint venture restructurings. The leadership of the department is shared between Ritesh Rajani, whose M&A and private equity work focuses on the UK, US, Spain, and India as key jurisdictions, and Markus Sachslehner, who brings substantial experience in China-related deals. Cornelius Götze left the firm in December 2024, while Peter Trösser and Sophia Volk were promoted to partner in 2025.

GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB regularly shapes transformative small and mid-cap transactions, including acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, carve-outs, restructurings, and private equity deals. The team is driven by Tobias Fenck, a highly experienced M&A and restructuring specialist, and Bernt Paudtke, who has solid M&A and venture capital credentials, particularly in acquisitions, financings, capital measures and corporate governance. The team recently celebrated the promotions of Markus Beyer and Ruth Büchl-Winter, and welcomed Kristin Vogt-Schories as counsel.

Hengeler Mueller places a strong emphasis on high-value public and private M&A, as well as private equity transactions. The practice is renowned for advising institutional investors, corporates, and financial sponsors on deals that often involve significant regulatory scrutiny and multibillion-euro valuations. Key figures in the practice include Maximilian Schiessl, Hans-Jörg Niemeyer, Oda Christiane Goetzke, Thomas Müller, and Lucina Berger. In 2025, the group expanded its bench with the addition of five M&A specialists: Ingo Berner, Jan Häller, Nicholas Kubesch, Marika Öry, and Tobias Schneiders, further strengthening its transactional capabilities. Hans-Jörg Ziegenhain retired in August 2025.

Heuking is geared to support national and cross-border M&A and private equity transactions. The practice advises on a varied spectrum of deal types, from minority investments and add-ons to full acquisitions and competitive sale processes. Its client base spans financial investors, family offices, industrial holding companies, and corporates. The team is headed by Thorsten Kuthe, whose expertise covers M&A, IPOs, and capital markets, alongside Jörg Schewe, who counts M&A, private equity and venture capital, and corporate reorganisations among his specialisms. In 2025, M&A and joint venture specialists Simon Pommer, Charlotte Schmitt, and Marcel Greubel were promoted.

Jones Day is a trusted name in transformational M&A, disposals, carve-outs, joint ventures, and corporate restructurings. The firm’s work spans various industries, including energy, automotive, financial services, chemicals, and recycling. Practice head and managing partner of the German office, Ansgar Rempp, advises listed corporations on cross-border M&A and private equity transactions. His practice also encompasses high-stakes, post-closure matters, with a strong focus on achieving commercially sensible outcomes. The team has recently deepened its bench with the addition of Michiel Huizinga, Philipp Martin, and Carl Christmann in January 2025.

K&L Gates LLP

M&A is at the core of Kümmerlein's practice, with particular capabilities in regulated sectors, such as energy and utilities, aviation and transport, and logistics. Leadership is shared by Joachim Gores, a go-to advisor for cross-border M&A in the energy, logistics, and technology industries; Stefan Heutz, who specialises in acquisitions, co-investments, and restructurings; and Sebastian Longrée and Martin Gisewski, both lauded for their M&A and corporate proficiency. In January 2025 the practice was invigorated by the partner promotion of Patric Sondermann, and his complementary joint venture and venture capital offering.

Latham & Watkins LLP is a reference in the market for large and midcap M&A, public takeovers, joint ventures, carve-outs, capital solutions, and corporate governance matters. The group is under the joint leadership of Heiko Gotsche, who advises financial sponsors and multinational corporates on public and private M&A, joint ventures, carve-outs, and complex corporate matters; and Alexander Stefan Rieger, who concentrates on cross-border M&A in the infrastructure, energy, and digital sectors, acting for global funds and corporates. Rainer Traugott also has extensive experience in high-value transactions, including public takeovers, strategic acquisitions, and corporate reorganisations.

Linklaters‘ multi-jurisdictional M&A practice encompasses joint ventures, public takeovers, IPOs, corporate reorganisations, and investment transactions. The practice is led by Marco Carbonare, a specialist in M&A and corporate finance, who advises leading automotive and telecoms companies on IPO preparations, spin-offs, and restructurings. Ralph Wollburg supports major banking groups and corporations in strategic partnerships and public takeovers. Kristina Klaaßen-Kaiser is highly regarded for her expertise in M&A, stock corporation and group law, capital markets, and related matters. Alina Kaufmann and Dominik Wegener both exhibit skill across M&A and venture capital transactions, while Christoph van Lier handles carve-outs, corporate governance, reorganisations, and the structuring of joint ventures.

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH is known for its responsive and pragmatic advice on both buy and sell-side transactions, including strategic sales, private equity investments, joint ventures, and cross-border deals. Exemplifying this in particular is practice head Stefan Galla, a specialist in corporate transactions, including joint ventures, reorganisations, and matters relating to corporate governance, capital raising, and capital maintenance. In July 2024, Joachim Heinemann was promoted to partner, while Amos Münch and Sven Stumm were promoted to counsel. The team saw further changes with Alexander Liebing departing in September 2024, and David von Saucken and Robert Schindler following in January 2025.

LUTZ | ABEL RECHTSANWALTS PARTG MBB advises at the intersection of corporate, M&A, venture capital, and private equity, with notable strength in cross-border acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, and minority and majority stake sales. In addition, the group handles financing rounds, convertible loans, and profit and loss transfer agreements. Practice head Bernhard Noreisch typically acts in exit transactions and M&A mandates.

Drawing on its global platform, Mayer Brown LLP is well-positioned to advise on multinational transactions, often involving the coordination of regulatory and competition approvals across multiple jurisdictions. The practice handles a diverse mix of transactional mandates, spanning strategic investments, buyouts, joint ventures, carve-outs, and distressed M&A, as well as both asset and share deals. Practice leader Ulrike Binder is a trusted advisor to clients in the financial sector, particularly on public takeovers, going-private transactions, and corporate governance issues arising in the context of M&A. Octávio de Sousa joined the team from Reed Smith in June 2025.

McDermott Will & Schulte covers the entire scope of M&A work, from initial due diligence and contract negotiation to closing and post-merger integration. The practice handles a broad array of transactions, including acquisitions of majority and minority stakes, equity investments, and acquisition financing. Under the stewardship of Philipp Grenzebach, the team’s expertise extends across all facets of corporate law, including private and public takeovers, reorganisations, and corporate governance matters.

Milbank is known for steering high-impact deals across sectors such as tech, logistics, infrastructure, energy, and financial services. The M&A group is regularly engaged in strategic mergers, carve-outs, bolt-on acquisitions, and transformative sales processes. Key team members include Norbert Rieger, who advises on M&A, corporate, and private equity matters, including public takeovers and reorganisations, Michael Bernhardt, who is experienced in corporate and M&A with in-depth knowledge of investments and divestitures; and Martin Erhardt, who is well-versed in acquisitions, joint ventures, and insolvency law. The team welcomed a roster of associates during 2024 and 2025, including Thomas Vogl, Hendrik Gäbler, Rabea Regh, Felix Wild, Moritz Vogt-Hohenlinde, and Philipp Haubold.

Noerr is home to a highly experienced M&A team that handles the gamut of large and mid-size transactions. The practice advises on public takeovers, private acquisitions, investments, and restructuring deals, often within the context of competitive bidding processes. The department is under the leadership of a capable duo: Natalie Daghles, who concentrates on public takeovers within the financial services, healthcare, and tech sectors; and Laurenz Tholen, who focuses on carve-outs, divestitures, and strategic partnerships across the e-commerce, software, and sports industries. Harald Selzner is a key name for corporate restructurings, cross-border M&A, and capital markets deals.

Norton Rose Fulbright possesses M&A experience extending to corporate acquisitions, post-merger reorganisations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, and asset acquisitions. Nils Rahlf is a key advisor in corporate, M&A, private equity, and venture capital transactions. February 2025 saw the arrival of Simon Weppner from Eversheds Sutherland, who complements the M&A practice with his tax expertise, following Tino Duttiné‘s departure for Ashurst LLP the previous month. December 2025 saw Michael Prüßner leave for Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP.

Oppenhoff regularly represents investors and corporates on high-value transactions, including acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, and strategic investments, handling all stages from due diligence and negotiations to regulatory approvals. The practice spans multiple industries, including private equity, aerospace, healthcare, and industrials. It is led by the duo of Till Liebau, who oversees M&A, private equity, W&I insurance, and corporate restructurings, and Günter Seulen, who specialises in M&A, joint ventures, and corporate and capital markets law. Sebastian Zeeck departed the firm in October 2024.

Osborne Clarke‘s M&A capabilities are noteworthy, with the team receiving mandates on acquisitions, divestitures, spin-offs, joint ventures, carve-outs, and corporate restructurings. The team also provides adjacent services, including IP and IT structuring, tax planning, labour law compliance, and financing arrangements. The team is jointly steered by Björn Hürten, reputed for his M&A expertise, which covers both buy and sell-side transactions, and Nicolas Gabrysch, who deals with financing issues and M&A projects.

POELLATH is recognised for its strategic impact across mid and small-cap mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and private equity investments. The team works on mandates for leading fintech, e-commerce, healthcare, and energy companies. Practice heads Jens Hörmann and Tim Kaufhold both specialise in M&A and private equity. In January 2025, Verena Stenzel, who handles corporate and private equity matters, and Moritz Klein, who advises on leveraged buy-outs and carve-outs, were promoted to associate partners.

With a strong focus on corporate and transactional matters, Rittershaus advises clients on numerous mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, and joint venture agreements, as well as corporate governance and restructuring issues. Its leadership team includes Martin Bürmann, who advises on company acquisitions, sales, reorganisations and restructurings; Patrick Certa, who excels in M&A, corporate, and financing transactions; and Daniel Berg, a specialist in corporate and commercial law, with a growing focus on the purchase and sale of renewable energy projects.

Schalast Law | Tax helps clients structure, negotiate, and execute small and mid-cap transactions, such as minority and majority stake acquisitions, corporate exits, carve-outs, financing rounds, joint ventures, and asset deals. The practice is co-led by firm managing partner Christoph Schalast, who concentrates on M&A, banking, and financial mandates, and Gregor Wedell, who oversees company sales, reorganisations, and restructurings. In 2025, the team was strengthened by the arrival of SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft‘s Philipp von Plötz in February and Jan Eltzschig, formerly of ADVANT Beiten, in April as equity partners.

Praised for delivering high-end solutions in small-cap M&A, Seitz exhibits skill in assisting DAX-listed companies, medium-sized enterprises, athletes, and prominent political and business figures. The firm advises on solvent and, increasingly, distressed M&A, sales, management buyouts, and financing rounds. The department is jointly headed by Wolfgang Schüler, who brings notable experience in acquisitions, sales, and restructuring, and Daniel Grewe, who specialises in corporate acquisitions and sales, private equity, venture capital transactions and financing rounds.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP combines deep market insight with technical skill to support clients through public and private M&A, joint ventures, and strategic carve-outs. The practice is headed by Matthias Horbach, who counsels multinational corporations, private equity firms, and investment banks on multijurisdictional M&A transactions, corporate finance, restructuring, and distressed asset matters. In October 2024, the team was bolstered by the arrivals of Matthias Schudlo and Xianrui Wang from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and Eva Legler from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP. Bernd Mayer retired in December 2024, while Emanuel Ionescu was promoted to counsel in June 2025.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP exhibits proficiency across large-scale M&A, divestitures, transformative investments and joint venture structuring. The firm handles all facets of these transactions, including corporate, tax, competition, IP, and environmental matters, and serves a broad range of industries, such as automotive, energy, technology, life sciences, and real estate. The group is led by Carsten Berrar, who advises on public and private M&A, complex carve-outs, joint ventures, and corporate governance.

SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft has a comprehensive M&A offering, allowing the team to advise on strategic investments, carve-outs, asset transactions, and public takeovers. The team has notable expertise in the industrial, automotive, and manufacturing sectors. Jochem Reichert specialises in complex group restructurings, corporate governance, and high-stakes M&A transactions, while also handling related arbitration and dispute resolution proceedings. Martin Gross-Langenhoff is adept at handling public takeovers, strategic acquisitions, and general corporate transactions.

Taylor Wessing’s M&A practice traverses a range of key sectors, including logistics, renewable energy, infrastructure, and industrial engineering. The team advises corporates, investors, and asset managers on small to mid-cap acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures. Practice head Christian Traichel leads on domestic and international M&A, restructuring, and joint venture matters. In 2024, M&A and corporate specialists Amir-Said Ghassabeh, Xiaowen Paulus-Ye, and Sven Schweneke were promoted to the equity partnership.

A standout player in the German M&A space, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP regularly advises on public and private M&A, carve-outs, take-privates, joint ventures, minority investments, and consortium deals. The practice benefits from the direction of Gerhard Schmidt, who counsels clients across the life sciences and healthcare, energy and infrastructure, financial services, and industrials sectors on high-end M&A, joint ventures, and corporate reorganisations, including distressed and special scenarios. M&A and corporate counsel Karsten Krumm joined the practice from White & Case LLP in February 2025.

White & Case LLP offers cradle-to-grave legal support on multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions, covering regulatory, tax, employment, competition, and compliance issues, and drawing on cross-border capabilities from its offices across Europe, Asia and the United States. The practice is led by Stefan Koch and Tobias Heinrich, who both advise on M&A and private equity deals, including complex acquisitions, disposals, carve-outs, and joint ventures, with a strong focus on the tech and industrial sectors, as well as in regulated industries and disruptive business models. Matthias Kiesewetter departed the firm to join Eversheds Sutherland in February 2025.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP delivers solutions for large corporates and private equity investors in large- and mid-market M&A transactions, including company acquisitions and sales, corporate exits, reinvestments, financing rounds, and joint ventures. The group is spearheaded by Georg Linde and Kamyar Abrar, whose practices straddle both M&A and private equity deals. In February 2025, the team added to its ranks with the hire of former Hogan Lovells International LLP partner David Huthmacher, who brings extensive expertise in private equity-led transactions.

YPOG's M&A practice is recommended for its sector expertise, particularly in technology, digital health, and fintech. The team supports financial investors and corporate clients on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and other corporate transactions, including due diligence and regulatory matters. At the helm is Martin Schaper, who is often consulted on M&A, private equity and corporate transactions, including reorganisations and company formations. In January 2025, Pia Meven was promoted to associate partner.