Baker McKenzie's extensive experience in demanding arbitration and court proceedings is reflected in numerous international instructions, including from Asia. The team stands out for its expertise in pharmaceutical-related disputes, for which arbitrator and mediator Jörg Risse is one of the key contacts, contentious post-M&A matters, but also arbitration proceedings in connection with construction, plant engineering, infrastructure and energy projects. Particularly experienced in the latter area is Heiko Haller, who jointly heads the German dispute resolution practice with Günter Pickrahn, who specialises in licensing and IP issues.

In addition to industry expertise in international trade as well as in the automotive and supplier industries, CMS is also experienced in handling contentious matters in the pharmaceuticals, telecommunications and renewable energy sectors. International commercial and investment arbitration with reference to Asia represent a practice mainstay, with Susanne Schwalb, who handles international commercial arbitration, and Nicolas Wiegand, whose experience extends from corporate law and post-M&A to commercial and distribution law as well as intellectual property, being key contacts. Thomas Lennarz jointly heads the practice with Wiegand and is particularly experienced in complex out-of-court negotiations and mediation proceedings pertaining to climate change. Klaus Sachs and Tilman Niedermaier, who are both experienced in party representation and as arbitrators, are other names to note.

Busse Disputes' outstanding expertise and reputation is reflected not only in the firm's international high-profile client base, but also in a variety of complex proceedings across a range of industry sectors, ranging from the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors to the energy industry; key contacts include founding partner Daniel Busse, who also advises on corporate disputes and infrastructure projects, and Silke Justen, who specialises in arbitration proceedings in the energy sector. The team is also particularly active in ​​plant engineering matters -here, Mia Ramb's expertise frequently comes into play -, as party representative in arbitration proceedings related to commercial and contractual disputes as well as in post-M&A conflicts, which is a focus for Sven Lange.

Clifford Chance's international arbitration practice represents a range of companies, including in the automotive and construction sectors, in energy disputes, investor-state disputes and post-M&A matters; in this context, Moritz Keller and practice head Michael Kremer, who is also experienced in joint venture and shareholder disputes, are among the key contacts.

In addition to commercial disputes in the automotive, chemical and real estate sectors as well as the healthcare and energy industries, which are often handled by Andrea Leufgen, Gleiss Lutz also focuses on joint venture and post-M&A disputes; here, practice head Stefan Rützel is one of the key contacts. The practice is also particularly active in investment arbitration proceedings, which are primarily handled by the experienced Stephan Wilske.

Hogan Lovells International LLP has extensive expertise in corporate, commercial and advertising disputes, but is further experienced in supply chain disputes: Inken Knief, who is also well versed in arbitration proceedings in the aerospace sectors, handles the latter in the automotive, manufacturing and industrials as well as life sciences sectors. The team is led by Karl Pörnbacher, who is experienced in ad hoc and institutional arbitration proceedings, and also represents clients in disputes relating to the energy industry as well as plant construction and infrastructure projects.

In addition to international arbitration proceedings, which often involve global shareholder disputes, Latham & Watkins LLP routinely acts for PE houses and their portfolio companies in commercial and investment arbitration proceedings as well as in post-M&A disputes; practice head Christoph Baus is one of the key contacts for commercial disputes, while Alena McCorkle and Anne Löhner are particularly experienced in complex economic and post-M&A disputes. Sebastian Seelmann-Eggebert left the firm in April 2023 and now is an of counsel at HANEFELD.

Linklaters‘ extensive experience in arbitration extends from corporate and commercial conflicts to banking and energy disputes. Rupert Bellinghausen is considered an expert in post-M&A arbitration proceedings, while Julia Grothaus and counsel Anke Krause focus on antitrust disputes. Since publication, former practice head Alexandros Chatzinerantzis has left the firm.

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH is considered a popular address for international arbitration proceedings related to energy law as well as for investment arbitration proceedings, which are primarily handled by practice head Richard Happ, while disputes arising from plant construction and infrastructure projects – in the context of which Tim Rauschning is considered to be particularly experienced – as well as product liability and cartel damages mass proceedings are also part of the practice’s repertoire. Numerous Chinese and German clients further call upon the team’s expertise in proceedings before international arbitration and Chinese state courts, particularly in connection with medical protective equipment and disrupted supply relationships; Katharina Klenk-Wernitzki stands out for her expertise in disputes in the German-Chinese context.

Noerr primarily acts in high-profile investment disputes, but also advises on energy-related disputes and competition damages claims; Meike von Levetzow, who acts as a party representative and arbitrator in international and national arbitration proceedings, is particularly highly regarded in this context. The German dispute resolution practice is co-led by Oliver Sieg, who specialises in insurance disputes, and Anke Meier, who focuses on international arbitration proceedings with particular emphasis on German-American legal communication.

Led by Markus Burianski, who focuses on energy and post-M&A disputes as well as disputes relating to supply contracts and liability issues, the German team at White & Case LLP stands out for its expertise in international arbitration proceedings in the pharmaceutical, chemical, automotive and construction sectors as well as in technology-based industries. Key contacts also include Christian Theissen, who focuses on supply chain disputes, and Alexandra Diehl (post-M&A, international investment law, IP, product liability).

DLA Piper's Wolfgang Jäger is particularly experienced in arbitrations in the automotive, banking and financial services sectors, while domestic and international clients in the aviation and energy sectors often consult Daniel Sharma. The team is led by Thomas Gädtke, who is well versed in class actions and mass litigation, and also represents companies and states in investment protection proceedings, commercial and infrastructure disputes - Marc Jacob has extensive experience in this area - as well as in insolvency and joint venture conflicts.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s internationally well-connected team has extensive experience in post-M&A and commercial arbitration particularly in the energy, TMT, infrastructure and construction sectors; practice head Patricia Nacimiento is one of the key contacts here. Arbitrator Catrice Gayer, who made partner in May 2023, primarily dedicates herself to disputes relating to major projects in the infrastructure, automotive and energy sectors. Mathias Wittinghofer (capital markets and post-M&A disputes) joined Gowling WLG in November 2023, while Alessandro Covi (investment and commercial arbitration) left for Kapellmann und Partner in March 2024.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has extensive expertise in DIS and ICC arbitrations, which it primarily demonstrates in disputes in the energy, infrastructure and plant engineering sectors, as well as in post-M&A, commercial and investment protection disputes. The team acts for both states and companies and is led by Siegfried Elsing, who is experienced in party representation but also enjoys an excellent reputation as an arbitrator. Nicholas Kessler also acts as an arbitrator and further represents clients in supply, construction law and post-M&A disputes, while Karsten Faulhaber primarily demonstrates arbitration expertise in representing companies and states.

BAUMANN Resolving Disputes acts as a party representative in international arbitration proceedings and commercial disputes and also represents clients in mediation proceedings, energy and corporate as well as IP disputes; practice head Antje Baumann is particularly active here. Conflicts in connection with real estate and financial transactions represent other mainstays and are primarily handled by Kathrin Asschenfeldt. Ann-Christin Engelke, who is experienced in arbitration proceedings, left the firm in January 2024 to set up her own unit Grat Disputes.

Borris Hennecke Kneisel has many years of experience in resolving complex commercial, corporate and post-M&A disputes, which are handled by Christian Borris as well as Sebastian Kneisel and Rudolf Hennecke; in addition to representing parties, the trio is particularly renowned for their work as arbitrators. The team also focuses on contractual disputes in the pharmaceutical industry, energy law disputes and disputes in connection with international sales contracts as well as infrastructure and plant construction projects.

Dentons' German arbitration practice has extensive experience in post-M&A, corporate and liability disputes, but is also present in international commercial and investment arbitration. The practice also focuses on contractual and (plant) construction law disputes, particularly in the industrial, automotive, energy and construction sectors, in the context of which Matthias Hadding is particularly well versed. The dispute resolution practice is jointly led by Heiko Heppner, who stands out for his expertise in arbitration proceedings relating to China, and Thomas Nebel, who specialises in civil, commercial and economic law disputes with a particular focus on construction and plant engineering.

Heuking's team of arbitration experts regularly represents clients in commercial arbitration proceedings, with a particular focus on post-M&A disputes, plant construction disputes and energy law arbitrations. Daniel Froesch and Elke Umbeck, who both specialise in litigation and arbitration, jointly manage the practice. Walter Eberl focuses on IP, media, technology and automotive disputes.

King & Spalding LLP's German arbitration practice is led by Jan Schäfer, who also acts as an arbitrator, and is primarily present in arbitration proceedings in the energy sector: the practice head frequently represents investors in disputes regarding the Energy Charter Agreement.

Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB's arbitration team has extensive experience in disputes relating to infrastructure, international plant engineering, energy, automotive and financial services; areas in which practice head Sibylle Schumacher is particularly experienced. The team is regularly instructed by international construction and engineering companies to assist with complex and cross-border arbitration proceedings, as well as by banking and insurance companies in large and mass proceedings.

WACH UND MECKES und Partner Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB acts in complex arbitration proceedings in the technology, environmental and energy sectors, among others; in the latter area, arbitrator Frank Meckes stands out due to his experience in renewable energy disputes. Arno Riethmüller is particularly well versed in transaction-related (especially post-M&A), commercial and antitrust damages disputes, while Karl Wach primarily assists with post-M&A and shareholder arbitration proceedings, energy disputes and contentious matters relating to major international contracts. Party representative and arbitrator Maximilian Menz made partner in January 2023 and focuses on international civil procedure law.