Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s energy practice places a strong emphasis on multinational M&A transactions in the energy sector, as well as start-up financing. Werner Brickwedde leads the group.

Clifford Chance has been involved in some of the largest transactions in the German energy market in recent years, including a large green hydrogen project related to hydrogen storage. Mathias Elspaß is at the helm, and is skilled in mandates at the intersection of energy and environmental law. The group is equally adept in regulatory matters, particularly in the form of Björn Heinlein, who is highlighted by clients for regulatory matters, such as advice on tenders, and in particular matters in the natural gas sector. Other mainstays of the group’s mandates are infrastructure projects such as wind farms as well as power and gas plants due to its clients’ increasing willingness to invest in power and gas infrastructure in Germany. The team is also regularly instructed by energy suppliers and grid operators in relation to approval procedures for a range of asset classes within energy, notably TSOs (transmission system operators) in the scope of M&A transactions and financings.

CMS has a strong grasp of the pan-European energy market, meaning the group is well placed to handle cross-border natural gas extraction projects, supplementing this with a focus on infrastructure, storage and hydrogen projects. Ursula Steinkemper heads up the team and is the forefront of the group’s regular work advising clients on planning procedures for storage projects. In addition, Holger Kraft is well versed in project financing and energy-related transactions. Shaghayegh Smousavi is key both for litigation, representing clients in German Federal Constitutional Court, and regional courts, and for M&A. On the regulatory side, the group is highly engaged in gas price adjustments and network regulation. At associate level, Marc Riede stands out for both conventional and renewable energy expertise, such as the financing of numerous power stations, onshore and offshore wind farms as well as photovoltaic power plants. Former Of Counsel Fritz von Hammerstein retired in 2024.

Instructed by a client base ranging from infrastructure funds to German asset management companies, Gleiss Lutz is often involved in the construction of energy projects, with a notably varied client roster which the group advises on matters such as the construction of battery storage facilities. The group is noted by clients for its strong presence in M&A deals, including renewable energy joint ventures involving the joint development of offshore wind farms, which benefit from the knowledge of Lars Kindler, a renewable sector expert who is regularly involved in advising on wind turbine projects. Jacob von Andreae, whose public law expertise is a driving force behind the group’s advice to public sector clients, leads the team together with Cornelia Topf, an M&A lawyer who excels in advising international funds in the energy and infrastructure sector. Lisa Kappler is a key name for ESG compliance. The group also collaborates closely with the firm’s financing team, and notably with Eva Reudelhuber, a corporate finance expert.

The team at Hengeler Mueller can be distinguished by its advice on large-volume transactions which involve various counties across Europe, utilising strong renewable energy nous to assist clients with international offshore wind farm projects, for example. The group also acts in hydrogen projects, and often provides advice on solar storage. On the regulatory side, Dirk Uwer and Daniel Zimmer are notable. A highlight mandate in 2025 was representing clients in appeal proceedings before the Federal Network Agency and other federal courts, showing a regulatory nous in antitrust proceedings. Jörg Meinzenbach and Sebastian Schneider stand out for M&A work, representing national and international energy companies and financial investors, often in acquisitions by energy companies and investment into the offshore wind farm sector in Germany.

Hogan Lovells International LLP has a long history of involvement in ​​project financing, in particular large-scale financings in which Carla Luh is skilled, on top of its involvement in a wealth of solar projects. Luh, and the team more broadly, count banks and other financial institutions as core clients, as well as other investors, sponsors and borrowers. Overseeing the team is Matthias Hirschmann, an experienced energy lawyer who is equally adept in M&A transactions with an energy annex, including joint ventures, as he is in advising on regulatory issues in gas and electricity. Tobias Faber is also key on the regulatory side, particularly for renewable energy, in which the winder group is also well versed. This increasingly means involvement in the green hydrogen space, and acting for clients looking to invest in the energy transition. Further standout lawyers include Alexander Koch, who is called upon by multinational energy companies for cross-border energy transactions, including joint ventures. Fabian Bonke, who was promoted to partner in 2025, is strong in construction disputes in the energy sector, while Tobias Flasbarth counts international companies as key clients.

The team at Linklaters combines its energy sector expertise with a cross-practice approach, meaning the group is well placed to advise on a range of asset classes, from renewables to conventional energy. Significantly, the team acts in complex restructuring projects and cross-border renewable energy projects to assist with the green energy transition, such as those involving large power plants. Thomas Schulz runs the team and often leads the group’s presence in such projects. The broader group is well-established within M&A in the energy industry, epitomised by regular assistance with acquiring minority stakes in large German energy companies. Among the group’s other standout practitioners are Julia Sack, who is well versed in transaction support and contract law, and Laura Marx-Pfälzner, who is frequently prominent in the group’s alternative and renewable energy mandates, and is also a key contact for service contract advice.

A&O Shearman is particularly reputed for renewable energy mandates, and well placed as a leading advisor for new technologies to assist renewable energy platforms with majority stake acquisitions and sales of wind farms, for instance. Indeed, the group focuses on transaction support and financing, as well as regulatory advice in the context of M&A transactions. Practice head Nicolaus Ascherfeld is a go-to practitioner for corporate structures within such energy transactions. The group also provides strategic advice on areas such as decarbonisation. Due diligence within energy law is another popular field of engagement for the group and for Alan Markgraf, who is also a key contact for export loans and project financing matters.

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH displays an extensive know-how in renewable energy solutions such as biogas and green hydrogen production, building upon its diversity of knowledge of energy sources such as hydrogen electrolysis and offshore wind. Another core area of strength for the practice is regulatory law, for which clients including infrastructure companies and German utility companies operating in regulated industries turn to the group for advice. This advice is often on transactions navigating regulatory frameworks for directives from federal agencies and the EU. Holger Stappert leads the team and regularly leads the team’s matters regarding acquisitions and investment into international energy companies in sectors such as electricity, gas and wind. Michael Bormann has a strength in energy sector M&A, and is therefore a popular choice for project finance structuring.

Noerr‘s notable mandates include acting as lead counsel on cross-border energy projects as a result of its ability to advise clients such as banking consortia and energy companies on project financing, on top of its work in the hydrogen space, such as the funding of hydrogen plants. Since the restructuring of the finance, restructuring and capital markets experts, the energy and infrastructure group are now regularly involved in large, complex restructurings and financings. These are areas of strength for Tibor Fedke, who routinely acts in the structuring of cross-border transactions such as joint ventures and reorganisations. Concession law expert Cornelia Kermel retired in January 2025, but Michèle Gauttier maintains the level of experience in the team due to her previous work in the legal department of one of Germany’s largest energy companies, and is at the forefront of the group’s strength in concession law. Christof Federwisch, who focuses on power generation plants and energy infrastructure, and Katrin Andrä, who adeptly assists private equity-owned companies with bidding and auction processes for joint ventures, oversee the group. Gabriele Haas, who joined the team from Dentons in September 2024, is another key name to note, as well as Christian Mayer, who is key for energy projects relating to new forms of transport.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s dedicated energy law experts focus on renewables, especially offshore wind, and collaborate with a diverse client roster, such as European private equity investors who are committed to facilitating the energy transition. This client base also extends to a range of banks, industrial companies, developers, financial investors, and oil companies. Klaus Bader is at the helm, a lawyer who focuses on transactions in the energy sector, joint ventures and restructurings, as well as minority stake acquisitions, in which the wider group is also vastly experienced. Wenzel Richter was promoted to partner in December 2025 and stands out for advice on corporate issues related to the energy transition.

Benefiting from an expanded Berlin office handling energy and infrastructure assets, Osborne Clarke GmbH & Co. KG displays a deep understanding of the battery energy storage market, particularly via Berlin-based Anna von Bremen, who stands out for her network of clients in this field. The team is adept in the realm of regulatory frameworks, especially those connected to the large-scale financings of battery storage projects. Alexander Dlouhy in particular is commended for his knowledge of the regulatory framework of the heating market. Martin Geipel, who joined the energy team in April 2024 from Noerr continues to strengthen the practice’s overall energy law expertise Practice leader Daniel Breuer is accomplished in renewable energies, PPAs, and energy sector litigation in particular.

Raue has a niche in state aid disputes in the energy sector due to Hans Heller, an expert in energy state aid law. Elsewhere, the practice displays a strength in regulatory assistance, a cornerstone of the practice, as well as benefitting from an increase in international clients. Christian von Hammerstein oversees the team, and is a specialist regarding complex infrastructure projects and offshore wind. Clients include operators of energy plants, in particular renewable plants. Moreover, the team is often involved in litigation, such as complex arbitration and annulment proceedings, and disputes at EU level. Stephan Koch is key for acquisition of numerous energy storage projects.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP combines a cross-practice approach and close cooperation with the M&A, corporate law and project finance experts at the firm such as Thomas Hollenhorst, with individual team members’ expertise in energy and public law. This includes advising on sophisticated financing transactions such as funding of wind operating turbines dispute and funding of wind farms, and market entry of energy sector investors. Mandates cover both conventional energies and renewables, providing expertise on offshore wind, hydrogen, geothermal energy, and solar energy, as well as power storage issues, to a range of project developers and financial institutions. Christian Schindler, who joined the group as partner in 2025, is key for projects related to digital infrastructure and renewable energy, while practice head Malte Jordan regularly advises on transactions and restructuring.

Praised for its energy industry experience, White & Case LLP is adept in cross-border M&A and financings for power plants, hydrogen terminals and battery storage projects. Thomas Burmeister runs the group, advising on aspects of European regulation. Burmeister is well supported by Petra Iffert, who is key for energy regulatory advice, particularly regarding hydrogen production. Aside from advising energy companies on corporate structure and on the regulatory side, the group is engaged in some disputes before EU Court and represents transmission system operators in federal proceedings. Elsewhere, Hans-Georg Schulze is instrumental in the group’s advice on joint ventures or high-volume acquisitions in the energy sector, as well as in the purchase agreements associated with them.

Baker McKenzie leverages its international network and global team to assist a diverse range of clients operating renewable energy infrastructure throughout Europe, distinctly in EV charging and e-mobility infrastructure projects, and is often involved in complex cross-border structuring and regulatory due diligence. The group is adept at utilising corporate law and M&A experts in the team such as Claire Dietz-Polte and Holger Engelkamp, who head up the team and continue to assist with the structuring of battery energy storage projects and transactions in Germany and complex transactions required for the country’s energy transition. At associate level, Nico Ruepp is well placed to be instructed on the energy and planning law implications relating to the construction and operation of energy systems.

Dentons, whose clients include German energy industry giants, regularly advises on strategic partnerships and decarbonisation with international project developers. In the realm of renewable energy, the group handles offshore wind energy matters, and advising on the energy transition. Sebastian Helmes is a standout practitioner for complex regulatory issues such as heat supply planning legislation, a strength of the wider group, while Kerstin Henrich is an energy M&A lawyer with a strong track record in financing transactions. Group leader Thomas Schubert is key for strategic partnership and cross-border M&A. Florian-Alexander Wesche departed from the firm in February 2025 to join Hogan Lovells International LLP.

DLA Piper leverages its international network to handle large scale, cross-border energy projects for a range of financial services clients, especially renewable energy projects throughout Europe, including offshore wind and PPAs. Advice on future markets more generally is at the core of the group’s work, such as hydrogen and LNG, often stemming from M&A given the firm’s broader focus on M&A. Michael Cieslarczyk leads the group, a practitioner often present in matters advising on the energy supply of large data centres. This advice also extends to contractual matters and energy infrastructure projects, in which Christopher Ollech is heavily involved, particularly when it comes to contractual and regulatory issues for e-mobility services.

Fieldfisher offers comprehensive support in acquisition financings and purchase agreements for renewable energy plants, particularly mezzanine financing for renewable portfolios stretching to wind, solar and geothermal energy. Practice head Daniel Marhewka is well versed in renewable energy, where he has a history of advising on large-scale solar, wind and other renewable energy projects and a range of energy M&A transactions. These transactions in the energy sector centre around financing transactions for Sebastian Kamm, a lawyer who counts multinational investors as key clients. At associate level, Anna Neumann stands out and is key for the drafting of corresponding contracts.

GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB provides a variety of regulation and strategic advice on solar and offshore wind, on top of a wide coverage within renewables, particularly in the scope of project development. Experienced M&A lawyer Achim Compes, who is a cornerstone of the group’s offering in energy transactions and often advises on the acquisition and sale of power plants, oversees the group alongside energy regulation expert Thoralf Herbold. who brings experience in the field of energy trading, such as the direct marketing of renewables.

GvW Graf von Westphalen‘s multidisciplinary approach lends itself to host of energy matters, advising on planning and contracts, including hydrogen, municipal heat planning, and climate protection contracts. Cross-practice expertise extends to public law and public procurement law in order to assist clients with securing energy supply, a main aspect of Maximilian Elspas‘s work, who often handles tenders for energy operations at both federal and international level. Elspas leads the group together with Helmut Kempf, the latter of whom is key for regulatory advice and trade law issues in relation to energy projects.

Heuking is proficient in advising clients including plant operators on decarbonisation and renewable energy projects, recently advising a foreign geothermal energy company on its activities in the German market, often with a public law angle. Practice head Marc Baltus lends the group and its clients strong public sector expertise, most recently advising various public authorities from the Netherlands in connection with wind farm projects located at the Dutch border with Germany.

Notable for its breadth of advice across the coal, gas and oil sectors, Jones Day is well-established within energy regulation, often advising subsidiaries of large companies due to cross-border matters arising from the firm’s international network. Johannes Willheim, the team leader, splits his time between Frankfurt and Paris and is prominent in the team’s disputes, specifically price adjustment disputes for energy supplies. With the addition of Michiel Huizinga from A&O Shearman in January 2025, the group continues to strengthen its involvement in energy infrastructure as a result of a history of advising financial investors on complex private equity transactions.

Latham & Watkins LLP‘s team operates as a wider energy and infrastructure team, adopting a multidisciplinary approach and regularly assisting with matters at the intersection of the infrastructure and energy law, such as advising financial services clients on acquiring a stake transmission system operators. Practice head Alexander Stefan Rieger can be singled out for large-scale acquisitions and is well supported by Otto von Gruben, who stands out for skilled assistance with transactions concerning data centres and power grids. Johannes Groß should be highlighted at associate level for cross-border transactions, in addition to experience in data centres, fibre optics, and energy regulation.

Oppenhoff was heavily engaged in advising on numerous projects relating to offshore wind energy in 2025. Clients regularly turn to energy law expert and practice head Carmen Schneider for regulatory advice in relation to grid access, as well as advice on a variety of energy contracts. Edder Cifuentes concentrates on matters in Latin America, and is a key driver behind the group’s success in receiving mandates from German investors in connection with energy projects in the region.

Showcasing an increasing focus on development and scaling of hydrogen solutions, Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB offers advice on strategic licences or purchase agreements to clients looking to enter the German market, as well as to German companies such as battery energy storage system developers. Emblematic of a wider strength in regulatory advice within the team, experienced practitioner and practice head Sönke Gödeke‘s strengths lie in assisting with implementation of clean-tech, hydrogen and smart city projects and regulatory issues associated with this. Sibylle Schumacher is key for contractual disputes in the energy sector.

Fielding a sizeable cross-practice team, Taylor Wessing provides a full service but is often present in cross-border renewable energy transactions and financings, in particular for energy plant construction in the offshore wind and solar spaces. This is an area in which Carsten Bartholl offers particular expertise in advising on long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs). Tillmann Pfeifer heads up the firm’s M&A and corporate energy practice alongside Markus Böhme, the national head of regulatory energy for the firm. Pfeifer can be singled out for renewable energy advice, particularly on large-scale acquisitions and purchase agreements. Jasmin Schlee is also key for renewable energy project assistance.

Litigation is a pillar of Addleshaw Goddard’s offering, in particular for Laurenz Keller-Herder, who is a strong contact for potential claims for damages in the energy sector. Practice head Boris Scholtka also has a wealth of experience in the energy sector, offering clients experience in the power and natural gas markets, as well as district heating, and has a strength in advising on pricing and contract drafting, in line with the practice more generally. Finally, practitioners are regularly instructed on antitrust matters across the renewable energy space.

ADVANT Beiten, the majority of whose team is based in Freiburg, fields experts with direct experience in the energy sector. Among the group’s varied client roster are international energy and infrastructure companies, who the team often counsels on purchase contracts and other contract law issues. Christof Aha, Stephan Rechten and Christian Ulrich Wolf lead the team, a trio which is well-established in the onshore wind, offshore wind and hydrogen sectors. Elsewhere, Peter Meisenbacher joined in September 2024, and is an energy lawyer who is able to advise on energy transition projects and other project development matters within the energy sector – specialisms for which the team at large is well known.

Demonstrating strong expertise in battery storage matters, Bird & Bird LLP‘s practice caters to a client base formed of project developers, energy suppliers, financial and equity investors, and suppliers. A varied client roster is advised on a range of renewable energy, project financing and procurement law issues, notably on power purchase agreements and similar contracts related to the energy transition. Matthias Lang heads up the firm’s international energy and utilities sector group and is an energy regulation specialist. Hermann Rothfuchs, Lars Kyrberg and Alexander Wojtek are co-heads of the German practice.

Dolde Mayen & Partner specialises in regulatory and strategic advice in the energy sector with environmental and planning law elements, often stemming from court cases and cases which reach the Federal Administrative Court. The practice is jointly spearheaded by public law experts Christian Stelter and Bernd Schieferdecker, the former of whom has a strong track record in complaint proceedings and the latter of whom is able to assist with advice on planning and environmental law issues for the construction of power supplies. Winfried Porsch is another key name to note in the team.

Eversheds Sutherland regularly acts as lead counsel for large scale power purchase agreements, and continues to deepen its engagement in the energy storage and hydrogen areas. In the renewables space more widely, among the group’s notable mandates are photovoltaics, wind and solar energy matters. Martin Weitenberg is at the helm, with a focus on acquisition for large scale energy projects. Simon Davies is at the forefront of the group’s co-operation with energy specialist internationally, a key point of distinction for the practice when it comes to cross-border M&A for leading global energy companies.

Greenberg Traurig Germany has a varied client base formed of pipeline operators, transmission and storage system operators. Martin Borning is turned to by companies looking to decrease their carbon footprint in accordance with the energy transition, and is key for hydrogen projects, forming just one part of the team-wide advice in hydrogen derivatives, synthetic fuels, and CCS projects. The wider group is also proficient in renewable energy projects. Dieter Neumann and Martin Hamer are also key team members.

GSK Stockmann is a popular destination for electricity transmission system operators, cultivating a strong reputation in this area, including advising on planning for grid connection. Other strengths including advising on the implementation of high-voltage lines, battery storage systems, and the construction of energy infrastructure, as well as planning approval and licensing procedures. Stefan Geiger oversees the practice along with Sören Wolkenhauer, both of whom are strong in public law matters in the energy sector, especially planning approvals and public construction.

Uniquely, Loschelder advises and represents state regulatory authorities of Bavaria, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, indicative of deep knowledge of changing energy regulation. Team members also provide advice on sector-releted infrastructure and access conditions. Raimund Schütz is at the helm and is well in contract negotiations and representing clients in state courts in appeal proceedings and other complex disputes. Franziska Rückin is another standout member of the group.

In addition to being well versed in advising energy companies on supply contracts, Oppenländer Rechtsanwälte, regularly advises and represents a range of clients in energy law disputes; Malte Weitner counts as a key contact here. Among the matters handled are enforcement proceedings and merger control proceedings, before both state courts and arbitration tribunals. Practice head Markus Köhler considers pipeline operators a central part of his client base, and has a practice which often caters to clients requiring assistance with solar park contracts.