CMS maintains a strong market position, with matters stemming from the infrastructure and energy sectors increasingly forming part of the firm’s workload. Practice head Christiane Kappes‘ specialisation in environmental and planning law draws significant focus on infrastructure, as well as the mining and energy sector; she leads the team jointly with Neele Christiansen and Ursula Steinkemper. The firm’s long-standing experience in representing transmission system operating companies has led them to undertake a large number of significant projects that include planning approval procedures and court proceedings. Fritz von Hammerstein retired in 2024.

Dolde Mayen & Partner‘s expertise spans across an array of topics like nuclear and radiation protection law, nature conservation, water law, as well as waste and soil protection. Practice heads Winfried Porsch and Markus Deutsch field specialisations in energy, raw material and infrastructure projects, among others. The group counts public sector entities as well as listed companies among its clients, for whom it acts in litigation and non-contentious mandates. Klaus-Peter Dolde is another key figure in the practice.

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH is home to a well-experienced planning and environmental team, which has recently bolstered its strength with the addition of Astrid Seehafer, previously at ARQIS, who is particularly experienced in ESG regulations. The firm handles a wide range of topics, from decarbonisation and nuclear waste disposal to water and mining law. Practice heads Stefan Altenschmidt and Gernot-Rüdiger Engel are both well versed in environmental and climate protection law. Sabrina Desens regularly advises the operators of industrial and municipal sewage and wastewater treatment plants alongside representing them before administrative courts.

POSSER SPIETH WOLFERS & PARTNERS remains a leading force in environmental and energy law, driven by the longstanding expertise of practitioners such as Herbert Posser, Wolf Spieth and Benedikt Wolfers. The team continues to advise on a broad spectrum of matters, including nuclear energy, coal phase-out issues, energy-transition projects, offshore wind, green-energy regulation and PFAS. Niklas Hannappel and Felix Feldmann are further key contributors: Feldmann is noted for his strength in infrastructure work, while Hannappel maintains a prominent profile in the energy sector, frequently representing clients before higher regional courts and EU bodies.

Redeker Sellner Dahs demonstrates broad capabilities in planning and infrastructure matters and is increasingly engaged by state governments and public-sector bodies in light of Germany’s growing transport and bridge-infrastructure challenges. Under the leadership of Frank Fellenberg, the team routinely advises on planning and approval procedures, with a focus on issues linked to emissions control, nature conservation and urban development. Tobias Masing continues to act for the Federal Republic, including representations before the European Court of Justice, while Olaf Reidt oversees key mandates in infrastructure and urban development. The practice also engages increasingly with emerging environmental-law issues.

Clifford Chance offers broad expertise in environmental and planning law, advising on LNG, hydrogen, offshore wind, electricity and solar projects, with a clear emphasis on energy-transition and climate-related issues. The practice frequently handles approval procedures and environmental-risk assessments, supported by close cooperation with the firm’s corporate, real estate and finance teams. Mathias Elspaß leads the group, while Katharina Vollmer contributes experience in public construction and environmental compliance. The team also remains active in cross-border mandates, recently assisting a Japanese power provider with offshore wind permits in the North and Baltic Seas. Mira Wilcock is increasingly visible across key mandates. Frederic Mainka left the firm in late 2024 for an in-house position, while Nicolas Brennecke departed for CMS.

GSK Stockmann‘s planning and environment team advises on a wide spectrum of matters, spanning energy generation, infrastructure and transport projects alongside urban development and retail-related work. The team is noted for expertise in approval procedures, emission control, water and substance law, as well as ESG. The department is under the leadership of a seasoned duo, Jan Hennig and Andreas Geiger; the latter focuses on infrastructure projects, while Hennig’s work includes advising major retail clients on adapting inner-city centres and developing flexible commercial spaces.

GvW Graf von Westphalen maintains a strong presence in construction, infrastructure and planning law, with recent work shaped by rising demand for advice on energy-transition and security issues. The team has been active in LNG procedures, network expansion and solar-energy projects, alongside longstanding strength in emission control, waste management and groundwater matters. Andreas Wolowski and Corinna Lindau jointly head the practice, while Sigrid Wienhues remains central to issues surrounding zoning and environmental law. Saskia Soravia, who counts infrastructure project as well as feed and agricultural law among her areas of expertise, was promoted to partner at the beginning of 2025.

Hengeler Mueller continues to advise on major energy-security and energy-transition matters, including approval, construction and commissioning processes for infrastructure and renewable-energy projects. The team has particular strength in offshore wind and hydrogen, recently guiding clients through issues relating to the emerging hydrogen-network design; Jan Bonhage is noted for his expertise in this area. Dirk Uwer maintains a strong cross-border practice spanning emission control and environmental criminal law. The group is also active in land and water law, plant-incident matters and ESG.

Noerr retains a strong market position in environmental and planning law, advising on energy, infrastructure and high-tech regulatory matters. The team handles a diverse workload, recently focused on battery regulation, CO₂ pooling and major technology-sector projects. Carsten Bringmann in Düsseldorf advises across energy, environmental and construction law, while the practice plays a central role in supporting wind-energy development, both onshore and offshore, as part of wider efforts to stabilise Germany’s energy supply. The arrival of Gabriele Haas from Dentons in September 2024 further strengthened the group’s capacity for energy-law and regulatory mandates.

BBG und Partner specialises in infrastructure, energy and network-expansion projects, with work spanning LNG terminals, power plants and pipeline development. The team frequently advises on planning and licensing procedures, including issues related to emissions control, water and nature conservation law. Peter Schütte and Malte Kohls jointly lead the practice, which has seen a notable rise in instructions from planning authorities and public-sector bodies. Recent mandates include advising the Federal Network Agency on project management and supporting hydrogen-infrastructure developments across Germany.

CBH Rechtsanwälte’s environmental and planning practice continues to consolidate its position in complex infrastructure and urban development mandates, supported by close integration with the construction and real estate group. The practice advises on district developments, real estate transactions and energy-transition projects, including LNG terminals, offshore wind and solar installations, and emerging hydrogen networks. Practice head Stefan Rappen maintains a focus on the planning and operation of major energy and infrastructure projects, while Tassilo Schiffer contributes longstanding experience in construction-related mandates and regulatory advice, including work for the federal network agency.

Gleiss Lutz continues to consolidate its position in complex infrastructure and environmental mandates, advising transport operators, energy suppliers and public bodies on regulatory, climate and energy-sector issues. The practice’s growing ESG capability reflects client demand, particularly in relation to the national Emissions Trading System. Marc Ruttloff, heading both the environmental and ESG offering, provides continuity across these intersecting areas, supported by counsel Eva Koch’s broad environmental expertise. The team’s cross-disciplinary approach is reinforced by Jacob von Andreae’s public law and compliance focus, recently demonstrated in his guidance on approvals for a new gas and steam power plant, underscoring the group’s regulatory depth.

GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB continues to demonstrate assured capability across environmental and planning law, with a noticeable rise in mandates involving emission-controlled industrial facilities, complex infrastructure requiring planning approval, and building-permit proceedings. The practice counts corporates, private developers and public bodies among its clients, whom it advises on construction planning, regulatory compliance and sector-specific regimes, including nature conservation and mining. Joint practice heads Marie Ackermann and Henning Wendt provide advice on large-scale infrastructure and plant development.

Lenz und Johlen continues to consolidate its position in planning and environmental law, advising project developers, public bodies and commercial operators on complex approval and development procedures. The practice combines sector-specific expertise in emission control, soil and water law with longstanding experience in retail and urban district projects. Rainer Voß remains a central figure in strategic planning matters, while Thomas Lüttgau focused guidance on environmental compliance, among others.

Linklaters' environmental and planning team focuses on energy transition, energy security and grid expansion and advises on LNG terminals, electricity and gas projects as well as ESG issues. The group also represents clients in planning and approval procedures and complements this with expertise in transaction-related project work. Practice head Markus Appel routinely assists with industrial and infrastructure projects and demonstrates particular expertise in climate protection law. He is supported by, among others, associate Sebastian Meyn, whose focus areas include emission control as well as water and soil protection law.

White & Case LLP‘s planning and environment team, led by Norbert Wimmer, continues to consolidate its presence in energy and infrastructure projects. The group advises on network expansion, energy transition, decarbonisation, and transport infrastructure, including e-mobility and charging networks. Wimmer’s experience spans national and international projects, supporting both public authorities and corporate clients, including major German automotive manufacturers. The team’s expertise extends to emissions, water and soil protection, and regulatory compliance, with Gustav Ollinger and Anna Burghardt-Kaufmann contributing specialised knowledge.

ARQIS advises on a broad spectrum of environmental and planning matters, with recent instructions frequently centred on ESG, sustainability, the EU Green Deal and energy transition issues. The team assists energy suppliers, project financiers and construction companies with planning and administrative approval procedures, environmental investigations and building permits, and is well versed in water, nature conservation, mining and emission control. Transaction-related environmental work remains a particular strength. The practice is led by Friedrich Gebert, who is experienced in ESG and litigation.

avocado rechtsanwälte maintains a clear focus on waste-management and waste-law issues, advising a broad client base that includes public-sector bodies, industrial operators, construction companies and transport providers. The team’s work spans disposal and recycling systems, compliance with waste and hygiene regulations, and sanctions-related issues this space. Mineral waste and transboundary waste shipments form further areas of growth for the team. The practice is jointly led by Markus Figgen, Rebecca Schäffer and Michael Gayger, whose combined experience covers waste-law compliance, sanction risks and comprehensive advice on disposal operations.

Baker McKenzie advises extensively on product-related environmental law, with work often revolving around PFAS, packaging requirements and renewable energy related product issues, alongside increasing involvement in transaction-driven environmental due diligence. The team also handles regulatory energy matters, construction and approval procedures, often in cooperation with the firm’s real estate practice, as well as contaminated-site and circular-economy matters. Ulrich Ellinghaus leads the team, in which Katharina Weiner and Nico Ruepp remain key contacts.

Dentons maintains a strong presence in environmental and planning law, advising across water, waste and product-related environmental matters, as well as battery regulation and decarbonisation projects. The practice, led by Wolfram Krohn, regularly handles construction and emission-related approvals, among others, and draws on sector experience with packaging manufacturers, industry associations and other industrial clients. Ilka Mehdorn is particularly active in product-related mandates.

Franßen & Nusser Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB advises companies, associations, waste firms, DAX corporations and public bodies on environmental law, including waste management, recycling, product compliance, and emissions and planning approval procedures. Jens Nusser focuses on product safety, and leads the practice together with Marthe-Louise Fehse, who is particularly well versed in construction product law.

Heuking is recognised for its expertise in urban development and infrastructure projects, frequently advising on planning, approval and development procedures, contract drafting, and related disputes. Wolfram Sandner and Christoph Nöhles jointly lead the team, which also saw the January 2025 promotion of Cem Karaosmanoğlu to salary partner.

Kapellmann und Partner's planning and environment group handles federal administrative court proceedings, planning approvals and licensing for district and commercial developments. Hendrik Schilder , and Andreas Rietzler, who are both well versed in advising clients on construction projects, jointly lead the practice. Christian Bönker is another key name in the practice, handling contract drafting and contract management as well as acting in contentious matters.

Kümmerlein’s planning and environment practice presents an experienced offering across infrastructure, regulatory and mining matters. The practice maintains recognised capability in plant approval, regulatory issues for technical installations, and mining matters, including litigation on substances relevant to EU supply security, alongside steady work in approval procedures and environmental due diligence. Stefan Wiesendahl, Michael Neupert, Johannes Schulte and Moritz Rademacher are at the helm of the practice. Bettina Keienburg retired at the end of 2024.

Taylor Wessing’s planning and environment practice, part of the Real Estate group led by Johannes Callet, continues to deliver structured regulatory guidance across retail and renewable energy mandates. Its advisory scope spans approval and development procedures, waste and emissions regulation, and sector-specific compliance, supported by Oliver Klöck’s healthcare regulatory expertise. The team also benefits from Norbert Kämper’s infrastructure focus, where he advises on the entire lifecycle of projects.

ADVANT Beiten maintains a strong interdisciplinary environmental and planning law practice, advising public and private clients on infrastructure, energy, and real estate projects. The team is co-headed by Stephan Rechten, who is particularly well versed in procurement, administrative and state aid law, as well as Hans Georg Neumeier, who regularly advises on infrastructure projects for both public and private entities.

Bird & Bird LLP demonstrates strong capability in environmental and energy law, with particular expertise in soil protection, emissions control, and circular economy matters. The firm routinely advises on planning approvals and licensing for large energy projects. Matthias Lang leads the practice, in which Renée Voigtländer is another key contact.

DOMBERT Rechtsanwälte advises on environmental and planning law across conventional and renewable energy projects. The firm guides public authorities and private clients on due diligence, planning approvals, authorisations, and related disputes. Key partners include Tobias Roß, noted for wind turbine approvals, Jan Thiele on infrastructure projects, Matthias Dombert on building planning and environmental law, and Janko Geßner on administrative matters.

Martin Hamer leads Greenberg Traurig Germany’s planning and environment practice, advising on mining, emission control, and environmental compliance matters. The team, also skilled in water law, soil contamination, and nature conservation, supports project developers, public authorities, and associations on urban, district, and logistics developments. Johann-Frederik Schuldt, noted for cross-border transactions, became partner in early 2025.

Loschelder is recognised for advising on project development and construction matters across Germany. Co-led by Maike Friedrich and Cedric Meyer, the team brings extensive expertise in environmental and public commercial law. It frequently advises public authorities, project developers, and private clients on water and environmental liability, as well as urban development and district construction projects, with particular strength in noise, waste, and emissions regulation.

LUTZ | ABEL RECHTSANWALTS PARTG MBB's workload features matters concerning planning, development and construction law, working alongside the firm's construction specialists to assist public bodies in securing permits for and subsequently developing a variety of facilities. Practice head Thomas Schönfeld is a regular before the courts in disputes concerning planning issues tied to landscape conservation areas and matters concerning water protection.

McDermott Will & Schulte handles zoning and licensing challenges for a number of public bodies, helping them secure permissions for major infrastructure projects, in addition to guiding developers through the permitting process for a broad spectrum of construction projects. Alexa Ningelgen leads the group, acting for both municipal authorities and private organisations on planning and environmental issues linked both to real estate developments and corporate transactions.

Advising on ESG issues in the planning sphere is a key focus of Oppenhoff's practice, assisting clients looking to ensure that they and their supply chains remain compliant with German and European environmental regulations. The team is led by Holger Hofmann, who takes the lead on the aforementioned environmental compliance matters, and Stephan Müller, who clients turn to in crisis situations as well as day-to-day compliance questions.

Oppenländer Rechtsanwälte services a client base consisting of both public authorities and industry clients, assisting them with various permitting and approval processes, and issues of emission control, water, conservation and species protection law. Heading up the group in tandem are Christofer Lenz, who is active at the intersection of administrative, planning and environmental matters, and Torsten Gerhard, a specialist in planning and subsequent construction matters.