Ranging from LNG terminals to large transportation projects, CMS' environmental and planning law practice impresses with its advice on infrastructure matters. Its in-depth expertise in network expansion, the energy industry and pollution control law enables the team to provide high-profile clients with comprehensive advice on specialist planning and project structuring as well as on environmental regulatory issues. In this context, the expertise of Christiane Kappes, who primarily acts in approval and planning approval procedures, water and mining expert Fritz von Hammerstein, and conservation and species protection lawyer Neele Ann Christiansen is particularly valued. Ursula Steinkemper complements the practice with competencies in industrial waste and climate protection law and jointly leads the team with Christian Scherer, who is considered an expert in infrastructure projects.

Dolde Mayen & Partner's broad environmental and planning practice is a recognised market player and provides comprehensive advice to large DAX companies and numerous public sector players on large construction and planning projects, environmental litigation, approval procedures and environmental due diligence. The team has particular expertise in emissions control, energy and soil protection law, with practice heads Markus Deutsch and Winfried Porsch regularly assisting with large transport and industrial planning projects. Klaus-Peter Dolde has in-depth expertise in waste and aviation law, while Bernd Schieferdecker oversees large network and energy projects and is also a recognised expert for water law issues.

In close cooperation with the firm’s energy and procurement practices, the environmental and planning team at Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH is ideally positioned to assist with important infrastructure and industrial projects related to the energy and climate transition. The team is involved in various large decarbonisation projects and advises industrial companies on strategic issues as well as on emissions control, nature conservation and water law. Environmental lawyer Stefan Altenschmidt, who regularly advises clients in the steel and energy industries on ESG issues, is a sought-after contact for these issues. Other mainstays include large hydrogen projects, for which Sabrina Desens is one of the key contacts, as well as urban development projects, for which clients predominantly turn to urban development expert Martin Fleckenstein. As a construction and pollution control law specialist, practice head Stefan Kobes primarily advises on defense projects, while Tobias Leidinger has extensive expertise in nuclear law.

POSSER SPIETH WOLFERS & PARTNERS specialises in public law and impresses with a wide range of expertise in environmental and planning matters, which large companies in the aviation, automotive and energy sectors regularly rely on. For instance, the team advises on various transformation projects related to the energy transition, including coal phase-outs, wind and solar park developments and hydrogen projects; environmental regulation expert Niclas Hellermann in particular assists with numerous approval proceedings in this context. The team further possesses strong litigation skills: Wolf Spieth, who is considered an expert for climate policy projects, represents both private companies and public sector clients in climate lawsuits and in public law proceedings. Constitutional lawyer Herbert Posser represents companies in large and complex planning approval proceedings, while Benedikt Wolfers is a sought-after contact for regulatory issues, particularly for clients in the automotive industry. Katja Schramm advises on the storage of radioactive waste and the nuclear phase-out.

Redeker Sellner Dahs is particularly impressive in matters pertaining to network and energy infrastructure expansion and comprehensively assists with approval procedures as well as environmental, mining and pollution control law; approvals of large infrastructure projects as well as environmental due diligence primarily fall into the portfolio of practice head Frank Fellenberg and energy industry expert Olaf Reidt. The team also has strong litigation expertise: Kathrin Dingemann and Florian van Schewick, who made partner in January 2023, regularly represent both private companies and public sector clients in climate and environmental law litigation and regulatory control proceedings, for instance in relation to product regulations and immission control guidelines. The team is also adept at planning issues pertaining to urban development projects.

The focus of Clifford Chance's environmental and planning law team rests on energy and climate projects as well as on ESG issues: the group thus advises on environmental regulatory requirements and approval proceedings for LNG projects, CO2 terminals and projects for the production of green hydrogen and ammonia and further assists with project financing and transaction issues in collaboration with adjacent practice groups. Energy law expert Mathias Elspaß handles various projects to reduce CO2 emissions and is also considered the key contact for network expansion projects, while Thomas Voland, who is experienced in product compliance, primarily deals with ESG issues but also acts in contentious proceedings, for example when defending clients against climate claims. Senior associate Katharina Vollmer is recommended for her advice on ESG aspects of large real estate and infrastructure projects.

Gleiss Lutz' project-related environmental and planning advice is aimed at energy suppliers and transport companies as well as public sector players seeking assistance with large infrastructure projects as well as research and climate protection projects. Here, planning support rest on the shoulders of Burghard Hildebrandt and practice head Marc Rutloff, who is further experienced in product regulation, environmental compliance aspects of joint ventures and M&A transactions and also advises public sector clients on climate-related issues and planning litigation. Counsel Eva Koch assists with environmental law at its interface with subsidy law and Lars Kindler, who focuses on energy and environmental law, made counsel in November 2023.

GSK Stockmann's broad team specialises in urban development and infrastructure projects and also assists a growing client base with sustainability project-related ESG issues. The expansion of energy and network infrastructure represents one of Andreas Geiger's mainstays, who, in addition to overseeing a high-profile matter for the approval of an LNG terminal, also advises on environmental and planning aspects of planned motorway routes and high-voltage networks. Geiger co-heads the practice with commercial development specialist Jan Hennig, who focuses on mixed-use developments and environmentally friendly conversion projects. Wolfgang Wuerfel, who is experienced in subsidy and pollution control law, is a renowned contact for land-use planning matters.

In addition to its in-depth expertise in environmental regulatory matters, ESG aspects of corporate transactions and soil and groundwater law, Hengeler Mueller also impresses with experience in infrastructure planning. High-profile companies predominantly instruct Jan Bonhage to assist with environmental regulatory issues and approval proceedings for transport and energy projects, while Vera Jungkind continues to regularly advise large industrial companies on emissions control law, pollutant regulation and contaminated site management. Fabian Quast primarily assists with ​​product compliance. Counsel Moritz Rademacher (licensing, environmental and state aid law) joined Kümmerlein as equity partner in January 2024.

With expertise in energy law, environmental regulation and litigation, Noerr's broad expertise is primarily aimed at energy suppliers, real estate developers and public sector players seeking advice on urban development projects as well as at large companies in need of ESG advice. Energy lawyer Christof Federwisch represents clients in a variety of approval and planning proceedings in connection with offshore wind farm projects and is also involved in energy litigation, while practice head and compliance expert Holger Schmitz provides policy-oriented and litigation advice on large urban developments. Christian Alexander Mayer is considered a key contact for electromobility projects and has additional expertise in ​​product compliance.

BBG und Partner handles a constantly increasing number of matters in the infrastructure sector and, with the expertise of its three practice heads Malte Kohls, Peter Schütte and Christoph Meitz, is able to comprehensively advise on network expansion projects as well as on the construction of LNG terminals in Germany. Kohls assists clients such as the Federal Network Agency and 50Hertz with planning approval proceedings and decisions and closely cooperates with Meitz, who is also instructed by companies active in the hydrogen economy to advise on environmental aspects of high-voltage overhead line projects. Schütte primarily focuses on approval and emissions control matters related to LNG projects. Drawing on the expertise of Jantje Struß, the group also handles climate projects in the transport sector.

GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB's broad team advises clients across the entire spectrum of environmental and planning law and, in addition to companies from the energy sector, particularly often assists public sector players with planning law issues related to infrastructure projects. In this context, practice head Christoph Riese, who is considered an expert in energy law, and planning lawyer Kersten Wagner-Cardenal primarily act as project managers; besides its comprehensive public law advice, clients can also rely on the team's expertise in declaratory proceedings, environmental law review proceedings and litigation. Furthermore, Ferdinand Kuchler comprehensively advises on urban planning.

GvW Graf von Westphalen impresses with its expertise in planning law and primarily applies it to assist with planning approval and approval proceedings for transport and energy projects. Public sector clients particularly turn to the team, which is led by planning lawyer Ronald Steiling, for advice on planning approval for motorway tunnels and high-voltage overhead lines, as well as in contentious cases. In the context of complicated planning matters, Corinna Lindau is also well versed in nature conservation and water law, while Ulrich Hösch advises various airports on aviation and noise protection issues.

The environmental and planning law team at Hogan Lovells International LLP particularly focuses on compliance issues and advises both large DAX companies and international clients. The practice regularly assists with environmental compliance related to M&A transactions and public funding applications, but also comprehensively advises clients on land-use planning and soil protection due diligence in the context of real estate transactions; the key contact for these matters is practice head Thomas Dünchheim. Alongside supply chain due diligence expert Christian Ritz, he also increasingly advises companies on their ESG initiatives. The team further handles product-related issues; here, clients predominantly rely on the skills of Florian Unseld and Patrick Ayad, who has particular industry expertise in the automotive sector.

Lenz und Johlen, who opened a new office in Berlin in November 2023, assists large real estate developers and commercial operators as well as public sector clients, particularly with urban planning matters and district developments. In this context, practice head Rainer Voß advises on water, soil and pollution control law and also represents clients in approval and development plan proceedings; Michael Oerder is a key contact for construction planning advice on commercial projects. The team's environmental law expertise is also in demand for industrial and infrastructure projects: Felix Pauli regularly advises wind farm operators and companies in the hydrogen industry on project-related developments of new systems. Inga Schwertner is one of the key contacts for water and soil protection issues.

Linklaters particularly often demonstrates its environmental and planning skills in planning and approval procedures for large electricity and gas projects: in this context, the team is not only involved in federal planning advice, but due to practice head Markus Appel‘s expertise, also covers contractual and climate protection aspects. Appel also increasingly advises on ESG and provides environmental due diligence and compliance assistance for IPOs, M&A transactions and project financing.

avocado rechtsanwälte primarily advises transport, waste disposal and industrial companies as well as public sector players on issues relating to the waste management industry and waste law. The team's expertise includes recycling and circular economy matters, soil and groundwater contamination as well as contaminated site remediation projects; on the public sector side, the group also assists with legislation and the implementation of waste law sanctions. The practice is led by its four key contacts: Markus Figgen and Ralf Kaminski primarily advise clients on waste law compliance and also act in environmental criminal proceedings and disputes, Thomas Gerhold provides support for planning and adaptation projects, mainly in emissions and soil protection law, and Rebecca Schäffer is considered an expert for hygiene law, among other matters.

Baker McKenzie has in-depth expertise in product-related environmental law and regularly advises on environmental and emissions control due diligence in the context of large-volume corporate transactions and product launches. Ulrich Ellinghaus is known for his expertise in product and supply chain compliance and is primarily instructed by companies in the automotive and chemical sectors, while counsel Andreas Schulz impresses with expertise in transaction-related environmental law, among other matters. The practice is led by administrative lawyer Marc Gabriel.

CBH Rechtsanwälte focuses on infrastructure and urban development projects and is particularly often instructed by real estate developers and public sector clients. Led by public building law expert Stefan Rappen, the team advises on large residential and commercial developments and assists with real estate transaction-related approval proceedings and due diligence. Tassilo Schiffer frequently handles the legal project management of infrastructure projects and represents clients in approval and plan approval proceedings in connection with high-voltage overhead lines and offshore wind farms, among other matters.

Dentons is particularly renowned for its expertise in packaging law and is also able to advise on product-related environmental issues and circular economy matters. Practice head Ilka Mehdorn is regularly instructed by industrial associations and consumer goods manufacturers to assist with environmental compliance, appropriate contract drafting and the development of recycling systems, but also advises on waste and packaging regulatory standards and frequently represents clients in administrative proceedings. Further expertise exists in ​​pollutant and disposal regulation.

A large number of DAX companies from various sectors draw upon DLA Piper's expertise in environmental compliance, with the practice placing particular emphasis on ESG issues: Ludger Giesberts regularly advises on due diligence in supply chains as well as regulatory requirements and risks in connection with carbon footprints and sustainability standards. The team is also particularly adept in product-related advice on safety and environmental obligations to companies in the consumer goods industry, has experience in planning-related soil and pollution control matters and also regularly handles related litigation. Litigation expert Thomas Gädtke heads the practice.

Franßen & Nusser Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB's environmental law advice is based on in-depth experience in product safety and product environmental law as well as expertise in the circular and waste management industry. Head of the product law team Jens Nusser regularly assists with construction product issues and is also well versed in issues relating to electrical law. Gregor Franßen heads the environmental law team and advises chemical companies on soil protection law and the disposal of hazardous substances. The practice also regularly acts in soil protection and product law litigation.

Heuking is particularly well versed in building planning law and oversees both urban development and infrastructure projects. Wolfram Sandner jointly heads the practice with environmental law expert Thomas Nickel and regularly advises companies in the real estate industry on project-related contractual issues, development plans and approval proceedings as well as related disputes. Michael Below is considered a key contact for infrastructure projects and emissions control issues.

The infrastructure and industrial practice group of HFK Rechtsanwälte LLP primarily advises on project-related matters and represents clients in various planning approval and approval proceedings. Wulf Clausen regularly assists with technical planning issues, particularly in connection with climate-positive district developments and the environmentally friendly implementation of industrial projects; he jointly heads the practice with Till Kemper, who advises on smart city and energy infrastructure projects, and transport infrastructure expert Jörg Stoye.

Hoffmann Liebs' environmental expertise is regularly evident in advice on soil protection and contaminated sites law. In this context, the practice assists various industrial companies with remediation contracts as well as with administrative and legal proceedings. Another focus is pollution control and major accident law in connection with large planned projects and real estate transactions. The team is led by environmental lawyer Volker Hoffmann, who advises on land recycling and industrial development projects, among other matters.

Kapellmann und Partner has extensive planning law expertise, which it applies in the context of approval and plan approval proceedings, regulatory advice on real estate transactions and emissions control issues. The team regularly assists with the eligibility of wind farms, solar parks and commercial areas and also represents clients in environmental litigation and regulatory control proceedings related to large infrastructure projects. Hendrik Schilder, who advises on environmental compliance aspects of construction projects, and public construction law expert Christian Bönker jointly head the practice.

Kümmerlein's team impresses with its expertise in large energy transition projects, including power plant decarbonisation and energy infrastructure projects. In the context of these projects, the group advises on transaction-related environmental due diligence as well as planning approval and approval proceedings. The team's project manager skills are reinforced by the expertise of its management trio: Bettina Keienburg  specialises in environmental and energy industry compliance, while Michael Neupert regularly acts in emissions control approval proceedings and Stefan Wiesendahl is particularly well versed in infrastructure approval law. In January 2024, the team also strengthened its position with the arrival of Moritz Rademacher, previously counsel at Hengeler Mueller, who has extensive experience in approval, environmental, mining and state aid law.

In the Berlin-Brandenburg region in particular, Raue counts various real estate developers and energy companies as well as public authorities among its client base and advises on construction and planning law proceedings in connection with the expansion of the Federal Chancellery and the redesign of the former Berlin-Tegel Airport. Furthermore, the practice regularly applies its expertise in building planning, nature conservation, energy and pollution control law in infrastructure and commercial projects as well as in district developments. Practice head Wolfram Hertel is experienced across the full spectrum of building planning law and further adept in monument law.

Rittershaus' strong team is particularly adept at assisting with urban development and infrastructure projects; the practice portfolio includes land use planning and approval proceedings as well as comprehensive advice on building plans, emissions, noise and species protection in connection with residential construction projects. The group places a particular focus on future-oriented construction projects and not only advises on sustainable project development of commercial areas, but also increasingly on buildings rights in the wind power and photovoltaic sphere, with Wolfgang Patzelt being particularly visible. Practice head Hartmut Fischer is a sought-after contact especially for complex land-use planning issues.

Taylor Wessing advises industrial companies and public sector clients on land-use planning and environmental compliance and is also regularly involved in administrative proceedings. The team is particularly well versed in emissions control, waste and contaminated sites law, which it applies in industrial construction and expansion projects, among other matters; clients also regularly draw on its expertise in product-related environmental law. While Norbert Kämper primarily acts in approval and plan approval proceedings for commercial and infrastructure projects, Oliver Klöck, who took over the practice management from Kämper in 2023, is adept in regulatory health law. André Lippert (compliance) joined CMS in May 2023.

ADVANT Beiten's public sector practice primarily advises on environmental law and permitting issues in connection with development projects and real estate transactions. Hans Georg Neumeier oversees several urban infrastructure and residential construction projects and represents real estate companies and the public sector in planning approval and approval proceedings. Neumeier jointly leads the practice with procurement and energy lawyer Stephan Rechten. The team possesses further expertise in environmental and licensing disputes.

The Public & Regulatory Law practice of ARQIS, founded in 2021, is increasingly in demand, particularly for its advice on ESG issues and the energy transition. While large companies such as Delivery Hero consult the team on regulatory sustainability issues and internal ESG structures, the team also provides comprehensive assistance with renewable energy projects to energy suppliers and mining companies. Both topics are covered by practice head Friedrich Gebert, who is also increasingly active in planning matters. Astrid Seehafer joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in August 2022 and advises on product compliance.

Bird & Bird is experienced in planning-related strategic and contentious soil protection and environmental matters; here, the group assists with commercial and energy projects. Waste law represents another mainstay, with Matthias Lang, who is also experienced in circular economy and environmental regulation, being the key contact; he jointly heads the practice with energy and planning lawyer René Voigtländer.

DOMBERT Rechtsanwälte's key strengths include advising energy suppliers and public sector clients at local and federal level on energy transition projects. The team assists with planning approval and approval procedures for projects related to the expansion of liquid gas and electricity grids as well as various wind farm and photovoltaic projects and further advises on climate protection and emissions control aspects. The practice is led by the planning law-savvy Jan Thiele and Janko Geßner, who is considered an expert in energy and administrative law.

In the environmental and planning sphere, Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner primarily impresses with expertise in waste and pollution control as well as in product liability. The group comprehensively advises on the Packaging Act and the Circular Economy Act as well as on waste contract negotiations, damages claims and litigation. Here, practice head Olaf Konzak frequently applies his environmental compliance expertise.

In the context of urban development projects, Greenberg Traurig Germany applies its environmental and planning expertise in approval proceedings as well as in building and monument law issues. The team advises on district developments, particularly in the Berlin-Brandenburg region, both on a strategic and procedural level and also has expertise in water and pollution control compliance. Practice head Martin Hamer is well versed across all these areas and is further adept in waste management as well as climate and nature conservation law.

Public law boutique Köchling & Krahnefeld Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft mbB is primarily active in large infrastructure projects, which the team accompanies from conception through to planning approval and approval procedures. The team assists clients with network expansion projects as well as with the construction and conversion of power plants and is a  particularly popular choice due to its expertise in emissions control law. The group also regularly handles contentious proceedings, particularly in relation to urban developments. Lutz Krahnefeld has expertise in waste and contaminated sites law and jointly heads the practice with Claire Pröbstle, who advises on environmental aspects of infrastructure projects, and Markus Ehrmann, who is adept in climate protection and energy law.

Loschelder's environmental and construction practice primarily applies its expertise in matters pertaining to water and environmental liability law as well as in planning advice on urban development projects. With adjacent advisory capacities in real estate law, Maike Friedrich predominantly assists private project developers and public sector clients with development and land use plans as well as approval matters and also frequently advises on emissions and noise protection law. Cedric Meyer is an experienced contact for environmental liability cases and material law issues.

Various real estate industry and public sector players turn to LUTZ | ABEL RECHTSANWALTS PARTG MBB for advice on building permit and planning procedures, planning litigation and water and nature conservation issues. On project level, the team is primarily involved in residential construction projects and urban developments as well as in the development of wind turbines.; here, practice head Thomas Schönfeld's expertise in monument and urban planning law comes particularly into play.

okl & partner's advice offering covers pollution control law, waste law and environmental compliance as well as representation in planning approval proceedings. Anno Oexle predominantly advises clients on infrastructure and industrial projects and is also a sought-after contact for recycling and circular economy law; he jointly leads the practice with compliance expert Alexander de Diego and Rainer Geesmann, who is experienced in planning law. Dominik Lück has extensive experience in waste management issues, including administrative law procedures. Stefan Kopp-Assenmacher left in July 2023 to found public commercial law boutique KOPP-ASSENMACHER Rechtsanwälte.

Oppenhoff's expertise in water, emissions and soil protection law primarily shows in energy projects and real estate transactions. Led by compliance expert Stephan Müller, the team is also increasingly advising on ESG issues as well as on German climate protection regulation. Environmental and energy lawyer Holger Hofmann further acts in approval and administrative proceedings and assists with the renovation and restructuring of commercial properties.

Particularly clients from the Baden-Württemberg region, which include both private companies and the public sector, rely on the construction planning and pollution control expertise of Oppenländer Rechtsanwälte, which it applies in the context of industrial construction projects as well as administrative litigation. Torsten Gerhard acts in litigation relating to spatial planning and approval issues and jointly leads the team with Christofer Lenz, who is well versed in raw material extraction issues and advises on both industrial projects and climate protection issues.

PAULY Rechtsanwälte has strong expertise in waste and packaging law and in this context assists refineries, packaging and consumer goods manufacturers as well as companies from the waste management industry; the team also extensively applies its electrical law and circular economy experience in ​​product recycling matters and regularly advises on emissions control law. The practice is headed by environmental lawyer Markus Pauly  and further adept in packaging litigation, in which context it represents all eight dual systems in Germany.

Pohlmann & Company focuses on environmental compliance and ESG issues and advises companies from various industries on setting up their compliance systems. Close networks with international partner firms enable the team to carry out risk analyses on German, British and US environmental regulations. Practice head Uwe Erling has in-depth expertise in climate and emissions protection law and represents clients before authorities, particularly in the context of environmental cleanup projects. Former practice head Horst Schlemminger (environmental law, real estate law) retired in April 2023.