Germany: Banking
With a high exposure to Greek and Italian debt, German banks are facing uncertain times. Deutsche Bank, the country’s biggest bank, issued a recent profits warning in light of the intensifying European sovereign debt crisis. While lawyers remain active – in particular with re-financing and regulatory work – there is concern in the industry as to how things will pan out. We list 22 individuals with proven track records in banking work.
With five lawyers listed from the Frankfurt office, Hengeler Mueller emerges as the most prominent firm in this section. Thomas Cron is hailed as “a leading name in the market” and is one of the most highly nominated individuals in our research. The “outstanding” Hendrik Haag receives praise for his work with financial institutions. Daniel Weiß is described as “an intelligent lawyer that provides a very good perspective on the issues at hand” and Johannes Tieves is an “excellent” practitioner respected for his refinancing practice. Completing the list is the “first class” Stefan Krauss.
Clifford Chance LLP fields an impressive four lawyers in this chapter. Alexandra Hagelüken has represented clients in respect of acquisition finance, corporate loans and restructurings. She is also credited for her international practice. Barbara Mayer-Trautmann is a “name that everyone knows and admires”. Hailed as an “expert” in the field of structured finance, her clients include leading financial and corporate institutions as well as equity houses. Bettina Steinhauer is considered “brilliant” for transactions involving mezzanine or high-yield debt and Michael Weller recently headed-up the team that advised a banking syndicate, led by Commerzbank AG and UniCredit Bank AG, in relation to a credit facility for GAZPROM Germania GmbH in the amount of €500 million.
Three lawyers make the cut from Linklaters LLP, including Eva Reudelhuber who is “respected” for her work in acquisition finance. Of Counsel Berthold Kusserow is an “expert” in the areas of credit-linked transactions and debt issuance programmes. He is credited for the breadth of his practice and his expertise extends to bonds issues and banking supervisory law. Referred to as “first-rate”, Marc Trinkaus is singled out for his experience in syndicated lending and structured finance.
Allen & Overy features two lawyers. The “outstanding” Neil Weiand is a “well known and established name in the market”. He was involved is advising GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft in connection with a €650 million syndicated facility coordinated by Commerzbank Aktiengesellscha. He also advised SAP AG in relation to a €2.75 billion loan facility arranged and underwritten by Barclays Capital and Deutsche Bank. Walter Uebelhoer receives praise for his expertise in syndicated loans and acquisition finance transactions and counts News Corporation, Evonik Industries AG and Deutsche Bank among his clients.
Yorck Jetter at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is “highly experienced” and is noted as a prominent name in debt financing. He leads the firm’s German banking practice and represents banks and private equity houses as well as other corporate clients. He is accompanied by the “brilliant” Andreas König who is the global co-head of the firm’s finance practice.
Also with two listings is Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP. The “guru of banking” Rainer Magold is hailed as an “industry expert” having recently advised borrowers and lenders in connection with the financing of a large number of acquisitions by private equity funds and strategic investors. Thomas Ingenhoven is described as a “top name” in the market and advises lenders, sponsors and corporate borrowers on all aspects of leveraged buyouts, financial restructurings, general syndicated lending and asset finance transactions.
At Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, with over 25 years of experience, Christof von Dryander is “outstanding” for corporate transactions and regulatory issues. He is held in high esteem by peers who commend him for his work on “cutting edge” transactions.
Chair of the finance department at Latham & Watkins LLP, Uwe Eyles is “respected” for his work in bank regulatory law. With an extensive practice, his areas of expertise include domestic and cross-border banking and finance, the design of innovative financing strategies, bank insolvencies and bank M&A matters. As well as domestic and foreign banks, he also boasts a broad cross-section of clients such as financial service providers, insurance companies and banking associations.
The “superb” Johannes Kremer at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP specialises in domestic and cross-border bank finance matters. In particular he focuses on multi-layered bank/bond leveraged acquisition finance, commodity finance and general corporate lending.
At White & Case LLP, Annica Lindegren heads the bank and finance practice in Germany. Referred to as a “leading light”, she has been credited by contemporaries as “building up the firm’s impressive practice”. Lindegren has a broad range of experience in single bank and syndicated loans, both unsecured and secured, where she has acted for financing banks and borrowers.