Germany: Corporate Governance
Corporate governance issues have become increasingly important in boardrooms across the world, and our research picks out 31 individuals who are recognised for the quality of their business advisory work to boards, directors and officers.
Hengeler Mueller is particularly well known for the strength of its corporate practice, and seven of its lawyers earn a place in this chapter. Maximilian Schiessl is “one of the finest corporate lawyers in Europe, if not the world” and received particularly high levels of international recognition. Described as an “ultra guru”, he is well known from his time as chair of committee G “corporate and M&A” of the International Bar Association. Michael Hoffmann-Becking is “one of the best corporate lawyers in Germany”, and is particularly recommended for his compliance advice. Oleg de Lousanoff is “first class” and feted for his transactional and regulatory expertise. Andreas Austmann is similarly well known for his knowledge of the governance aspects of M&A transactions in particular, while Gerd Krieger is an “acknowledged authority in this sector”. Rainer Krause is “excellent”, and Klaus-Dieter Stephan is “phenomenally well versed in all aspects of compliance work”.
Gleiss Lutz is extremely well respected for its corporate work, and six of its lawyers are selected for inclusion here. Gerhard Wirth is “one of the premier practitioners in Germany”, and sits on the supervisory and advisory boards of a range of companies. Gerhard Wegen is internationally renowned for his M&A work, and was recommended to researchers for his corporate advisory practice as well as for the quality of his arbitration work. Michael Arnold is “the first port of call” for those seeking advice on shareholder meetings, board matters and compliance matters. Bodo Riegger is of counsel to the firm and a “legend of German corporate law”, recognised for his expertise in, and shaping of, the practice area. Christian Cascante is head of the corporate/M&A practice and much admired for his advice to a range of clients. Andreas Rittstieg gives the firm a presence in Hamburg and is a “formidable lawyer”.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP fields three highly rated lawyers in this chapter. Axel Epe is “extremely well respected” and “a real expert in this field”. He was praised for his writing in this sector, and is co-editor of the legal journal CCZ Corporate Compliance Zeitschrift. Christian Decher is very well regarded for his knowledge of cross-border business combinations, corporate restructurings and other related issues, and Christoph Seibt is global head of the firm’s “core corporate” group and also well known for his M&A, capital market and restructuring expertise.
Ralph Wollburg at Linklaters LLP is one of the most highly regarded individuals in our research, and was repeatedly recommended as “outstanding” for his corporate work, including his knowledge of the German Stock Corporation Law. Hans-Ulrich Wilsing is “first class”, picked out for his advice on the preparation of ordinary and extraordinary shareholders’ meetings.
In Frankfurt, Daniela Weber-Rey of Clifford Chance has a “fantastic reputation”. She is a member of the German Corporate Governance Commission, and is “first class for all manner of boardroom issues”. Wolfgang Richter is “top notch for all types of company law”.
At Oppenhoff & Partner in Cologne, Georg Maier-Reimer is “a pillar of the German legal community”, commended by sources across the country and beyond for his corporate and disputes practice. Alongside him, Harald Gesell is “extremely well versed in all aspects of corporate law”.
Jochem Reichert of Schilling Zutt & Anschütz Rechtsanwalts AG in Mannheim is “very knowledgeable in all types of corporate and compliance work”, and maintains a strong reputation in the market. Marc Löbbe is regarded as a “specialist”, particularly well known for his knowledge of executive and supervisory board liability related matters.
Georg Thoma at Shearman & Sterling LLP was referred to as an “icon” by our sources. A member of the firm’s global strategy group and co-managing partner for Germany, he is one of the most highly regarded corporate lawyers in the country.
At Latham & Watkins LLP, Joachim von Falkenhausen is much in demand from clients for his corporate and securities expertise, as well as for his transactional practice.
Hans-Christoph Ihrig at Allen & Overy LLP “belongs on any list of the leading experts”, and was commended for his expertise in all board related matters. He is a member of the German Bar Association’s standing committee on commercial law.
Reinhard Pöllath is founding partner of P+P Pöllath + Partners in Munich and a “big name in German corporate law”. He is chair or member of several boards, and “hugely knowledgeable in this sector”.
In Mannheim, Andreas Pentz of Rowedder Zimmermann Hass is “one of the most insightful lawyers I have come across” according to one of our sources.
Tobias Bürgers at Noerr LLP is “one of the best around”. A member of numerous supervisory boards, his “practical and up-to-date advice” is much praised by our interviewees.
At Flick Gocke Schaumburg, Stefan Simon is a “real corporate governance expert”. He is recognised for the quality of his writing as well as for his “invaluable counsel” to clients.