Taylor Wessing

Taylor Wessing is an international law firm - we provide legal advice to the most innovative companies and individuals. We are firmly rooted in our industries and work closely with our clients to solve complex problems and bring ideas and aspirations to life. We work with the world's largest, most technology-intensive and innovative companies and many government institutions. From emerging start-ups to public sector companies and established multinationals, we support businesses in the technology, life sciences, telecoms, electronics, software, chemicals and automotive industries.

With over 1,200 lawyers in 29 offices in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the USA, we offer integrated legal advice at the highest level. Our German office is one of the largest in the Taylor Wessing network with more than 500 lawyers in our five offices in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich. With offices across Germany, we believe in the power of strong networks and common goals. We work closely with our national and international clients to understand the challenges and transformations they face from both a legal and commercial perspective. We attach great importance to developing innovative legal strategies that are both legally sound and practical to implement.

Our work is characterized by a deep connection with our clients. We see it as our duty not only to provide excellent legal advice, but also to act as pioneers for forward-looking legal solutions. We pride ourselves on getting things done and actively helping our clients to recognize and exploit their opportunities and successfully implement their visions.

Life Sciences & Healthcare:

Our healthcare team brings together renowned specialists from many different practice areas. We support you in transactions as well as in establishing, structuring, continuing and positioning healthcare facilities in the market. We advise medical service providers, in particular hospitals and their owners, medical care centres and large medical practices, health insurance companies, care home operators and other players in the healthcare sector, for example on medical law, employment and commercial law and on all issues relating to operational activities in the healthcare market.

Our main areas of expertise include medical and healthcare law, statutory and private health insurance law, as well as the structuring of co-operations and contracts in these areas.

With one of the largest pharmaceutical teams in Europe, we offer pharmaceutical companies - from global corporations to start-ups - comprehensive expertise to accelerate their growth and maintain their competitive advantage.

Our clients appreciate our pragmatic and strategic advice based on a thorough understanding of the technical, scientific and regulatory environment in which they operate.

We have highly renowned regulatory expertise across Europe, with a particular focus on Germany, the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Austria/CEE, covering all aspects of pharmaceutical and medical device law during the entire product cycle. Our cross-jurisdictional and interdisciplinary EU regulatory team works closely with global pharmaceutical companies, advising them on strategic product promotions in Europe and beyond. Our team frequently conducts cross-border reviews, endeavouring to minimise market access while achieving end-to-end compliance.

Energy and infrastructure

We are proud to be one of the leading law firms in Germany and Europe-wide in the (renewable) energy sector, with extensive operational and regulatory experience and a wealth of detailed knowledge that is essential for the successful planning, implementation and operation of such projects. Taylor Wessing has been active in the renewable energy sector for more than 20 years and has market-leading expertise, inter alia on onshore and offshore wind, solar PV, storage, hydrogen and waste head, hydro and other sources of (renewable) energy.

In 2023, our international team advised on > 110 projects and transactions in the renewable energy and clean tech sectors with a total installed capacity of > 10 GW. This makes us one of the leading international law firms in the renewable energy sector.

We have market-leading expertise, particularly in transactions, power purchase agreements (PPAs), (energy) plant construction and the drafting and negotiation of EPC contracts as well as in securing land, planning and approval and project financing. Our experts in the fields of regulatory energy law and public law are central to our high-quality advice on renewable energy projects. Our full-service approach and extensive experience in all aspects of renewable energy project development, construction, operation, transactions and financing enable us to focus on the most important legal aspects of each project.

Real Estate

As an established part of the integrated ‘Real Estate, Infrastructure & Energy’ sector group, advising the real estate industry is one of Taylor Wessing's most important focus sectors. In addition to the transaction business, we also successfully focus on the integration of real estate law with related legal practices. In addition to the real estate transactions, we advise clients in the area of asset management as the second pillar of our practice area on an ongoing and long-standing basis. The third main pillar is project development (including urban quarter development). Our Real Estate Group covers the entire spectrum of asset classes. In addition to other industry-specific events, our annual presence at the major real estate events MIPIM in Cannes and EXPO REAL in Munich is worthy of special mention. We are a member of several associations, including the ZIA, the Brownfield Association and the GDA, in which we actively contribute and engage our expertise and network.

Technology, Media & Communications

Our Technology, Media and Communications Group is at the forefront of this dynamic and rapidly evolving sector. With a team of international industry specialists, we provide comprehensive legal services to clients across the digital landscape, from global market leaders to innovative start-ups.

Our presence in Europe, Asia and the Middle East makes us a first choice for US companies seeking to expand internationally through acquisitions or foreign investment. We offer expertise in all aspects of business operations, including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, employment, IT, intellectual property, real estate, contract law, tax structuring and dispute resolution.

With deep industry knowledge and a commitment to tailored legal solutions, we help clients navigate the complexities of the digital world and achieve their business goals.

Private Wealth

Our Private Wealth Group is distinguished by its expertise and experience in serving the unique needs of high net worth clients. We work with domestic and international family businesses, entrepreneurial families, family offices, high net worth individuals, foundations and overseas trusts, building long-term relationships based on trust and close collaboration.

We provide a full range of legal services tailored to private wealth management. These include corporate and tax structuring, investment and divestment advice, and intergenerational wealth and business succession solutions.

Our team includes leading experts in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, domestic and international asset structuring, real estate, tax and wealth succession. We are committed to delivering tailored legal strategies that protect and enhance our clients' wealth for generations to come.

Corporate / M&A

In an interconnected world, you need to operate internationally with ease. Local knowledge and an understanding of cultural differences can be a defining factor in the success of a deal. Covering 17 jurisdictions, our team has an outstanding record in cross-border M&A. We solve complicated issues and make your deal a seamless experience.

We can help throughout your business journey. From set-up and early-stage funding to larger investments like private equity and M&A, we act on buy-side and sell-side deals of all shapes and sizes. Whether it's an IPO, public takeover or private M&A, national or international, our extensive commercial experience will help make your transaction a success.

Our people are connected to their clients' sectors and enjoy working at the forefront of new areas of law and regulation. Our specialist knowledge lets us identify potential challenges before they become issues, de-risk transactions and get you the best outcome possible.

Advising some of the world's most innovative businesses means we're widely recognised for our deep expertise in technology, media and communications, life sciences and healthcare, real estate and energy, industrials and private wealth. But we also have a strong background in cross-border M&A, capital markets and corporate restructuring for clients who are reshaping more traditional sectors such as financial services or consumer goods.

Intellectual Property: Trade marks

The focus of the German group is on representing international clients in the development of new products and marketing strategies, the realization, management and safeguarding of their core assets such as trademarks, goodwill and trade secrets as well as in litigation matters for the protection and enforcement of their rights against competitors and product pirates. We advise on international advertising measures and campaigns and are known for our market-leading expertise in green advertising.

Real Estate and Construction:  Construction

We advise on all aspects of major projects worldwide throughout their entire life cycle, from pre-contractual planning and development to the negotiation and conclusion of the relevant contracts through to the realisation and implementation of the project, including claims management.

We also represent our clients in legal proceedings in state courts as well as in national and international arbitration proceedings.

In particular, we advise on:

(1) drafting and negotiating contracts in connection with the engineering, design, procurement, construction, operation and maintenance of large production and manufacturing plants, (2) advising on international standard contracts in plant construction, (3) advising on co-operations (associations and joint ventures) and consortium agreements, (4) contract, amendment and claims management in close co-operation with the project teams, (5) conducting national and international litigation and arbitration proceedings.

Real Estate and Construction: Project Development

We advise on major projects from the planning stage through to completion. In this complex convergence of multi-layered interests, we advise on logistics, the regulatory framework and complex, interlocking contractual structures with a focus on planning, securing approvals, procurement, site option control, financing and documentation. We have comprehensive expertise in energy (infrastructure) projects as well as in the areas of life sciences, healthcare and real estate/construction.

TMT

We are one of the most internationally networked law firms in the fields of technology, media and communications and support companies worldwide - from start-ups to billion-dollar “unicorns”, from foundation to IPO.

We offer expertise in all areas of cyber security, data protection and the IT sector in general. It is essential for TMT to always be up to date with the latest developments in order to actively support clients with new regulations, whether national or international.

Our clients, many of whom have been represented by Taylor Wessing since their inception, include some of the largest technology and media companies in the world, including numerous Silicon Valley pioneers. They particularly value our strategic, tactical and operational technical advice. We advise numerous renowned investors - from leading early-stage funds and major international venture capital firms to corporate investors and sovereign wealth funds.

Our technology, media and communications experts have industry-specific expertise, know-how in disruptive technologies and international connections to investors. This makes us a highly sought-after and reliable partner for innovation leaders in the technology sector.

Our specialised data protection team is proud to be one of the largest in Germany and has more than 20 years of experience in providing excellent data protection advice to medium-sized companies and multinational corporations, especially in the automotive and the health care sectors.

We provide practical, pragmatic, and business-oriented advice in all areas of data protection law.

We are considered to be one of the leading law firms for IT law and data protection law in Germany.

Private Equity: Venture Capital

Our venture capital team is recognised as one of the strongest in Europe, providing comprehensive advice to clients at all stages of their lifecycle, from 'cradle to liquidity'. Our international presence spans key technology hubs including Silicon Valley, London, Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam. This global reach allows us to see all sides of the investment dialogue, enabling us to understand and prioritise commercial drivers, thereby increasing efficiency in managing transactions.

We represent a wide range of high-profile investors, from prominent early stage funds and leading international venture capital firms to corporate investors and sovereign wealth funds. We also work with many of the world's most successful early and growth stage companies. Our team has been involved in numerous high-profile investments over the past decade and many of our clients have been with us since their inception, valuing our strategic, tactical and technical advice.

Our deep industry knowledge and extensive experience make us a trusted partner for venture capital investments, helping our clients achieve their business goals and drive innovation.

Trade and Distribution : Trade, Distribution and Logistics

Our Commercial Agreements and Distribution practice is one of the market leaders. We advise our clients on all aspects of commercial and distribution law, optimise contracts and minimise risks. Above all, we offer practical solutions.

Current key advisory topics include:

• the massive statutory regulation of technical and safety-related requirements for products ("statutory product requirements", "CE mark" etc.)
• price adjustments and other challenges of long supply chains in a globalised world
• the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (valid since 2023 for companies with more than 3,000 employees / from 2024 for companies with more than 1,000 employees in Germany)
• the new competition law for distribution agreements, the EU Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (valid since 1 June 2022), which generally gives suppliers more leeway in the design of their distribution networks and agreements

We support our clients in their operational business – from drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts and assisting with their implementation (in particular in the event of defects/product errors) to representing them in national and international court and arbitration proceedings. We also offer strategic advice, for example assisting our clients with market entries as well as the restructuring of existing and the setting up of new distribution systems.