Bird & Bird LLP > Frankfurt, Germany > Firm Profile

Bird & Bird LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Industry focus > Artificial Intelligence Tier 1

Bird & Bird LLP is renowned for its expertise in IT and data protection law and follows a multidisciplinary approach across the AI ​​sector. The team offers comprehensive advice to both developers of AI products and services and customers of such companies, where IP and employment law matters are also covered. The mainstays include the review of use cases regarding generative AI models, regulatory advice and the support in AI-related transactions, investments and contracts. The technology and IT expertise is mirrored in the practice's management: Fabian Niemann specialises in cross-border projects, which was most recently demonstrated in advising on an AI-based chatbot service in accordance with the AI ​​Act and the GDPR, while Miriam Ballhausen advises on software, digital media, data protection and copyright law.

Industry focus > Telecoms

Bird & Bird LLP follows a multidisciplinary and cross-border approach and is instructed by national and international service providers, platform providers and telecommunications network operators. The mainstays include expertise at the interface with IT and data protection law, regulatory issues, such as the effects of the Digital Markets Act, as well as infrastructure project support. Practice head Sven-Erik Heun covers various topics and recently took the lead in advising mobile network operators on frequency issues as well as on distribution models pertaining to over-the-top services. Valerian Jenny also covers various matters, including network expansion and access, customer contracts, transactions as well as clients' representation before regulatory authorities and courts.

Information technology > Data protection Tier 1

Bird & Bird comprehensively advises clients, which also benefit from the cooperation with the international network, on all aspects of German and European data protection law and focuses on new business models, international data transfers and data protection in the context of AI. Accordingly, the team is regularly instructed by renowned international companies from the healthcare, automotive, finance and retail sectors. Fabian Niemann is experienced in supporting domestic and international technology projects and jointly heads the practice with Lennart Schüßler, who regularly leads in damages claims proceedings and advises on the commercial use of data in connection with social media and mobile apps. Simon Assion is a key contact for issues at the interface with IT and telecommunications law.

Information technology > Information technology and digitalisation Tier 1

Bird & Bird's team acts in close cooperation with IT experts across the international network and advises multinational companies from various industries on matters with a pronounced technology focus; the mainstays include cloud computing, machine learning and robotics. Noteworthy is the combination of comprehensive IT law capacities with financial regulatory expertise as well as matters pertaining to the Cyber ​​Resilience Act. The practice is headed by Fabian Niemann, whose international technology and data protection project support also covers related contract design, and Henriette Picot, who is well versed in software development as well as litigation. Lennart Schüßler is a key contact for contractual and regulatory matters pertaining to digital media and e-commerce.

Information technology > IT transactions and outsourcing Tier 1

Bird & Bird is well versed in supporting domestic and cross-border outsourcing projects and is also experienced in business process outsourcing and the comprehensive support for technology transactions; these competencies are based on combined expertise in outsourcing, IT law and matters pertaining to digital business models such as cloud computing, big data and AI. Fabian Niemann advises on various topics and focuses on copyright, data protection and transaction support, he co-leads with Henriette Picot, who is experienced in matters pertaining to open source software, cloud computing and software-as-a-service (SaaS). Jörg-Alexander Paul offers expertise in business process outsourcing (BPO), IT outsourcing (ITO) and transaction support across the financial industry, where he regularly advises banks, financial service providers, IT companies and service providers.

Intellectual property > Patent litigation: solicitors Tier 1

Bird & Bird is one of the major players in national and cross-border patent litigation, not least due to its extensive team of lawyers and patent attorneys and its strong international focus, resulting in visibility both before German courts as well as before the UPC. With its broad expertise, the group also represents clients across a variety of industries, including telecommunications, life sciences, automotive and consumer goods. The practice is headed by Christian Harmsen, who particularly appears in international proceedings and often represents companies from the technology sector. Pharmaceuticals and telecommunications are two key focus areas for Oliver Jan Jüngst.

Intellectual property > Trade marks Tier 1

Bird & Bird LLP continues to be considered one of the top addresses for soft IP and also houses an extensive team and a client portfolio consisting of numerous large corporations for its trade mark practice. Registration strategies and transaction-related advice play just as much of a decisive role for the group as infringement proceedings before the DPMA, EUIPO or the European Court of Justice. Trade mark and design disputes and the fight against product piracy are central elements of Richard Dissmann's advice, who also handles competition and copyright law. Frederik Thiering is active in litigation and strategic advice and covers a broad spectrum of themes, from portfolio management to cancellation proceedings. Geographical designations of origin, in the context of which the firm often cooperates with its Italian colleagues, represent another focus; Joseph Fesenmaier's expertise is particularly worth mentioning here. Roman Brtka (trade mark, design, competition and copyright law) joined Ashurst LLP in March 2024.

Intellectual property > Unfair competition Tier 1

Bird & Bird LLP impresses with its comprehensive advice on competition law, while also covering trade mark, design as well as complex cross-border issues. The team is particularly active in the technology, automotive, media, life sciences, healthcare, retail and consumer goods sectors, often addressing overlaps with other specialist areas such as M&A and corporate law. Christian Harmsen, who specialises in technology, heads the team, which also includes Joseph Fesenmair, who assists with forensic and strategic matters. Companies from the media, communications and consumer goods sectors regularly turn to Niels Lutzhöft.

Public sector > Public procurement Tier 1

Bird & Bird LLP routinely assists public sector actors as well as companies from the healthcare, transport, infrastructure, security and defence as well as IT industries with the implementation and restructuring of technology, security and infrastructure projects. The team's IT expertise is worth mentioning here, with procurement lawyers Jan Byok (IT compliance) and co-practice head Guido Bormann (IT and infrastructure) impressing with advice on digital issues. Bormann jointly heads the practice with Alexander Csaki, who is well versed in pharmaceuticals contracts and litigation. In addition to court disputes, the practice is also experienced in out-of-court conflict resolution. Martin Conrads, who is well versed in procurement and contracts in the defence, healthcare and transport industries, made partner in May 2024.

Banking and finance > Project finance Tier 1

Banking and finance > Fintech Tier 3

Led by Michael Jünemann, who is well versed in DLT, crypto and initial coin offerings (ICO), Bird & Bird LLP's team covers various fintech matters, including the support for international start-ups as well as credit and payment companies in BaFin procedures, the structuring and implementation of platforms and business models, including regulatory issues, as well as matters pertaining to blockchain and crypto assets. The latter area is a focus of Johannes Wirtz (fintech, insurtech and regtech) and associate Timo Förster, who offers additional expertise in tokenisation and smart contracts.

Industry focus > Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3

Bird & Bird LLP is particularly well versed in patent law disputes and also advises on corporate, M&A and employment law as well as digitisation matters. Boris Kreye regularly takes the lead in national and cross-border patent disputes and heads the team, which advises pharmaceutical and medical technology companies, health insurance companies, and investors. Most recent instructions pertain to the marketability of food supplements containing hemp as well as pharmaceutical advertising matters in the context of German market entry. Procurement law matters, including contract-related support to health insurance companies, are another focus of the practice; Alexander Csaki is a key contact here.

Media > Entertainment Tier 3

The Media, Entertainment and Sports team at Bird & Bird LLP is experienced in supporting platforms, including AI companies and streaming service providers, in youth protection issues as well as in contract and licensing negotiations regarding live broadcasting. A recent growth area is the advice across the gaming sector, where the team is experienced in copyright and advertising as well as gambling law issues. Practice head Joseph Fesenmair acts at the interface between media and sports law, where he supports clients in copyright, trademark and competition law disputes. Markus Körner boasts further expertise in these areas, where he regularly advises on the drafting of licensing and sponsorship contracts.

Corporate and M&A > M&A Tier 4

Bird & Bird is an experienced advisor to German and international companies from technology-focused and future-oriented sectors on mid-cap M&A transactions, both on the buyer and seller side, joint ventures and divestments. Stefanie Orttmann heads the practice and has extensive experience in cross-border, strategically important M&A transactions. In December 2023, Hans Peter Leube (M&A, PE) and Marianne Nawroth (M&A, PE, VC) joined Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.

Dispute resolution > Product liability Tier 4

Bird & Bird LLP assists clients from the automotive sector as well as the technology and communications, IT and electronics sectors. The team advises on complex product safety issues, including product safety obligations, product recalls and product liability disputes. Key contacts include practice head Philipp Egler, who specialises in contentious proceedings in the automotive and financial products sectors, and Matthias Spilker, who focuses on supply chain disputes, product liability cases and product compliance in the mobility and automotive sectors.

Industry focus > Energy Tier 4

Bird & Bird LLP offers experience in battery storage matters, which was recently demonstrated in the context of takeovers, cooperations and ​​contract drafting. The team focuses on renewable energies and covers financing and procurement law issues and project financing. The two practice heads René Voigtländer and Matthias Lang are well versed in regulatory matters, which also extends to environmental, state aid and procurement law issues.

Private equity > Venture capital Tier 4

Bird & Bird impresses with expertise in the technology sector, including future topics such as AI, eco-fintech and healthtech, and advises start-ups, business angels, VC funds and corporate VC investors on financing rounds and VC investments. Stefanie Orttmann took over practice management following the departure of private equity lawyer Hans Peter Leube to Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in December 2023; Orttmann regularly advises technology and innovation-driven companies on investments.

Trade and distribution > Foreign trade law Tier 4

Bird & Bird LLP's expertise in export control is utilised by an international client roster. René Voigtländer is well versed in sanctions and heads the team, which is experienced in import law, investment control and foreign trade law compliance. In addition to approval procedures, the Trade and Customs practice also assists with export and customs law investigations.

Transport > Advice to the transport sector Tier 4

Bird & Bird's team is experienced in assisting public transport operators with the procurement of new rolling stock as well as in supporting their manufacturers and lessors in financing and leasing agreements. Guido Bormann is well versed in procurement law matters, including litigation, and co-leads the practice with Alexander Csaki, who advises rail transport clients in commercial disputes, and finance expert Matthias Winter; the latter is experienced in the structuring of rail and aircraft-related transactions.

Germany > Antitrust Tier 5

Bird & Bird LLP's antitrust team boasts expertise in merger and investment control law, as well as in supporting abuse and antitrust proceedings and internal investigations. This is complemented with competencies in distribution antitrust law, which are routinely drawn upon in the drafting of licensing and distribution agreements. Here, the team also covers interfacing IP law matters in connection with SEP and FRAND; practice head Jörg Witting is a key contact for this intersection. The team also advises on state aid and procurement law matters and routinely acts across the technology and automotive sectors.

Corporate and M&A > Corporate Tier 5

Bird & Bird is frequently called upon to assist with joint venture projects in various sectors, while ongoing corporate advice represents another mainstay. This includes corporate restructuring and reorganisation as well as German market entries and also mirrors practice head Stefanie Orttmann's focus, particularly in the technology and innovation sector.

Public sector > Planning and environment Tier 5

Bird & Bird impresses with expertise in soil protection and environmental law issues and routinely assists with planning approval and licensing procedures in the context of large energy projects. Other mainstays include advice on emission control law and circular economy issues. René Voigtländer often assists public sector actors and private companies with energy projects and jointly leads the practice with Matthias Lang, who focuses on energy transition issues.

Trade and distribution > Trade, distribution and logistics Tier 5

Bird & Bird LLP is experienced in advising automotive suppliers on trade and distribution law, including the support in contract matters, general terms and conditions and related disputes as well as supply chain disruptions and due diligence. Practice head Matthias Spilker is a key contact for the latter segment.

Germany > Employment Tier 6

Bird & Bird LLP focuses its employment advice on the consumer goods, healthcare, IT and telecommunications sectors, while its strengths lie in restructuring support and project-related matters. In this context, the practice regularly assists with the negotiation of distribution agreements, reconciliations of interests and social plans with works councils and unions. Transactional support and interface expertise in social security law complement its offering. Barbara Geck heads the practice and is experienced in reorganisations and co-determination law.