Baker McKenzie

Alexander Wolff heads the Labor Law Practice Group in the Firm’s Berlin office. He co-authored the German section of Baker McKenzie’s Worldwide Guide to Termination, Employment Discrimination, and Workplace Harassment Laws and Global Employer. He is also a regular contributor to other labor law journals, and is a frequent speaker on employment law issues in seminars and conferences. Dr. Wolff routinely advises clients on employment matters relating to reorganizations and restructurings, transfer of businesses (TUPE), negotiations with works councils and unions, as well as general employment advice. He also advises on executive compensation and employee benefits, mass dismissals and employment litigation. In addition, he provides sound counsel on issues arising from data protection and discrimination, pension funds and harassment issues. He also handles employment litigation, employer-work council relations and the mandatory representation of employees in companies’ supervisory boards.

Anahita Thoms

Anahita Thoms heads Baker McKenzie's International Trade Practice in Germany and is a member of our EMEA Steering Committee for Investigations, Compliance & Ethics. Anahita is Global Lead Sustainability Partner for our Industrials, Manufacturing and Transportation Industry Group. She serves as an Advisory Board Member in profit and non-profit organizations, such as Atlantik-Brücke, and is an elected National Committee Member at UNICEF Germany. She has served for three consecutive terms as the ABA Co-chair of the Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Committee and as the ABA Vice-Chair of the International Human Rights Committee. Anahita has also been an Advisory Board Member (Beirätin) of the Sustainable Finance Advisory Council of the German Government. Anahita has won various accolades for her work, including 100 Most Influential Women in German Business (manager magazin), Top Lawyer (Wirtschaftswoche), Winner of the Strive Awards in the category Sustainability, Pioneer in the area of sustainability (Juve), International Trade Lawyer of the Year (Germany) 2020 ILO Client Choice Awards, Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, Capital 40 under 40, International Trade Lawyer of the Year (New York) 2016 ILO Client Choice Awards. In 2023, Handelsblatt recognized her as one of Germany’s Dealmaker and “most sought after advisors of the country” in the field of sustainability. Anahita focuses her practice on global investigations and white-collar crime proceedings before German authorities and courts. She has significant experience advising on internal compliance programs, accompanying internal and external investigations and self-disclosures, inter alia in cases of breaches of sanctions, export control, human rights, data protection and foreign investment review, closely collaborating with the competent authorities.

Andreas Lohner

Corporate

Andreas Schulz

Dr. Andreas Schulz, a counsel, has several years of experience in the areas of public procurement and administrative law, particularly in the healthcare, defense and utilities sectors. He wrote a number of publications related to his field and regularly delivers presentations on current aspects of public procurement law. Andreas is a member of Forum Vergabe e.V. and the Humboldt Forum Wirtschaft. Andreas focuses his practice on national, European and international public procurement law, as well as public and European law aspects of privatizations. He advises and represents local and international companies and public authorities in tender and review procedures, particularly in pharmaceuticals and medical devices, public infrastructure and transportation systems, and military procurement. In addition, he assists bidders and state institutions in public-private partnerships and tender procedures outside the scope of public procurement law, including the sale of public assets.

Anika Schürmann

Dr. Anika Schürmann is a Partner in Baker McKenzie’s Dusseldorf office and a bar-certified professional in criminal law (Fachanwältin für Strafrecht). Anika has extensive experience in advising clients in antitrust and white collar crime matters, with a particular focus on complex investigations and regulatory and judicial proceedings. Anika co-heads Baker McKenzie's German Investigations, Compliance & Ethics Group as well as the German Consumer Goods & Retail Industry Group. She is also chairing the North Rhine-Westphalia chapter of the prestigious German Association of Antitrust Lawyers. Her expertise has repeatedly been recognized by The Legal 500 ("Next Generation Partner"), Juve ("frequently recommended") and the renowned German business magazines Handelsblatt (Best-Lawyers-Ranking) and Wirtschaftswoche. Prior to joining Baker McKenzie in 2013, Anika was a member of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s antitrust team in Brussels (2007-2011), and practiced at Wessing & Partner, a leading German law firm for high-profile white collar crime matters (2012-2013). Anika advises on all aspects of antitrust and white collar crime matters, including anti-competitive agreements, bid rigging, corruption, fraud, tax evasion and export control violations. She has long-standing experience in handling complex internal investigations as well as proceedings before German and European authorities and courts – in self-disclosure / leniency cases as well as on the defense side. Anika is also an expert in designing and implementing global compliance programs and in advising clients on the admissibility of business models and contractual relationships with business partners.

Annika Schürmann

Artur M. Swierczok

Prof. Dr. Artur M. Swierczok joined Baker McKenzie as Counsel in 2021 and works in the area of Restructuring and Insolvency. Prior to that, he worked for two international law firms in Frankfurt. Artur studied law at the University of Tuebingen, where he also earned his doctor's degree in law. He further received an LL.M. in Corporate Law from University College London (UCL) and a MSt. in Legal Research from the University of Oxford. Artur was admitted to the German bar in 2015. Artur is a Professor for Law at the University of Applied Science IU Internationale Hochschule and has authored numerous publications on restructuring and insolvency law. Artur's practice focuses on international restructuring and insolvency law. He advises German and international corporations, shareholders, creditors and other stakeholders on all aspects of international restructuring and insolvency law. He also advises on distressed M&A transactions.

Bernhard Trappehl

Bernhard Trappehl, former Chair of the EMEA Employment Practice Group, manages relationships with several of the Firm’s largest clients. He served as managing partner of the Firm’s German/Austrian offices between 2007 and 2012. He frequently speaks at seminars and provides in-house trainings on a wide range of employment matters, and regularly contributes to publications, books, newspapers and law journals. Bernhard Trappehl provides strategic corporate and comprehensive employment law advice to domestic and multinational clients. His focus is on pre- and post-merger corporate restructurings, collective dismissals as well as negotiations with works councils — national and European — and unions. He also counsels on outsourcing projects, service and work contracts for and separation from senior management employees. Bernhard Trappehl also advises on pension and benefit schemes, email monitoring, data privacy and compliance investigations.

Berthold Hummel

Berthold A. Hummel is the co-head of the Corporate/M&A Practice Group in Germany. Berthold has more than 20 years in-depth industry knowledge in private equity from private practice and as a senior legal counsel of a leading international private equity firm. He advises on local and international M&A, private equity, growth capital, venture capital and equity capital markets transactions. Berthold has a particular experience working with biotech and life science companies and their financial sponsors. Berthold focuses on M&A, private equity, growth capital, venture capital and equity capital markets transactions in advising multinational strategic clients, institutional investors, financial sponsors, large family offices, management teams and companies backed by financial sponsors and institutional investors. He handles all types of complex corporate and commercial transactions, including cross-border acquisitions, financing rounds, takeovers and capital market matters, as well as corporate restructurings, compliance and corporate commercial matters. Berthold also advises European technology and biotech companies on their successful US-IPOs at NASDAQ and NYSE.

Caroline Heinickel

Caroline Heinickel, a counsel, was admitted to the German bar in 2006. She joined Baker McKenzie in 2005 and has, since then, worked mainly in the field of public law with a focus on regulated industries, particularly in the telecommunications and energy sectors, energy law and environmental law. Caroline is a member of the German offices public law practice group as well as the European telecommunications and environmental law practice groups. She advises companies and public authorities on a broad range of administrative law matters, focusing in particular on regulated industries, particularly in the telecommunications and energy sectors and energy law.

Christian Koops

Christian Koops joined the Munich office of Baker McKenzie in 2015. He is a member of the Firm’s European and Global Labor Law practice groups. Christian advises domestic and multinational companies on employment law matters, including outsourcing and other transactions. He frequently speaks at in-house and external seminars, and conducts training on a wide range of employment matters. He also practiced in the Firm’s Berlin office. Christian Koops advises on domestic and multijurisdictional projects, with a focus on cross-border transactions and reorganizations. He is also specialized in employee data protection and employment-related compliance, encompassing anti-discrimination law and the engagement of external personnel. Christian's client base extends from Germany- and EMEA-headquartered clients with global operations to local subsidiaries of multinationals.

Christian Atzler

Christian Atzler is a member of the Firm's Global M&A Steering Committee. He is also the co-head of the Corporate/M&A Practice Group in Germany. Christian regularly advises German and international clients on cross-border M&A transactions, corporate matters and joint venture projects. Prior to joining the Frankfurt office of Baker McKenzie in 2009, Christian worked in the Shanghai and Hong Kong offices of Baker McKenzie from 2005 to 2008, and mainly advised international clients on M&A projects, joint ventures, and China foreign direct investment projects.

Christian Reichel

Dr. Christian Reichel joined Baker McKenzie Frankfurt in 1998 after serving Allianz Lebensversicherungs AG as assistant to the board since 1996. He graduated from the University of Munich in 1992 and passed his second state exam in 1996. He completed his Doctorate studies at the law faculty of the University of Goettingen in 1995. Christian is admitted as an attorney specialized in employment law. Christian is active in the area of pension and employment law. He advises companies in all contentious and non-contentious pension, employment law related matters, in particular in conjunction with complex reorganizations and M&A activities, negotiations with works councils and unions, negotiations of European Works Council agreements, outsourcing projects and the hiring of, and separation from, managerial employees. Christian advises on the introduction, change, transfer and closure of pension and other benefit schemes, pension funds and Contractual Trust Arrangements.

Christian Vocke

Dr. Christian Vocke is a partner of the Corporate/M&A Practice Group in the Firm’s Frankfurt office. He has numerous years of experience in virtually all areas of corporate law. Prior to joining Baker McKenzie, Dr. Vocke worked for one of the leading German law firms. In 2011/2012, he was seconded to Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes) in Toronto. Christian Vocke is ranked by JUVE Handbuch Wirtschaftskanzleien, Legal 500 and by The Best Lawyers in Germany for corporate law. Christian focuses his practice on corporate law matters, including stock corporation law, corporate group law, corporate reorganizations, corporate governance structures and securities trading law. He advises on joint ventures as well as public and private M&A transactions.

Christoph Becker

Christoph Becker joined Baker McKenzie in 2006. Christoph co-heads the German Tax Practice Group of Baker McKenzie. He has ten years of experience in advising clients in the field of international and domestic German tax law. Mr. Becker's work is focused on international tax planning and tax advice in connection with M&A transactions and corporate restructurings. He routinely assists German and international clients in inbound and outbound tax planning strategies. In addition, Mr. Becker advises clients on tax matters in all phases of a transaction process, from designing tax optimized acquisition and joint venture structures, carrying out tax due diligence reviews to the drafting and negotiation of tax related aspects of the transaction documentation and the implantation of tax efficient post-merger integrations. Moreover, he represents clients in tax audits and tax court litigations. He is the author of several articles and publications and regularly speaks at seminars on topics related to international tax planning and transactional tax advice.

Claire Dietz-Polte

Claire Dietz-Polte is a partner in Baker McKenzie's Transactional practice group. Claire is co-head of the German Energy & Infrastructure practice and EMEA Sustainability Lead of the Industrials, Manufacturing & Transportation Industry Group. Claire started her career in 2011 in the Energy M&A team of a leading international law firm and worked in the M&A / Energy & Infrastructure practice group of another international law firm from 2013 to 2016. Claire advises domestic and foreign companies, sponsors, banks and financial investors on M&A transactions, joint ventures, projects and related financing in the energy and infrastructure sector. She has extensive expertise and experience in generation assets (renewable energy, gas, coal, nuclear), storage (battery, gas, oil) and grids (fiber, transmission, long-distance and distribution). Claire also advises in all phases of project development (especially for renewable energy systems, battery storage and data centers), from project structuring and financing to share or asset deal transactions and (corporate) PPAs. In addition, Claire focuses on the implementation of projects and service agreements in the future mobility sector (electromobility, micro mobility). She is a member of Baker McKenzie's Future Mobility Group. Claire's practice also includes advising on energy and media supply contracts as well as infrastructure (usage) contracts. Furthermore, she advises comprehensively on regulatory issues (e.g. unbundling, access regulations for third parties) in the energy and infrastructure sector.

Daniel Bork

Dr. Daniel Bork is a partner in Baker McKenzie's Real Estate Practice Group in Dusseldorf. Prior to joining the Firm in 2014, Daniel served his legal traineeship at the District Court of Cologne. During this time, he also worked at the German Embassy in Switzerland and in the Firm's New York office. In 2018, Daniel was seconded to the Real Estate Practice Group of our Chicago office. Dr. Bork advises domestic and international clients in all real estate matters, with particular focus on real estate transactions, commercial leases, project development, and construction matters.

Florian Tannen

Florian Tannen is a partner in the Munich office of Baker McKenzie with more than 14 years of experience. He advises on all areas of contentious and non-contentious digital, data, AI, cyber and general information technology law. Before joining the Firm, Florian worked for two major law firms and a large US-based technology company. Florian focuses this practice on digitalization, cybersecurity, data economy, data protection and digital law and has a strong focus on the automotive, pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors as well as industry, manufacturing and transport and advises several large companies on the market launch of (digital) products and services that process data. He also advises on matters relating to intellectual property, unfair competition, compliance and general contract law in this area. Florian also leads several major, complex proceedings before German Data Protection Authorities.

Florian Käestle

Dr. Florian Kästle practices in the area of M&A, private equity, restructuring, corporate law and post-M&A disputes. He joined Baker McKenzie as a partner in 2000. He is regularly cited by top legal directories in Germany as one of Germany’s leading M&A lawyers. In addition to regularly giving presentations on M&A topics, Dr. Kästle authored the first legal commentary in German language on an English-language share purchase agreement. Dr. Kästle has broad experience in all kinds of M&A transactions, including acquisitions, sales, public takeovers, joint ventures, post-merger integrations and post-M&A disputes. Throughout his 20 years of practice, he has represented numerous strategic and financial investors, corporate sellers and other corporations in various industries.

Florian Thamm

Dr. Florian Thamm is a partner in Baker McKenzie’s Frankfurt office. He is the head of the German Real Estate Practice and former chair of the EMEA Real Estate Practice Group of Baker McKenzie. Before joining the Firm in 2007, he worked in the Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and London offices of Hengeler Mueller since 2000. In 2004, he was seconded to Slaughter and May in London. Dr. Thamm was admitted to the Frankfurt bar in 2002. Dr. Thamm has extensive professional experience advising clients on real estate transactions, with particular focus on sales and acquisitions, construction and corporate real estate services.

Günter Pickrahn

Dr. Günter Pickrahn is co-head of the Dispute Resolution Department of Baker McKenzie's German offices and a steering committee member in the Firm’s Europe and Global Dispute Resolution groups. Günter's litigation and arbitration practice is wide-ranging and covers all aspects of commercial domestic and international disputes. He acted for many clients in arbitral proceedings as party representative, mostly in post-M&A disputes and licensing and intellectual property matters. He acts regularly as arbitrator, both as chairman and as party-appointed arbitrator.

Heiko Haller

Heiko Haller has represented clients in more than 40 international arbitration cases involving disputes that arise during major infrastructure, construction and IT outsourcing projects. He is particularly experienced in disputes involving large energy projects, such as the construction of nuclear power plants and offshore wind farms. Heiko co-chairs Baker McKenzie's German Dispute Resolution Group. He also advises pharmaceutical companies in contractual disputes and serves as an arbitrator in M&A-related disputes under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce and German Institute of Arbitration. Heiko's experience working on a variety of cases and solid grasp of engineering concepts have given him a deep understanding of the entire energy chain, from production of raw materials and power generation to energy transmission and storage. This industry knowledge enables him to get up to speed on the technical and commercial aspects of cases quickly, develop winning legal strategies for clients and help them minimize losses or maximize profits. To help clients make more informed decisions about whether to invest in a dispute and to ensure they get the best return on their investment, Heiko and his team put each case through a risk analysis to calculate the probability that they will prevail on their claims. Heiko also uses this assessment to determine which aspects of the case to focus on and where to invest in expert opinions to achieve the greatest outcome.

Holger Engelkamp

Holger Engelkamp is a partner in Baker McKenzie’s Corporate Practice Group and co-heads the German Energy & Infrastructure team. Prior to joining the Firm, he worked for international law firms in Berlin and Toronto. Holger completed a six-month secondment in 2012 / 2013 to one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies, advising in connection with the merger of its gas unit with its energy trading business. Holger primarily focuses on the energy and infrastructure sector as well as on the life sciences sector and advises domestic, multinational and global companies on large and mid-size M&A transactions as well as on venture capital and private equity transactions. He also focuses on joint ventures, all aspects of transformation and merger law as well as general corporate law.

Jakub Lorys

Dr. Jakub Lorys is a partner in Baker McKenzie's Corporate/M&A Practice Group in Munich. He has numerous years of experience in all areas of M&A transactions for both corporate and private equity clients. Prior to joining the Firm, Jakub worked for one of the leading German law firms. In 2017, he worked one year for Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York City. Jakub focuses on German and international M&A and Private Equity transactions, advising corporate clients, institutional investors, financial sponsors, family offices and companies backed by institutional investors and financial sponsors. He handles a broad range of transaction types (both buy- and sell-side), including national and cross-border acquisitions and divestments (including auction processes), joint ventures, co-investments as well as related corporate matters.

Jana Fischer

Jana Fischer is a partner in Baker McKenzie's International Tax Practice Group. She joined Baker McKenzie's Frankfurt office in 2011. Jana studied law in Göttingen and Sydney. She obtained an LL.M. specialized in taxation and is admitted to the Frankfurt bar since 2011. In 2014 she qualified as a certified tax consultant (Steuerberaterin). She’s the General Editor of the Firm’s Handling Tax Disputes in Europe Handbook 2018-2020. Jana Fischer advises German and non-German clients with respect to national and international tax. Her practice focuses on the representation of clients in tax disputes, including tax field audits and tax litigation. She also advises on structuring and implementing complex corporate restructurings including requests for binding tax rulings from the German tax authority.

Janet Butler

Dr. Janet Butler is a counsel in Baker McKenzie's Transactional / Projects practice in Berlin. She joined Baker McKenzie in 2001 and meanwhile has more than 20 years of experience advising domestic and foreign companies, financial institutions, financial investors and public authorities in a broad range of public law matters, with a focus on regulated industries (chemicals, life sciences, (renewable) energy and infrastructure). Janet is a member of the European Energy, Mining & Infrastructure Industry Group and the Global Environment & Climate Change Practice Group. She has worked in the Firm's Berlin, Frankfurt and London offices. Janet regularly advises clients on the management of environmental liability and regulatory risks in the context of M&A transactions and project developments, covering all stages of project development. She has extensive experience advising on environmental, planning and permitting issues as well as subsidy and EU state aid law. She also advises on the implementation of projects in the broadband infrastructure and future mobility sector.

Joachim Ponseck

Joachim Ponseck has more than twelve years of work experience in restructuring and insolvency law. He started his career in the R&I team of a magic circle law firm where he held the position of counsel before joining Baker McKenzie as a partner in 2021. With a very international focus during his studies and his career, Joachim advises clients worldwide in relation to issues related to German and European insolvency law. Joachim advises companies, their creditors and the management in connection with all legal questions concerning companies in financial difficulties and insolvencies. He regularly advises insolvency administrators as well. Joachim has a special focus on insolvency litigation, meaning the enforcement of or the defense against insolvency related claims against the management of the insolvent entity and their creditors. He also advises sellers and buyers in Distressed M&A transactions.

Joachim Fröhlich

Joachim was admitted to the German bar in August 2005 and joined the Trade and Commerce Practice Group of Baker McKenzie in Munich, Germany in March 2007. He was seconded to the legal department of Siemens AG in 2009 and to the legal department of Amazon in 2013 and 2016. In 2010, he worked at Baker McKenzie’s office in Frankfurt. He earned a Master in Law at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, with an emphasis on commercial law in 2006. Joachim studied law at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, from where he graduated in 2003. He routinely publishes on distribution law issues. Furthermore, he is a co-author of the legal commentary Flohr/Wauschkuhn on all aspects of distribution law published by the leading German legal publishing house C. H. Beck. Joachim advises clients on all aspects of commercial law, contract law and distribution law. He particularly drafts, advises on and negotiates commercial contracts, such as contracts with sales intermediaries (e.g. sales agents, distributors, franchisees), logistics services and transportation contracts, purchase, supply and services contracts and manufacturing agreements, often having cross-border implications. Joachim is also seasoned on German law on standard terms and conditions. Additionally, Joachim assists clients in the reorganization of their distribution system.

Joerg Risse

Joerg Risse is widely recognized as one of Germany's leading arbitration lawyers. Being double-qualified as an attorney-at-law in Germany and in New York (USA), he represents his clients in international arbitration proceedings under the rules of all major institutions. Joerg Risse is one of Germany's most-in-demand arbitrators; as a result, his clients also benefit from his judiciary "outlook" on a case. Joerg Risse teaches dispute resolution and advocacy skills at the University of Mannheim and at Humboldt-University, Berlin. Joerg Risse focuses on corporate law and post-merger & acquisition disputes, in particular on price adjustment claims, accounting and tax related disputes and reps & warranty claims. His second main area of practice are disputes related to large infrastructure projects such as power plants, airports, offshore wind farms and public transport projects. Most of his clients are companies form the chemical, automotive, medical and mass transport industry. Joerg Risse has special expertise in ADR proceedings where he advises his clients in settlement negotiations, mediation and adjudication proceedings.

Johannes Baumann

Dr. Johannes Baumann is a partner in Baker McKenzie's Corporate/M&A Practice Group in Frankfurt. He has numerous years of experience in all areas of M&A transactions for both corporate and private equity clients. Prior to joining the Firm, Johannes worked for one of the leading German law firms. He has been appointed as a notary with his seat in Frankfurt am Main. Johannes advises on complex M&A transactions, including carve-outs and restructurings, as well as on corporate law, representing companies and private equity funds. One focus of his advice is on complex structural measures, including the preparation of capital, transformation and other structural measures as well as corporate governance issues and shareholder matters. The focus of his notarial practice are complex M&A and PE transactions as well as complex corporate measures.

Katharina Spenner

Katharina Spenner is a partner in Baker McKenzie's Munich office and a member of the Firm's Steering Committee of the EMEA International Commercial & Trade Practice Group. She joined the Firm's Frankfurt office in 2000 and transferred to the Munich office in 2004. She was seconded to the Amsterdam office for eight months in 2003. Katharina previously worked as a freelancer in the legal department of Lufthansa Cargo AG from 1997 to 1999. She has written several commentaries on competition and distribution law and regularly delivers presentations and workshops on topics related to distribution and competition law. Katharina advises clients engaged in all industries and services on all issues related to commercial law, in particular, national, European and international distribution law and competition law. She is specialized in assisting clients as regards the set up and implementation of their distribution systems in particular selective distribution systems, and advises in relation to internet sales activities. She also provides advice to companies with respect to general contract law and compliance issues including the performance of compliance trainings and audits.

Katharina Stüber

Dr. Katharina Stüber is a lawyer and holds a degree in business administration. She is a partner in the German Corporate Practice Group in Baker McKenzie's Frankfurt office and advises on stock corporation and capital markets law. The focus of her work is advising listed companies on stock corporation and group law, including corporate governance, as well as capital market law, in particular on publication obligations as a consequence of the stock exchange listing. She is the author of various publications on stock corporation and capital market law, in particular on the statutory quota for women and market abuse law. Katharina has been awarded by Handelsblatt, Gemany's best lawyers, Wirtschaftswoche and Legal 500 with "Name of Next Generation" quoted with, 'Brilliant lawyer, not only in terms of her legal expertise, but also because of her pragmatic approach to proposing solutions. Always "on the ball" with upcoming legislative projects, regardless of the stage the project is at. She is well networked with the associations and institutions and, despite a very heavy workload, has an open ear for issues that need to be resolved at short notice within the company and never gives the impression that the call is a nuisance. It goes without saying that agreed deadlines are kept. Throughout the year it is a great pleasure to work with her.' Katharina regularly gives lectures at the Deutsches Aktieninstitut, Deutscher Investor Relations Verband, Deutsche Börse AG, WM Seminare, University of Augsburg, Bucerius Law School Hamburg, etc. Dr. Katharina Stüber advises listed companies on German and European stock corporation and capital markets law. This includes advising on issues relating to the rights and duties of management and supervisory boards, corporate governance, group law, market abuse and transparency law. She also regularly accompanies critical general meetings and advises in the context of public takeovers. One focus of her work is insider law. Clients include listed companies, in particular in the pharmaceutical, chemical, industrial and financial services sectors.In the attempted public takeover by Hellmann Friedmann and Blackstone of Scout24 AG, Katharina Stüber advised the target company, as well as on the various measures of capital repayment to shareholders of Scout24 AG and its change of legal form into an SE. Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA on the contemplated acquisition of Akorn Inc. listed in the USA.

Katja Häferer

Katja Häferer is a partner with more than 15 years of experience in labor and employment law. She co-heads the German Employment & Compensation practice and is an active member of the Firm's European Labor Law and Global Labor Law practice groups. Recognized as a Stand-out Legal Talent by Acritas in 2021 and listed among Wirtschaftswoche’s most renowned employment law practitioners from 2021 to 2024, Katja’s experience is well-regarded in the legal community. Her international perspective is enriched by her tenure in the Firm’s San Francisco and Palo Alto offices. Katja also co-leads Baker McKenzie's FeMale Leaders Initiative, promoting diversity and leadership opportunities for women in the legal sector and business community. A regular speaker and panel moderator at conferences, she conducts training on a variety of employment topics and frequently publishes in law journals, legal commentaries, and business newspapers. Katja provides strategic and comprehensive employment advice on domestic and multi-jurisdictional projects, including pre- and post-merger corporate restructurings, collective dismissals, negotiations with works councils and unions, cross-border secondments, global equity plans, and gender pay audits. She supports several multinational clients in the management of their global workforce regarding, addressing global working conditions, cross-border personnel deployment, and global HR compliance matters. Katja often leads multi-jurisdictional employment projects. Katja has extensive experience advising companies on employee representation in Societas Europaea (SE) supervisory boards and works councils, as well as European Works Councils (EWCs). She also provides strategic guidance on navigating the complex process of transforming into a Societas Europaea (SE). Katja authored a legal commentary on German SE-legislation “SEBG,” published in “AR - Kommentar, Kommentar zum gesamten Arbeitsrecht” (2021). She is also an experienced litigator in complex employment and SE law matters, including cases before the Federal Labor Court (BAG) and the European Court of Justice (ECJ). Katja's client base ranges from Germany- and EMEA-headquartered clients with global operations to local subsidiaries of multinationals.

Kimberley Fischer

Kimberley Fischer is a member of the international trade practice in Baker McKenzie's Berlin office. She joined the Firm in 2022. Kimberley studied law at the Ruprecht Karls University of Heidelberg and the Universidad de Deusto (Spain), specializing in public international law and human rights. Prior to joining Baker McKenzie, Kimberley completed her legal traineeship at the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main, the German Federal Foreign Office in Berlin and at an international law firm in Brussels and Frankfurt am Main. She also gained significant experience in public (international) law as a research assistant at the University of Heidelberg and at a reputable law firm. Kimberley focuses on international, European and public law governing international trade compliance and sustainability. She advises clients on internal compliance systems, sanctions and embargo regimes, export control law and foreign investment reviews. She accompanies internal and external investigations and self-disclosures of export control and sanctions breaches. In addition, she assists clients in complying with the rapidly evolving EU and German legal landscape on sustainability, in particular the new directives and regulations under the EU Green Deal and the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act. This includes setting up and improving corporate governance structures and internal compliance programs with regard to environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters.

Martin Altschwager

Dr. Martin Altschwager, a Partner, is a member of Baker McKenzie’s Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Practice Group in Frankfurt. Prior to joining the Firm in May 2013, he worked in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare group of a major German law firm in Stuttgart. Dr. Altschwager has completed a comparative PhD thesis on European and US drug law as well as co-authored a publication on the reimbursement of medicinal products. Dr. Altschwager advises national and international clients on all aspects of European and German pharmaceutical and medical device law as well as on compliance and unfair competition issues pertaining to healthcare products and services. In particular, Martin provides legal advice on regulatory issues regarding the market access, manufacturing, distribution and advertising of medicinal products and medical devices. He also regularly assists clients in negotiating and drafting agreements with research and development facilities, manufacturers and distributors.

Matthias Töke

Matthias Töke is member of Baker McKenzie’s Global Leveraged Finance Steering Committee and advises private equity sponsors, corporates, debt funds, banks and other financial institutions on all aspects of complex domestic and cross-border leveraged buy-out financings, financial restructurings and general corporate financings. Prior to joining Baker McKenzie in April 2022, Matthias was a counsel in the Frankfurt office of a top-tier Wall Street law firm, Head of Rule Enforcement at Deutsche Börse AG and senior associate in the Frankfurt, New York, London and Warsaw offices of a Magic Circle law firm. Matthias advises on financing deals across all sectors with particular experience in technology, industry, consumer and healthcare deals. Matthias is well experienced in all finance instruments involved in a leveraged buy-out including senior structures, senior / super senior (incl. first out/second out) structures, first lien / second lien structures, vendor loans, PIK / HoldCo loans and mezzanine instruments.

Matthias Scholz

Data and Technology

Max Oehm

Dr. Max Oehm is a partner of Baker McKenzie’s Dispute Resolution Practice Group. Max advises international clients on complex commercial disputes, in particular regarding professional services (advisors liability), post-M&A and IT-/ infrastructure projects. He represents his clients in state court litigation, international arbitration and in other ADR proceedings. The Legal 500 (2024) has recognized Max as "Rising Star Litigation" and Best Lawyers lauds him as "One to Watch" for International Arbitration, Litigation and Mediation since 2022. Max holds a doctoral degree from the University of Mainz, Germany, and obtained a master’s degree in law at Boston University, USA, where he was awarded the American Law Outstanding Achievement Award. Max writes and speaks regularly on international arbitration and professional services issues. He teaches at the University of Mannheim, Germany. Max focuses on advising clients on managing risks and resolving disputes relating to professional services (advisors liability), post-M&A and IT-/ infrastructure projects. He is experienced in resolving disputes through international arbitration, commercial litigation and other ADR proceedings, including mediation and adjudication. To help clients make informed decisions about whether to invest in dispute resolution and to ensure that they get the best possible return on their investment, Max relies on AI and legal technology risk analysis tools to calculate probabilities for clients to prevail on their claims. Max also uses these tools to efficiently determine key aspects of a case and to develop convincing arguments for his clients. Max regularly acts as an arbitrator in international arbitrations.

Michael Fammler

Dr. Michael Fammler is a partner in the Firm's Europe Intellectual Property Practice Group. He is a visiting lecturer for trademark law at the University of Constance, Germany. Dr. Fammler focuses his practice on all aspects of trademark and trade name law. He has extensive experience managing large, worldwide trademark portfolios, as well as drafting and negotiation of complex license agreements. Dr. Fammler's practice also covers all aspects related to antitrust and competition law. He also has experience working on IP enforcement and trademark litigation for well-known brand owners.

Michael Schmidl

Prof. Dr. Michael Schmidl is co-head of the German Information Technology Group and is based in Baker McKenzie's Munich office. He is an honorary professor at the University of Augsburg and specialist lawyer for information technology law (Fachanwalt für IT-Recht). He advises in all areas of contentious and non-contentious information technology law, including internet, computer/software, data privacy and media law. Michael also has a general commercial law background and has profound experience in the drafting and negotiation of outsourcing contracts and in carrying out compliance projects. Michael advises in all areas of contentious and non-contentious information technology law, including Internet, computer/software, data privacy and media law. He also advises on matters relating to intellectual property, unfair competition, compliance and general contract law. Michael is experienced in general commercial law, and is likewise seasoned in drafting and negotiating outsourcing contracts, as well as in carrying out compliance projects.

Michaela Nebel

Dr. Michaela Nebel is a partner in the Frankfurt office of Baker McKenzie. She obtained her Doctor of Law degree on a topic related to privacy in the Web 2.0 at the University of Passau. From July until December 2014 she practiced at the San Francisco office of Baker McKenzie. She is a Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E) and a Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US). She is also the author of numerous articles on information technology law, in particular on data protection law and e-commerce law, and the co-author of an English language commentary on the EU General Data Protection Regulation. Michaela advises German and international companies on all aspects of information technology law, data protection law, data related and digital laws, IT contract law as well as on e-commerce, IT / data litigation and artificial intelligence related matters. Her practice covers in particular data dispute matters, including proceedings with the data protection authorities and legal disputes regarding the GDPR, as well as cybersecurity and whistleblowing.

Nicolai Behr

Nicolai is a partner in the Dispute Resolution group of Baker McKenzie, a member of the Global Investigations, Compliance and Ethics Steering Committee and co-heads the Investigations, Compliance and Ethics practice in Germany. Nicolai is a regular speaker and author on compliance, white collar crime, innovation and legal tech topics. He is the inventor of the automated risk assessment and risk monitoring platform Compliance Cockpit and the founder of Global Compliance News. Nicolai is the editor of the knowledge platforms Compliance Lexikon and Litigation Lexikon. Nicolai assists clients in a broad range of compliance and dispute resolution matters with a focus on internal investigations. The internal investigations cover a variety of topics including allegations for corruption, fraud, product compliance violations, discrimination, cyber and other white collar crimes. The prevention services include advice on the implementation of effective and digitized compliance programs including whistleblowing, corporate compliance, risk minimization strategies, money laundering issues, KYC checks and related civil litigation. He also focuses on corporate and commercial litigation, in particular with a tech focus and mass litigation cases. He develops innovative and digitized legal and compliance processes and scalable legal solutions and applications.

Nicolas Kredel

Dr. Nicolas Kredel chairs Baker McKenzie's EMEA Antitrust & Competition Practice Group as well as the Firm's global Industrials Manufacturing and Transportation Group. He also chairs Baker McKenzie's German Antitrust & Competition practice. Nicolas advises clients in EU and German competition law matters, including domestic and international cartel investigations, merger control proceedings and abuse of dominance cases. He routinely leads global projects for clients in the area of antitrust risk prevention and compliance systems, international investigations and in transactions. He also provides competition law advice on cooperation agreements with competitors as well as supply agreements and distribution systems. He has extensive experience in a variety of industries, including the automotive, telecommunications, FMCG, retail, defense, aviation and pharmaceutical sectors.

Oliver Socher

Dr. Oliver Socher is EMEA Banking & Finance Chair and member of Global Banking & Finance Steering Committee. His practice covers banking and finance and distressed debt matters. Prior to joining the Firm in January 2006, he worked as an associate for a "Magic Circle" law firm in Frankfurt and London. He also worked as an associate for a Wall Street law firm in New York. Dr. Socher studied law at the Justus-Liebig-University in Giessen, where he also earned his doctor’s degree in law, and at Fordham School of Law in New York. He was admitted to the German bar in 2001. Dr. Socher advises banks and investors in all aspects of banking and financing transactions, including national and international syndicated financing transactions.

Onur Küçük

Senior Associate

Patrick Wilkening

Patrick Wilkening is a partner in the German Information Technology and Intellectual Property Group and is based in Baker McKenzie‘s Düsseldorf office. Prior to joining the Firm in the fall of 2022, Patrick practiced in the IT/IP group of a leading German commercial law firm for almost 14 years, including one year on secondment to the technology transactions group of a prominent Wall Street law firm. He studied law at the University in Passau and was admitted to the German Bar in 2008. Patrick's practice focuses on complex IT/IP-related contracts and projects as well as comprehensive advice on IT and IP topics arising in M&A transactions, joint ventures, IPOs, spin-offs and outsourcing deals. Patrick also works with clients on analyzing and introducing new business models. Patrick has extensive experience in drafting, negotiating and implementing complex commercial agreements, including license agreements, research and development agreements, service agreements, collaboration agreements, outsourcing agreements as well as contract manufacturing and distribution agreements. Patrick regularly supports clients in a broad range of industries such as life sciences, automotive, mechanical and plant engineering, software/IT, and private equity.

Peter Wand

Dr. Peter Wand is a partner in the Frankfurt office of Baker McKenzie. He has more than 20 years of experience in cross-border M&A transactions for corporate, private equity and venture capital clients. Peter regularly advises on high-end M&A transactions, reorganizations, carve-outs and joint ventures with a focus on automotive, financial services and healthcare. He also has long-standing experience advising leading institutional investors on fund investments and other asset management-related transactions.

Philipp Schütt

Dr. Philipp Schütt, a counsel and member of the Firm’s International Commercial & Trade Practice Group, began his career in law in 2009. He advises companies on all aspects of commercial law, contract law and distribution law. Moreover, his work focuses on cross-border litigation and arbitration proceedings in a variety of areas of private commercial law. Dr. Schütt advises companies on all aspects of commercial law, contract law and distribution law. He particularly drafts and advises on agency and distribution agreements, customer and supply agreements and general terms and conditions. He also represents German and international clients in complex disputes before German courts and domestic and international arbitral tribunals and is working as arbitrator in institutional and ad hoc arbitration proceedings. In 2014, he was appointed as Certified Specialist for International Commercial Law.

Philipp Klinker

Tax

Sandra Wittinghofer

Sandra Wittinghofer — a member of the Banking and Finance Group — advises national and international banks, trustees and corporations on matters of banking and finance law, particularly on structured finance and relating banking regulatory matters. She studied law in Bayreuth and Paris (Assas) and is admitted as a German Rechtsanwalt and as Solicitor (England and Wales). Sandra advises national and international banks and corporations in matters of finance and regulatory law. She has extensive experience in ABCP securitization transactions as well in term transactions, covering a range of asset classes.

Sebastian Schwiddessen

Sebastian Schwiddessen is a counsel and a member of Baker McKenzie's TMT Practice in Berlin. Sebastian has been working in the entertainment and video games industry for over 20 years. At the age of 21 he founded his own media news related business and web portal where he oversaw up to 50 content creators and was responsible for content creation, data protection, advertisement and regulatory matters. After joining Baker McKenzie in 2014, he sold his business to fully focus on his career as a legal advisor in the media and IT sector. Sebastian studied law in Berlin and Australia, where he specialized in platform, media and IT matters. During his time as a law clerk he worked for two international law firms, one of them specialized in entertainment law. Due to his experience in the fields, Sebastian is responsible for most media and platform related matters in Germany and regularly coordinates global projects for clients. He is one of Baker McKenzie's EMEA key contacts for interactive entertainment clients and is also part of the firm's global working group for interactive entertainment. Sebastian maintains good contacts to a number of regulators in Germany, where he has been invited several times to speak as legal expert on regulatory and other matters. Sebastian is Baker McKenzie’s designated contact for the GAME association in Germany and regularly visits video game industry events such as the Gamescom, VGBA Law Summit and the Games Industry Law Summit. Sebastian’s clients range from various platform providers over market leading video gaming, film, video on demand and entertainment companies to indie publishers. Sebastian is well-known as an advisor in the video games and entertainment sector. He also regularly advises a wide range of leading social media companies and video-sharing platforms on regulatory and copyright related matters. Sebastian's practice focuses on all matters of platform, media and IT law such as platform liability matters, the EU Copyright Directive, media related youth protection and criminal laws, advertisement regulation, hate speech laws, data protection law, copyright law, gambling laws, eCommerce, app commerce, contract law, film taxes, etc. Sebastian also regularly advises on the media and IT aspects of M&A activities and was involved in several entertainment industry related M&A transactions.

Simone Rieken

Simone Rieken is a partner in Baker McKenzie's Frankfurt office and a member of the Information Technology Practice Group. Prior to joining the Firm, she worked for a large German corporate law firm, focusing on IT and data protection law. She studied law at the University of Trier and at Queen Mary, University of London and clerked in Hamburg and Los Angeles. Simone advises national and international companies on all aspects of IT and data protection law. She focuses on IT (outsourcing) contracts and (agile) software developments. Another focus of her practice is on data protection with regard to direct marketing and related tracking and profiling activities.

Steffen Scheuer

Dr. Steffen Scheuer is a member of the Firm’s European Labor Law and Global Labor Law practice groups. He is experienced in all aspects of employment law and compliance matters. Dr. Scheuer’s dissertation on stock options was awarded the Price of Honors by the Employers Association for the Metal Industry. He regularly delivers speeches for Baker McKenzie’s clients on employment law and compliance issues, and conducts management trainings in labor law and compliance policies. Dr. Scheuer also practiced in the Firm’s San Francisco and Palo Alto offices. Dr. Scheuer routinely advises companies on the labor law aspects of outsourcing projects, complex reorganizations and mergers and acquisitions, especially in relation to the conclusion of collective agreements with works councils. He is experienced in handling mass dismissals, employee benefits, compensation, executive terminations and transfers, pension issues, discrimination laws and employment litigation. Dr. Scheuer is knowledgeable in a wide range of matters concerning the relations between employers and works councils, as well as the mandatory representation of employees in companies’ supervisory boards. Dr. Scheuer is an experienced litigator and a member of the firm’s Compliance group.

Thilo Räpple

Life Sciences

Thomas Gilles

Thomas Gilles has more than 20 years of experience representing German and international clients in mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings and general corporate law matters. He is the Chairman of the EMEA-China Group of Baker McKenzie. Thomas Gilles's practice is focused on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, ESG-related due diligences, as well as general company law and compliance matters. His clients include companies in a broad range of industries, including automotive, pharmaceutical, technology, energy and infrastructure. Dr. Gilles likewise advises clients from emerging markets in their outbound investments into Germany and Europe.

Thomas Schänzle

Dr. Thomas Schänzle is co-head of the German Tax Practice Group. He has extensive experience (more than 26 years) in providing tax advice to German and foreign groups, including German family-owned groups, on complex domestic and international corporate tax issues with strong focus on deal-related tax structuring and internal group reorganizations. Thomas joined Baker McKenzie in April 2018. Before he was an international partner with PwC and a highly ranked German tax law firm and held key positions in the central tax department of Siemens in Munich and Brussels. He holds a diploma in International Business Administration from the European Business School (ebs) and is a certified German tax advisor since 2001. On top of that, Thomas holds a PhD in International Taxation and a Certificate in International Accounting (CINA). Thomas has published numerous tax articles during his professional career and is a frequent speaker at national and international tax conferences and, inter alia, a member of the Tax Committee of Frankfurt's Chamber of Commerce and IFA. Thomas' tax practice focuses on the structuring of inbound and outbound investments and (cross-border) corporate restructurings. He also has ample experience in advising on all aspects of transactions including acquisition and carve-out structuring, as well as post-deal integration and joint venture structuring.

Tobias Höfling

Dr. Tobias Höfling is a partner in Baker McKenzie’s Dispute Resolution Practice Group. Tobias is a specialist in corporate litigation and has many years of experience in advising shareholders, companies and their boards in corporate law. Tobias represents clients in rescission actions and appraisal proceedings and all other corporate disputes in and out of court. Tobias has also represented clients in major arbitration proceedings involving post-M&A cases and disputes that arose during major infrastructure and construction projects. Tobias advises clients on international arbitration and litigation matters. Tobias has a special expertise in disputes related to major infrastructure projects such as power plants, offshore wind farms and underground gas storages. His second main area of practice are commercial and corporate disputes including appraisal proceedings and actions for annulment of shareholders’ resolutions.

Ulf Wauschkuhn

Dr. Ulf Wauschkuhn is head of the German International Commercial & Trade Practice Group of Baker McKenzie. Furthermore, he is co-publisher of the German Journal on Distribution Law and the legal commentary on all aspects of distribution law published by the leading German publishing house C. H. Beck. Ulf advises companies on all matters of commercial law, with particular emphasis on the setup and restructuring of distribution systems, the termination of distribution contracts and supply, logistics and commercial lease agreements. He is also adept at handling commercial law disputes — both in and out of court.

Ulrich Ellinghaus

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Ellinghaus joined Baker McKenzie in Frankfurt in 1996. He has extensive experience in regulatory law, with a focus on environmental, health & safety and product safety law. Ulrich is Head of the International Commercial & Trade Global Steering Committee Focus Group, Product Liability, Anti-Corruption and Compliance Liaison. Ulrich Ellinghaus advises and represents international clients on product-related regulatory matters including technical, product safety and environmental law and regulatory compliance in the supply chain.

Legal 500

Our Team

FAQs

Marketing Resources

Newsletters

Contact us