In addition to leading German companies, Ashurst LLP advises banks and financial services providers on changes of legal form, including SE conversions, shareholding acquisitions and board issues. When former practice head Benedikt von Schorlemer (M&A, PE and joint ventures) joined McDermott Will & Emery Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater LLP in April 2024, Florian Drinhausen took over the practice lead; he covers the entire spectrum of corporate issues and frequently advises listed companies and financial sector players. In March 2024, the team was strengthened by the arrival of Stefan Bruder (Public M&A, Private M&A) from Clifford Chance and Marina Arntzen (ESG, transactions) from Norton Rose Fulbright.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Practical orientation, fast and usable deliveries, speed of response and excellent team leadership.'
'Florian Drinhausen: Combination of high legal expertise with know-how about internal bank proceedings, structures and needs. He also understands the role of the internal General Counsel excellently and works to provide him with the best possible support.'
'Florian Drinhausen: Impresses not only with his expertise in corporate law but also with his many years of in-house experience. He is therefore able to put himself in the shoes of his clients. The advice is therefore easy to implement. Astrid Keinath: Impresses with her enormous reliability. Very pleasant to talk to.'
'The successful integration of experienced in-house lawyers into the practice creates high-quality advice, especially with regard to its feasibility.'
'Good international setup, result-oriented, good team work.'
'The team is very knowledgeable, pragmatic and very responsive.'
'Solid and thorough; careful lawyers.'
'Volker German: Calm and careful; fast and precise.'
Key clients
- 1&1
- Commerzbank AG
- European Bank for Financial Services GmbH (ebase)
- Grammer AG
- Northern Data AG
- Robert Bosch GmbH
- Siemens Energy
- Unaric
- VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG
Work highlights
- Advising Commerzbank AG on the acquisition of 74.9% of shares in Aquila Capital Investmentgesellschaft GmbH (ACI) from Aquila Capital Holding GmbH and the resulting joint venture.
- Advising Northern Data AG on the conclusion of an investment agreement for the acquisition of a stake in Damoon Designated Activity Company.
- Advising Robert Bosch GmbH on the dissolution of the Advanced Driver Information Technology (ADIT) joint venture with DENSO Corporation with business activities in Japan and Germany through the sale of respective mutual shareholdings.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Florian Drinhausen