Banking & Finance
Europe Guide 2024 : Germany
Band 1
Contact number
+49 69 71 99 01Chambers Review
Clifford Chance possesses an esteemed banking and finance practice, which is recognised for its work on complex domestic as well as multi-jurisdictional financing transactions. The team covers a broad spectrum, ranging from direct lending and acquisition finance to syndicated loans and unitranche financing. Its clientele of well-known German and international corporates and banks from both the borrower and lender sides further illustrates the firm's standing in the market. Clients also enjoy the regulatory offering at Clifford Chance, with the team advising on matters including industry master agreements, bank M&A and reorganisations. The department is additionally versed in handling bank insolvencies as well as banking compliance, crypto regulations, sanctions advice and litigation.
Work Highlights
- Clifford Chance advised JPMorgan and Bank of America on the EUR4.2 billion bridge financing for Siemens Energy in connection to its public tender offer and move to full ownership of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Clifford Chance provides a full-service offering for finance-related matters with quick response times."
"The team has good commercial sense and knowledge of market developments."
"Clifford Chance stands out for its extensive experience with complex situations at partner level, a high-quality deal team and good international offices."
"The firm's service levels and responsiveness are strong: despite high parallel deal flow, all milestones were met and client negotiations could be scheduled at short notice."
"A particular strength of the Clifford Chance regulatory team was its deep knowledge and understanding of the local regulator and its clear practical strategy for engagement. This was built on robust and commercial advice, which was in turn backed up by strong technical legal expertise, all of it delivered with clarity and focus."
"Clifford Chance provides a full-service offering for finance-related matters with quick response times."
"The team has good commercial sense and knowledge of market developments."
"Clifford Chance stands out for its extensive experience with complex situations at partner level, a high-quality deal team and good international offices."
"The firm's service levels and responsiveness are strong: despite high parallel deal flow, all milestones were met and client negotiations could be scheduled at short notice."
"A particular strength of the Clifford Chance regulatory team was its deep knowledge and understanding of the local regulator and its clear practical strategy for engagement. This was built on robust and commercial advice, which was in turn backed up by strong technical legal expertise, all of it delivered with clarity and focus."
Notable Practitioners
Bettina Steinhauer is highly appreciated for her top-level advice on large-scale corporate and investment-grade financing transactions, including bridge financings, acquisition finance and refinancings. With her further prowess in handling cross-border work, she is a primary point of contact for leading internationally active banks and syndicates. She has recently also been active on domestic ESG-linked lending as well as assisting corporate borrowers with global financing deals.
"Bettina Steinhauer is outstanding."
"She is a brilliant and highly experienced lawyer."
"Bettina Steinhauer is very active and one of the most experienced lawyers in Frankfurt and the German market."
Marc Benzler is held in high regard for his excellent regulatory expertise. He regularly advises international banks and banking associations on a broad array of topics, ranging from Brexit-related issues and industry master agreements to deposit protection scheme admissions and regulatory aspects of transactions. His further expertise in fintech mandates, such as tokenisation issues, makes him an attractive choice for a wide range of mandates.
"Marc Benzler is always a pleasure to work with and one of the best lawyers for complex, sophisticated and international matters."
"He is a very good and well-established adviser in the market."
"Marc Benzler combines technical expertise with practical, commercial advice and a deep understanding of the local and international regulatory environment. He has excellent support within his team and is a strong advocate for our company and a significant asset for us in engaging with the local regulatory authorities."
"Marc Benzler is very capable and knowledgeable."
Steffen Schellschmidt demonstrates particular expertise in direct lending and leveraged finance mandates, regularly acting for private debt and equity fund lenders as well as sponsors and portfolio company borrowers. He advises on a variety of matters in this space, including acquisition and corporate financing as well as refinancings.
"Steffen Schellschmidt is technically very good."
"Steffen Schellschmidt is one of our go-to finance lawyers in Germany."