Investment Funds
Europe Guide 2024 : Germany
Band 3
Contact number
+49 69 2097 5000About
Provided by Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
In Europe, Debevoise remains a premier private equity firm, with its Funds practice one of the few to have senior European, English- and U.S.-qualified fund formation practitioners on the ground.
The Europe practice is one of the most active in the market. It is part of an integrated global practice that has advised sponsors of, or investors in, over 3,300 private equity funds worldwide, with committed capital of over $4.3 trillion. This experience means Debevoise’s European lawyers have deep insight into funds pursuing every major investment strategy, including buyouts, venture capital, mezzanine, workouts and distressed debt, secondaries, real estate, infrastructure, media and telecommunications, healthcare, energy and other sector and regional funds, as well as funds of funds.
At a time of increasing regulatory complexity, the practice draws on its significant experience, as well as heavy involvement with the main European and emerging markets private equity trade associations, to ensure clients are well equipped to navigate the latest regulatory developments.
Chambers Review
Debevoise & Plimpton rises in the rankings on the back of impressive mandates and excellent client feedback. This international law firm has the ability to leverage its position to help its impressive list of institutional and banking clients. The practice does significant work in high-value fund structuring, with experience handling private equity, infrastructure and successor funds, as well as funds of funds. The team also advises on the establishment and the management of liquid debt accounts. The firm's international essence lends itself perfectly to cross-border matters.
Work Highlights
- Debevoise & Plimpton advised Glendower Capital on the formation of its global secondary private equity fund, Glendower Capital Secondary Opportunities Fund V, with aggregate capital commitments of EUR5.8 billion.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Debevoise & Plimpton has a strong bench of dedicated young talent. Its lawyers clearly operate as a team, including across offices and even continents, with exemplary coordination."
"The team at Debevoise & Plimpton is highly skilled, highly qualified, very smart, and possesses deep experience in funds laws and structuring matters."
"The lawyers show very good commercial thinking and give me good fundamental advice - they're top-notch."
"The team at Debevoise & Plimpton is very knowledgeable about new developments and feed these into their advice right away. They proactively inform me about things that may be coming down the line to be aware of."
"I can immediately access Debevoise & Plimpton at a senior or partner level at any time - when I have a question I can call them. The law firm brings in resources from across its organisation and the lawyers are good at identifying which resources a situation requires and having them available quickly."
"Debevoise & Plimpton has a strong bench of dedicated young talent. Its lawyers clearly operate as a team, including across offices and even continents, with exemplary coordination."
"The team at Debevoise & Plimpton is highly skilled, highly qualified, very smart, and possesses deep experience in funds laws and structuring matters."
"The lawyers show very good commercial thinking and give me good fundamental advice - they're top-notch."
"The team at Debevoise & Plimpton is very knowledgeable about new developments and feed these into their advice right away. They proactively inform me about things that may be coming down the line to be aware of."
"I can immediately access Debevoise & Plimpton at a senior or partner level at any time - when I have a question I can call them. The law firm brings in resources from across its organisation and the lawyers are good at identifying which resources a situation requires and having them available quickly."
Notable Practitioners
Patricia Volhard is a market-leading practitioner lauded for her advisory work on German and EU regulatory issues as well as fund structuring, with expertise across private equity, venture capital and infrastructure funds. She is highly active for multinational investment banks as well as German private equity and venture capital firms.
"Patricia Vollhard's depth of knowledge is unparalleled."
"Patricia Vollhard has a very good knowledge of pan-European issues and is very attentive and supportive in negotiations in particular."
"Patricia Vollhard is good at reading what her clients are really looking for: sometimes lawyers don't tell you things unless you specifically ask and it's as though you need to know what you don't know. Patricia attempts to understand what you're trying to get at and tells you things like 'knowing you, you might be trying to find xyz', which is very helpful."
"Patricia has great advisory and counselling skills. She helps explain how documents translate into reality, and also gives good advice on the margins of interpretation."
"She's super knowledgeable about regulatory BaFin-related questions. She's a fantastic asset to have."