Banking & Finance

Latham & Watkins is an excellent law firm that covers the full breadth of finance work. Due to its market visibility, holistic offering and bench strength, the team is frequently mandated by banking consortiums and direct lenders as well as corporate borrowers on complex acquisition finance deals, refinancings and corporate finance. The law firm also showcases a strong presence in the regulatory market. Clients benefit from the team's expertise in issues such as AML, licensing procedures and investigations. The regulatory aspects of investments and M&A transactions are also handled by the group. As an international law firm, Latham & Watkins is an attractive choice for large and multi-jurisdictional projects.

"Latham & Watkins is a very strong law firm with good ideas and exceptional advice. We also appreciate its very strong service levels and always prompt replies."

"Latham & Watkins are very active and have a fantastic banking and finance practice."

"We've always enjoyed working with the lawyers because they are very focused on getting things done, are quite commercial, decision-driven and results-driven, and can also handle complex situations."

"We are very happy with the team and appreciate that they always have our interest in mind while being focused on the right points, which makes for a very effective and good process."

"The law firm handles complex matters in an efficient and commercial manner and, due to its very strong bench, is able to internally draw on experts for all relevant matters."

Latham & Watkins advised UniCredit on a new EUR750 million credit line for SIXT.

Alexandra Hagelüken continues to be a towering figure in the German banking and finance world. She is renowned for her excellence in acquisition, corporate and leveraged finance. She is a go-to for well-known bank consortiums as well as corporate borrowers and sponsors. "Alexandra Hagelüken is one of the grande dames of leveraged finance. There are few lawyers more knowledgeable or better than her." "Alexandra Hagelüken is always incredibly good."

Thomas Weitkamp remains a strong adviser to prominent private equity and asset management firms for his prowess in handling large-scale acquisition finance and syndicated finance mandates. While also covering traditional lending, including high-volume transactions on both the borrower and bank sides, he is particularly regarded for his focus on direct lending and LBOs. "Thomas Weitkamp embodies all of the qualities I appreciate: he has an extremely high reputation in the market, has absolute market knowledge, and is a very good and reliable lawyer, who delivers an excellent performance, including on very tricky deals." "He is very commercial and results-driven."

Banks and private equity funds frequently mandate Christian Jahn for his strength in acquisition finance and refinancing mandates, especially those with cross-border elements. "Christian Jahn is a very good lawyer who is very strong when it comes to his commerciality and client service."

Markus Krüger showcases a broad regulatory practice with particular expertise in handling M&A transactions and investments in the financial services sector. He also assists with investigations and supervisory proceedings.

Sibylle Münch is praised for her strength in refinancing mandates as well as acquisition financings, where she often acts for large bank consortiums. She has additional experience in ESG-linked loans, where she also advises on the borrower side. "Sibylle Münch is a technically good lawyer and pleasant to work with." "Sibylle Münch is always constructive."