Private Equity
Europe Guide 2024 : Germany
Band 2
Contact number
+49 (0) 69 79302-0About
Provided by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Willkie is one of the few major law firms with extensive domestic and international experience in virtually every type of private equity transaction ranging from cross-border multibillion dollar leveraged buyouts to early-stage venture capital financings. As a recognized leader in private equity transactions, fund formation and regulatory compliance Willkie regularly represents private equity investors, issuers and financial advisers in all aspects of domestic and international private equity transactions.
Due to the firm’s longstanding representation of many international private equity and venture capital institutions, our attorneys routinely work on sophisticated private equity transactions such as leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, spin-offs, growth equity investments, venture capital financings, going-private transactions, recapitalizations and dispositions. We also represent a number of institutionally backed private enterprises (including portfolio companies of our private equity and venture capital fund clients) in connection with their financing, M&A and general corporate needs. Our experience covers a broad cross-section of industry sectors, including manufacturing, services, finance, insurance, technology, software, retail, real estate, gaming, biotechnology, medical devices, communications and media.
Chambers Review
Willkie Farr & Gallagher houses a highly reputed Frankfurt-based private equity practice. Its team regularly handles mid and large-cap sales and acquisitions as well as investments, advising prominent international private equity houses. Assisting founders and portfolio companies on strategic deals also falls within the firm's expertise. The wide range of sectors includes IT, banking and technology as well as foods, which further attests to the law firm's comprehensive coverage. In conjunction with its US and UK teams, Willkie is well positioned to handle multi-jurisdictional deals.
Work Highlights
- Willkie Farr & Gallagher advised SGT Capital on the acquisition of Utimaco from EQT Mid Market Europe.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They are a strong team, and their particular strength is responsiveness."
"Their team are extremely commercial, extremely competent and very good at what they do. They respond quickly and are capable."
"They are a strong team, and their particular strength is responsiveness."
"Their team are extremely commercial, extremely competent and very good at what they do. They respond quickly and are capable."
Notable Practitioners
Georg Linde advises well-known international private equity firms on large acquisitions and sales in the German market, including in the banking and IT sectors. He also assists portfolio companies with mid-cap transactions.
"He is super commercial."
"He manages all the things that many lawyers are doing in theory and offers practical suggestions that are legally sound."
Kamyar Abrar regularly acts on large-cap international transactions, advising well-known financial investors and their portfolio companies. He is also active on growth equity deals.
"He has high professional awareness – he understands the needs of clients."
"He's to the point with good legal advice and commercial understanding. He's also client-focused, with a high level of service."