Public Law | Germany

Posser Spieth Wolfers & Partners is a Berlin-based boutique law firm that is highly renowned for the breadth of its expertise, covering administrative, regulatory and constitutional as well as planning and environmental law. The law firm demonstrates a strong presence in the automotive and energy sectors, advising on novel mobility concepts, renewable energy storage and emissions control. Its expertise in complex constitutional law questions further strengthens the firm's services. Furthermore, PSWP is considered a market leader in planning and environmental law, often advising well-known corporates on topical issues such as green industry transformations, coal phase-outs and energy-related disputes. The law firm is also active in large planning approval procedures for nationwide electricity networks. It has further capabilities in various administrative proceedings.

CMS houses a well-known public law team with particular expertise in planning and environmental law. The law firm regularly appears in front of the highest courts in administrative proceedings related to environmental and planning matters. Handling large and often cross-border infrastructure and energy projects requiring planning approvals forms a key strength of CMS. A further expertise of the team lies in water and mining. Clients also benefit from the law firm's growing presence in the procurement world. Prestigious companies from the energy, construction and manufacturing sectors as well as federal ministries seek the law firm's assistance.

Hengeler Mueller offers a large public law practice capable of handling various regulatory, constitutional and administrative matters. The team is regularly mandated for its expertise in complex constitutional proceedings in front of Germany's highest courts, including cartel fines and cultural goods protection as well as investment protection agreements. The law firm further offers expertise in the socialisation of housing, reference proceedings and advice on COVID-19 state aid. The team also regularly collaborates with its outstanding M&A and capital markets teams on public law matters pertaining to carve-outs and sustainable financing.

White & Case houses a well-reputed public law team with a broad array of regulatory expertise at its disposal. The law firm is renowned for its strength in the financial services sector, regularly representing clients in constitutional and administrative disputes, before the German and EU courts, concerning project financing. The team also handles emissions law and large planning procedures for nationwide energy and construction projects. Furthermore, clients benefit from White & Case's expertise in complex FDI cases as well as new product rollouts requiring regulatory assistance. Its varied client base, comprising authorities and large multinational corporations from the automotive, transport and defence sectors, further attests to the law firm's strong market position.

Gleiss Lutz houses a well-reputed public law practice capable of handling mandates across the full spectrum of constitutional, planning and environment and procurement law. The team often advises clients on the constitutionality of legislation, including nuclear phase-outs and export law. Furthermore, clients benefit from the law firm's expertise in handling large IT and digitalisation procurements for health insurance providers as well as defence sector companies. EU-wide tendering procedures as well as review proceedings are also managed by Gleiss Lutz. Large planning approval procedures, CO2 pooling and water concession agreements as well as climate change-related mandates form key areas of expertise.

The German law firm Noerr offers a highly regarded public law team that is regularly mandated by ministries at federal and state levels on politically sensitive projects. The team advises on constitutional and administrative law issues and possesses regulatory expertise across a broad range of industries, including energy, telecommunications and technology. Sanctions law, judicial reviews and transport law form further areas of expertise. Furthermore, Noerr is appreciated for its environmental and planning law capabilities, assisting with emission control regulations and taxation as well as planning procedures for energy and urban development projects. The firm also has strength in coal phase-out negotiations. Besides authorities, the law firm also caters to the needs of well-known corporates.

The German law firm Raue houses a well-regarded public law practice with a particular focus on nationwide mandates. The team covers a broad array of cases, with particular expertise in the energy and real estate sectors, handling concession agreements and renewable energy projects. Furthermore, clients benefit from the team's expertise in planning procedures and administrative law. An additional prowess in handling disputes and administrative proceedings complements Raue's offering. Private and state-owned companies as well as government ministries seek assistance from Raue, which further speaks to the law firm's robust market position.

DLA Piper houses a respected public law team with expertise in regulatory and administrative law. Corporates frequently hire DLA Piper for assistance with planning procedures, water protection law and product liability cases. The law firm complements its services with its prowess in handling constitutional and administrative complaints in front of the Federal Constitutional Court and administrative courts. The various industry sectors covered by the team include aviation, media and automotive.

Freshfields' public law team is often involved in administrative and constitutional law cases, with further expertise in handling high-profile disputes arising from politically sensitive matters, including vehicle emissions. Additionally, the law firm increasingly advises on regulatory issues within the transport sector, including autonomous driving and infrastructure charges. Clients also benefit from the law firm's handling of regulatory aspects in transactions, aided by its excellent interdisciplinary and globally connected practice. Its client roster consists of state ministries and household names from a range of regulated sectors, including energy, automotive, healthcare and infrastructure.

GvW Graf von Westphalen enters the Public Law rankings this year on the back of strong market and client feedback. From its offices across Germany, it advises clients in both the private and public sectors on a wide range of matters including procurement, projects, planning and environmental law.

The international law firm Hogan Lovells houses a respected public law practice. The team is particularly recommended for its expertise in regulatory and constitutional law, often assisting with mandates in the gambling sector. Additionally, clients benefit from the firm's prowess in handling administrative proceedings as well as matters involving social law and privatisations. Furthermore, Hogan Lovells advises on water and chemicals law issues as well as planning procedures, where the team acts for well-known corporates. Hogan Lovells' expertise in procurement projects within the defence sector complements its offering.

Luther is a German law firm that is well known for its holistic coverage of public law. The team is particularly appreciated for its expertise in planning and environmental law, ranging from approval procedures and urban developments to nuclear phase-outs. A special strength is the law firm's handling of energy-related mandates such as power plant construction and emissions trading. Luther also assists with a wide range of administrative cases including constitutional complaints, infection control law and COVID-19-related business shutdowns. The team also acts in front of the highest national courts. Clients benefit from the law firm's strength in public procurement, and the team advises on nationwide and EU-wide tenders in the transport, construction and healthcare sectors. It has further expertise in large PPP projects, which complements the firm's comprehensive services.

Oppenländer Rechtsanwälte's Stuttgart-based public law team has experience representing a range of German public companies and states in constitutional court cases as well as advising on constitutional requirements in commercial administrative law matters. Its lawyers have particular focuses on the banking, energy, public transport and technology sectors.