Restructuring/Insolvency | Europe

As an international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer houses a stellar restructuring practice. The team regularly handles many of the market's biggest cases, especially those related to the travel, automotive and retail industries. Its representation of high-profile creditors, lenders and debtors further evidences the firm's excellent market position. Its strength in corporate and financial restructurings is complemented by its prowess advising on pre-emptive insolvency measures and restructuring scenarios. Clients equally benefit from Freshfields' impressive corporate expertise that allows the team to cover a range of related matters, and it is particularly well versed in distressed M&A.

Latham & Watkins houses one of Germany's market-leading restructuring practices. The team is renowned for advising creditors, lenders and debtors on prominent financial and corporate restructurings in the automotive, energy and travel sectors. An additional strength of the law firm lies in distressed M&A, often assisting international private equity funds and investors. Its leading role in insolvency-related disputes across national and European court levels further evidences Latham & Watkins' excellent market standing. Clients equally benefit from the firm's expansive worldwide office network and strong ancillary departments such as banking and finance, allowing for the holistic handling of cases.

The firm houses a respected restructuring practice with a strong pedigree in complex, cross-border mandates. The team is particularly well regarded in financial restructurings, often in conjunction with its leading banking and finance team. Its further expertise encompasses distressed M&A and group reorganisations, where the team is regularly mandated by banks on the lender side. The law firm also extends its services to corporates requiring comprehensive restructuring advice, especially those in the fashion industry. Advising administrators and investors on insolvency-related disputes constitutes a further strength of the practice group. Aided by its considerable international office network, it is a top choice for well-known clients from the automotive, energy and financial sectors. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Clifford Chance is a law firm with a strong restructuring team, best known for advising prominent financial institutions and banking consortiums. The team is well recognised for its strength in financial restructuring work, sought after for domestic and international restructurings in the automotive, travel and energy sector. While mostly assisting creditors and lenders, Clifford Chance also assists administrators with prominent insolvency proceedings. Clients equally benefit from the firm's prowess in handling distressed M&A transactions as well as loan agreements, where the firm can draw on its strong corporate and finance departments.

Gleiss Lutz is a German law firm which houses an impressive restructuring practice capable of handling a broad range of mandates. The team is particularly well regarded for its capabilities in debtor-side restructurings and refinancings, including bond restructuring. Its further expertise encompasses distressed M&A transactions, where the team acts for international investment funds. Clients equally appreciate strong capabilities in insolvency-related litigation, defending corporations in avoidance and liability claims. Furthermore, Gleiss Lutz is sought after by insolvency administrators for its expertise in complex insolvency proceedings. A client base comprising well-known fashion retailers, energy companies and automotive suppliers serves as a testament to the firm's standing.

As an international law firm Kirkland & Ellis is well placed to advise on complex cross-border restructuring mandates, often in conjunction with its London office. The firm is widely appreciated for its role in advising lenders, including bondholders and noteholders, as well as capital funds on large corporate and financial restructurings. Its further competencies include distressed M&A and insolvency-related litigation, where Kirkland & Ellis acts for debtors as well as supervisory boards and creditors.

Dentons houses a well-reputed restructuring and insolvency practice. The team is highly regarded for advising promissory notes holders on complex restructurings in the energy, automotive and manufacturing sectors. Additionally, Dentons handles distressed M&A and self-administration proceedings, acting for both creditors and debtors, and it has further expertise in trusteeships. Due to its excellent global office network the law firm is particularly sought after for cross-border mandates.

GÖRG is a German law firm with an impressive presence in a broad range of restructuring and insolvency mandates. Its members are regularly appointed as insolvency administrators by courts, with further expertise in trusteeships and self-administration. With its prowess in handling complex insolvencies the team is also well placed to assist with pre-insolvency restructurings and protective shield proceedings. Furthermore, the law firm is appreciated for its advisory work, assisting with financial and corporate restructurings as well as refinancings and distressed M&A. Its clientele, comprising well-known players from the automotive, fashion and industrial sector, further illustrates GÖRG's excellent market position. Clients particularly enjoy the firm's strength in handling the German aspects of international mandates.

The German law firm Noerr offers a range of services in restructuring and insolvency law. The team advises on distressed transactions, insolvency plans and refinancings as well as debtor-in-possession cases. Administrators also increasingly seek Noerr's expertise for the sale of assets of insolvent corporates, with a further expertise in insolvency-related disputes. The firm acts not only for prominent debtors from the travel and manufacturing industry but also creditors.

The international law firm White & Case houses a market-leading insolvency practice. Its members are regularly appointed as administrators and trustees on high-profile proceedings spanning the fashion, transport and energy sectors. Debtor-in-possession and protective shield proceedings as well as restructurings via insolvency plans constitute strengths of the law firm. Furthermore, White & Case is respected for assisting debtors and creditors with financial and corporate restructurings as well as distressed M&A and pre-insolvency restructurings. With its international coverage, the law firm is well placed to cater to a diverse clientele from debtors to lenders and investors, covering a broad array of industries.

The international law firm CMS is appreciated for its strength in restructuring and insolvency mandates across Germany. The team regularly assists with corporate and financial restructurings, with further expertise in liability claims and stabilisation measures. Its additional strength lies in distressed M&A and insolvency-related disputes. Furthermore, CMS's various team members are often appointed by courts in complex insolvencies in the financial sector. Its cross-border capabilities make CMS a particularly popular choice for both creditors and debtors across various industry sectors.

Hengeler Mueller is appreciated for its growing presence in the restructuring and insolvency world. The team, aided by Hengeler Mueller's outstanding M&A department, regularly handles distressed M&A, acting for investors as well as acquired assets. Clients also benefit from the firm's expertise in financial and corporate restructurings as well as debt refinancings. Its clientele also includes well-known insolvency administrators who seek the team's assistance with damages claims among other insolvency-related disputes. Investment firms, technology companies and transport clients feature on the firm's client roster.

Hogan Lovells offers services across the full spectrum of restructuring and insolvency law. The team is well versed in handling financial restructurings and distressed M&A, acting for well-known corporates and investors alike. Clients also benefit from the firm's expertise in self-administration as well as insolvency-related disputes. Its clientele includes household names from the hospitality, technology and media industries. Due to its international office network, the firm is well positioned to assist with cross-border mandates.

Linklaters houses a notable restructuring practice with particular expertise in financial issues. The team is regularly mandated by domestic and international banks as lenders on corporate and financial restructurings. Furthermore, Linklaters handles insolvency-related litigation, whereby the team acts for insolvency administrators as well as corporates and debtors. Its client roster also includes major investment houses and public entities which particularly benefit from Linklaters' strong international office network.

McDermott Will & Emery houses a solid practice primarily acting for domestic debtors on insolvency proceedings, restructurings and distressed M&A. The law firm is particularly active in financial restructurings and also advises insolvency administrators as well as board members on liability claims. Clients not only benefit from the firm's nationwide coverage but also from McDermott's impressive international network, allowing the effective handling of cross-border mandates. Its clientele ranges from prominent retailers and private equity funds to automotive suppliers and packaging manufacturers.

Milbank is recognised for its solid restructuring and insolvency practice, advising on an array of matters for both creditors and debtors, as well as for shareholders and loan sponsors. The team operates in both the domestic and international arena, handling a variety of matters spanning from advising issuers, lenders and noteholders on financial restructurings and refinancings, to acting for creditors in insolvency proceedings and investors on liability management transactions.

The international law firm Sidley Austin offers assistance with restructuring and insolvency law, acting for creditors and debtors throughout Germany. The team regularly assists with complex restructurings and debt financings, and has further prowess in handling investments and divestments as well as distressed financial restructurings. Sidley Austin frequently acts for international private equity clients and also advises debtors from a range of industries.