Chambers Europe 2017

The renowned guide covers 53 jurisdictions across Europe and, depending on the size of the jurisdictions, up to 25 fields of law.
P+P is again among the top-tier firms in the private equity and venture capital fields, as well as in corporate M&A mid-market advice. In addition, the firm receives praise in all its core practice areas, with 16 partners listed for their respective areas of expertise, some of them in several practice areas.

In the corporate mid-market sector, Wolfgang Grobecker, Reinhard Pöllath and Matthias Bruse are commended for their competence.
In particular, Wolfgang Grobecker has "strengthened his profile for his work on corporate advice and public and private M&A. The whole team is "highly praised" and "advancing to the top of the table thanks to its manifest strength in both private M&A and public takeovers". According to peers and clients alike, P+P has "great knowledge of corporate and tax law" and state "I would really recommend P+P P+P Pöllath + Partners in these areas." P+P often acts for "corporate management on shareholder matters and corporate litigation" and is also "very popular among family businesses".
P+P also belongs to the top-tier firms in the private equity and venture capital sector. Munich partner Christian Tönies receives enthusiastic approval. He is a "fantastic" lawyer, who "maintains a significant reputation as one of the most prominent practitioners in the venture capital market". He is an "experienced, pragmatic negotiator that gets the deal done." His colleague Matthias Bruse is commended for his work on private equity transactions, often representing mid-cap entities, including family businesses. "Management participation guru" Benedikt Hohaus is renowned in the market for his advisory work, as well as on MBOs and MBIs and related tax issues. Michael Inhester is also a recommended lawyer, who advises sellers, investors and management teams on venture capital investments and divestments. Clients appreciate Otto Haberstock's "client-oriented advice" and state that "he is always ahead of the deal". Philipp von Braunschweig is known throughout the market for his activity in private equity, acting for investors as well as corporates. "He has a very calm and confident manner of negotiating. It is a pleasure to work with him." Andrea von Drygalski "boasts some of the largest private equity houses as her clients, which she assists with transactions and post-closing disputes". One client states: "She is a superior process driver in intense negotiations and brings the level of testosterone down". Berlin partner Amos Veith is recommended for his advice to institutional and private investors on private equity matters, with a strong focus on fund formation. All in all, clients appreciate the lawyers' dedication: "The lawyers offer a high level of commitment. It is a trusted relationship, they know our structures and requirements well."

According to clients, P+P is an "outstanding structuring firm". Also in this area, Amos Veith receives praise for his "quality and swift reaction". He is "very pragmatic, client-oriented, quick and thorough". Andreas Rodin acts "for institutional and individual investors on the structuring of private investment funds, including the tax elements". Clients speak extremely highly of the firm's capabilities in investment funds, believing that it "sets the market standard for fund documentation in Germany, meaning its work is also trusted by the counterparties". Interviewees enjoy co-operating with a "very strong, extremely efficient and flexible team with very good cross-border capabilities". They speak highly of the good value provided by the team: "They are client-oriented and we feel very well treated by them in terms of fee structures".
Andreas Rodin's expertise on the tax side of fund structuring, particularly private equity funds, is praised by peers and clients alike. "He's really good with the tax rules of funds in Germany." His Munich colleague, "seasoned tax practitioner" Michael Best focuses on the taxation of private equity funds. He is also praised for his tax "capabilities in the real estate field", and is considered by clients to be "extremely passionate about his work" and to "give clear and well thought-through advice".
Berlin partner Thomas Töben is noted for his "long-standing reputation and experience". His "wide-ranging" expertise covers the taxation of corporate acquisitions, reorganisation and debt restructuring.
Frankfurt partner Pia Dorfmueller also handles a range of tax matters, including the structuring of transactions and European holding companies. She frequently handles cross-border work with a US element. Clients describe her as "client-focused, accountable, pragmatic and persistent". They value the team's "extremely knowledgeable" tax partners, and the fact that they "know the market well and give clear advice on what they think are the best options". They also remark upon the team's responsiveness, with one adding "they are strongly client-oriented and great at managing the conflict of being commercial and assessing risks".

Also in the real estate field, clients appreciate that the lawyers are "very commercial in the way they give advice". The team closely co-operates with its "reputable tax practice" to assist with tax-related real estate questions. The sources underline the team's "legal knowledge and good negotiation skills", and believe it to be "excellent" at handling real estate matters. In particular, Matthias Durst is "very analytical, quick, reliable and deal-oriented". He specialises in real estate transactions and project development matters, with further expertise in joint ventures and lease agreements. Stefan Lebek assists clients with real estate joint ventures and transactions, and has been visible in the healthcare field of late. Clients appreciate his "proactive approach, responsiveness, understanding of what is important for an organisation and ability to implement it".