Chambers Europe 2015

Covering 52 jurisdictions with comprehensive analysis and research of law firms, Chambers Europe is the 'primus inter pares' among the various ranking guides in Europe and worldwide.
P+P is listed in the top tier for its private equity expertise, listing Matthias Bruse for private equity and Christian Tönies for venture capital as top practitioners alongside Andreas Rodin, who is ranked in the top tier for his tax expertise. All in all, 17 P+P partners are listed in their areas of expertise, some of them in more than one practice area.

In the private equity sector, Matthias Bruse is a "leading name" and praised for his long-standing experience. "He is calm and solution-oriented and is able to solve difficult situations." Another leading expert is the "very knowledgeable and entrepreneurial" Christian Tönies, (who) maintains a market-leading reputation for his representation of Berlin technology start-ups in venture capital deals. In addition, "hands-on" partner Benedikt Hohaus is deemed as a "natural choice for management participation schemes". Sources comment: "He is up to date with developments on the tax side, understands market conditions and is very quick to implement things." Otto Haberstock is also praised for his negotiation skills: "He's very good at negotiating the tricky parts - he is able to go to the investors and make sure that our interests can be enforced." Other recommended lawyers include Michael Inhester, Andrea von Drygalski, who is "active advising on cross-border acquisitions", and Philipp von Braunschweig, whose practice covers leveraged buyouts and management equity programs, as well as venture capital. Thus, the firm has "an excellent reputation for venture capital" ... including "financing rounds, exits and tax structuring, venture capital funds, investors and emerging growth companies. A top choice for private equity fund structuring and management participation programs." In the high-end corporate area, Matthias Bruse is also known as "an experienced transactional lawyer who receives praise ... for his excellent negotiation skills and commercial nous... You call him if you need a troubleshooter". Founding partner Reinhard Pöllath is revered "for his excellent connections and great business understanding. Wolfgang Grobecker is another lawyer recognized in this practice area. The whole team is "communicative and responsive with a high level of attention to detail. The lawyers have an eye for the big picture, but are also good on the smaller details". Hence, P+P "maintains a solid reputation in the market for private equity transactions and management participation schemes" and is "increasingly active in corporate restructuring work for private and public clients". The firm "continues to build on strong international links, especially in China".
In the investment funds sphere, P+P is "recognised for its knowledge of unregulated and closed-end funds, and its continuously expanding expertise in regulatory matters." In particular, Patricia Volhard is "excellent to work with," and reputed for "advising on regulatory matters, in particular for closed-end funds, as well as on the associated tax aspects. Clients also praise her as "well versed in regulatory work and very well connected to both the lawmaking organizations and regulators." Her colleague Amos Veith is "renowned for his knowledge of private equity investments". Clients highlight his availability and that "you can count on what he says to be right." Andreas Rodin is also seen as "an absolute expert" in tax advice and the private equity sector, and is therefore also ranked in the top tier for his tax expertise. He is a "highly skilled and much-admired lawyer who remains at the top of the market, with an outstanding reputation for private equity fund structuring." Michael Best is singled out for his "exceptional responsiveness" and receives praise for his "in-depth understanding" of fund structures and ability to focus on the most important elements of an issue. Sources add: "He understands situations very quickly because he is very intelligent, experienced and analytically very strong." Thomas Töben is also praised "for his fund structuring work and he remains a prominent figure in the market." In addition, Frankfurt partner Pia Dorfmueller is listed as a "notable practitioner". As a result, the tax practice at P+P is "certainly a strong, broad practice with excellent people" and best known for its "strong focus on the private equity sector, where it is frequently seen advising on the tax aspects of acquisitions" ... and is also "recommended for investment and private equity fund structuring". The strengths of the team lies in its ability to be "always responsive and ... cope with tight deadlines. It has a deep knowledge of deal structuring from both a tax and legal perspective." Clients emphasize, that "the lawyers draw on real expertise of what tax authorities want and are looking for, and keep us up to date with legislation. They give us exactly what we want and need to know as clients doing business".
P+P is also ranked for its real estate competence, with Stefan Lebek as the leader of the team. He is praised as a "hard negotiator with excellent communication skills" and active on "all aspects of real estate transaction... leasehold purchase contracts and asset and share deals, often representing international investors". His colleague Matthias Durst is seen as an "excellent lawyer when it comes to project developments". He advises on "acquisitions in the retail property sector made by foreign investors. He is excellent at translating your objectives into the legal language of contract". Another core strength, stressed by clients, is the team's ability to "take an ugly position to let you be the white knight and the lawyers are extremely knowledgeable". The real estate team is "focusing on transactions and project development" and works "closely with its renowned private equity practice advising investors on acquisitions" but is also visible on "project management mandates for both national and international investors and banks."