Chambers Europe 2019
Chambers Europe has ranked lawyers and law firms across Europe for almost 30 years. Chambers rankings are based on in-depth analysis gathered by an experienced team of 200+ researchers.
P+P again received top-tier ranking for its corporate M&A mid-market and venture capital competence with a total of 14 listed professionals, some of whom are listed in more than one practice area.
Clients of the corporate M&A team are particularly impressed by the lawyers' availability, competence and treatment: "It feels like they are treating me like a VIP customer and whenever I need them they make time for me". The whole team is very strong and offers a "stellar mid-market practice": "We really value the competence of the individual lawyers, we have never seen a weak person there. They work well as a team and they can do everything in one go." Recommended lawyers include founder Reinhard Pöllath as "senior statesperson", Munich partners Matthias Bruse and Wolfgang Grobecker, who is lauded by clients: "We were very satisfied with the whole performance. He was responsive and had solutions to the problems that came up". The lawyers work closely together with "the highly regarded" private equity team.
In particular, Andrea von Drygalski is praised for her negotiation skills. "She understands what other people are looking to achieve. She is very calm and reflective". Philipp von Braunschweig also "... knows the economic goals we are pursuing and makes sure he achieves them, and he is very good on the commercial side" and "He is an excellent, very confident negotiator. Even in high-pressure situations, he is able to find a solution that is acceptable for both sides." His colleague Matthias Bruse "boasts long-standing experience in the field of both buy and sell side" of private equity transactions. Benedikt Hohaus is "acknowledged as a renowned name" for advice relating to management participation schemes. He impresses as "... an absolute expert, with an instinct for how to establish a good balance between the sponsor and management in the MPP agreement".
P+P's venture capital practice is ranked in tier 1 due to the efforts of partner Christian Tönies, who is also ranked in tier 1, and his colleague Michael Inhester, who is "recognised for his prominence and experience" in the VC market. Christian is praised as "very experienced, he is incredibly deal-oriented and solution-oriented, he finds pragmatic solutions and makes the deal happen". He thus maintains a "strong reputation" in the venture capital sphere. The whole team "stands out for their quality. In terms of responsiveness, they are excellent... There is a sense of continuity".
This also applies to the investment funds team, recognised "for its strength in private funds mandates" which "enjoys a strong reputation for its handling of structuring and fundraising matters". Key strengths are the team's "business acumen", the "commercial awareness" and the "pragmatic and proactive approach". The ability to work in small teams leads to a „very efficient service". Berlin partner Amos Veith is a "brilliant lawyer in terms of expertise, commercial awareness and effectiveness". Also Frankfurt partner Andreas Rodin is recommended for his "hard-working approach". He is "recognised for his assistance with private funds structuring and fund-raising mandates". He is also recommended for his tax expertise and has a "long-standing presence in the tax market".
Munich partner Michael Best also is acknowledged for "pragmatic and flexible tax-efficient structuring advice". Clients laud him as "very service-orientated, very clear and articulate". In addition, Frankfurt partner Pia Dorfmueller is praised as "very good in international tax, particularly in regard to tax-efficient structuring of transactions". She is further known for work on contentious mandates and in the fields of double taxation and refund matters. According to sources, the whole team is "very responsive, client-orientated and have our best interests in mind".
This is also true for the real estate team. Clients are full of praise for the team's "client orientation, industry network and excellent responsiveness" and enthuse about their working style: "The lawyers are very deal-oriented, very fast and the respective partners have a flair for what is possible and what isn't". Berlin partner Stefan Lebek receives particular praise for his communication and working style. He is "a very experienced transaction lawyer, strong in negotiations, very structured and very reliable". His colleague Matthias Durst "comes highly recommended for his knowledge of single and portfolio transactions, project developments, lease agreements and joint ventures". "He knows how to prioritise issues very quickly and efficiently manages his team in all required areas, thus guaranteeing an optimum combination of contractual, tax and structural legal assessments."
