Chambers Europe 2021

For some years in a row now, POELLATH receives a top tier listing for its “stellar” corporate mid-market advice on M&A and corporate agreements on both domestic and international transactions, including joint venture deals. Clients confirm they are “extremely happy”. One states:  “I could be hands-off during the transaction, knowing they [POELLATH] were working on behalf of all the clients’ interests.”

Another core practice area includes advising company management on the corporate aspects of IPOs, collaborating closely with the firm’s “highly regarded” private equity practice.

The firm’s founder, Reinhard Poellath, is listed among the “Senior Statespeople” and Matthias Bruse, also one of the founding partners, “remains a leading practitioner, frequently advising clients on share deals”.

Matthias Bruse is also lauded for his “longstanding experience in private equity investments and corporate advisory services. He also acts as arbitrator in corporate disputes.” Other listed private equity advisors include Benedikt Hohaus, who is “best known” for his work representing private equity funds and managers on the full gamut of legal and tax matters relating to management investments and buyouts, as well as employee incentives. He and his team have “significant experience” in management participation in connection with corporate transactions.

His colleague Andrea von Drygalski is well-known for her advice on acquisitions and divestitures, acting for several notable private equity funds.

Philipp von Braunschweig is also listed for his private equity competence. His clientele spans private equity funds, management teams and family companies, which he advises on acquisitions, divestments and growth capital investments.

The venture capital sector also received a top-tier ranking due to the efforts of Christian Tönies as a “leading” practitioner for his advice on the full venture capital cycle, from financing to acquisitions and exits.

As co-head of the firm’s venture capital practice, Michael Inhester is also listed for his experienced advice on a “variety of deals in this area”.

The whole team has a “powerful outfit, well-positioned to assist with the whole raft of venture capital matters”, acts across a wide spectrum of industries, including IT and media, and is increasingly active in the fintech and medtech sectors. The advisors draw on their “notable tax expertise” to assist with tax structuring related to transactions.

The firm is “renowned” for its “handling [of] the taxation of M&A and property deals and company reorganisations for a core client base of private equity houses and real estate companies”. Thus, Michael Best is among the listed advisors for his advice to private equity firms and investors on tax structuring of domestic and international transactions.

POELLATH has “additional strength” in handling tax audits, succession planning and issues of international tax law for family-owned companies, as well as high net worth individuals.

Another strong point is advising investors on the taxation of private equity and other investment funds. A client singles out the team’s “high degree of responsiveness and cost awareness”. Andreas Rodin, who excels as one of the “Senior Statespeople”, receives particular praise. He is “highly recommended” by clients for “high-profile cases, when you need not just technical expertise but also a lot of experience”, and is valued because he [Andreas] is “passionate about his work” and “loves to advise on particularly complex matters”.

Another notable practitioner is Amos Veith, who offers “strong advice to national and foreign investors on all matters pertaining to fund structuring, including tax, regulatory and contract law”.

The entire team has a “highly regarded funds practice with strong expertise across a variety of investment law areas”, as well as “considerable experience with complex tax, regulatory and contractual issues pertaining to fund structuring”. The firm is further noted for its comprehensive services regarding fund launches, as well as cross-border fund M&A and portfolio acquisitions.

A client praises the team’s broad expertise, saying: “Rather than just having one person who is good, there are many” and adding that “things are simply very efficiently organised, with a coherence of communication, as well as legal expertise”.

POELLATH is also listed for its real estate competence as a “respected national firm representing clients in real estate transactions across a number of asset classes, most notably retail, office, residential and healthcare”. It has “extensive experience” in single asset and portfolio transactions on both the buy and sell sides, and is also active in project development mandates, including forward deals. Last but not least, the team also advises on sale and leaseback transactions, as well as the conclusion of lease and asset management agreements, and cooperates closely with its “reputable tax practice” to assist with tax-related real estate questions.

Clients appreciate that the firm “delivers superb quality in a timely manner”.

“POELLATH has more partner attention than other big firms. Their team are very hands-on, efficient and target-orientated.”

Notable practitioners include Matthias Durst, who “acts for a range of clients on real estate transactions, including forward asset deals”. One client reports: “He is excellent, hands-on and deal-oriented, offering attention to detail. He can also be very tough if required.”

His colleague Stefan Lebek “acts on a number of complex deals, advising on both single asset and portfolio transactions”. He also offers advice in relation to leases and asset management agreements. One client comments: “He is personally involved and handles all issues and mandates for us. Stefan is a brilliant legal expert in his field and works in a very client-orientated way. He is always available, works efficiently and never loses sight of the ultimate target of his client.”