Legal 500, 2025
In the private clients and nonprofit practice, the firm advises high-net-worth individuals, family offices and foundations on succession and inheritance planning and the establishment of family foundations. Dr. Stephan Viskorf is particularly well-known for his advice on tax-related issues, while Dr. Andreas Richter plays a central role in providing investment advice and advising on foundation and shareholder disputes. For foundations and non-profit organizations, Dr. Katharina Gollan is the primary contact for clients. Overall, references praise the entire team as “excellent” and “absolutely first-class”. “The partners are excellent strategists; they can deal with UHNWI equally as well as with business people while developing and communicating appropriate, complex solutions to them. They are strong in the concrete implementation of work products, including contact with tax authorities.” They have “excellent expertise and experience in cross-border situations” with various focus areas (crypto, trusts, etc.) and are characterized by a “pragmatic and risk-adequate approach”. In particular, Dr. Katharina Hemmen is “excellent” and “highly recommended”. Dr. Andreas Richter is considered “THE private clients lawyer in Germany” in the market. He has therefore also been inducted into the “Hall of Fame”, an honor bestowed only on those lawyers who, due to their market-leading position, are held in equally high regard by competitors and clients alike. Dr. Katharina Gollan has been recognized as a “next generation partner”. Another core lawyer is Dr. Sebastian Löcherbach. He deals with the interface between corporate and tax law and advises on inheritance tax issues.
The law firm also received a “top-tier” rating for its expertise in all aspects of fund structuring, including tax and regulatory issues, as well as for its advice on fund investment and management participation programs. The team advises on the structuring, placement and marketing of private equity and venture capital funds, alternative investment funds and global investment funds, covering both regulatory and tax matters. Amos Veith, among others, focuses on the latter two areas, in addition to advising on secondaries and GP-led transactions. His colleague Dr. Jens Steinmüller frequently advises on investment solutions and fund investments, and Dr. Peter Bujotzek is known for his comprehensive advice on structuring alternative investment funds and fund investments. Amos Veith and Dr. Peter Bujotzek are listed as “leading partners”. Other core attorneys are Dr. Philip Schwarz van Berk, Tarek Mardini, Dr. Robert Eberius and Uwe Bärenz.
The management participation practice is not only renowned in the fund area, but also for transactions. Dr. Benedikt Hohaus is listed here as a “leading partner”. References also praise Philipp von Braunschweig for his “outstanding expertise”. In addition, they value his “excellent communication skills” and his “clear presentation of legal issues to clients with little legal understanding”. In addition, he is “always available” and one gets “quick answers even in complex matters”. The “fair and transparent billing” is also appealing, as is the fact that “colleagues from a different/related practice are always available”. Other core lawyers are Dr. Barbara Koch-Schulte, Dr. Eva Nase and Dr. Tim Junginger, who primarily advises on national and international PE transactions.
His colleague Dr. Tim Kaufhold advises PE investors on M&A and corporate law matters, while Jens Hörmann advises on M&A and private equity in the infrastructure and healthcare sectors.
Tim Kaufhold and Jens Hörmann are also heads of the M&A department. German and international companies in the e-commerce, fintech, healthcare, energy and technology sectors value the firm’s expertise, which includes acquisitions, takeovers, squeeze-outs and strategic partnerships, as well as distressed transactions.
The venture capital sector also enjoys an excellent reputation. Christian Tönies has been inducted into the “Hall of Fame” for his market-leading expertise. Markus Döllner is listed as a “leading associate”. The team, which includes Dr. Sebastian Gerlinger, focuses on advising start-ups and growth companies, including fintech, e-commerce, B2B and automotive, on financing rounds, exits and strategic sales. Dr. Michael Inhester and Christian Tönies lead the team, supported by Dr. Sebastian Gerlinger, Tobias Jäger and Markus Döllner, who contribute significantly to the success of the practice with their experience and expertise in M&A, private equity and venture capital. References praise Tobias Jäger in particular, who they perceive as “extremely competent, providing perfect advice on M&A transactions and all related matters, down to the smallest detail”. He “sees through all the relevant connections in depth and advises at a particularly high level, both legally and strategically”. The entire team is “always committed and responsive, even on short notice”.
POELLATH also offers comprehensive advice on transaction tax law and asset management in relation to tax law. Investors, high-net-worth individuals and family-owned companies mandate the firm to design tax-optimized PE buyout structures, as well as to structure investment funds and transactions, particularly in the real estate sector.
The team was strengthened by the addition of André Fest as partner. He plays a central role in the implementation of tax compliance systems and advising on tax-optimized structures for PE buyout transactions.
The team is led by Dr. Michael Best (transactions and private equity) and Dr. Hardy Fischer, who is “well-versed in real estate tax law”, and includes Gerald Herrmann (transactions and funds) and Sören Reckwardt (real estate tax law).
In real estate law, POELLATH’s focus is on portfolio transactions in the residential and commercial sectors. The team is led by Dr. Stefan Lebek and Dr. Matthias Durst, who, with their expertise in transactional and public procurement law issues, also play a central role in project development and financing of real estate transactions. They are also adept at providing support on project development and procurement law issues, including tenancy and lease law matters. Clients particularly appreciate the negotiating skills of Dr. Matthias Durst and Dr. Stefan Lebek. They attest to their “top all-around knowledge and client focus, plus a very good commercial understanding of these situations”.
“Response and processing times are short, and their professional competence and market knowledge are outstanding.” “The team is well-positioned, available and responsive around the clock, and you always feel well looked after.” Overall, there is “close cooperation with the partners in the real estate sector. We also really enjoy working with the other team members.” All attorneys are characterized by their “high level of professional expertise, great flexibility and a distinctive motivation to perform”.
