Located in Germany's finance and commerce capital, the Frankfurt office was founded in 2000 and has become one of Germany's leading transaction practices
More than 30 lawyers are resident in our Frankfurt office
"One of Germany's most dynamic firms at present, Weil, Gotshal & Manges has positioned itself with overwhelming success as the choice firm for buyers and investors" says European Legal 500
Ranked by Chambers and Partners in 2008 and previous years as a leading firm in Private Equity and Corporate/M&A
"A respected firm for litigation" says JUVE 2008. The German practice is "impressive" and clients "praise the firm's experience in litigious matters."
Our Practice
The legal advisory services rendered by Weil Gotshal's Frankfurt office focus on the practice areas of Private Equity, M&A, Restructuring/Distressed M&A, Finance, Tax and Litigation/Regulatory. Our remarkably diverse client base is engaged in various industries and includes some of the world's leading financial institutions as well as many major international corporations.
Recent high-profile transactions include advising
German Media Partners, the investment vehicle of Saban Capital Group and its partner private equity investors Bain Capital Partners, Hellman & Friedman, Thomas H. Lee Partners, Providence Equity and others, in the sale of its majority share in Germany's largest private television group ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG
Institutional investors advised by J.C. Flowers & Co. LLC in the acquisition of a 26.6% stake in HSH Nordbank AG from WestLB AG, marking the first time a foreign institutional investor holds a share in one of Germany's state-owned banks (Landesbanken)
Villeroy & Boch on the sale of a majority share of 51% in V&B Fliesen GmbH, Villeroy & Boch's tiles subsidiary, to the Turkish Eczacibasi Group
Various financial investors/mezzanine lenders on the restructuring of the first overleveraged buy-outs in Germany (TMD Friction Holding GmbH, Kiekert AG)
Financial investors such as Lone Star and Strategic Value Partners on the acquisition of NPL portfolios and other distressed assets
Augusta Technologie AG on its appeal on points of law filed with the German Federal Supreme Court, securing a precedent ruling in which the court stated in no uncertain terms that intervening third parties in avoidance actions will not be reimbursed for costs if, as is frequently the case, a settlement in the form of a withdrawal of the action in return for payment of court and attorneys' fees is agreed
Achievements, Community Service and Pro Bono
The German offices have positioned themselves as one of the premier practices in the country, in particular for private equity transactions and restructuring/distressed M&A, in a very short period of time. JUVE, Germany's leading legal publication, attributes the Firm's notable accomplishments to the management of the German offices, the partners in those offices and the Firm's international network, said to be "one of the most successful at importing and exporting client relationships".