The Legal 500 Germany 2026
Corporate & Corporate Litigation
POELLATH primarily advises supervisory boards, shareholders and management boards of large German and international companies. The practice group specializes in corporate governance, extraordinary general meetings, restructuring and corporate law disputes, and also advises on SE conversions, mergers and carve-outs. Practice group leader Eva Nase provides comprehensive advice on corporate and capital markets law, including stock corporation law, corporate group law, capital market regulation, takeovers and corporate processes. Michael Andreas Haase joined the team as counsel in June 2025.
“Outstanding expertise in the corporate sector; pragmatic solutions with a focus on results and feasibility.”
“Strong and proactive focus on clients’ problems and a very agile approach to finding solutions. Very high level of commitment.”
The team’s key lawyers include Dr. Eva Nase, Dr. Andreas Reuther, Dr. Kay-Uwe Neumann, Michael Andreas Haase and Dr. Georg Greitemann.
Click here for the Legal 500 ranking of Corporate & Corporate Litigation. (German)
Private Clients & Non-Profits
With a particularly active practice for private clients and succession planning, POELLATH frequently advises high net worth individuals, entrepreneurial families and family businesses on large-volume inheritance and corporate governance issues. Other focus areas include structuring and establishing charitable and philanthropic donation instruments, as well as providing support in contentious matters. The latter includes inheritance disputes, disputes over family and matrimonial agreements, defenses against tax authorities and governance-related challenges within family offices and philanthropic institutions. The practice is jointly led by Andreas Richter, who is versed in structuring foundations, and Stephan Viskorf, who has in-depth experience in cross-border succession and tax planning. Katharina Gollan has extensive experience working for charitable organizations and entrepreneurial families and is also proficient in succession planning. In January 2025, Erik Muscheites was appointed partner.
“One of the best tax and private client teams in Germany. Above all, they speak fluent English, are fast and responsive, and are a great and efficient team.”
“Excellent advice at all times.”
Dr. Andreas Richter has once again been included in the ‘Hall of Fame’. Dr. Katharina Gollan has been recognised as a ‘next generation partner’. The team‘s key lawyers include Dr. Stephan Viskorf, Dr. Katharina Hemmen, Dr. Sebastian Löcherbach, Dr. Erik Muscheites, Dr. Laurenz Martin Lipp, Dr. Marcel Duplois, Dr. Marcus Niermann and Dr. Jan-Eckhard Wegener.
Click here for the Legal 500 ranking of Private Clients & Non-Profits. (German).
Private Equity
POELLATH is one of the leading law firms for advice on fund formation and offers comprehensive support in fund structuring, including tax and regulatory issues, as well as fund participation. In transactions, the firm is particularly active in the mid-cap segment and advises PE firms, independent investment companies and target companies from various sectors. The practice is jointly managed by Jens Hörmann and Tim Kaufhold. Benedikt Hohaus advises PE funds and managers on private equity, tax law and corporate law. Verena Stenzel was appointed partner in January 2025 and focuses on PE transactions.
“Long-standing excellent service, very low fluctuations, highly competent support on all practice areas, network of international partner law firms.”
“Very thorough, down to the last detail.”
Dr. Benedikt Hohaus is regarded as a ‘leading adviser’ in Private Equity. Dr. Verena Stenzel has been recognised as a ‘next generation partner’. The team‘s key lawyers include Jens Hörmann, Dr. Tim Kaufhold, Dr. Frank Thiäner, Otto Haberstock, Philipp von Braunschweig, Dr. Tim Junginger, Dr. Moritz Klein, Silke Simmer and Dr. Sebastian Rosentritt.
Click here for the Legal 500 ranking of Private Equity. (German)
Investment Funds & Fund Formation
POELLATH is the first port of call for numerous German fund managers in the private equity and venture capital sectors. The practice advises on structuring new investment vehicles and compliance with fund regulations and German and European law. The group is led by Jens Steinmüller, whose practice covers both regulatory and tax issues, and Peter Bujotzek, an expert in structuring alternative investment funds in various asset classes, including private equity, credit and real estate. Amos Veith has additional regulatory expertise and is also versed in secondary market transactions.
“Highly regarded law firm in Germany with a strong international focus. The firm presents its expertise at various industry-leading events and seminars throughout Germany, which adds value for clients.”
“What sets their practice apart is a rare combination of in-depth technical expertise, commercial acumen and a truly client-focused approach.”
Amos Veith and Dr. Peter Bujotzek are regarded as ‘leading advisers’ in Investment Funds. The team’s key lawyers include Dr. Jens Steinmüller.
Click here for the Legal 500 ranking of Investment Funds & Fund Formation. (German)
Venture Capital
POELLATH has a venture capital team that supports clients in transactions from the seed phase to exit, as well as in strategic sales, relevant tax planning and other strategic issues. The practice is particularly strong and active in the fintech, e-commerce and automotive sectors, advising various strategic and institutional investors, startups and growth companies. Jens Hörmann and Tim Kaufhold jointly lead the M&A and private equity teams and are also responsible for venture capital consulting in this context. Christian Tönies’ M&A practice has a specific focus on venture capital, as does Sebastian Gerlinger, who regularly advises venture capital funds, corporate venture capital companies, startups and investors. Markus Döllner and Sebastian Rosentritt are also key contacts.
“Exceptional client service. Very pleasant interaction, consistently good advice.”
“A very good team with whom we have been working for over 15 years. They respond very quickly and know our industry and our business strategy very well.”
Christian Tönies has once again been included in the ‘Hall of Fame’. Markus Döllner has been recognised as a ‘leading associate’. The team’s key lawyers include Dr. Sebastian Gerlinger and Dr. Sebastian Rosentritt.
Click here for the Legal 500 ranking of Venture Capital. (German)
Real Estate
POELLATH has extensive experience in advising institutional investors and is also mandated by subsidiaries of large European real estate companies for various real estate transactions. Timo Winkelmann is a key contact in the latter area. Stefan Lebek and Matthias Durst jointly head up the practice and have extensive expertise in project development, including the development and management of real estate portfolios – a focus of the entire team. Sebastian Pasch is an experienced expert in real estate transactions, particularly in the hospitality and nursing home sectors.
“Extremely independent working style, detailed expert opinions, high availability and very strong assertiveness in negotiations.”
“We recommend POELLATH without reservation for its unparalleled professionalism and value-oriented service.”
The team’s key lawyers include Dr. Stefan Lebek, Dr. Matthias Durst and Timo Winkelmann.
Click here for the Legal 500 ranking of Real Estate. (German)
M&A
POELLATH is highly regarded for its strategic expertise in mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity investments in the small and mid-cap sector and advises leading fintech, e-commerce, healthcare and energy companies in this context. Practice group leaders Jens Hörmann and Tim Kaufhold both focus on M&A and private equity. In January 2025, Verena Stenzel, who is versed in corporate law and private equity, and Moritz Klein, who advises on leveraged buyouts and carve-outs, were appointed associate partners.
“Enormous experience and dedication, [they] know all the pitfalls and work very thoroughly.”
“This team gives its all and never gives up. It is the best in its sector.”
The team’s key lawyers include Jens Hörmann, Dr. Tim Kaufhold, Dr. Benedikt Hohaus, Dr. Frank Thiäner, Otto Haberstock, Philipp von Braunschweig, Dr. Verena Stenzel, Dr. Tim Junginger, Dr. Moritz Klein, Silke Simmer, Andreas Kühnert, Dr. Sebastian Rosentritt, Dr. Jens Steinmüller and Markus Döllner.
Click here for the Legal 500 ranking of M&A. (German)
Tax
POELLATH advises clients on private equity, venture capital and real estate, as well as high net worth individuals and family businesses on tax planning, tax structuring, corporate tax, tax compliance and litigation, and international tax law. The team is jointly led by Hardy Fischer, who is experienced in German and international tax law, particularly in the real estate sector, and Maximilian Haag. Haag regularly advises on the formation, restructuring and dissolution of family businesses and is also versed in matrimonial property and inheritance law.
“POELLATH stands out for its high level of professional competence. This high level of professionalism is rare. The results of their work are presented in such a way that they are also useful for us as clients.”
“Extremely professional, along with a very pleasant manner, tax expertise at the highest level, and consistently timely and high-quality work.”
The team’s key lawyers include Dr. Hardy Fischer, Dr. Maximilian Haag and Dr. Michael Best.
