Hengeler Mueller appoints two new partners and seven new counsel

20. November 2017

Hengeler Mueller is strengthening its partnership with new partners Daniel Möritz (Düsseldorf, in future Munich) and Sebastian Schneider (Berlin). At the same time, Matthias Berberich (Berlin), Matthias Cloppenburg (Düsseldorf), Sonnhild Draack, Steffen C. Hörner, Andreas Lischka, Peter Wehner (all Frankfurt) and Ralf Willer (Berlin) will become counsel at Hengeler Mueller. The appointments will be effective 1 January 2018.

Dirk Bliesener and Georg Seyfarth, Co-Managing Partners of Hengeler Mueller said:

“We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with two new partners and seven new counsel in several major practice areas of the firm. They have contributed to the success of our practice groups with their outstanding work over the past years and stand for excellent client service and profound expertise.”

Daniel Möritz joined Hengeler Mueller in 2012. He advises listed companies, family businesses and private equity clients on private and public takeovers as well as corporate matters and reorganizations. Daniel was recently involved in advising HENSOLDT on the acquisition of EuroAvionics, Pfeiffer Vacuum on the takeover offer by Busch as well as METRO / real,- on a joint venture.

Sebastian Schneider, who joined Hengeler Mueller in 2010, advises on a broad range of corporate matters, on corporate reorganisations as well as M&A projects. He also has a specialisation in energy law. ‎Sebastian represents a wide spectrum of corporate clients as well as private equity and venture capital funds and other financial investors. He has particular expertise in M&A transactions in the energy sector and regulated industries as well as on large-scale infrastructure projects. Sebastian’s latest transactions include, among others, advising DONG Energy / Ørsted on the divestment of a 50% stake in the offshore wind farm Borkum Riffgrund 2 to Global Infrastructure Partners and Deutsche Telekom on the sale of Strato to United Internet. 

Matthias Berberich has been working at Hengeler Mueller since 2011. Matthias advises and represents companies and business associations, predominantly from the industry sectors technology, IT, communication and media. His practice includes M&A transactions with a technology focus, complex outsourcing and joint venture projects, litigation, as well as advice on IP/IT and media regulation. Recently, he conducted litigation against copyright collecting societies and advised, inter alia, freenet on a strategic partnership with Capita.

Matthias Cloppenburg, who joined Hengeler Mueller in 2012, advises on a broad range of corporate matters, on corporate reorganisations and on public takeover offers. He has a particular focus on the preparation of shareholders' meetings, capital and other structural measures as well as matters relating to groups of companies and litigation in corporate law. He was recently involved, inter alia, in advising KKR on the takeover offer to the shareholders of GfK SE and the subsequent squeeze-out of the remaining minority shareholders.

Sonnhild Draack joined Hengeler Mueller in 2011. She advises national and international corporate clients in all collective and individual employment law matters, for example within M&A transactions and corporate reorganizations, and represents her clients in employment litigation. Sonnhild also advises on the employment law aspects of internal investigations and compliance matters. Her latest transactions include advising METRO on the demerger, CRH on the acquisition of Fels from Xella and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. on the acquisition of nursing home operator Vitanas/Pflegen & Wohnen.

Steffen C. Hörner joined Hengeler Mueller in 2010 and advises clients on all aspects of tax and accounting law. He primarily focuses on tax aspects of capital market and financing transactions, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions as well as complex issues of current taxation. Moreover, he advises on the tax aspects of internal investigations and compliance matters and represents his clients in tax audits and tax litigation. Recently, he advised, inter alia, PSA on the acquisition of Opel/Vauxhall, Dr. August Oetker on the sale of Hamburg Süd and IK Investment Partners on the sale of Schenck Process to Blackstone.

Andreas Lischka joined Hengeler Mueller in 2011. He has a broad practice covering financing, banking and capital markets and particular experience in advising banks on structured finance transactions, in particular securitization, regulated and structured covered bonds as well as common equity and hybrid instruments. Further, he advises clients on banking M&A, other financings and derivatives. He was recently involved in advising BayernLB on the Krügerrand Gold Bond and BAWAG on its IPO.

Peter Wehner has been working at Hengeler Mueller since 2010. He advises national and international corporate clients in all aspects of employment law (individual and collective matters), with a focus on the employment-related aspects of M&A transactions and corporate reorganizations. He has particular expertise in aspects as to the structuring and alteration of company pension, compensation and benefit schemes as well as the drafting and termination of service agreements with executives (managing directors and board members). He further represents his clients in employment litigation. Peter recently advised BAWAG on its IPO, PSA on the acquisition of Opel/Vauxhall as well as Linde on the merger with Praxair.

Ralf Willer joined Hengeler Mueller in 2010. His practice covers a broad spectrum of commercial litigation, domestic and international arbitration as well as alternative dispute resolution. He has ample experience in, inter alia, contract and corporate disputes, follow-on cartel damage litigation and investment arbitration. Ralf also advises on a wide range of compliance matters, including competition law, and represents our clients in official proceedings, e.g. before the European Commission or the German Federal Cartel Office.