Hengeler Mueller

Hengeler Mueller is a German law firm whose origins combine two predecessor practices: Hengeler Kurth Wirtz in Düsseldorf and Mueller Weitzel Weisner in Frankfurt. The firm was established in 1990 through their merger. According to its history, both predecessor firms already advised on commercial-law issues and were regarded as market leaders in their respective locations. The firm advises clients on complex and high-stakes legal matters. Its work described on the official site includes public takeover offers, corporate transactions, financial restructuring, disputes, cartel-related damages claims, energy matters, and government stabilisation measures. The firm’s cited engagements include advising on Deutsche Telekom’s 1996 initial public offering, the 1998 Daimler-Benz–Chrysler merger, the integration of Porsche AG into Volkswagen AG, and assistance to Deutsche Lufthansa with a government stabilisation package in 2020. These examples illustrate the range of matters identified in the firm’s own account; they are not an exhaustive list of its services or clients. Hengeler Mueller expanded beyond its original German locations in the 1990s, opening offices in Brussels and Berlin. It later established an office in London and opened a Munich location in 2006. The firm’s official history describes these as six locations, counting its original Düsseldorf and Frankfurt bases alongside Brussels, Berlin, London, and Munich. The firm presents itself as having global reach and highlights international relationships through its “Best Friends” network, but the supplied material does not detail that network’s membership or structure. The firm continues to publish legal and business updates and to announce client engagements on its website. Recent homepage headlines include advice to Schneider Electric on a voluntary public takeover offer for Shelly Group shareholders; advice to Deutsche ReGas in proceedings involving the municipality of Binz and the State Office for Agriculture and the Environment; and advice to RWE on increasing its stake in Amprion. The supplied sources do not identify its current leadership, precise headquarters, ownership arrangements, or a complete list of practice areas.

Hengeler Mueller was established in 1990 through the merger of Hengeler Kurth Wirtz, based in Düsseldorf, and Mueller Weitzel Weisner, based in Frankfurt. The firm states that both predecessor practices were already active in commercial-law advice and were regarded as market leaders in their respective locations. During the 1990s, the merged firm opened offices in Brussels and Berlin. It later established an office in London, followed by a sixth location in Munich in 2006. The firm’s history describes a practice that grew from two German bases into a multi-city European firm. The official history highlights work on several significant matters. In 1996, Hengeler Mueller advised a consortium on Deutsche Telekom’s initial public offering, which the firm describes as the largest IPO in German history. In 1998, it advised the newly founded DaimlerChrysler AG on the merger of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler. Its later examples include representing MAN SE in defence against claims for damages in the European truck cartel matter, a case the firm says has been ongoing since 2011; advising Porsche Automobil Holding SE on the integration of Porsche AG into Volkswagen AG in 2012; and advising Robert Bosch GmbH, Porsche SE, and Volkswagen AG in connection with the diesel issue from 2015. The firm also cites government stabilisation work during major economic and energy disruptions. In 2020, it advised Deutsche Lufthansa AG on obtaining a government stabilisation package with a stated volume of nine billion euros. In 2022, it advised Fortum in connection with a government stabilisation package for its German subsidiary Uniper following the interruption of Russian gas supplies. These matters, alongside its current homepage announcements concerning takeovers, proceedings, share transactions, energy infrastructure, and restructuring, show the breadth of work the firm publicly describes. The supplied materials do not establish the identities of its founders or current leaders, its precise headquarters, or a complete chronology of later developments.

• 2022

  Advises Fortum on stabilisation package for Uniper

• 2020

  Advises Deutsche Lufthansa on government stabilisation package

• 2015

  Begins advising clients in connection with diesel issue

• 2012

  Advises on Porsche integration into Volkswagen

• 2011

  Begins representation in European truck cartel damages matter

• 2006

  Opens Munich location

• 1998

  Advises on Daimler-Benz–Chrysler merger

• 1996

  Advises on Deutsche Telekom IPO

• 1990

  Hengeler Mueller established through merger

A German commercial-law firm presenting itself as a high-calibre adviser on complex and high-stakes matters, with international reach and offices in several European cities.

• Commercial-law advice

  The firm and its predecessor practices are described as advising on commercial-law issues.

• Corporate transactions and public offers

  Examples include advice on major mergers, an IPO, and a voluntary public takeover offer.

• Disputes and claims

  The firm reports representing MAN SE in defence against damages claims in the European truck cartel matter.

• Financial restructuring and stabilisation

  The firm’s announcements include advice on financial restructuring and government stabilisation packages.

• European office expansionOther

1. 1Homehengeler.com
2. 2A Brief Historyhengeler.com