Author Archives: c-wettich

The Handelsblatt & Best Lawyers have awarded Berner Fleck Wettich again in three categories in their latest edition “Germany’s Best Lawyers 2023”. The ranking contains an overview of the law firms of the year 2023 in various fields of law and the lawyers particularly recommended this year.

As in previous years, all four partners of Berner Fleck Wettich are recommended in the current ranking for the following areas of law:

– Corporate Governance & Compliance: Dr. Carsten Wettich and Dr. Olaf Berner

– Mergers and acquisitions: Dr. Christian Nienkemper

– Corporate law: Dr. Olaf Berner, Dr. Thilo Fleck and Dr. Christian Nienkemper

For the 15th time already, the Handelsblatt has published the list “Die besten Anwälte und Kanzleien Deutschlands 2023” (The Best Lawyers of Germany 2023), based on research by the US publishing house Best Lawyers. Based on a peer-to-peer survey, Best Lawyers has identified Germany’s most renowned lawyers in various fields of law.

The complete results can be found here (in German): Germany’s best lawyers 2023.

In its current issue, WirtschaftsWoche has again named Berner Fleck Wettich as a top law firm for corporate law 2023 and for M&A 2023. At the same time, Dr Olaf Berner, Dr Thilo Fleck and Dr Carsten Wettich have been included in the list of Germany’s most renowned lawyers for corporate law. Dr Olaf Berner and Dr Christian Nienkemper have also been included in the list of Germany’s most renowned lawyers for M&A.

For the selection of the best German lawyers in corporate law, the Handelsblatt Research Institute (HRI) asked more than 5,600 lawyers from 292 law firms about their most renowned colleagues in corporate law.

The building materials supplier Schöck AG joins the Düsseldorf-based software startup FoxBase as a new investor and invests around 2.5 million euros as part of an equity financing.

Foxbase has set out to revolutionize the sales process for products that require explanation. To this end, the young company has developed a software platform that radically accelerates the B2B sales process. The bundling of expertise with Schöck AG as a partner and the investment boost are intended to support FoxBase on its way to becoming the global standard solution for direct-to-customer sales digitization in the B2B sector and to establish it as a leading provider. Together, FoxBase and Schöck want to identify opportunities for digital solutions in the sale of products requiring explanation and connect the interfaces to a digital customer journey. FoxBase intends to use the capital to invest in the further development of the software platform, in staff development and in the marketing of the software.

Berner Fleck Wettich comprehensively advised FoxBase on the entry of Schöck AG.

Click here for the full article (in German).

In the course of the realignment, the GERRY WEBER Group will focus on its core competencies: Further development of its brands and brand communication, design and development of successful collections, and distribution of the brands.

In the area of sourcing, the company intends to strengthen its position through an exclusive strategic cooperation with Techno Design GmbH as a strong global partner from June 01, 2023. Techno Design is known for its innovative and vertically integrated end-to-end sourcing solutions. The company is headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, and has sourcing offices in relevant markets worldwide.

Techno Design will take over the existing sourcing activities of the GERRY WEBER Group and cover all global sourcing needs.

Berner Fleck Wettich provided comprehensive advice to Techno Design on the strategic partnership with Gerry Weber. Techno Design was advised on insolvency law issues by the law firm Noerr, and on antitrust law issues by the Düsseldorf antitrust boutique ROCAN.

Click here for the full article (in German).

Berner Fleck Wettich has been again awarded the highest rating of four stars (Tier 1) for corporate law and M&A by brand eins as one of the best commercial law firms in Germany 2023.

The list is based on a survey among lawyers (colleagues survey) and in-house lawyers (clients survey) for a total of 24 legal fields.

The Hamburg-based cleantech start-up 1Komma5 Grad continues to buy stakes in innovative craft businesses. Founded only 18 months ago, the fast-growing company most recently acquired Ruoff Energietechnik.

Through the acquisitions, 1Komma5 Grad aims to become Europe’s market-leading provider for the installation of CO2-neutral energy systems in the residential sector. The target companies are mostly owner-operated installation companies that specialise in the installation of solar energy systems, charging infrastructure and heat pumps for private households. 1Komma5 Grad offers them access to its digital platform, central services, growth capital and a return share for their participation.

Advisor EnergieExpert Rhein-Ruhr – […] Much better known, however, is the corporate boutique Berner Fleck Wettich from Düsseldorf. They negotiated for EnergieExpert Rhein-Ruhr with the Schmidt-Jortzig partners Rollin and Petersen

Berner Fleck Wettich (Düsseldorf): Dr. Christian Nienkemper

To read the full announcement, please click here (in German).

Adler breathes a sigh of relief: The company has found a solution with a core group of bondholders that could secure financing until mid-2025 and avert the threat of insolvency. For this concession, however, the real estate giant is paying the price of tougher conditions for the current bonds and high interest rates for a new loan. […]

According to experts, with a volume of 4.5 billion euros, this is currently the largest restructuring in all of Europe.

Advisors to the Executive Board and Supervisory Board of Adler Real Estate
Berner Fleck Wettich (Düsseldorf): Dr. Christian Nienkemper (Lead), Dr. Carsten Wettich, Prof. Dr. Sabine Otte, Associate: Christina Peters (all Corporate)

To read the full announcement, please click here (in German).

The real estate company Adler Group reaches an agreement with creditors on a comprehensive recapitalization and the adjustment of the bond terms. Hengeler Mueller, White & Case and Berner Fleck Wettich are acting as advisors. […]

The Düsseldorf-based law firm Berner Fleck Wettich advised the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board of Adler Real Estate on their obligations under stock corporation law and corporate governance in connection with the transaction.  Leading partner of the four-person team was Dr. Christian Nienkemper. […]

Berner Fleck Wettich for the management board and supervisory board of Adler Real Estate AG:
Dr. Christian Nienkemper (Leading Partner, Corporate | Corporate, Düsseldorf)
Dr. Carsten Wettich (Corporate Law | Corporate, Düsseldorf)
Prof. Dr. Sabine Otte (Corporate | Company Law, Düsseldorf)
Christina Peters (Corporate | Company Law, Düsseldorf)

For the complete report (in German) click here.

Sabine Otto and Carsten Wettich (Berner Fleck Wettich) deal in issue 23/2022 of the journal “WPg” with the new regulations on virtual general meetings, which now also apply to the post-COVID 19 pandemic period as a result of the Act on the Introduction of Virtual General Meetings of Stock Corporations and Amendment of Other Regulations.