Hengeler Mueller is one of the top two leading German firms. It is very highly reputed, advising the biggest German clients....
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Hengeler Mueller is one of the top two leading German firms. It is very highly reputed, advising the biggest German clients. Peers have noted its recent role in aviation related matters and in competition matters arising directly from the financial crisis.
The firm has a team of seven partners spread between Brussels and Düsseldorf, with one partner in Frankfurt, the most active of which are Hans-Jörg Niemeyer, Alf-Henrik Bischke and Thorsten Mäger.
Within the aviation sector, recent transactions saw the firm advise Austrian Airlines on state aid matters and on merger procedures for a sale to Deutsche Lufthansa, and defend both Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines against an attempt by NIKI Lufthart to overturn a Commission decision on state aid to the two airlines.
Niemeyer also advised WestLB on two state aid proceedings before the Commission; the state aid had been granted to help the bank restructure and Bischke helped Brambles get clearance for its acquisition of IFCO Systems. In a European cartel case, Bischke also represented N.N. in investigations into the computer monitor tubes business.
The firm acted on a number of national cases with global reach. Led by Mäger, was busy advising BHP Billiton at a phase two investigation into a joint venture with Rio Tinto to exploit iron ore reserves in Western Australia (German merger control), and Akzo Nobel in a damages claim by CDC following the bleaching cartel investigation.
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