German Business Team

Multinational clients from a range of industries, including manufacturing and services, depend on our German business team for sound global advice. From corporate work to complex litigation, tax, IP, privacy, trade, and beyond, we can provide clear, precise counsel for any issue you may encounter.

In offices in major financial hubs across the U.S. and in Brussels, our lawyers represent European clients, particularly those from the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), on a wide range of cross-border issues. A number of our lawyers speak German, and we collaborate seamlessly with local German law firms, other law firms in the DACH region, and many other firms that in total cover more than 130 jurisdictions around the world. Our long-standing relationships with these firms help us respond to questions more quickly and efficiently.

Our clients include individuals and businesses of all sizes—from large multinational corporations to middle market companies to family enterprises. Unlike many large U.S.-based law firms that also represent European clients, we are actively engaged in counseling many German Mittelstand (middle market) companies in all aspects of business in the U.S.

Our roots in German go back to the 1950s, when German-born lawyers who had immigrated to the U.S. joined together to practice international tax law. The founding partners were known for representing the Federal Republic of Germany in the negotiation of the first postwar U.S.-German double taxation treaty. As a result of subsequent mergers and the development of a full range of services, the practice became a part of Alston & Bird’s international group.

With a rich history and connections in Europe, we help you solve the toughest global challenges you face.

• Represented a Frankfurt, Germany-based airport management company in its acquisition of a leading developer and manager of airport retail operations in the U.S.
• Represented the German Treuhandanstalt (Trust Authority) in connection with complex federal litigation in New York that arose out of the reunification of Germany.
• Initiated several Competent Authority tax proceedings on the mitigation of double tax on dual country residents.
• U.S. tax counsel to one of the largest foreign multinational financial services groups.
• U.S. tax counsel to a major European banking association on U.S. tax regulations affecting foreign member banks.
• Represented a European private equity group in connection with the financing and acquisition of the North American operations of a German vitamin and generic prescription drug maker.
• Counsel to a European private equity firm in connection with various agribusiness investments in the United States.
• Advised a number of significant European multinational companies in connection with their U.S. structurings, restructurings and operations.
• Represented foreign banks in various bankruptcy litigation matters.
• Defended a national bank of a foreign state in a multimillion-dollar federal turnover proceeding.
• Represented the U.S. subsidiary of a foreign government-owned broadcast company in connection with significant antitrust litigation.
• Represented foreign sovereigns or their agencies in various international litigation matters.
• Recovered a multimillion-dollar artwork through federal litigation on behalf of a foreign estate.
• Counsel to a U.S. subsidiary of a global renewable energy project owner and operator in connection with the financing and development of several biogas, solar and wind energy projects across the U.S.
• Represented a global energy and power-focused private equity firm in the financing and acquisition of seven gas-fired power generation plants in the northeastern U.S. through a newly formed project company.
• Obtained a favorable business resolution for a German corporation after bringing breach of contract litigation on its behalf in the Southern District of New York against a major U.S. licensor of movie DVDs.