Founded recently, Chimere develops advanced cybersecurity technologies enabling secure and seamless access to applications regardless of infrastructure. Its universal ZTNA approach addresses the growing need for robust security frameworks in an increasingly distributed and hybrid working environment.

This acquisition enables Ekinops to significantly strengthen its cybersecurity offering and accelerate its positioning in the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) market. By integrating Chimere’s technology, Ekinops expands its portfolio with next-generation security solutions designed to protect enterprise networks and data.

Ekinops is a global provider of telecom and network solutions, delivering innovative, open, and trusted technologies to communication service providers and enterprises worldwide. The group focuses on delivering high-performance and scalable solutions that support the evolution of modern networks.

This transaction illustrates ADVANT Altana’s ability to advise on strategic acquisitions in the technology and cybersecurity sectors, particularly in complex and fast-evolving environments requiring multidisciplinary legal expertise.

The ADVANT Altana team was led by Laura Morelli (IP/IT) and Bruno Nogueiro (M&A) and included a cross-practice team composed of Claire Borgel (IP/IT), Théodore Sabot (M&A), Mickael d’Allende, Laura Beserman (Employment) and Philippe de Saint Bauzel, Alexandre Thuau-Renaudet (Tax).

As a professional with over twenty years’ experience gained at leading national and international firms, Antonio La Porta boasts solid and recognised expertise in special and structured finance, with a particular focus on securitisations, covered bonds and NPL transactions, as well as in private debt, acquisition finance and the debt capital market. 

Alongside Antonio La Porta, Francesca Spadafora is also joining the firm as a managing associate. She specialises in banking and finance law, with expertise in debt capital market, corporate finance and acquisition finance.

This move is a sign of the further strengthening of ADVANT Nctm’s Banking & Finance practice, a process that began at the start of the year with Federico Morelli joining the partnership, and confirms the firm’s strategy of building a highly specialised team capable of identifying key market trends in a timely manner in order to offer increasingly focused and dedicated advice.   

“The entry of Antonio La Porta marks a further step in the strenghtening of our Banking & Finance practice. Following the recent joining of Federico Morelli, we are continuing to bolster our team by recruiting professionals with distinctive skills who can bring significant added value. This investment enables us to further enhance the quality of the support we give our clients in a constantly evolving market”, commented Paolo Montironi, Senior Partner of ADVANT Nctm.

“Joining ADVANT Nctm is a particularly exciting opportunity for me, in an area – Banking & Finance – that is already well-established and recognised in the market. I will bring to the firm my experience in corporate finance and structured finance, with the aim of further contributing to the development of the practice by leveraging four elements that I consider central: specialist expertise, strategic vision, teamwork and the ability to build solid and lasting market relationships”, said Antonio La Porta.

With the joining of Antonio La Porta, the total number of Partners at ADVANT Nctm rises to 85.

MILAN, MUNICH & PARIS (9 March) – Business confidence around prospects for investment and growth in Europe is riding high despite recent economic and geopolitical challenges, according to new research among GCs across Europe and the U.S. 

For its report released today – Europe’s Opportunity Outlook – European law firm association ADVANT surveyed or interviewed more than 800 GCs in France, Germany, Italy and the United States, and found that four out of five (82%) GCs said their company views continental Europe as attractive for corporate investment and commercial growth. Meanwhile, two-thirds (66%) report their organization has made Europe more of a priority in light of recent geopolitical and regulatory risks. 

Looking further ahead, a significant majority (83%) believe their organization is likely or very likely to expand or invest further within existing European markets in the next three to five years. A similar proportion (82%) say they are likely to expand into new or additional markets in the region. 

Surprisingly, American GCs are even more bullish on Europe than Europeans themselves. A higher proportion of U.S. GCs (87%) believe Europe will benefit from global business expansion into the continent when compared with Italy (69%), France (71%) and Germany (76%). 

“The EU has an enviable position as one of the world’s largest economies, a major producer and exporter of goods and services, and one of the most reliable and respected legal and regulatory systems anywhere,” said Gilles Gaillard, partner at ADVANT Altana. “Recent geopolitical and economic turbulence has brought into ever sharper relief just how attractive Europe is as an important and resilient place to invest and do business. This reality is clearly reflected in the views of GCs, who are central to how companies prepare for and respond to a world characterized by fast-paced change.”  

Simplifying and harmonizing trade rules should be top priority 

However, the findings also underscore that EU policymakers must accelerate the push to further enhance Europe’s competitiveness in order to unlock more investment into Europe in GCs’ eyes. One in five GCs (20%) singled out the need for simplification and greater harmonization of trading rules as the most important change they thought the EU should make to increase its attractiveness for foreign businesses and investment. Providing greater tax incentives was the second single most important priority (for 16%) and encouraging innovation was third (15%).  

And while the EU’s legal and regulatory system overall is viewed very favourably, particularly for its reliability and stability, a significant minority of GCs (12%) are concerned that regulators fail to fully understand the commercial realities faced by businesses operating in Europe. 

“The EU has set out clear objectives to fuel competitiveness and foster future prosperity by simplifying regulation and better aligning EU and national policies, but the jury is still out on whether these actions go far enough, fast enough,” said Dr Christian von Wistinghausen, partner at ADVANT Beiten. “There is a real risk that the volume and complexity of regulation have the potential to put businesses operating in Europe at a disadvantage compared to lighter-touch jurisdictions.” 

AI a critical issue for regulators…and lawyers too 

Artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity were identified by GCs as key areas requiring urgent legal or regulatory attention or reform at the EU level (by 41% and 38% of survey respondents, respectively). A similar proportion (42%) said these issues are major concerns for legal teams themselves, as they grapple with helping their organizations mitigate risk, ensure compliance, and leverage the potential of new technologies. 

More broadly, technological innovation is widely seen as a competitive differentiator for law firms, GCs said. More than a third of respondents (36%) said the use of technology (including AI) was a key factor when choosing an external legal advisor, and the same proportion (36%) are interested in their use of data analytics on fees, matters, and performance. 

Overall, the report notes that opportunities abound, both for Europe itself and for companies eyeing investment there in the future. “Europe clearly has many strengths to build on, even as it is buffeted by economic headwinds and geopolitical turbulence,” added Guido Fauda, partner at ADVANT Nctm. “It must chart a course towards even greater productivity and competitiveness, demonstrating on the world stage that Europe remains very much open for business.” 

More information and access to the full report is available at www.advantlaw.com/europe.

ADVANT Nctm takes a further step in strengthening its expertise with the appointment of Luigi Ardizzone and Francesco Follieri, both previously Of Counsel and members of the Scientific Committee, as Partners. 

Luigi Ardizzone serves as a Full Professor of Commercial Law at the Department of Law at the University of Brescia. His expertise lies primarily in corporate law and financial markets, encompassing both litigation and M&A transactions.

Francesco Follieri serves as a Full Professor of Administrative Law at the Department of Legal Sciences of LUM “Giuseppe Degennaro.” He has extensive experience in both court and out-of-court matters across multiple areas of administrative law, including contracts and public services, healthcare, infrastructure, urban planning and construction, publicly-owned companies, energy, environment, cultural heritage, and public financial liability.

The appointment of Luigi Ardizzone and  Francesco Follieri as Partners reflects ADVANT Nctm’s long-term vision, which considers the synergy between professional practice and academic work as a distinctive element of the Firm’s identity. 

Such approach is expressed both at a technical level —through its Scientific Committee, composed of leading university professors from Italy’s top universities—and through ongoing internal and external training initiatives such as the awarding of scholarships and graduation prizes to university students, following a path aimed at contributing to the growth of new generations and the continuous enrichment of the Firm’s knowledge base. 

“The inclusion of Luigi Ardizzone and Francesco Follieri in our partnership marks an important step forward, consistent with our growth path and with the attention we have always devoted to the academic world as a key reference point for promoting a scientific and rigorous approach to professional practice. Strengthening the relationship between academia and the profession means investing in the quality of our advisory services and in the future of our community, fostering a paradigm that allows us to stand out significantly in the market”, commented Paolo Montironi, Senior Partner of ADVANT Nctm.

“We are very pleased to contribute, also as Partners, to a project that concretely promotes the synergy between academic work and legal practice. We believe that the ongoing dialogue between scientific research and professional activity is a decisive factor in developing innovative solutions and fostering growth.”, commented Luigi Ardizzone and Francesco Follieri.

By combining their production, processing, and marketing capabilities, the new organization is ideally positioned to strengthen the supply of French-grown frozen vegetables, while reinforcing the economic and agricultural weight of the Brittany region.

This transaction was successfully completed after clearance was obtained from the antitrust authorities. 

Key figures:

• 900 employees

• 4 sites in Brittany, France

• Marketed products: frozen vegetables, gratins, ready meals, soups, purées, fruit…

• Markets: retail, food service, freezer centers, export

• Sales in the Frozen Division 80 countries (EU, USA, Canada….)

This transaction, which involved many different aspects, was made supporting a very long-standing client of our firm, and illustrates of ADVANT Altana’s ability to manage complex issues in a cross-border environment.

The ADVANT Altana team was led by Jean-Nicolas Soret (partner), Alexandra Ferrier and Victoire Denis Madelin (associates).

Wienerberger, headquartered in Vienna, is a globally active producer of pipe systems, façade materials, roofing materials, wall-building materials, pavers and solar systems. With this transaction, Wienerberger continues its international growth strategy and supplements its product portfolio. 

The Italcer Group is a globally active manufacturer of premium ceramic products with production sites in Italy and Spain. The company employs nearly 1,200 people and generated revenues of approximately EUR 350 million in 2025. In a first step, Wienerberger will acquire 50 percent plus one share from the sellers. A call option to acquire the remaining shares is scheduled for the first half of 2027.

The merger control aspects of the transaction are led by ADVANT Beiten partners Uwe Wellmann and Christoph Heinrich, who jointly oversee the German merger control proceedings. In addition to the filing with the German Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt), they are coordinating the parallel filing in Austria in close cooperation with E+H (Vienna). 

The M&A workstream is led by an E+H team headed by partner Josef Schmidt and associate Alina Holzer. ADVANT Nctm partners Matteo Trapani and Filippo Ughi are responsible for the Italian aspects of the transaction and, together with a multidisciplinary team, provide comprehensive advice on Italian law. Cuatrecasas advices in Spain. Legance represents the sell-side. 

ADVANT regularly advises Wienerberger AG on strategic transactions. These include, among others, the largest acquisition in the company’s history to date – the acquisition of significant business operations of the French Terreal Group, which substantially strengthened Wienerberger’s position in the roofing and solar solutions sector. By once again advising on a cross-border transaction, ADVANT underscores its integrated European platform and the close cooperation of its teams in complex M&A and merger control mandates.

Advisor Wienerberger AG:

ADVANT Beiten: Uwe Wellmann (Berlin) and Christoph Heinrich (both lead partner), Dr Cathleen Laitenberger (both Munich, all Antitrust).

ADVANT Nctm: Matteo Trapani und Filippo Ughi (both lead partner), Stefano Casamassima, Marianna Loprevite und Giacomo Zagaria (all Milan, all Corporate/M&A).

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

Uwe Wellmann
Rechtsanwalt
ADVANT Beiten 
+49 30 26471-243
Uwe.Wellmann@advant-beiten.com

The acquisition unites two trusted brands with deep expertise in custody transfer and terminal automation. By adding Satam’s proven technologies to its portfolio, Guidant Measurement strengthens its ability to serve customers with an expanded range of accurate, reliable, and innovative measurement solutions.

Guidant Measurement is a global leader in precision flow measurement and terminal automation technologies, with a legacy built on more than 90 years of expertise, accuracy, reliability, and best-in-class technologies, contributing to smarter, safer, and more reliable energy management worldwide.

Guidant Measurement is a portfolio company of One Equity Partners. One Equity Partners is a middle market private equity firm focused on the industrial, healthcare, and technology sectors in North America and Europe. Founded in 2001, the firm has offices in New York, Chicago, Frankfurt and Amsterdam.

This transaction is an illustration of ADVANT Altana’s ability to manage Foreign Direct Investment through complex cross-border transactions for US clients investing in Europe and requiring the involvement of numerous areas of the law. 

The ADVANT Altana team was led by Jean-Nicolas Soret, Alexandre Reignier and María Bacca-Pérez (M&A) and included Philippe de Saint-Bauzel, Marie Darcq and Alexandre Thuau-Renaudet (Tax) Marie Hindré and Margaux Brunet (FDI and Contracts), Mickaël d’Allende, Dany Luu and Lakshana Cheetoo (Employment), Laura Morelli and Claire Borgel (IP/IT), Gildas Robert and Lucine Didier (Compliance) and Amélie Pinçon, Alexandre Majbruch and Lisa Toubas (Real Estate).

The tax aspects of the transaction were handled by Hélène Leclère, partner at Mamou & Boccara, who advised the sellers from structuring through to completion of the sale.

The buyer, Kereis, is a leading European insurance brokerage group, with an extensive partner network and a diversified offering covering several key market segments.

Moncey Avocats acted as legal counsel to the buyer.

Morelli comes from CRCCD and has extensive experience in advising on debt capital markets transactions, both domestically and internationally, as well as on subordinated debt issues, company law and corporate governance.

The arrival of the new partner also sees Martina Baldi, managing associate, and Federica Alici Biondi, senior associate with expertise in equity capital markets (ECM), join ADVANT Nctm. 

Morelli’s entry also responds to the new market trend involving an increasingly widespread use of Italian law to regulate bond issues, with a consequent repatriation of bonds from Italian issuers.

As part of this development strategy, the firm also announces the entry, as counsel, of Gaetano Petroni, a professional who, in addition to dealing with real estate finance, has solid experience in high-yield instrument issues.

“The arrival of Federico Morelli – comments Paolo Montironi, Senior Partner at ADVANT Nctm – confirms the firm’s desire to continue along a path of strengthening through the addition of professionals with distinctive experience and strong development skills. This enables us to further enhance the quality of the assistance we provide to our clients and to make our service offering increasingly comprehensive and responsive to changes in the economic environment. It is through this type of investment that we continue to evolve our advisory model, putting our expertise, vision and innovation at the service of our clients’ challenges.”

Finassur has a very strong presence in the North of France, an economically strategic region for Marsh. 

Marsh, a Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC) company, is the #1 insurance broker and risk advisor worldwide, advising clients in 130 countries through four companies: Marsh, Guy Carpenter, Mercer, and Oliver Wyman. With annual revenues of more than $24 billion and more than 90,000 employees, Marsh McLennan helps clients build confidence to succeed through the power of perspective.

This acquisition will enable Finassur’s clients and employees to benefit from Marsh McLennan's global capabilities, solutions, and expertise in the areas of insurance, risk management, and strategy consulting expertise to help them achieve their growth and development goals.

This transaction is an illustration of ADVANT Altana’s ability to manage complex cross-border transactions for US clients investing in Europe and requiring the involvement of numerous areas of the law. 

Paul Boutron is a graduate of the Grande Ecole programme at ESCP Business School and also holds a Master 2 degree in business law and taxation (University of Paris I).

After initially working at Hogan Lovells, he joined ADVANT Altana in 2016 before being appointed counsel in 2022.

ProMach is a leading international platform in the field of packaging and processing technologies.

DFT is an established provider of innovative solutions in the field of sterilization, pasteurization and other thermal processes for the food and beverage industry. With the acquisition of DFT, ProMach is continuing its growth strategy in Europe.

The international cooperation within the ADVANT alliance played a central role in this transaction: our Italian alliance partner ADVANT Nctm has been advising ProMach in Italy for many years.

ADVANT Beiten entered into the mandate in close coordination with the US law firm Thompson Hine, which regularly advises ProMach on legal matters in the United States.

Advisors to ProMach:
ADVANT Beiten: Prof Dr Hans-Josef Vogel (Dusseldorf), Roy Naor (Frankfurt, both Corporate/M&A, lead partners), Dr Andreas Imping, Anna Kubitz (both Labour Law), Mathias Zimmer-Goertz, Christian Döpke (both IP/IT), Sarah Peters, Simon Litterst (both Corporate/M&A, all Dusseldorf), Christopher Harten (Dispute Resolution, Hamburg), Marcus Mische, Markus Linnartz (both Tax), Thomas Herten (Real Estate, all Dusseldorf), Katrin Lüdtke (Public Sector, Munich).

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

The ADVANT team headed by Dr Christof Aha had already advised LUEHR FILTER GmbH in 2021 on the sale of its 50% stake in EWK Umwelttechnik GmbH to the Swedish Valmet Group.

LUEHR FILTER GmbH has been successfully operating in the field of air and gas purification for 85 years and specialises in dry flue gas cleaning systems in particular.As a third-generation family-run business, it combines flexibility with technical expertise and, with more than 300 employees and a large number of references, is now a globally respected partner for gas purification systems in almost all branches of industry.

MARTIN GmbH für Umwelt- und Energietechnik is one of the world's leading suppliers of thermal waste treatment plants. Following the integration of LAB SA in 2022, the MARTIN Group is gaining another renowned supplier with the acquisition of LUEHR, consolidating its role as an innovative full-service provider in the field of flue gas cleaning.
 

Advisor to LUEHR Filter GmbH:
ADVANT Beiten: Dr Christof Aha, Dr Markus Ley (both lead), Mark Thönißen (all Corporate/M&A) and Christoph Heinrich (Antitrust Law).

Advisor to MARTIN GmbH:
Rödl & Partner: Patrick Satzinger and Frederic Wolff

PR
Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

The Büter Group comprises German and Dutch (production) companies and is one of Europe's leading companies in the hydraulics industry. Founded in 1965, the family-owned company is headquartered in Emmen (NL) and has production facilities in Haren and Meppen (DE). It employs around 550 people. Over the past six decades, the family-owned company has developed numerous patents and utility models in cylinder and lifting technology and is now one of the technological market leaders in the industry.

NPM Capital, part of the family-owned SHV Group, is an investment partner based in the Benelux countries that focuses on long-term partnerships with family-owned and entrepreneurially managed companies. As part of the transaction, NPM Capital is acquiring the entire group of companies, including the two German subsidiaries Büter Hebetechnik GmbH and Büter Maschinenfabrik GmbH.

By joining forces with NPM Capital, Büter Group is well positioned to accelerate its growth strategy and continue to invest in technological innovation and international expansion. Under the new ownership, Büter Group will continue to operate independently.

Regarding the sale of the Dutch entities, the international law firm Houthoff acted on ADVANT Beiten's recommendation. Taurus Corporate was involved as an M&A advisor. The acquisition is still subject to the usual regulatory and antitrust approvals. The parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction volume. 

Advisors to the shareholders of Büter Group:
ADVANT Beiten: Dr Guido Krüger (Corporate Succession/Taxes), Prof Dr Hans-Josef Vogel (M&A, both lead partners), Julian Krause (Corporate Succession/M&A), Dr Magdalena Rindermann-Haugwitz (Corporate/M&A), Volker Küpper (Taxes), Thomas Herten (Real Estate), Dr Andreas Imping, Anna Kubitz (both Labour Law, all Dusseldorf), Christoph Heinrich (Antitrust Law, Munich) and Maximilian Steffen (Taxes, Hamburg).

PR
Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

ADVANT Beiten's interdisciplinary team supported Zoot throughout the entire acquisition process - from the legal and tax due diligence to the structuring and negotiation of the transaction agreements through to the successful closing.

Zoot Sports was founded in 1983 in Kona, Hawaii - the birthplace of the Iron Man triathlon. The company specializes in innovative clothing, shoes and equipment for triathletes and endurance athletes and is one of the world's leading brands in this segment. Zoot stands for technical precision, high quality and athlete orientation and sells its products in over 25 countries. Since 2023, Zoot has been part of the Italian MVC Group, an international sporting goods company based in Italy.

Tailwind Brands is a company based in Bönen, which specializes in the distribution and brand management of premium sports and lifestyle brands. The company has an established distribution network in the DACH region as well as long-standing partnerships with leading sports retailers and online platforms. Tailwind has made a name for itself as a competent partner for the development and expansion of international brands in the European market.

With the acquisition of Tailwind Brands, Zoot Sports is laying the foundation for accelerated expansion in Europe. The combination of Zoot's international brand strength with Tailwind's regional market and sales expertise offers considerable growth potential in the coming years.

Advisor Zoot Sports:
ADVANT Beiten: Dr Markus Ley (Corporate/M&A, Munich), Dr. Erik Schmid, Virginia Mäurer (both Employment Law, Munich), Susanne Klein, Jason Komninos (both IP/IT, Frankfurt), Markus Linnartz (Tax, Dusseldorf), Petra Fendt (Banking & Finance, Munich), Anja Fischer (Real Estate, Munich).

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Communications Manager
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

In addition, six colleagues were elected Local Partners and nine colleagues were elected Salary Partners. The newly elected partners are from all six German offices of the law firm, working in seven different areas of competence.

Dr Florian Weichselgärtner handles a large number of liability cases every year, both in the area of manager liability and the liability of lawyers, tax advisors, insolvency administrators, corporate and restructuring advisors and auditors. His area of activity further comprises advice to companies on the processing of liability cases and compliance violations. The interdisciplinary advisory service of ADVANT Beiten enables Dr Florian Weichselgärtner to comprehensively handle the often complex liability cases across all legal areas (tax law, criminal law, labour law, capital market law, insolvency law, etc.). Due to his many years of advisory practice, he has proven experience both in conducting and defending actions for damages as well as in out-of-court dispute resolution.

These are our new Local Partners in alphabetical order:

• Sascha Opheys (Public Sector, Dusseldorf)
• Max Stanko (Public Sector, Berlin)
• Dr Philipp Sahm (Corporate/M&A, Frankfurt)
• Haide Spanier (Banking, Finance & Restructuring, Frankfurt)
• Mark Thönißen (Corporate/M&A, Frankfurt)
• Dr Mark Zimmer (Labour Law, Munich)

Our newly elected Salary Partners are listed in alphabetical order:

• Regina Dietel (Labour Law, Munich)
• Gamze Dogan (Tax Law, Dusseldorf)
• Verena Nader (Real Estate, Munich)
• Dr Christian Osbahr (Corporate/M&A, Freiburg)
• Robert Schmid (Corporate/M&A, Berlin)
• Simon Schuler (Corporate/M&A, Freiburg)
• Etienne Sprösser (Corporate/M&A, Freiburg)
• Maximilian Steffen (Tax Law, Hamburg)
• Ulrike Stöhr (Tax Law, Munich)

"The appointment of our new partners shows how closely we work together across offices and between our practice groups - supported by diverse industry expertise," explains Dr Guido Krüger, Managing Partner of ADVANT Beiten, adding: "The fact that we have had successful elections at all three seniority levels underlines the continuous development of outstanding talent in our firm. Accompanying our colleagues on their path to partnership is one of our central tasks."

ADVANT Beiten also continues to follow its strategy of targeted growth by lateral hires in selected areas. The following Local and Salary Partners reinforced the firm last year:

• Tanja Ehls (SP, Public Sector, Frankfurt)
• Julian Gruß (SP, Real Estate, Dusseldorf)
• Peter Meisenbacher (SP, Public Sector, Freiburg)
• Ansgar Messow (LP, Real Estate, Dusseldorf)
• Johannes Voß-Lünemann (SP, Public Sector, Berlin)

PR
Frauke Reuther
Manager Communication
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

Dr Dominik Moser specialises in national and international corporate transactions, particularly in the areas of M&A, private equity, joint ventures and venture capital, with a particular focus on the IT, technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Beyond that, he has extensive experience in the area of search fund transactions. Dominik Moser also regularly advises on general company law (in particular limited liability company and stock corporation law), corporate governance, compliance, and national and international transformation processes. In addition to his legal training in Germany, Spain, England (Oxford) and Singapore, he also holds a degree in business administration.

"The Corporate/M&A practice, with a particular focus on private equity, is a key growth area for our firm. In Dominik Moser, we are not only gaining an outstanding lawyer, but also a strong entrepreneurial personality. His in-depth industry knowledge and strategic vision are an excellent addition to our partnership," says Dr Guido Krüger, Managing Partner of ADVANT Beiten.

As recently as early September, ADVANT Beiten expanded its visibility on the European market and its advisory services for cross-border transactions by opening a new office in London with Sebastian Diehl. The addition of Dominik Moser is a further step in the consistent implementation of ADVANT Beiten's growth strategy, namely to invest specifically in future-oriented areas of consulting and to strengthen the partnership with proven market personalities.

Dominik Moser on his transfer: "I am looking forward to further expanding the M&A practice, with a particular focus on private equity and search fund transactions, and to working with my colleagues to deepen ADVANT Beiten's international advisory services. In my view, the excellent professional environment and broad expertise offer an ideal starting point for these goals."

PR

Frauke Reuther
Manager Communication
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

As a professional with an extensive track record in the telecommunications and ICT sector, Antonio Corda has gained significant experience in national and international contexts, holding executive positions in legal, compliance, privacy, regulatory affairs and security in companies in the ITC and telecommunications sectors: most recently, Chief Legal, Compliance & Security Officer at Fastweb+Vodafone.

In his new role, Antonio will work with ADVANT Nctm teams involved in M&A transactions and commercial projects in the telecommunications and ICT sector, both in the retail and infrastructure segments. 
Paolo Montironi, Senior Partner at ADVANT Nctm, said: “We are delighted to welcome Antonio to our firm. His expertise in the TMT sector and in compliance and cybersecurity is a valuable asset for the assistance we offer to our clients in highly technological and regulatory transactions”.

"Joining ADVANT Nctm”, Corda added, “is an opportunity for me to contribute my experience in a multidisciplinary and international context, helping to develop strategic projects in the telecommunications and ICT sector”.

With this new entry, ADVANT Nctm confirms its commitment to providing specialist expertise in sectors marked by strong technological innovation, with a particular focus on regulatory, compliance, privacy and security issues.

The new structure will focus on the design of the Tax Control Framework and on advising on the adoption of organisational models that facilitate transparent and collaborative dialogue with tax authorities, assisting in particular businesses through all stages of the process of joining and managing the Cooperative Compliance regime. The launch of such practice area places ADVANT Nctm among the first Italian law firms to have a team dedicated to Cooperative Compliance, allowing businesses to benefit from the scheme as early as the 2026 financial year.

A professional with over 20 years of proven experience in the tax field - gained in leading industrial and fashion companies and strenghtened  at Accenture as Managing Director Tax for Southern & Central Europe & Middle East for more than fifteen years, Luca La Barbera has developed leading expertise in the creation and implementation of tax control frameworks (TCFs) and in the Cooperative Compliance admission and management process, helping to define standards that are now benchmarks for Italian and international businesses.

The Cooperative Compliance regime is set to play a central role in the coming years and represents one of the most promising areas for Italian tax law, renewing and innovating the relationship between tax authorities and businesses according to the principles of transparency and mutual trust and promoting preventive and shared tax risk management. The prospects for the development of the scheme are particularly significant thanks to the gradual reduction of the access threshold, which will be €500 million in turnover from 2026 and €100 million from 2028, significantly increasing the number of eligible businesses.

The entry of Luca La Barbera and the creation of the new business area strenghten ADVANT Nctm’s growth strategy, achieved through the aggregation of boutiques or teams of highly specialised professionals in complementary and synergistic fields. Over the last year, the firm has sped up this process with significant transactions involving regulatory, corporate criminal and labour law, which also led to the creation of dedicated practice areas.

Today, with Luca La Barbera and the launch of the practice area dedicated to Cooperative Compliance, such strategic development approach, including lateral hires, extends to the tax department (currently comprising around 30 professionals), an area experiencing strong growth and increasingly crucial in the field of client advisory services. 

“The arrival of Luca La Barbera is further confirmation of our targeted growth strategy, based on attracting professionals or firms with highly distinctive skills and high development potential. Such approach allows us not only to continue investing in talents and specialisations capable of bringing immediate and long-term value, but also to constantly expand our range of services and anticipate the needs of a rapidly evolving market, focusing on innovation and high-quality advice to respond effectively to the businesses’ challenges” said Paolo Montironi, Senior Partner at ADVANT Nctm.

“I am particularly proud to join ADVANT Nctm, a firm that has proven its ability to grow with vision, investing in areas with great prospects. Collaborative compliance is set to become a pillar of the Italian tax system, and I believe that our work can make a real contribution to spreading tax risk management models based on transparency and dialogue with the authorities, creating value for businesses and for the country. Being able to develop such project within a firm of the calibre of ADVANT Nctm is a strong incentive for me to contribute concretely to the growth and strengthening of the firm in the long term,” said Luca La Barbera.

With Luca La Barbera joining the firm, the total number of partners at ADVANT Nctm rises to 85.

The group will continue to operate the facilities under a long-term lease.

The team was led by Pierre-Marie Ouchet and Amélie Pinçon, partners, with Elise Kosman, counsel.

Sebastian Diehl joins from Standard Chartered Bank in London where he led the legal coverage on multiple of the group’s M&A and venture capital transactions, including in Europe, Asia and North America. Prior to Standard Chartered, Sebastian Diehl spent several years in the London office of a leading German law firm, most recently as Associated Partner. There he regularly advised strategic clients and financial investors on cross-border M&A projects and PE/VC transactions with a focus on Germany.

With London, ADVANT Beiten is opening its tenth office and its fourth international presence outside of Germany. The new office will be based in Mayfair within the premises of its alliance partner ADVANT Nctm, whose London office has been established since 2008. With this expansion, the firm strengthens its visibility on the European market, expands its advisory services for cross-border transactions and further intensifies the co-operation within the alliance. A cross-practice team of ADVANT Beiten partners will be regularly present in London.

"In Sebastian Diehl, we have found an experienced partner for our new location who has an excellent network. Specialising in cross-border transactions and private equity, he brings in many years of experience in all areas of transaction advisory services and will work closely with our teams in Germany and worldwide," comments Dr Guido Krüger, Managing Partner of ADVANT Beiten.

"London is one of the world's leading financial and economic centres with a broad infrastructure for capital markets, asset management and private equity," says Dr Barbara Mayer, member of the Steering Committee at ADVANT Beiten, adding: "The city connects entrepreneurs, fund managers, banks and institutional investors. Together with our local colleagues from ADVANT Nctm and the addition of Sebastian Diehl, we are further expanding our transaction-orientated advisory services."

With London as one of the most active cross-border transaction markets in Europe, the city plays a key role in many German investments – particularly in the upper German SME segment which is facing the challenge of company succession. ADVANT Beiten is taking account of this multifaceted market environment with the opening of the new office – both locally and across borders. 

For more information, see our Spotlight London.

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Communications Manager
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

ADVANT Altana advised Société du Théâtre on the acquisition of Ecole des Roches, a well-known international boarding school founded in 1899 and located in Normandy, from GEMS Education, one of the largest private education operators in the world based in Dubaï.

Moving forward, Ecole des Roches will be managed in close cooperation with its affiliate Ecole Jeannine Manuel, a French-based bilingual school with five campuses in Paris and Lille, welcoming 3,400 students representing over 80 nationalities as well as a namesake school in London, a registered British Charity welcoming 700 students.

This transaction is an illustration of ADVANT Altana’s ability to manage complex cross-border transactions requiring the involvement of numerous practice areas.

The ADVANT Altana team was led by Jean-Nicolas Soret, Olivier Carmès and Margaux Ripert (M&A) and included Amélie d'Heilly and Dany Luu (Employment), Philippe de Saint-Bauzel and Alexandre Thuau-Renaudet (Tax), Laura Morelli and Claire Borgel (IP/IT), Marie Hindré and Margaux Brunet (Contracts), Cécile Ferouelle and Alice Kremer (Public law).

ConvictionsRH employs more than 200 expert consultants in six different offices.

Mercer, a Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC) company, is a leading global advisor that helps clients reimagine the world of work, rethink retirement and investment strategies, and improve employee health and well-being. Marsh McLennan is a global leader in professional services in risk, strategy, and human resources, advising clients in 130 countries through four companies: Marsh, Guy Carpenter, Mercer, and Oliver Wyman. With annual revenues of more than $24 billion and more than 90,000 employees, Marsh McLennan helps clients build confidence to succeed through the power of perspective.

Once the acquisition is complete, ConvictionsRH's clients and employees will have access to Mercer's global capabilities, solutions, and expertise in the areas of HR management, pensions, employee benefits, and investments. In addition, they will benefit from the insurance, risk management, and strategy consulting expertise of Marsh McLennan's four entities to help them achieve their growth and transformation goals.

This transaction is an illustration of ADVANT Altana’s ability to manage complex cross-border transactions for US clients investing in Europe and requiring the involvement of numerous practice areas. 

The ADVANT Altana team was led by Jean-Nicolas Soret, Eleonore Vucher-Bondet and María Bacca-Perez (M&A) and included Mickaël d’Allende and Laura Beserman (Employment), Philippe de Saint-Bauzel, Marie Darcq and Alexandre Thuau-Renaudet (Tax), Jean-Guy de Ruffray, Camille Raclet and Clémence Aladjidi (IP/IT), Frédéric Manin and Delphine Laget (Contracts), Amélie Pinçon and Alexandre Majbruch (Real Estate).

Through a media investment in the low single-digit million range, the investment arm of ProSiebenSat.1 for early-stage start-ups is participating in the striving start-up vivido. The first TV spot will be broadcast on ProSiebenSat.1 stations and platforms at the start of the campaign in October. As part of a long-term media partnership, an extensive TV and digital campaign will increase brand awareness and advertising recall for the start-up and positively boost the company's brand image.

vivido travel GmbH is a technology-based tour operator for experience-oriented travel. The team around the founders Tobias Boese and Karl B. Bock, both experienced in the tourism industry, has set itself the task of bundling special experiences into travel packages and making them available to book online within minutes. A team of travel professionals makes a suitable selection of flights and accommodation in advance which match the respective experience and can be individually configured on the start-up's website. The carefully tailored experience trips are rounded off with additional experiences that can be integrated into the itinerary. The range of short trips is organised thematically and offers a wide variety of experiences.

Advisor to vivido Travel GmbH:
ADVANT Beiten: Prof. Dr Hans-Josef Vogel and Sarah Heinrichs (both Corporate/M&A, Dusseldorf)

Advisor to SevenAccelerator:
P+P Pöllath + Partners Rechtsanwälte und Steuerberater mbB

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Communications Manager
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

Laumann Group, a family-owned group with headquarters in Sendenhorst in the Northwest of Germany, is a leading provider of building-related product solutions and IT-services. The Group's range of services extends from PVC profiles for windows and doors ("VEKA" and "GEALAN"), aluminium profiles, PVC panel and façade solutions to surface technology and IT consulting. It generates annual sales of EUR 1.6 billion.

Epwin Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and generates annual sales of over EUR 380 million. The company is a leading British manufacturer of PVC and aluminium profiles for windows and doors, finished windows and doors, façade systems, decking and GRP building products. Apart from that, Epwin Group is also active in the trading and recycling of building materials.

The merger control workstream of the transaction is being led by ADVANT Beiten Partner Christoph Heinrich who is coordinating the proceedings with the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in collaboration with Euclid Law (London). ADVANT Beiten is also advising on the future integration of the target business into Laumann Group.

ADVANT Beiten regularly advises Laumann Group and its subsidiaries, such as on the acquisition of the aluminium system manufacturer Procural in 2023 and the façade specialist Vinylit in 2021.

Advisors to Laumann Group:
ADVANT Beiten: Christoph Heinrich (Munich, Antitrust Law), Dr Guido Krüger (Dusseldorf, Tax Law), Dr Christian Ulrich Wolf (Hamburg, Corporate Law)
Euclid Law: Oliver Bretz, Becket McGrath (both London, Antitrust Law)
Osborne Clarke: Jonathan King, Ed Nisbeth, Stuart Miller, Oliver Woods, Tim Rouse, Dominic Ross (all London, Corporate & Finance), Olexiy Oleshchuk (Munich, Finance)
Inhouse: Björn Baltes, Raphael Nießen

Advisors to Epwin Group: 
Eversheds Sutherland UK (Corporate)

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Communications Manager
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

Christoph Heinrich
Rechtsanwalt 
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (89) 35065 - 1332
Christoph.Heinrich@advant-beiten.com

ApoBank and the AXA Insurance Group have been cooperating in the sale of financial and insurance products for more than 25 years. Both companies now want to bundle the sales activities of their mobile sales companies apoFinanz and Deutsche Ärzte Finanz more closely. 

As part of the restructuring, apoFinanz will be merged with Deutsche Ärzte Finanz. At the same time, apoBank acquires additional shares in Deutsche Ärzte Finanz. The merger creates the largest financial sales organisation for academic health professionals in Germany. With around 500 independent financial advisors, the new company will serve more than 320,000 customers. The merger will be completed in August 2025. A cross-office team from ADVANT Beiten is providing apoBank with comprehensive legal advice.

With more than half a million customers and total assets of around EUR 52 billion, apoBank is the largest cooperative retail bank in Germany and the number one financial services provider in the healthcare sector. Its customers are primarily members of the healthcare professions, their professional organisations and associations, healthcare facilities and companies in the healthcare market.

With the reorganisation of their joint sales subsidiaries, the partners want to combine the strengths of the companies and use the synergies for additional growth. 

Advisors to apoBank: 

ADVANT Beiten: Heinrich Meyer, Rainer Süßmann (both lead partners in charge, Banking/Finance, Frankfurt), Dr Christian Ulrich Wolf, Maren Dedert (both Corporate/M&A, Hamburg), Christoph Heinrich, Prof Dr Christian Heinichen (both Antitrust Law, Munich), Oliver Korte, Christopher D. Harten (both Commercial, Hamburg), Dr Thomas Drosdeck, Dr Gerald Müller-Machwirth (both Labour Law), Susanne Klein, Lennart Kriebel and Daniel Trunk (all IT- and Data protection Law, all Frankfurt)

Advisor to AXA: Hengeler Mueller

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Communications Manager
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

Heinrich Meyer
Rechtsanwalt 
ADVANT Beiten
Phone: +49 69 756095-414
heinrich.meyer@advant-beiten.com

Founded in 2017, Episod is expanding rapidly thanks to its unique positioning in the boutique gym market segment. With Ciclad's support, Episod plans to increase its network in the Île-de-France region initially, with prospects for national and even international expansion. The deal also includes a unitranche debt structured by Socadif, designed to optimize the company's financial resources while preserving its investment capacity.

ADVANT Altana advised CICLAD with a team led by partner Bruno Nogueiro, with Alexandre Reignier and Théodore Sabot on corporate matters. They were supported by Phillipe de Saint Bauzel, partner, Marie Darcq, and Alexandre Thuau-Renaudet on tax law, Mickael d'Allende, partner, Alexandre Véran, counsel, and Lakshana Cheetoo on employment law, as well as Marie Hindré, partner, and Margaux Brunet on commercial and contract law issues.

This transaction is part of a broader project to repower the plant, with the aim of increasing its electricity production capacity and meeting the territory's electricity needs.

Through this acquisition, Albioma is pursuing its strategy to strengthen its presence in overseas territories.

ADVANT Altana advised Albioma with a team led by partner Jean-Nicolas Soret, Eléonore Vucher-Bondet and Théodore Sabot on corporate matters, Louis des Cars, and Clément Balzamo on issues relating to urban planning and public law, Phillipe de Saint Bauzel and Alexandre Thuau-Renaudet on tax law. 

This transaction demonstrates ADVANT Altana's know-how in the renewable energy sector.

This transaction marks a major milestone in CFAO Healthcare's strategy to fully control the pharmaceutical value chain, from manufacturing to dispensing medicines to patients.

This acquisition, which follows an initial minority stake acquisition in 2022, consolidates CFAO Healthcare's presence and leadership in the healthcare sector in East Africa, reinforcing its commitment to ensuring access to quality medicines and medical products for all patients on the continent.

ADVANT Altana advised the CFAO group on this transaction with a team led by Gilles Gaillard, partner, and Margaux Ripert, associate, on corporate M&A aspects.

The new marketplace will leverage the longstanding expertise of Groupe Faubourg’s existing platform, Aniel Marketplace (France’s leading independent automotive spare parts marketplace), Covéa’s leadership in motor insurance in France, and the support of all stakeholders in the automotive industry committed to more cost-effective and environmentally friendly repairs.

This partnership will enable the doubling of reused parts usage for the repair of vehicles insured by Covéa’s brands by 2030, as well as the further development of the B2B automotive spare parts marketplace built since 2019 by Aniel Marketplace.

ADVANT Altana advised Covéa with partner Gilles Gaillard and Alexandra Ferrier on the corporate aspects of the transaction. Cyril Grimaldi advised on contractual and real estate issues.

Lysine is an essential amino acid that is used in the pharmaceutical, food and animal feed industries. Lysine is a key ingredient for health and food security in the EU, as it is used in many medicines (painkillers, parenteral nutrition, perfusion) and is contained in all modern animal feed for livestock farming. The essential amino acids produced in the EU through fermentation reduce the European Union's dependence on imports and reliance on imported soya meal.

Protecting the EU lysine industry from dumped and injurious imports of lysine from China is imperative to prevent the EU from becoming completely dependent on imports of this and other essential amino acids by fermentation. Lysine of Chinese origin is sold at high dumping margins, causing serious injury to the EU industry.

Eurolysine also contributes to the achievement of environmental targets, as the carbon footprint of lysine produced in the EU is at least five times lower than that of lysine produced in China.

Several EU Member States have requested that lysine be categorised as a critical chemical under the EU Critical Chemicals Act.

The product concerned is imports of lysine and its esters, salts thereof and feed additives, consisting of 68 % or more but not more than 80 % by weight of lysine sulphate and not more than 32 % by weight of other components such as carbohydrates and other amino acids, on the anhydrous basis. 

The process underlines ADVANT Beiten's successful trade practice. Only recently, in January 2025 that Prof. Dr Rainer Bierwagen's team achieved the imposition of definitive anti-dumping duties in favour of the European erythritol industry.

Advisors to the European lysine industry:

ADVANT Beiten: Prof Dr Rainer Bierwagen (lead), Gábor Báthory, Christian Hipp, Dr Dietmar O. Reich.

Source EU: 

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1330 of 10 July 2025 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed on imports of lysine originating in the People's Republic of China
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/74 of 13 January 2025 imposing a provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of lysine originating in the People's Republic of China; OJ L of 15 January 2025;
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2732 of 24 October 2024 making imports of lysine originating in the People's Republic of China subject to registration; OJ L of 25 October 2024; 
Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of lysine originating in the People's Republic of China; OJ C of 23 May 2024 (C/2024/3392).

Press contact
Mrs Frauke Reuther
Communications
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

The team currently has seven riders entered in the 2025 Tour de France.

ADVANT Altana advised AG2R La Mondiale on this transaction with a team led by partner Géraldine Malfait and associate Margaux Ripert on corporate issues, partner Valérie Lafarge Sarkozy and counsel Paul Boutron on general business law matters, and partner Pierre Lubet and counsel Laura Beserman on employment law aspects.

Mapei is one of the world leaders in implementation and decoration solutions for the building, public works and industrial sectors.

This transaction reflects Mapei France’s strategic objective to provide Eurosyntec with optimal conditions to pursue its growth in an environment aligned with its ambitions and market dynamics.

Groupe ST, a recognized player for nearly 20 years in the building and renovation of sports, industrial, parking, and safety flooring, intends to offer Eurosyntec new development opportunities and synergies.

The ADVANT Altana team was led by:

• Fabien Pouchot (partner), Alexandra Ferrier (associate) and Victoire Denis Madelin (associate) on corporate aspects, 

• Frédéric Manin (partner) and Delphine Laget (associate) on competition, contracts, and distribution aspects, and

• Mickaël d’Allende (partner) and Léo Laumonier (associate) on employment law aspects.

Banyan Software was founded in 2016 and regularly acquires growing software companies with the aim of developing them over the long term as part of a buy-and-hold strategy. Banyan Software has offices in Canada, the UK and the DACH region.

Headquartered in Munich, Germany, star/trac is specialised in optimizing complex yard management operations. Its innovative solutions significantly enhance operational efficiency, reduce truck waiting times, and ensure compliance with the stringent safety and regulatory standards.

ADVANT Beiten advises Banyan Software regularly on the implementation of its growth strategy in the DACH region, most recently in January 2025 on the acquisition of FoxInsights.

Advisor Banyan Software:
ADVANT Beiten: Christian Burmeister (Lead), Damien Heinrich, Julius Bauer (all Corporate/M&A), Heiko Wunderlich, Fabian Buker (both Tax), Mathias Zimmer-Goertz, Christian Döpke (both IP/IT), Lelu Li (FDI), Alexander Grässel (Labor & Employment Law).

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

MFP is a major Irish supplier of pipe solutions which previously belonged to the Irish Grafton Group plc. In 2024, MFP generated sales of around EUR 25 million with drainage, gutter and cable protection systems. In future, their production will be bundled at the Wienerberger site in Cork to ensure greater efficiency and sustainability and to achieve attractive synergy effects. With this transaction, Wienerberger AG, which is listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange, is further pursuing its growth strategy and recognising the significant growth potential in the construction sector in Ireland.

ADVANT regularly advises Wienerberger AG, for instance on its largest acquisition in the company's history, the purchase of key business areas of the French Terreal Group last year.

Advisor to Wienerberger AG:
ADVANT Beiten: Uwe Wellmann (Berlin), Christoph Heinrich (Munich, both Antitrust Law).
William Fry (Ireland) – Irish Antitrust Law
Eversheds Sutherland (Ireland) – Corporate/M&A

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Communications Manager
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

Eurazeo, a long-standing investor and already a majority shareholder with a 70.6% stake since 2021, has announced the acquisition of the remaining shares in Kurma Partners, a leading French management company specialising in biotechnology and medical innovation. This transaction is in line with the agreements reached when the initial stake was acquired.

With nearly €600 million in assets under management, Kurma Partners has been a key player in European healthcare since 2009, supporting the most promising companies in the sector.

ADVANT Altana advised the management of Kurma Partners with a team including Géraldine Malfait and Jean-Nicolas Soret, partners, and Margaux Ripert, associate.

Moosmann GmbH & Co. KG based in Ravensburg is a family-run company with a focus on sustainable logistics solutions and customised packaging systems for industry and trade. The Moosmann Group is pursuing a long-term growth strategy through targeted investments in innovative technologies.

Verpackungs- u. Lagertechnik Ulm GmbH is an established provider of modular storage, transport and order picking systems for industry, trade and logistics providers. The company based in Ulm has a strong market presence in the DACH region and is well known for its solutions for increasing efficiency in intralogistics. The integration into the Moosmann Group opens up new development prospects for both companies - particularly in the areas of digitalization, automation and sustainable material development.

Advisors to Moosmann GmbH & Co. KG:
ADVANT Beiten: Gerhard Manz (Freiburg), Christian Burmeister (Freiburg and Berlin, both lead partners in charge), Dr Christian Osbahr (Freiburg, all Corporate/M&A).

Public Relations

Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

CATT operates its first plant outside China in Arnstadt, Thuringia. With 1,700 employees, the plant is the largest foreign subsidiary of the battery manufacturer. Existing customers in Germany include companies such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. In addition to the site in Germany, the expansion plans focus in particular on the sites in Hungary and Spain.

CATL has made a profit of approx. 4.6 billion dollars with the stock exchange listing in Hong Kong. The final price per share was set at 263 Hong Kong dollars, this corresponds to the maximum offer price. The scope of CATL's transaction could increase to 5.3 billion dollars, if a so-called greenshoe option results in the sale of a further 17.7 million shares. The fresh capital will be used in particular to finance CATL's further expansion into Europe. 

CATL Advisor - as a German Legal Counsel:

ADVANT Beiten: Dr Dirk Tuttlies (in charge; Capital Market Law), Dr Christian von Wistinghausen (in charge; Due Diligence), Tassilo Klesen, Danah El-Ismail, Simone Schmatz, Christian Burmeister, Lelu Li, Damien Heinrich, Robert Schmid (all Corporate/M&A), Katrin Lüdtke, Korbinian Goll (Public Law).

Public Relations

Frauke Reuther
Communications Manager
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

The new exemptions of the EU Prospectus Regulation, which has been amended since 4 December 2024, were applied for the first time in the admission to trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange: The admission of the new shares of Philomaxcap AG was completed without the publication of a prospectus only with the filing and publication of an 11-page admission document. (In accordance with Article 1(5), subparagraph 1(ba) and subparagraph 3 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as amended by Regulation (EU) 2024/2809 and Annex IX). 

In this context, the team led by the two partners Dr Dirk Tuttlies and Rainer Süßmann examined in particular the question of whether shares from a non-cash capital increase, i.e. a contribution in kind, could possibly be classified as a public exchange offer. In addition, the filing of the admission document, which replaces the previously customary prospectus, had to be coordinated with BaFin, the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. For both institutions, the application of the now valid exemptions of the EU Prospectus Regulation was the first case of application.

The listing of the new shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange was preceded by a successful capital increase with the acquisition of GenH2Corp. This strategic measure led to an increase in share capital from EUR 17 million to over EUR 110 million and was made possible by the issue of around 93 million new shares.

Philomaxcap AG, domiciled in Munich, is a holding company focussing on the hydrogen industry which offers services for existing and future investments. The admission of the new shares from the previous acquisition of GenH2Corp, a US company specialising in liquid hydrogen technology and equipment, ideally complements Philomaxcap's portfolio.

Advisor to Philomaxcap AG on Admission of the New Shares:

ADVANT Beiten: Dr Dirk Tuttlies (Munich), Rainer Süßmann (Frankfurt, both Banking/ Capital Markets)

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

ADVANT Altana once again advised Sopra Steria Group on this acquisition with a multidisciplinary team coordinated by Bruno Nogueiro (Corporate M&A partner) with Arthur Boutemy and Victoire Denis Madelin on corporate aspects, Jean Guy de Ruffray, partner, and Clémence Aladjidi on IP/IT and data aspects, as well as Marie Hindré, partner, and Delphine Laget on competition, contracts and distribution.

ADVANT Altana also coordinated issues specific to Aurexia's foreign subsidiaries with the assistance of its correspondents: Howse Williams (Hong Kong), RHTLaw Asia LLP (Singapore), Miller Thomson LLP (Canada) and Fox Williams LLP (UK).

Naxnova is a global design and technology company providing new generation solutions to global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive, consumer durables & appliances industries in India. Naxnova provides a diverse product range of integrated surface augmentation solutions that includes decals, flexible 3D badges, overlays, smart surfaces and electronic solutions.
HS Products Engineering specializes in premium aesthetics for the luxury automotive sector and stands for innovation, quality and precision. The company has established partnerships with some of the world's most prestigious luxury brands, including Rolls Royce, Bentley, Porsche, Audi and BMW.

The acquisition strengthens Naxnova's product portfolio by combining HSP's expertise in high-end aesthetics with Naxnova's global reach and technological innovations in printed electronics.
Naxnova's growth trajectory continues with this majority stake: the acquisition is the latest in a series of strategic acquisitions to expand its global presence and continuously develop its product portfolio.

Advisor Naxnova:
ADVANT Beiten: Gerhard Manz (Freiburg, Lead), Christian Burmeister (Co-Lead, Freiburg/Berlin), Dr Christian Osbahr, Damien Heinrich (all Freiburg, all Corporate/M&A).

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Manager Communications
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

With its SolarMe electricity brand, Solarimo offers tenant electricity solutions for the housing industry. With this transaction, 300 photovoltaic systems with an installed capacity totalling 10.3 megawatts are to be transferred to Einhundert's operations by the end of the year. The systems are expected to supply more than 10,000 tenants across Germany with locally generated solar power. This is expected to save around 4,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

ENGIE Deutschland GmbH is committed to accelerating the transition to a carbon-neutral economy. In Germany, the company plans, builds, operates and markets wind, photovoltaic and hydropower plants as well as pump storage and battery storage systems. Engie trades in electricity and gas and supplies end customers with energy.

The transaction was led by Dr Barbara Mayer, Christian Burmeister and Peter Meisenbacher at ADVANT Beiten. 

Einhundert Energie GmbH has been supporting real estate companies in the electrification and decarbonisation of their building portfolios since 2017. The Cologne-based company enables housing companies and their tenants to participate in the energy transition. The aim is to use 100 per cent CO2-neutral energy from local PV systems.

Consultant Solarimo:

ADVANT Beiten: Dr Barbara Mayer (Corporate/M&A, Freiburg), Christian Burmeister (Corporate/M&A, Freiburg/Berlin), Peter Meisenbacher (Public Sector/Energy, Freiburg/Berlin, all lead partners), Dr Erik Schmid, Alexander Gräßel (Labour Law, Munich/Freiburg).

Consutant Einhundert Energie:

Noerr: Dr Christoph Thiermann, Dr Christian Haagen (Munich/London)

Public Relations

Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

Dr Barbara Mayer
Rechtsanwältin
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (761) 15 09 84 - 14
Barbara.Mayer@advant-beiten.com

Christian Burmeister
Rechtsanwalt
+49 (761) 15 09 84 - 18
Christian.Burmeister@advant-beiten.com

With the arrival of Patrizio Bernardo and his team, which includes Claudia Schmiedt (senior associate), Francesca Retus (associate), two trainees (Sara Salmeri and Emiliano Ferrari) and one staff member (Angelica Tamburrano), the practice is further enhanced, reaching a total of 28 professionals.

Patrizio Bernardo has a solid experience in labour law, both at national and international level, assisting medium and large-sized companies in all matters relating to the management of employment relationships, both in and out of court, including, in particular, the drafting of employment contracts for managers and post-contractual non-compete agreements, remuneration policies, health and safety at work, individual and collective dismissals, management of social shock absorbers, industrial relations and negotiation of collective agreements.

"With his expertise, Patrizio Bernardo will further contribute to the strengthening of ADVANT Nctm's position as a reference point in the field of labour law. We are excited to welcome him and his team and are certain that this collaboration will bring further added value to both our firm and our clients, while contributing to ADVANT Nctm's continued growth" commented Paolo Montironi, Senior Partner of ADVANT Nctm. 

With Patrizio Bernardo, the total number of ADVANT Nctm partners rises to 79.

Géraldine Malfait co-opted as partner in Corporate M&A team

Alexandre Véran appointed Counsel in the Employment Law team

Amélie d'Heilly advises French and international companies and groups on all aspects of employment law. She assists her clients in matters of individual and collective labor relations, whether in the context of day-to-day management of labor relations or in restructuring operations that may affect their development (acquisitions, mergers, business transfers, audits, etc.).

Trained in the techniques of mediation and collaborative law, she is also able to bring a different perspective to cases, calming and resolving conflictual situations. 

Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2004, she is a graduate of the University Paris Cité, the University of Antwerp and the École des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC) in Paris, and holds a specialisation certificate in labor law. 

As President of AvoSial, she lobbies the public authorities in all areas of employment law.

Amélie d'Heilly started her career at Hogan Lovells, Vivien & Associés and Linklaters before becoming a founding partner at 5QB Avocats. Prior to joining ADVANT Altana, Amélie was a partner at Latournerie Wolfrom Avocats.

Member of the Paris and New York Bars, Géraldine Malfait has been appointed partner in the Corporate M&A team. 

She regularly represents French and international corporate clients and private equity funds on their acquisitions and sales of companies and groups, particularly in the information technology and energy sectors. 

She also advises clients on strategic partnerships, joint-venture agreements and asset disposals, with a strong international dimension. 

Géraldine holds a Master 2 in French and Anglo-American business law (Université Paris Nanterre) and an LL.M. (Washington College of Law).

Alexandre Véran has been appointed Counsel in the Employment Law team. He advises French and international clients on all aspects of labor law, both collective and individual, and represents them before the various jurisdictions. In particular, he is involved in all aspects of reorganization (with or without redundancies), collective negotiations, management of staff representatives and health and safety issues. Alexandre has also developed solid experience in social security law.

Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2017, he holds a Master 1 in labor law (University of Auvergne) and a Master 2 professional degree in labor law and corporate labor relations (University of Paris-Nord). 

Before joining the firm, Alexandre worked at Cabinets Calinaud David Avocats and Chassany Watrelot & Associés.

ADVANT Altana has been advising Tutélaire on this transaction since January 2023 with a multidisciplinary team comprising Gilles Gaillard, Olivier Carmès and Margaux Ripert (corporate M&A, insurance law), Jean-Guy de Ruffray, Camille Raclet and Clémence Aladjidi (IT, personal data), Philippe de Saint-Bauzel and Marie Darcq (tax). 

Dennis Hillemann, a licensed administrative law specialist, advises enterprises and public entities on administrative law, particularly on administrative procedural law and the law on subsidies – to a large part on state aid COVID temporary programmes - and represents clients before administrative courts.
At present, the trio mainly provides legal advice to tax advisors and companies throughout Germany regarding applications for aid temporary programmes as well as in objection proceedings and court proceedings.

Another key area of the team is advice to companies and universities on applications for subsidies and a use of subsidies which is compliant with state aid law. Johannes Voß-Lünemann additionally advises on procurement law issues, for example providing support regarding tenders under national and EU procurement law, both for supplies and services and for construction services.

"ADVANT Beiten has been one of the leading players when it comes to scalable and technology-supported legal services for many years now. In combination with his long years of experience and expertise in administrative and procurement law, Dennis Hillemann and his team complement our practice ideally. We are very much looking forward to the cooperation across locations," comments Dr Guido Krüger, Managing Partner of ADVANT Beiten.

Dennis Hillemann comments: "Joining ADVANT Beiten is the ideal next step for us. The multidisciplinary structure of the law firm with strong teams at all important locations in Germany enables us to provide our clients with even more comprehensive advice. In particular, the close integration of the various specialist areas and the technological orientation of ADVANT Beiten offer optimal conditions for the support of complex public law assignments. With the firm's broad network and established legal tech expertise, we can provide our services even more efficiently throughout Germany, particularly with regard to state aid COVID temporary programmes. The cooperation across the offices in Hamburg, Frankfurt and Berlin enables us to be close to our clients, while at the same time making ADVANT Beiten's entire range of expertise available to them.”

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

Dr Philipp Pröbsting is a licensed building and architects' law specialist and, together with his team, specialises in advising on major projects in the fields of building construction, infrastructure and industry construction (nationally and internationally). He has been advising on project developments (including land issues and asset management), complex industrial construction projects and infrastructure measures for more than 16 years.

The team is committed to an integrated and comprehensive advisory approach with interdisciplinary teams that think through and support the project from the early initiation phase to the operational or production phase. The team provides support in the initiation of projects, contracts and legal project management. Its clients include companies from the industrial sector, energy suppliers, construction companies and the public sector.

"With Dr Philipp Pröbsting's team, we are significantly strengthening our expertise in the real estate and construction sector and further expanding important interfaces, among others the public sector and regulated industries," comments Dr Guido Krüger, Managing Partner of ADVANT Beiten, adding: “We are delighted to have gained an excellent expert with proven industry expertise in Philipp Pröbsting.”

Dr Philipp Pröbsting comments: "We are very much looking forward to the new challenges at ADVANT Beiten. We are convinced that our advisory approach fits perfectly with the existing competencies, structures and advisors and that together we will boost the Real Estate practice and sector group in Dusseldorf, throughout Germany and internationally."
ADVANT Beiten's Real Estate team of more than 50 advises on all planning and construction law issues across all offices. Clients include federal, state and local authorities, private investors and property developers, building owners and architects as well as banks and investment companies in all phases of their projects. The team combines real estate core competencies with broad legal, commercial and tax law expertise.

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

BNP Paribas REIM France had owned this asset since 2016.

ADVANT Altana team involves partner Pierre-Marie Ouchet, along with associates Clarisse Jutteau Csosz, Sarah Hajam and Alexandre Majbruch.

In addition, six colleagues were elected Local Partners and two colleagues were elected Salary Partners. The newly elected partners are from all four German offices of the law firm, working in six different areas of competence.

Dr Moritz Handrup is specialised in the restructuring and corporate rescue of companies. In addition, Dr Handrup advises and represents his clients out of court and in court, in arbitration and mediation proceedings. Key issues are asserting, or defending against, claims arising from the contest of transactions in insolvency proceedings and claims for directors' and officers' liability, as well as other insolvency-specific questions. He provides legal advice and represents insolvency administrators, creditors and other parties involved in corporate insolvencies.

Dr Moritz Jenne advises national and international clients as well as owner-managed companies on all issues of corporate law, corporate and commercial litigation and compliance. He has extensive expertise in representing clients in complex (shareholder) disputes, attending general meetings and advising corporate bodies on liability issues and management duties in sensitive situations.

These are our new Local Partners in alphabetical order:

• Thomas Herten (Real Estate, Dusseldorf)
• Katrin Lüdtke (Public Sector, Munich)
• Katharina Mayerbacher (IP/IT/Media, Munich)
• Maik Benedikt Merkens (Corporate/M&A, Frankfurt)
• Maike Pflästerer (Labour & Employment, Frankfurt)
• Christopher Theis (Public Sector, Frankfurt)

Lennart Kriebel (IP/IT/Media, Frankfurt) and Virginia Mäurer (Labour & Employment, Munich) were elected as salary partners.

"The partner appointments reflect our cross-location and cross-practice group work, which is substantiated by a high degree of different industry expertise," comments Dr Guido Krüger, Managing Partner of ADVANT Beiten, adding: “The successful elections across all three seniority levels reflect the development of first-class talent in our ranks. We see leading our colleagues to partnership as one of our most important tasks.”

ADVANT Beiten also continues to follow its strategy of targeted growth by lateral hires in selected areas. The following Local and Salary Partners reinforced the firm last year:

• Dr Malaika Ahlers (LP, Public Sector, Berlin)
• Dr Andreas Imping (LP, Labour & Employment, Dusseldorf)
• Dr Nadejda Kysel (LP, Banking & Finance, Frankfurt)
• Julian Niederlein (SP, Tax law, Hamburg)
• Dr Theofanis Tacou (SP, Labour & Employment, Hamburg)

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

The new entity now employs more than 4,000 people and has full national coverage, enabling it to consolidate its position as number two in the sector. 

ADVANT Altana advised Anett on this transaction with a team led by Mathieu Rambaud (Corporate/M&A) and Frédéric Manin, assisted by Lucie Giret and Delphine Laget on competition law and commercial contract. Bruno Nogueiro, partner, and Olivier Carmès (corporate), Cécile Ferouelle, partner, and Manon Lefebvre (town planning and public law), Amélie Pinçon, partner, and Alexandre Majbruch (commercial leases/real estate) were also involved in the due diligence. 

Other legal advisers:
Seller - Gibson Dunn & Crutcher (M&A); PJM (Thibault Reymond and Rodolphe Harasymczuk) (competition)
Buyer - finance and tax lawyers: Squair 
Vendors - Finance lawyers: Herbert Smith LLP

Amplitude Laser Group intends to focus on the development of its ultrafast, ultra-high energy lasers for the US and global markets.

The ADVANT Altana team was led by Fabien Pouchot (M&A partner) and Alexandra Ferrier (M&A associate), together with Jean-Guy de Ruffray (IP/IT partner) and Etienne Nicolet (IP/IT associate).

The team previously advised Amplitude Laser Group on the acquisition of Fastlite in 2023.

Amplitude Laser Group intends to focus on the development of its ultrafast, ultra-high energy lasers for the US and global markets.

The ADVANT Altana team was led by Fabien Pouchot (M&A partner) and Alexandra Ferrier (M&A associate), together with Jean-Guy de Ruffray (IP/IT partner) and Etienne Nicolet (IP/IT associate).

The team previously advised Amplitude Laser Group on the acquisition of Fastlite in 2023.

Lorenzo Freddi brings with him a 16-year experience gained at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, where he developed strong expertise in M&A and private equity. 

Throughout his career, he has assisted industrial clients and investment funds, both Italian and international, in a wide range of M&A transactions, joint ventures and partnerships. His professional background also includes an established expertise in commercial and technology contracts. 

With his experience and skills, Lorenzo Freddi will make a significant contribution to the needs of ADVANT Nctm’s clients in the most strategic and complex sectors. 

As a result of Lorenzo’s entry, ADVANT Nctm now has 78 partners.

ADPI - now Artelia Airports - supports its clients at every stage of their airport infrastructure projects (terminals, runways, baggage sorters, etc.), from consulting to design and project management. The company brings together about one hundred experts, based mainly in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

Active in the mobility, water, energy, construction and industry sectors, Artelia is one of the top 50 engineering companies in the world, with a turnover of €983 million in 2023, a headcount of more than 9,000 employees and a presence on five continents.

ADVANT Altana advised Artelia on this matter with a multidisciplinary team comprising Gilles Gaillard and Olivier Carmès, (corporate M&A), Philippe de Saint-Bauzel and Alexandre Thuau-Renaudet (tax), Jean-Guy de Ruffray, Camille Raclet and Claire Borgel (IP/IT), Marie Hindré and Margaux Brunet (competition), Gildas Robert and Moustafa Khabbaz (compliance) and François Muller and Lucille Montaut (commercial contracts). 

ADVANT Beiten advised on the Chinese aspects of the transaction with Susanne Rademacher, Jenna Wang-Metzner and Li Lelu. 

Grant Thornton advised on the tax due diligence for Artelia with Stéphany Brevost, Matisse Benoliel and Philippine Schlemer.

Bredin Prat advised ADP with a team comprising Barthélémy Courteault, Thomas Sharps and Charlotte Caplanne (M&A), Jean-Baptiste Frantz and Léo Labeille (tax). 

Amphenol ist einer der weltweit größten Entwickler, Hersteller und Vermarkter von Steckverbindern und Verbindungssystemen, Antennenlösungen, Sensoren sowie Hochgeschwindigkeitskabel.

Die Luetze International Group ist weltweit aktiv und setzt sich in einer Holding-Struktur aus verschiedenen Unternehmen zusammen. Die Unternehmensgruppe steht für über 60 Jahre Tradition in Automation und zählt heute zu den führenden Unternehmen in der Branche.

Die Luetze-Gruppe bietet innovative Lösungen in den Bereichen hochflexible Leitungen, Kabelkonfektion, Interface, Stromversorgung und -überwachung sowie Schaltschrankverdrahtung. Das Leistungsspektrum der Luetze-Gruppe ergänzt das Portfolio von Amphenol in verschiedenen Segmenten des schnell wachsenden Elektronikmarktes optimal und unterstreicht die zukunftsorientierte, grenzüberschreitende Positionierung von Amphenol.

In dieser Transaktion hat unsere ADVANT-Partnerkanzlei ADVANT Altana zum französischen Recht beraten, Fox Williams zum britischen Recht, Havel & Partners zum tschechischen Recht, Kellerhals Carrard zum schweizerischen Recht und E+H zum österreichischen Recht.

ADVANT berät Amphenol laufend bei europäischen M&A-Projekten, zuletzt haben ADVANT Altana und ADVANT Beiten gemeinsam bei dem Erwerb der CMR-Gruppe mit Sitz in Frankreich beraten.

Berater Amphenol Corporation: ADVANT Beiten: Dr. Christian von Wistinghausen, Tassilo Klesen (beide Federführung), Olga Prokopyeva (alle Corporate/M&A, Berlin), Susanne Rademacher, Lelu Li, Kelly Tang, Dr. Jenna Wang-Metzner (alle Corporate/M&A, Beijing), Michael Riedel (Arbeitsrecht, Berlin), Carsten Pütger, Danah El-Ismail (beide Real Estate, Berlin), Mathias Zimmer-Goertz, Christian Döpke (beide IP/IT/Medien, Düsseldorf), Uwe Wellmann (Kartellrecht, Berlin), Christoph Heinrich (Kartellrecht, München), Dr. Marion Frotscher sowie Simon Bauer (beide Steuern, Hamburg). ADVANT Altana: Jean-Nicolas Soret, Fabien Pouchot, Eléonore Vucher-Bondet und Théodore Sabot (alle Corporate/M&A,  Paris)

Berater Verkäufer der Luetze-Gruppe: Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek: Dr. Rainer Herschlein, LL.M., Dr. Emanuel Teichmann (beide Corporate/M&A, Stuttgart), Dr. Stefan Bretthauer, Jia-Xi Liu (beide Kartellrecht, Hamburg).

Pressekontakt
Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation 
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

Dr Joachim Reichenberger, LL.M. has many years of experience in advising on cross-border structures and advises his clients on all questions of tax and corporate social security law. As a special focus of his work, he advises in 
particular on the interface between (wage) tax law and labour and (company) social security law, for which he can rely on his ten years of professional experience as a civil servant at the German Pension Insurance (Deutsche 
Rentenversicherung). A further focus of his work is on providing support in the context of restructurings. Here, in particular, he provides tax and social security law advice on socially responsible staff reduction measures, in which he supports companies in the optimisation of social plans and their subsequent implementation. Moreover, Joachim Reichenberger advises wealthy private individuals (HNWI and UHNWI), including numerous well-known professional athletes, on tax, social security and labour law issues, in particular in the context of moving to or from Germany.

Miriam Misterek advises national and international clients on all issues related to individual and collective labour law as well as on in and out-of-court dispute resolution. She also focuses on tax and social security law advice on socially responsible staff reduction measures.

Alexandra Möller advises on cross-border structuring and on all issues relating to tax and corporate social security law. As a special focus of her work, she advises in particular on the interface between (wage) tax law and labour and (company) social security law. A further focus of her work is on restructuring, in particular advising on socially responsible staff reduction measures, in which she assists companies in the optimisation of social plans and their subsequent implementation. In addition, she provides legal advice to wealthy private individuals.

'We are pleased to have Joachim Reichenberger, another very experienced colleague, on board with his team. His tax expertise, particularly at the interface with social security law with a focus on restructuring, fits perfectly into our cross-location and cross-practice group advisory portfolio,’ comments Dr Guido Krüger, Managing Partner of ADVANT Beiten and adds: ’The expertise of Joachim Reichenberger and his team also complements us excellently in the area of private clients.’

Dr Joachim Reichenberger on his decision: ‘ADVANT Beiten is one of the leading names in the field of tax law and, with its focus, is the ideal platform for us to provide interdisciplinary and cross-border advice. We are very much looking forward to working with our new colleagues and becoming part of this team.’ After ADVANT Beiten strengthened its tax department at the Hamburg office in March of this year with a three-person team led by partner Martin Seevers from EY Law, Heiko Wunderlich joined the Munich office in August. The present arrival of Mr Reichenberger is already the third addition at equity partner level this year 
and underlines the importance of the tax practice group for the firm.

Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

Taken over in 2016 by Aurélien Bouve, son of the founder, the company combines innovation and performance in a niche market. It has also had a solid CSR policy for several years.

Now backed by recognised investors, the group intends to consolidate its position as French leader and continue its growth by expanding into new sectors and new markets, particularly internationally.

ADVANT Altana advised the majority shareholder of the Loca Service group on this transaction with a team comprising Bruno Nogueiro, Arthur Boutemy and Christina Crenn on the corporate/M&A aspects, Philippe de Saint-Bauzel and Marie Darcq on the tax aspects and Alexandre Véran on the labor law aspects.

Milan, 1 July 2024 – ADVANT Nctm, ADVANT’s Italian firm, through Senior Partner Paolo Montironi, is pleased to announce the joining of Studio Zitiello Associati, a boutique law firm founded in 2006 that brings together professionals with expertise in banking, finance and insurance.

At a strategic level, the transaction is part of ADVANT Nctm’s path of continuing growth, which will involve, upon the joining of Zitiello Associati, the creation of a specialised Regulatory department, leading the Firm to significantly strenghten its vertical expertise in the area of banking, insurance and financial markets law, with specific reference to regulatory advice to supervised entities and litigation.

ADVANT Nctm is joined by a group of 22 professionals, namely: an Honorary Partner/Of Counsel, Luca Zitiello; three Partners, Fabio Coco, Francesco Mocci and Benedetta Musco Carbonaro (bringing the total number of partners to 77); three Counsels – Ludovica D’Ostuni, Paolo Franceso Bruno and Lorenzo Macchia – and Rossella Mariani as Of Counsel – in addition to fourteen associates.

The new Regulatory department will include, in addition to Zitiello Associati’s team of professionals, Danilo Quattrocchi and Antonia Di Bella – who at ADVANT Nctm already deal with the regulatory compliance of entities operating in the banking, financial and insurance sectors – as well as the team of Emidio Cacciapuoti, operating in the asset management sector and assisting investment funds.

Paolo Montironi, Senior Partner of ADVANT Nctm, commented: “We are thrilled to have made this important agreement with our colleagues at Zitiello Associati. The creation of a dedicated Regulatory department is instrumental in taking full advantage of all the opportunities offered by the evolving reference sector, characterised by an ever-increasing concentration of clients, requiring an increasing range of services, and by continuous regulatory changes, which involve a proliferation of interpretative actions by European and national regulators. Such context calls for a single interlocutor across multiple jurisdictions and all-round assistance with specialised and cross-cutting skills: something that ADVANT Nctm, with the team of professionals from Zitiello Associati, will be able to provide to clients”.

Luca Zitiello, Managing Partner of Zitiello Associati, concluded: “Together with my partners, we are honoured to become part of the ADVANT Nctm family and look forward to sharing our important expertise in the field of banking, finance and insurance law, which has allowed us to achieve a distinctive and vertical position over the last twenty years in Italy. In a context like the current one, it is very important to always be able to find new opportunities for synergic growth and we are very happy to have been able to do so with a partner of the calibre of ADVANT Nctm”.

This acquisition will enable Cegid to complete its portfolio of useful and innovative solutions for the HR market. KMB Labs’ solutions will be integrated into the Cegid Digitalrecruiters recruitment platform, for which they are particularly well suited, optimising recruitment through conversational technologies based on generative AI.

Founded in 2017, KMB Labs offers innovative software solutions based on generative artificial intelligence and natural language processing (NLP) technology, serving HR departments to improve the candidate experience and streamline and fluidify their recruitment processes. The HR tech start-up now has around fifty prestigious customers, including Bouygues Construction, Accor, Carrefour and SNCF.

ADVANT Altana advised Cegid on the corporate M&A aspects with a team comprising Bruno Nogueiro (partner), Arthur Boutemy (counsel) and Théodore Sabot (associate).
ADVANT Altana also advised Cegid on the legal audit with a multidisciplinary team comprising Mickaël d’Allende (partner) and Anissa Alix Froz (associate) on labour law; Philippe de Saint-Bauzel (partner) and Marie Darcq (associate) on tax law; Jean-Guy de Ruffray (partner) and Clémence Aladjidi (associate) on IP/IT; Marie Hindré (partner) and Delphine Laget (associate) on contracts/distribution.

Legal advice to sellers: Fidal with a team including Yann Girondin (partner) and Léa Lemaire (associate).

Pierre-Marie advises real estate investors, in particular institutional investors, real estate investment funds and major corporate real estate players on the structuring and implementation of their transactions relating to the acquisition and sale of real estate assets or real estate companies, real estate partnerships, in particular co-investments, joint ventures and co-promotion transactions, complex real estate projects as well as the financing of acquisition or development real estate transactions.

Prior to joining ADVANT Altana’s real estate practice, Pierre-Marie worked in the finance and real estate departments of Clifford Chance, Gide and Baker McKenzie, which he joined in 2010 before being promoted to partner. A member of the Paris Bar, Pierre-Marie holds a postgraduate diploma (DEA) in contract and property law from the University of Paris Panthéon Sorbonne, an International Certificate in Corporate Finance (ICCF@HEC) and a diploma from the Institut de droit et d’économie appliqués à l’immobilier (CNAM).

“We are delighted to welcome Pierre-Marie to ADVANT Altana to complement our real estate investment and financing services” comments Amélie Pinçon, partner in the real estate practice.

“The development of a transactional real estate practice has been an objective for a number of years and takes on even greater significance with our European partners at ADVANT” adds the firm’s Executive Committee.

The real estate practice now comprises two partners, one counsel and 6 associates.

Founded in 1997, the family-run group specialises in supplying exceptional meat products to top restaurants and has a turnover of €28 million. The aim of the transaction is to expand the group’s customer base, particularly in the regions, while actively ensuring its CSR performance.

Legal advice on this transaction:

• Groupe Huguenin was advised by ADVANT Altana, with a team led by Fabien Pouchot (M&A partner) and including Alexandra Ferrier and María Bacca-Pérez (M&A associates), Jean-Guy de Ruffray (IP/IT partner), Etienne Nicolet (IP/IT associate), Mickaël d’Allende (labour law partner), Laura Beserman (labour law counsel) and Dany Luu (labour law associate);
• FrenchFood Capital was advised by Fairway, with a team led by Sandrine Benaroya (M&A partner), Louise Abbou and Marie Clanet (M&A associates).

Founded in Bezons in 2000 by Camille VILETTE and Michel LOPPION, AIRESS specialises in the installation and maintenance of sprinkler fire protection systems for public buildings (shopping centres, supermarkets, hotels), logistics warehouses, industrial sites, data centres and car parks. Its positioning as a specialist in sprinkler systems, its responsiveness and the quality of its services have enabled AIRESS to become one of the leading players in France, with more than 180 employees in 7 sites.

The plan of the new group of shareholders, consisting of the Transmission & Croissance 1 fund (majority shareholder, managed by Edmond de Rothschild Private Equity Luxembourg S.A., advised by Trajan), the sellers, the new management duo (Mr Arthur KLEIN, entrepreneur, supported by Trajan, and Mr BENBRAHAM, appointed Managing Director of AIRESS) and the key managers, is based above all on the continuity of the strategy that has made AIRESS a success.

ADVANT Altana advised the family group controlling AIRESS on this transaction with a team comprising Bruno Nogueiro, Arthur Boutemy and Maria Bacca-Perez on the corporate/M&A aspects and Pierre Lubet and Laura Beserman on the employment law aspects.

Electrolux Professional, one of the leading global providers of food service, beverage, and laundry for professional users, has just completed the acquisition of Adventys, specializing in induction cooking equipment.

Adventys, founded in 1999, designs and produces induction cooking equipment, and has approximately 40 employees, whereof several in R&D, and is based with one factory in Seurre, France.

ADVANT Nctm has been advising Electrolux Professional for several years on its M&A transactions in Italy and the success of this cross-border transaction is the result of the excellence, cooperation, and complementarity of the ADVANT teams.

Legal counsels on this transaction:

• Electrolux Professional was advised by ADVANT Altana, with a team led by Fabien Pouchot (M&A Partner) and composed of Théodore Sabot and Olivier Carmès (M&A Associates), Jean-Guy de Ruffray (IP/IT Partner), Etienne Nicolet (IP/IT Associate), Mickaël d’Allende (Labor Law Partner), Dany Luu (Labor Law Associate);
• Adventys was advised by Joffe & Associés, with a team led by Christophe Joffe (M&A Partner), Océane Christmann (M&A Counsel) and Rémi Rodriguez (M&A Associate).

5View is a packaged software solution for the analytical monitoring of application performance over networks. The acquisition will enable Ekinops to expand its software offering to telecom operators and enterprises.

ADVANT Altana advised Ekinops on this transaction with a team comprising Laura Morelli and Camille Raclet on IP and contracts aspects, Bruno Nogueiro and Géraldine Malfait on corporate/M&A and Mickael d'Allende and Dany Luu on employment aspects.

Allen & Overy advised Infovista with an M&A team consisting of Marc Castagnède, Jules Lecoeur and Antoine Messent.

This operation will enable Onet to strengthen its position as leader in the French cleaning market, assert its development in the logistics sector and establish its presence in new markets thanks to the commercial and operational complementarity of the two groups. Onet now has 80,000 employees (+14,000) and sales of 2.3 billion euros (+384 million euros).

ADVANT Altana advised Onet on this transaction with a team comprising Gilles Gaillard and Géraldine Malfait on the corporate M&A aspects, Marie Hindré and Delphine Laget on the competition aspects, Pierre Lubet and Dany Luu on the employment aspects and Philippe de Saint Bauzel and Marie Darcq on the tax aspects.

CAS, based in Aosta (Italy), is a 70% subsidiary of Walsin Lihwa Corporation (Walsin) from Taiwan. The strategic acquisition strengthens CAS' position in Europe as a single-source provider of stainless steel and nickel alloy solutions and reinforces Walsin's strategy to expand into high-value, fast-growing market segments. The transaction is subject to the approval of the relevant regulatory authorities.

The ADVANT law firms advised Cogne Acciai Speciali under the leadership of Italian partner Vittorio Noseda comprehensively across multiple jurisdictions and locations. ADVANT Beiten, led by partners Dr Christian von Wistinghausen, Dr Marion Frotscher and Tassilo Klesen, advised on all matters of German law.

CAS is an international group of companies and has production facilities on three continents as well as sales offices in all economically important regions of the world. CAS processes austenites, martensites, ferrites, duplex and duplex materials through to nickel-based alloys for the automotive industry, the energy industry, in particular the oil and gas industry, medical technology, the food industry, chemical and plant engineering and general mechanical engi-neering.

MST joined Salzgitter AG in 2000 together with Mannesmannröhren-Werke. The MST company and its subsidiaries have around 1,000 employees world-wide, 260 of whom work at the two German sites in Remscheid and Mülheim in North Rhine-Westphalia. There are further sites in France, Italy and the USA. MST supplies leading global companies in the energy, aerospace, chemical, petrochemical and other markets that require pipe solutions that can withstand extreme pressure and temperature conditions.

CAS offers MST and the employees in the new organisation an outstanding entrepreneurial future. MST will benefit directly from the material supplies from CAS and will therefore be even better equipped to face the competition. At the same time, CAS will be able to utilize its melting capacities and expand its product portfolio along the value chain. The inclusion of MST in the Walsin/CAS family completes the strategy of forming a vertically integrated steel company.

The CAS parent company Walsin was founded in 1966 and has been listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange since 1972. Walsin is an industrial conglomerate operating in the wire and cable, stainless steel and renewable energy sectors. With more than 40 production and sales locations in China, Europe, Southeast Asia and the USA, Walsin products are used in the aerospace, oil and gas, new energy, automotive, industrial and consumer goods industries. Walsin's headquarters are located in Taipei, Taiwan.

Advisor Cogne Acciai Speciali:
 

ADVANT Nctm: Vittorio Noseda (lead partner in charge), Lucilla Casati, Martina da Re (all Corporate/M&A), Francesco Mazzocchi (Antitrust department).

ADVANT Beiten: Dr Christian von Wistinghausen, Tassilo Klesen (both lead partners in charge), Christian Burmeister, Lelu Li, Olga Prokopyeva, Dr Eva Kreibohm, Damien Heinrich (all Corporate/M&A), Danah El-Ismail (Real Estate), Dr Marion Frotscher, Simon Bauer (both Tax), Christian Frederik Döpke, Mathias Zimmer-Goertz (both IP/IT/Media), Michael Riedel (Labour Law), Katrin Lüdtke (Public Law).

ADVANT Altana: Bruno Nogueiro (lead partner in charge), Arthur Boutemy, Théodore Sabot (all Corporate/M&A).

Public Relations ADVANT Beiten
 

Frauke Reuther
 

Manager Kommunikation
 

ADVANT Beiten
 

+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
 

frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com

The acquisition will enable Cegid to strengthen its cash management offering by providing a complete software suite for finance departments ranging from SMEs to large corporates.

Advant Altana advised Cegid on the corporate M&A aspects of this acquisition with a team led by Bruno Nogueiro (partner), Arthur Boutemy (counsel) and Olivier Carmès (associate).

Advant Altana also advised Cegid on the legal audit with a multidisciplinary team comprising Mickael d'Allende (partner), Dany Luu (associate) in employment law, Jean-Guy de Ruffray (partner), Clémence Aladjidi (associate) in IP/IT, Marie Hindré (partner), Delphine Laget (associate) in contracts/distribution and finally Philippe de Saint Bauzel (partner) and Marie Darcq (associate) in tax law.

ADVANT, backed by an integrated group of professionals specialising in patent litigation in France, Germany and Italy, has formed an international team dedicated to UPC litigation. ADVANT's Italian team is ready for the launch of the Unified Patent Court (UPC), which will open a branch office also in Milan, after Munich and Paris.

The Unified Patent Court, a new European system with its own rules and operating predominantly in English, will make decisions on patent infringement and patent revocation actions, which will extend to most European economies.