Corporate, M&A, Financing

Legal certainty for structure, deal and market

Company transfers, M&A transactions, capital market-oriented issues and measures, and corporate law disputes pose complex challenges for companies, investors, and entrepreneurial families. Which M&A strategies will ensure the long-term success of your company? Our experienced team for corporate law, M&A, venture capital, capital market law, succession consulting and corporate litigation supports companies, shareholders, investors and managing directors in every phase, from strategic planning to implementation.

Through our integrated consulting services, which combine legal, tax and economic expertise, we develop tailor-made solutions for company acquisitions, corporate restructuring and succession planning. Whether it's family succession, sale to investors, or capital market issues, we offer legally compliant and future-oriented strategies that best support your individual goals. Find out how we can implement your corporate goals in a legally compliant and sustainable manner.

Consulting services in detail

Corporate

General corporate law advice

Advice for limited liability companies, public limited companies, KGaA, SE, GmbH & Co. KG and other partnerships
Support with company formations
Advice on corporate restructuring (including conversions, accrual models, squeeze-outs)
Shareholder agreements and pooling agreements
Corporate housekeeping
Support for shareholders' meetings and annual general meetings
Advice on capital measures (e.g. capital increases, capital reductions, convertible bonds)
Group law (in particular intercompany agreements)
Advice on corporate succession and structuring of family businesses

Capital market law and BaFin consulting

Representation of clients in dealings with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in the area of securities trading law
Advice on insider trading prohibitions, ad hoc publicity, insider lists, directors' dealings and voting rights notifications
Support in connection with sanctions and fee notices from BaFin

M&A, private equity, venture capital

M&A and private equity

Company acquisitions: due diligence and acquisition financing
Advising private equity investors, including on add-on acquisitions and exit transactions
Company sales: legal fact books, vendor due diligence reports
W&I insurance: structuring and closing support
Management buy-outs: Advice and management participation programmes
Joint ventures and strategic cooperations
Public takeovers
Public-private partnerships (PPP): Advice on privatisations and public-law transactions
Merger control

Venture capital und start-ups

Advice on start-up financing rounds (equity and debt)
Advice to investors on venture capital financing
Management and employee participation programmes (including virtual programmes)
Advice on exit transactions

Corporate litigation, director and officer liability and D&O insurance

Corporate litigation

Advice on the preparation and implementation of contentious shareholders' meetings and general meetings
Litigation in actions for annulment, declaratory actions and disputes in corporate law
Defence against investor lawsuits

Post-M&A disputes

Contentious proceedings regarding purchase price calculation, including earn-outs
Contentious proceedings regarding breaches of warranty, indemnities, breaches of non-competition clauses, etc.
Claims under W&I insurance policies

Manager liability and D&O insurance

Advising executive boards, managing directors and supervisory boards on liability risks and documentation of business decisions
Compliance advice to minimise liability claims
Investigation of facts and potential liability claims against executive boards, managing directors and supervisory boards
Defence and enforcement of claims for damages against board members
Representation before courts and arbitration tribunals in liability proceedings
Support with D&O insurance, legal analysis and protection of board members
Advice on D&O policies and support in claiming insurance benefits in the event of liability
Optimisation of liability risks through legal advice on manager liability

Your contacts

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Rankings and awards

Handelsblatt / Best Lawyers 2025

ESCHE is among the leading law firms in the Hamburg metropolitan area in the fields of corporate law, M&A and capital markets law.

brand eins 2025

According to brand eins, ESCHE is once again among the best commercial law firms in Germany. Particular mention is made of the corporate law department, among other areas.

JUVE Handbuch 2024/2025

ESCHE once again recognised as a top law firm in northern Germany.

WirtschaftsWoche 2024

WirtschaftsWoche named ESCHE as one of the top law firms in corporate law in 2024. Dr Sebastian Garbe was recognised as a top lawyer.

Handelsblatt / Best Lawyers 2024

Dr. Stephan Bauer, Dr. Sebastian Garbe and Dr. Klaus Kamlah are among the leading experts in their field.

Focus Magazin

According to Focus magazine, ESCHE is one of Germany's top commercial law firms, with particular expertise in corporate law and M&A.

Leaders League

Leaders League names ESCHE as one of the top law firms for mid-cap M&A and Dr Stephan Bauer as a particularly recommended lawyer.

Legal 500

Legal 500 has listed ESCHE in Tier 2 of the recommended commercial law firms in Hamburg.

Our areas of expertise

Tax Consultancy

Auditing Services

Integrated Consulting