A Brief History

Hengeler Mueller was established in 1990 following the merger of the Düsseldorf law firm Hengeler Kurth Wirtz with the Frankfurt-based law firm Mueller Weitzel Weisner. Both predecessor law firms were already active in providing advice on commercial law issues and were regarded as market leaders in their respective locations.

After the merger, Hengeler Mueller opened further offices in Brussels and Berlin in the 1990s. Later, the office in London was established, followed by the opening of a sixth location in Munich in 2006.

Over the years, we have repeatedly had the privilege of assisting our clients navigate successfully through some of the most challenging and high-stakes legal scenarios:

  • Largest IPO in German history: Hengeler Mueller advises consortium on IPO of Deutsche Telekom AG (1996)
  • Transatlantic merger: Hengeler Mueller advises newly founded DaimlerChrysler AG on the merger of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler (1998)
  • European truck cartel: Hengeler Mueller represents MAN SE in the defence against claims for damages (ongoing since 2011)
  • Integration of Porsche AG into Volkswagen AG: Hengeler Mueller advises Porsche Automobil Holding SE (2012)
  • Diesel issue: Hengeler Mueller advises Robert Bosch GmbH, Porsche SE and Volkswagen AG (starting in 2015)
  • State aid in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic: Hengeler Mueller advises Deutsche Lufthansa AG on obtaining a governmental stabilisation package in a volume of nine billion euros (2020)
  • State aid in connection with Russia's gas supply stop: Hengeler Mueller advises Fortum in connection with the governmental stabilisation package for its German subsidiary Uniper (2022)
  • Financial restructuring in the real estate industry: Hengeler Mueller advises largest group of bondholders on the financial restructuring of Adler Group S.A. (2023)
  • Energy transition in Europe: Hengeler Mueller advises Siemens on the spin-off of Siemens Energy and its subsequent IPO (2020), as well as on securing guarantees amounting to 12 billion euros and a guarantee backed by the German federal government (2023)
  • Landmark deal in the logistics sector: Hengeler Mueller advises Deutsche Bahn AG on the sale of DB Schenker to the Danish transport and logistics group DSV A/S for an enterprise value of 14.3 billion euros (2024)