Linklaters‘ debt practice is able to assist both new and experienced issuers, in addition to single and consortia of bookrunners, on the structuring and placement of bonds, including green bonds, hybrid securities and convertible notes, among others. The team is adept at assisting with such matters under German and US law, with the practice containing a number of dual-qualified lawyers, including practice head Christian Storck, who advises on the securitisation of assets and other structured products under German and English & Welsh law. Alexander Schlee counts hybrid and high yield bonds amongst his areas of expertise, with Martin Rojahn handling both issuances and liability management transactions. Wolfgang Ettengruber acts for both issuers and banks on the issuance of senior and hybrid bonds. Peter Waltz departed the firm in May 2025.

White & Case LLP is well versed in overseeing both new bond issuances and refinancing existing debt structures, ranging from high yield to sustainable bonds and governed by German, English & Welsh and US law. In addition to its issuer-side work, the practice is also called upon by banks in their role as bookrunners, handling bookbuilding and sale processes. Head of Germany operations Karsten Wöckener is active on both of these fronts, with knowledge of, inter alia, hybrid products and ETFs, and also structured note programmes. Rebecca Emory is the firm’s key contact for high yield issuances, while Felix Biedermann is well versed in sustainable bonds and crypto securities.

Clifford Chance is well placed to advise on the spectrum of debt instruments, including offerings under German and US law, thereunder EMTN programmes, German covered bonds and Rule 144A deals, among others. Alongside its work for corporate issuers in issuing and listing notes, the practice is also able to assist banks in their role as underwriters on the spectrum of bond issuances. Following Sebastian Maerker‘s transition to an of counsel role in May 2025, Cristina Freudenberger joined the group’s leadership team, with expertise in products including Schuldscheine and Pfandbriefe, among others. Continuing to lead the team alongside her is Gregor Evenkamp, a specialist in securities law and structured finance products.

Hengeler Mueller‘s debt capital markets expertise spans both the issuance of new bonds, including EMTN programmes and sustainable bonds, and assisting clients in restructuring their bond programmes, including drawdowns where necessary. Dirk Bliesener is active across the spectrum of debt mandates on both issuer and underwriter-side, with expertise in issuances, the initial structuring of securities and structured products, including Schuldscheine, and related regulatory topics. Alexander Rang is particularly well versed in the issuance of and trading in hybrid instruments, including for clients in the insurance industry.

Latham & Watkins LLP operates a leading high-yield practice, assisting issuers with the structuring and subsequent restructuring of German, English & Welsh and US law-governed non-investment grade bonds across the DACH region. The practice is also adept at setting up corporate and sustainability-linked bonds. Rüdiger Malaun heads the team, acting for sponsors and issuers on the issuance of high-yield bonds and cross-over structures. Alexander Lentz adds expertise in P2P lending as well as liability management transactions, while Jan Penselin is noted for his work on high-yield structures issued in DACH nations.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s capabilities in the bond markets extend to advising both corporate issuers and syndicates of bank underwriters on the issuance of and updates to note and commercial paper programmes, with experience in issuing products in a range of European, Asian and North American currencies. Heading the group is Christoph Enderstein, whose practice covers corporate, covered and EMTN programmes, and Frank Regelin, whose DCM practice includes corporate bond issuances.

Dentons‘ DCM team is frequently engaged by bondholders and creditors in relation to the restructuring of the issuing corporates, overseeing the related aspects of bond and Schuldschein programme restructurings. Head of the German debt capital markets practice Oliver Dreher is well versed in matters tied to both corporate and sovereign bonds, while securitisation and structured finance transactions fall within the domain of Arne Klüwer.

Simmons & Simmons is frequently tasked with overseeing both issuances, including corporate and green bonds, and those structured as Namensschuldverschreibungen and Schuldscheindarlehen. Heading both the practice and the firm’s German operations is Thomas Scharfenberg, whose expertise covers bond issuances, liability management and structured finance transactions. Gabriele Röhl is instructed by both issuers and underwriters in relation to hybrid bonds and commercial paper programmes.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP takes instructions from both issuers and underwriters, assisting with the issuance of investment grade and high yield bonds and their placements into US and European markets. Under the guidance of New York-qualified Krystian Czerniecki, the practice oversees Rule 144A offerings and is adept at handling SEC-registered debt structures. Sophie Moeder is called upon by non-US issuers looking to launch US commercial paper programmes.