A&O Shearman‘s insurance practice leads on complex transactional and regulatory matters for global and German health and life insurance platforms, as well as private equity investors and asset managers. The firm levies experience in corporate and M&A law, insurance regulations, tax compliance, and employment and pensions law to provide comprehensive support to insurance clients. Practice head Jan Schröder focuses on insurance and corporate law to act for insurance clients including reinsurers, insurtechs, and pension scheme operators. Achim Schmid assists on general insurance contract law and regulatory matters, and Saber Baratzadeh and Robin Petschenka are also prominent names for major transactions.
Advice to insurers in Germany
A&O Shearman
Praxisleiter:
Jan Schröder
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Achim Schmid; Saber Baratzadeh; Robin Petschenka
Referenzen
‘The team is professionally outstanding with regard to insurance and privacy law. The legal knowledge is second to none. The service is fast and straight to the point.’
‚Achim Schmid is a legend with respect to insurance contract, insurance supervisory and ESG law.‘
‚What makes this practice unique is the combination of exceptional legal expertise with a proactive and solution-oriented approach. The team is highly knowledgeable and demonstrates deep understanding of both the legal landscape and the commercial implications of their advice. They anticipate challenges before they arise and offer practical, forward-thinking solutions that are tailored to our needs.‘
‚Long-standing and proven expertise across legal practices. Strong ability to master new legal challenges and develop solid and sustainable solutions.‘
‚Unparalleled transactional, corporate law and regulatory know-how and unparalleled ability to deliver the whole firm across practice areas through one partner and team.‘
Kernmandanten
Allianz Group
Canada Life Group
Deutsche BetriebsRenten Holding
FM Global
Frankfurter Leben Group
Markel Insurance Group
Munich Re
PG3 Funds
Summitas
VdW Pensionfonds AG
Zürich Group
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Swiss Life AG in connection with the transfer of its entire German insurance business to the newly established and licensed group company Swiss Life Lebensversicherung SE.
- Advised Summitas and its shareholders, Bain Capital Insurance and Canada Life, on the acquisition of BVUK Group.
- Advised the lenders in connection with the €3.5bn acquisition of Viridium Group by a consortium comprising Allianz, BlackRock, T&D Holdings, Hannover RE and Generali Financial Holding from Cinven.
Clyde & Co LLP
At the cutting edge of the insurance legal market, Clyde & Co LLP advises specialist insurers and brokers, reinsurers, and insurtechs on transaction preparation, including portfolio acquisitions, share sales, and EU market entries. With a strong regulatory practice, the firm also acts on the development of internal framework agreements, subsidiary establishment, and on general insurance distribution legal questions. Eva-Maria Barbosa has experience in general corporate law, which she applies to insurer insolvencies and underwriting transactions. Andreas Börner leads on a range of insurance transactions often at a global scale, and Adriaan Louw, promoted to counsel in May 2025, is an emergent name in the regulatory field.
Praxisleiter:
Eva-Maria Barbosa
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Andreas Börner; Adriaan Louw; Henning Schaloske
Referenzen
‚The practice is distinguished by its accessibility, responsiveness, comprehensive feedback, and flexibility. The firm is highly approachable, provides timely responses, and prioritises urgent matters without compromising quality.‘
‘Expertise in coverage advice and disputes is excellent.’
‘I truly appreciate the team’s deep expertise, excellent availability, and the collaborative, respectful way they work. The communication is smooth, the advice is always pragmatic, and the people are not only professional but genuinely pleasant to work with.’
Kernmandanten
Ecclesia Group
Novis
W&W Group
Zurich
R+V
AXA
Howden
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Ecclesia Group on its acquisition of Assona from Wefox and its strategic partnership with Specialist Risk Group.
- Represented Novis in the preliminary ruling proceedings before the European Court of Justice on the interpretation of the Solvency II Directive.
- Advised Zurich Insurance Group on its $600m acquisition of AIG’s global personal travel business.
Hogan Lovells International LLP
Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s broad insurance advisory practice synthesises expertise in corporate insurance law, tax, and employment law to provide ongoing counsel to insurance funds and groups on operational issues, as well as regulatory advice on high-value mergers and sales of insurance brokers and pension portfolios. Practice head Christoph Küppers is qualified as an accountant, tax advisor, and lawyer, and integrates his experience to lead on insurance group restructurings, tax compliance questions, and product development. Birgit Reese brings M&A experience to corporate insurance matters, and Coco Mercedes Tremurici advises on general regulatory and tax matters.
Praxisleiter:
Christoph Küppers
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Birgit Reese; Coco Mercedes Tremurici; Lars Mohnke
Referenzen
‚Strong client orientation, with a good balance between collaboration and advisory mode. Always up to date and proactive regarding the relevant jurisdiction. Very creative in finding solutions that still fits to the law and solving operational problems.‘
‚We rely on their profound legal knowledge, especially in respect to particular insurance topics such as collective bargaining regimes, typical restructuring processes and more.‘
‚Working with Lars Mohnke and his team grants in-depth legal analysis, including adjacent or resulting legal topics. They never let us down, with sound advice and creative solution-oriented proposals.‘
‚We used HL Germany for German regulatory advice in the reinsurance space. They were very experienced and had good market knowledge, as well good insights into the regulatory space We instructed Christoph Küppers, who impressed us with his responsiveness, insights into the regulatory space and easy-to-talk-to manner. We used him for regulatory advice in relation to cross-border reinsurance and he had good industry knowledge and a commercial approach to his answers.‘
‚Deep and true business knowledge throughout various jurisdictions, very well connected in terms of top-tier insurance players. Up-to-date knowledge of the regulatory environment while understanding the needs of the insurers.‘
‚Birgit Reese has an easy-going attitude. Always available and accessible even during busy times of a transaction. Very client-centric.‘
‚They have a outstanding deep and broad expertise in the insurance business as well as in M&A transactions. The service is superb and always extremely flexible and they’re responsive at any time.‘
‚Superb service, and they always have a new idea, especially Birgit Reese. Adding value was also their very special expertise in AI tools they shared with us.‘
Kernmandanten
AXA
C.V. Starr
Försäkringsaktiebolaget Agria
General Reinsurance
Generali
Hannover Rück
HDI Deutschland
Newline Europe Versicherung
NÜRNBERGER Versicherung
Provinzial
Talanx
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Hannover Rück in relation to the sale of Cinven’s stake in Viridium Group to a consortium led by Allianz for €3.5bn.
- Advised HDI on the sale of FVB to Yellow Hive.
- Advised the Provinzial Group on the merger of Provinzial NordWest Lebensversicherung AG and Provinzial Rheinland Lebensversicherung AG.
Dentons
Dentons’ insurance advisory practice is cross-border and multidisciplinary in scope, bringing corporate, tax, and employment law specialist to insurance law transactions and regulatory cases. The digitalisation of insurance services has also been a recent growth area. With a background in acting for financial institutions on regulatory questions, Kai Goretzky leads the team and advises on insurance contract and European supervisory law questions for large group insurers, insurtechs, and cyber insurers. Other leading individuals include Michael Graf and Andreas Berberich, who advise on tax compliance and risk matters.
Praxisleiter:
Kai Goretzky
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Michael Graf; Andreas Berberich
Referenzen
‘Very responsive. I trust Dentons to look after my best interests.’
‘Andreas Berberich is our go-to advisor in Germany. He is a fantastic advisor who has supported our business since the early days together. We really value him. He is a credit to the business.’
‚What truly makes this practice unique is the team itself. In particular, working with Kai Goretzky is an outstanding experience – he is highly supportive, collaborative, and a real pleasure to work with. Behind him stands a team that is exceptionally precise and specialised, which gives clients confidence that matters are handled with the highest level of professionalism.‘
Kernmandanten
FC St. Pauli
Deutsche Vermögensberatung
AIG
BARMER Ersatzkasse
Ambridge GmbH & Co KG
Baloise Vie
CherryHUB
COGITANDA
Zero Insurance
Gothaer Finanzholding AG
Nissan Insurance International Ltd.
Prisma Life
Z3 Communication
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised FC St. Pauli on the framework of an innovative financing method and the preparation of a voluntary information document in connection with the establishment of a cooperative, comparable to an FCSP eG and a mutual insurance association.
- Provided comprehensive legal advice to BARMER Ersatzkasse on the company’s withdrawal from gkv Informatik.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper thrives in the insurance regulatory space, with instructions spanning insurance product launches, internal restructurings, and contribution model design. Recent work has included advising internationals insurtechs on European market entry, and the practice group often directly collaborates with BaFin on such matters. Gunne Bähr is instructed by D&O and professional indemnity insurers, brokers, and holding groups on regulatory questions, with a particular niche in policy wording matters, while Volker Lemmer specialises in intra-group restructuring matters. Christian Freiherr von Buddenbrock joined the firm from ADVANT Beiten, and brings experience in employment and pensions law to insurance matters.
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Gunne Bähr; Volker Lemmer; Christian Freiherr von Buddenbrock; Christian Schneider
Referenzen
‚DLA Piper’s insurance advisory team has a vast overview of the insurance industry, a longstanding and good relationship with BaFin and in-depth knowledge of insurance supervisory law.‘
‚Strong knowledge in insurance law as well as in corporate insolvency law. Client focused, but also keeping an eye on the best economic solution.‘
‚Volker Lemmer is a rising star with full commitment and devotion to his clients, as well as highest academic expertise in insurance supervisory law. Gunne Bähr, long-time partner and renowned specialist in insurance supervisory law, can rely on a wealth of experience and connections in this area of law and the insurance sector.‘
Kernmandanten
ELEMENT Insurance AG
Prudential
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised a US insurance group on the intended purchase of shares in the Viridium Group, including the parameters of the share deal and the regulatory implications of shareholder status.
- Supported a growing technology-driven insurance provider in entering the German and broader European markets for cyber insurance.
- Advised a pension institution affiliated with a major financial group on the legal aspects of transferring a large pension portfolio to a new provider by 2027.
Hengeler Mueller
Hengeler Mueller‘s work for German and international insurance companies includes ongoing advice on corporate, regulatory and competition law questions, advice in administrative proceedings with the industry regulator, and co-operation with strategic investors in share acquisition and portfolio transfers and sales. Carl-Philipp Eberlein is highly regarded for his work in insurance regulatory law and in asset management, and leads on transactions, internal compliance, and contentious proceedings. The practice is also highly integrated with other practice areas, spanning corporate law, banking and financial regulations, and capital markets law. Other prominent names on insurance matters are tax specialists Markus Ernst and Hartwin Bungert, who handles corporate matters.
Praxisleiter:
Carl-Phillip Eberlein
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Markus Ernst; Hartwin Bungert
Taylor Wessing
Taylor Wessing thrives in the areas of insurance distribution and reinsurance contract law, and is regularly instructed on establishing and governing the regulatory aspects of co-operation agreements between major insurers, insurance brokers, and financial institutions. In addition to this, the firm has a growing practice in IT regulatory advice for insurers concerning contracts and compliance, and also leads in a range of portfolio acquisitions and sales. Practice leader Gunbritt Kammerer-Galahn‘s regulatory expertise covers matters concerning reinsurers and run-off D&O, and W&I insurers, and she is assisted by Leonard Raphael on complex regulatory and legal instructions. Rudi Hasenberg brings experience in tax law to insurance transactions.
Praxisleiter:
Gunbritt Kammerer-Galahn
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Leonard Raphael; Rudi Hasenberg
Referenzen
‚Strong team with excellent knowledge of German insurance practices.‘
‚Gunbritt Kammerer-Galahn’s support was incredibly valuable during the project, and she was always reachable.‘
Kernmandanten
ING-DiBa AG
ERGO Group AG
AXA Versicherung AG
AXA Liabilities Managers Paris/Schweiz
Provinzial Versicherung AG
CHUBB European Group SE
Crédit Agricole Assurances SA
Europ Assistance S.A.
Partner Re Europe SE
MSIG Insurance Europe AG
Proxalto Lebensversicherung AG
Kommunaler Schadenausgleich
BEW Berliner Energie und Wärme GmbH
Highlight-Mandate
- Provided regulatory advice on the negotiation of a new insurance distribution cooperation between ING-DiBa and Allianz.
BACH LANGHEID DALLMAYR
Insurance portfolio holders, European insurance groups and financial investors instruct BACH LANGHEID DALLMAYR on matters pertaining to insurance supervision, distribution and contract law, also seeking the firm out for advice on competition, data protection and IT questions. Recent transactional instructions have included advice on market entry, the sale of pension portfolios and the mergers between insurers. Joachim Grote supports restructuring projects and insurance product development alongside advising on corporate matters, and Martin Schaaf is valued by clients in the life insurance sector. Dominik Schäfers was promoted to partner in 2025, and focuses his practice on insurance coverage and liability.
Praxisleiter:
Joachim Grote
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Martin Schaaf; Dominik Schäfer
Referenzen
‚Huge experience in the field of insurance and insurance supervisory law. Broad and fundamental knowledge, including market developments. Always up to date on case law and upcoming legal changes.‘
‚Joachim Grote and Martin Schaaf are outstanding in their field of business experience, always approachable and very reliable.‘
Kernmandanten
AIG
Allianz
Aspen
AXA
BarmeniaGothaer
CNP
ERGO
Generali
HDI
R+V
Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance employs both multidisciplinary expertise and the firm’s global strengths to lead on some of the most prominent insurance transactions on the German market. The practice provides comprehensive advice covering share sales, mergers of equals, and post-transactional disputes for a client roster including health insurers, pension funds, reinsurance investors and lenders in finance. Regulatory capabilities include audits and risk assessment and ESG due diligence. With a broad range of disciplines in the team, leading individuals include corporate law specialist Thomas Krecek, Holger Lutz, who focuses on IT and data regulations, and Thomas Voland an expert in public law and ESG issues.
Praxisleiter:
Thomas Krecek
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Holger Lutz; Thomas Voland
Referenzen
‘The Clifford Chance team stands out for its exceptional work ethic and unwavering deal dedication. Particularly impressive is their ability to interlink key legal topics precisely and to consistently deliver first-class legal solutions for complex matters.’
‚Working with Thomas Krecek is fundamentally different from working with lawyers at other firms. He operates as a first-class strategic advisor – sharp, deal-focused, and always solution-oriented. His relentless commitment to outstanding quality of all transaction deliverables sets him apart.’
Kernmandanten
B&C Group
Helvetia Holding
Pensionskasse Deguss VVaG
Admiral Group
Domestic/General
SwissRe
Eurozyto GmbH
MunichRe
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Helvetia Holding AG on its merger of equals with Baloise Holding AG.
- Helped Eurozyto GmbH to a key win in proceedings concerning CareSolution, a medical information service supported by more than 40 health insurers.
CMS
With an international scope, CMS advises domestic and foreign insurers and brokers on an array of regulatory concerns covering operational expansion, adoption of German laws and regulations concerning product distribution, and the review of internal regulatory processes and programmes. Recent instructions have included the establishment and operation of online insurance platforms and the expansion of cybersecurity insurers into Germany. Credit insurance advice is a further area in which the practice excels. Winfried Schnepp has experience across all areas of insurance law, with a particular strength concerning D&O liabilities, and Thomas Maur leads on insurance product development and distribution matters.
Praxisleiter:
Winfried Schnepp
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Thomas Maur
Referenzen
‚Large team with experts in all various legal fields.‘
‚Thomas Maur is an outstanding attorney with incredible expertise in insurance law and regulatory law. He has guided our company during challenging times and we cannot imagine working with another lawyer but him.‘
Kernmandanten
Greensill Bank
MunichRe
AXA Partners S.A.S. Zweigniederlassung Deutschland
Albatros Versicherungsdienste GmbH
Delvag Versicherungs-AG
Allianz-Gruppe
Delvag Versicherungs-AG
ZURICH Gruppe Deutschland
Erwin Himmelseher Assekuranz-Vermittlung GmbH & Co. KG
HDI Versicherung AG
HUK-Coburg
Inter Partner Assistance S.A.
Lemonade NV, BV and Inc.
Lombard International Assurance S.A.
MSIG Insurance Europe AG
Octium Life DAC
Porsche AG
Intec AG
Lloyd’s syndicates via Lloyd’s Insurance Company S.A.
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised the insolvent Greensill Bank on matters of credit insurance law and issues regarding D&O insurance coverage.
- Advised Munich Re as a member of its global panel.
Noerr
Particular areas of focus for Noerr‘s insurance practice include supervisory and distribution law advice, the internal implementation of IT and data protection regulations and the sales of specialist insurance funds and underwriters alongside general advice on insurance M&A. Advising shareholders on developments in insurance regulation is also a strength of the group. Practice leader Thomas Heitzer leverage experience in financial service regulation to advise on general corporate concerns for insurers and reinsurers, as well as to act on risk analysis and internal business compliance matters. Ellen Seib assists on insurance regulations in the context of transactions.
Praxisleiter:
Thomas Heitzer
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Ellen Seib; Florian Becker; Michael Brellochs
Referenzen
‚We appreciated their integrated approach, expressed through teams of valuable professionals, from pure corporate M&A practice, to regulatory, investment funds and competition and tax. They have pragmatic solutions and, with respect to international firms, tailor-made approaches to clients.‘
‚Florian Becker and Michael Brellochs have confirmed their high capability to navigate clients in tricky discussions, dealing with complex structures and very sophisticated stakeholders with high agility.‘
Kernmandanten
Generali
Wefox
Debeka
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised the Generali Group, as part of a consortium, on the acquisition of the Viridium Group.
- Advised wefox on the sale of its subsidiary, assona GmbH, to the Ecclesia Group.
- Advised an insurance group on the implementation of a digital health app.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright‘s insurance practice has both regulatory and transactional capabilities for clients spanning large insurers, specialist brokers, underwriters and intermediaries. Regulatory strengths include advise on corporate re-organisation, investment strategy planning and general advice on insurance distribution and contract law. Transactional counsel covers market entry authorisation and a range of cross-border insurance M&A, insolvencies and liquidations, particularly in life insurance. With a depth of cross-sector experience from across the firm, the practice is headed by Anne Fischer, highly experienced in corporate and regulatory developments in insurance.
Praxisleiter:
Anne Fischer
Referenzen
‘Deep knowledge and understanding of insurance industry.’
‘Anne Fischer has excellent knowledge and is both very proactive and reactive. She is fair and transparent, looking for the best option for her clients.’
‚The Norton Rose insurance team has been instrumental in supporting our pan-European market expansion with deep expertise in regulatory, contractual and compliance matters. What sets them apart is not only their outstanding knowledge of insurance law, but also their ability to apply it pragmatically in fast-moving, high-growth business environments.‘
Kernmandanten
AIG
Allianz
Ambridge
Barmenia
BalRe Technologies
Cardif
Element Insurance AG
ERGO
Europ Assistance Holding
Euclid
Gen Digital
HanseMerkur
Howden Group
HUK-COBURG
GenDigital Inc.
PIB Group Limited
Markel
Moinsure GmbH
Munich Re
Swiss Life
Viridium
Zurich Gruppe
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Element Insurance AG in connection with its failure to meet solvency ratios, a notification of over-indebtedness and on provisional insolvency proceedings.
- Advised PIB Group Limited on the acquisition of contego from its founder, Jan Fries.
- Provided regulatory advice to Swiss Life AG on licensing requirements in the reinsurance sector in over 40 jurisdictions.
Oppenhoff
Oppenhoff‘s insurance sector expertise spans both transactions in the sector and regulatory challenges across a variety of coverage lines, including warranty and indemnity policies. Practice head Anna-Catharina von Girsewald oversees M&A in the insurance sector, handling deals within Germany and those spanning multiple jurisdictions, and is also able to advise on insurance supervisory law. Providing further transactional expertise is Thomas Wismann, whose practice also spans restructurings, questions of governance and regulatory compliance.
Praxisleiter:
Anna-Catharina von Girsewald
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Thomas Wismann
Referenzen
‘Outstanding industry knowledge. Very well connected in Germany. Great lawyers.’
Kernmandanten
AnaCap Financial Partners
Brown & Brown, Inc.
CFC Underwriting
Liberty Global Transaction Solutions
MRH Trowe Holding Gruppe
PKV Private Health Insurance Association e.V.
RiskPoint
Solaris SE
VALE Insurance Partners
Zürich Beteiligungs-Aktiengesellschaft
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising CVC on the bidding process for the planned acquisition of the Viridium Group, alongside Kirkland & Ellis.
- Provided advice to a global insurance group on the cybersecurity requirements under DORA, and their implementation within the group.
GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB
GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB advises insurance joint ventures on company takeovers, the acquisition of industrial and commercial insurance brokers and shares in portfolios. The services of the firm are also consulted by global insurance groups on internal data protection and digitalisation projects. The firm’s leading individuals are experienced in corporate law and M&A matters: Roland Hoffmann-Theinert and Jochen Lehmann are the key contacts here.
Praxisleiter:
Jochen Lehmann; Roland Hoffman-Theinert
Kernmandanten
HUK-COBURG
Summitas Gruppe GmbH
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised HUK-COBURG on its acquisition of a majority stake in pitstop workshop.
- Advised the Summitas Group on the acquisition of David Versicherungskontor GmbH & Co. KG.
Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH
With a background in the capital markets and banking and finance sectors, Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH covers product development and distribution, asset management and restructuring, contract negotiation, transactional due diligence, and general insurance law advice. Alexander Mönnig assists on transactions, Rolf Kobabe leads on banking law matters, and Marco Arteaga is experienced in pensions and employment law.
Praxisleiter:
Alexander Mönnig; Rolf Kobabe
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Marco Artegea
Kernmandanten
Assurant
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Cybersicherheit (DGC) AG
HanseMerkur Trust AG
Henkel KG Generalagentur
SV Sparkassenversicherung Holding Aktiengesellschaft
Verwaltungs-Berufsgenossenschaft (VBG) gesetzliche Unfallversicherung
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised Deutsche Gesellschaft für Cybersicherheit (DGC) AG on acquiring Cyberversicherer COGITANDA out of insolvency through an asset deal.
- Advised HanseMerkur Trust AG on corporate, tax, employment, and regulatory matters related to the restructuring of distribution for German and Luxembourg investment assets through a newly established distribution company for asset management firms within a large insurance group.
- Advised Henkel KG Generalagentur on the acquisition of 100% of the shares in inviniti AG.