Hengeler Mueller announces five new partner and three counsel promotions

Hengeler Mueller is delighted to announce that Pascal Brandt (ECM/ Banking & Finance, Frankfurt), Benedikt Hoegen (M&A, Munich), Nicolas Kutscher (Restructuring/M&A, Berlin), Friedrich Steinert (White Collar, Düsseldorf) and Gerrit Tönningsen (Regulatory, Frankfurt) have been promoted to partner with effect from 1 January 2026. At the same time, Sebastian Bauer (M&A, Berlin), Lea Sophie Grohmann (Corporate, Frankfurt) and Moritz Müller-Leibenger (Restructuring, Berlin) will become counsel at Hengeler Mueller.

Thomas Müller and Bernd Wirbel, Co-Managing Partners of Hengeler Mueller, said:

"We congratulate all new partners and counsel and look forward to continuing our work together successfully. This is further evidence of our outstanding young talent in all practice areas which are important both to us and to our clients. We are convinced that our new partners and counsel will make an important contribution to the further successful development of Hengeler Mueller."

Pascal Brandt has a broad practice focusing on capital markets, capital raises, private placements, as well as equity linked instruments, bonds and repurchase programs. He also advises clients across the full range of lending with a particular emphasis on acquisition finance.

Benedikt Hoegen focuses on national and international M&A transactions. He advises corporates, private equity funds and other financial sponsors. His practice includes auction processes (sell and buy side), carve-outs, minority investments and co-investments.

Nicolas Kutscher advises clients on restructurings and M&A transactions. He focuses on distressed M&A transactions as well as corporate and insolvency law related matters in situations of financial distress.

Friedrich Steinert advises German and foreign companies as well as their officers in all areas of white-collar criminal law and administrative offenses. He also supports clients conducting internal investigations and he advises on compliance issues.

Gerrit Tönningsen advises banks and other financial institutions, insurers and asset managers on matters of strategic importance, especially in relation to (cross-border) M&A transactions, restructurings as well as regulatory enforcement.

Sebastian Bauer advises national and international investors and companies in M&A projects and joint ventures, specialising in real estate law including portfolio transactions, large single and special real estate assets as well as various asset classes. This also includes ongoing advice on all real estate law matters.

Lea Sophie Grohmann advises corporate clients and investors in corporate and capital markets matters as well as M&A transactions. Her particular focus is on the preparation of shareholders' meetings, matters relating to corporate governance, compliance and directors' liabilities issues, as well as advising family businesses.

Moritz Müller-Leibenger advises companies, banks and financial investors on M&A and financing transactions, particularly in situations of financial distress. His work includes restructurings and insolvency law matters as well as financial restructurings, mostly pertaining to the real estate sector.