Frankfurt am Main, March 1, 2024 – McDermott Will & Emery is expanding its global Energy and Infrastructure sector group and strengthening it with the renowned sector experts Dr. Maximilian Uibeleisen and Dr. Benedikt von Schorlemer. Both are joining as partners in Frankfurt, and several other team members are also making the transition. This move is part of McDermott Will & Emery’s worldwide growth strategy in the fields of energy and infrastructure.

Uibeleisen and von Schorlemer have successfully built up Ashurst’s energy and infrastructure practice in Germany over the past years, advising on numerous national and international transactions and projects. Their clients include a number of well-known infrastructure investors and energy companies.

Maximilian Uibeleisen, who led Ashurst’s German Energy Transition practice, has been assisting companies with transactions and project developments in the energy and infrastructure sector for over 15 years. The practice focuses on renewable energies (offshore/onshore wind, photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal), and the team also advises on various energy transition topics such as green hydrogen, battery storage, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Beyond the energy sector, the team supports companies and investors in other infrastructure sectors, including transportation (motorway PPP projects, rail transport), and has extensive experience in environmental law projects (e.g., chemical parks, tank farms). Maximilian Uibeleisen has been a licensed attorney since 2006 and is a co-author of numerous publications, including a commentary on the Offshore Wind Energy Act. He has been a partner at Ashurst since 2016, following previous roles at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Noerr.

Benedikt von Schorlemer has extensive experience in the fields of M&A and Private Equity. He advises companies and financial investors on national and cross-border M&A transactions, joint ventures, and corporate law matters. Additionally, he provides guidance on management participations. For many years, he has focused on advising clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Furthermore, he has been involved in numerous transactions in the fields of chemistry and medical technology. Benedikt von Schorlemer regularly publishes on topics related to corporate acquisitions and shareholder agreements. He has been practicing as a lawyer since 1998 and was a partner at an American law firm from 2004 until he joined Ashurst as a partner in 2012.

Dr. Jens Ortmanns, Managing Partner at McDermott Will & Emery in Germany, commented on the new additions: ‘The energy transition and infrastructure are key topics for the entire economy. Few other areas present companies with as many challenges as the energy sector. We are delighted to further strengthen our established transaction practice with relevant expertise. Max Uibeleisen and Benedikt von Schorlemer are two top lawyers joining us, perfectly complementing our German and international teams with their transactional experience and industry knowledge.’

‘McDermott has a highly effective Industry Group in the energy sector on a global scale. We look forward to collaborating with our new colleagues in Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, and Munich, supporting clients in exciting national and international projects related to the energy transition,’ explained Maximilian Uibeleisen and Benedikt von Schorlemer upon their entry.

In recent months, McDermott Will & Emery has specifically strengthened its transactional practice with lateral hires and currently has 35 partners and 52 other lawyers specializing in corporate/M&A, private equity and finance at its Frankfurt, Munich and Düsseldorf/Cologne offices. McDermott currently employs a total of 151 professionals in Germany.