Dr. Kamyar Abrar

Willkie advised Mutares SE & Co. KGaA on its acquisition of the Engineering Thermoplastics Business in the Americas and Europe from SABIC for an enterprise value of $450 million. The Engineering Thermoplastics Business operates a broad international platform with approximately 2,900 full-time employees and eight producing facilities across the Americas and Europe. It is the world’s second-largest producer of polycarbonates, the leading producer of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene in the United States, and the sole producer of polybutylene terephthalate in the United States. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary approvals. Mutares, headquartered in Munich, is a listed private equity holding company focused on special situations. The Willkie team was led by partners Dr. Kamyar Abrar, Georg Linde, Dr. Florian Dendl, Esther Chang, Ryan Giggs and Simon Weiss.

Jan 12

1 min

Weil Gotshal & Manges is on a rehiring spree, reclaiming three returnee partners in a week—the latest a Gibson Dunn & Crutcher tax partner in Germany. Benjamin Rapp is rejoining Weil as head of the German tax practice, with the announcement coming just one week after private equity partner Kamyar Abrar returned to Weil after a stint as Germany co-managing partner at Willkie, Farr & Gallagher. Weil has welcomed back 19 partners globally since 2023, with others including private equity partner Peng Yu in China, who had joined Kirkland & Ellis. Rapp is familiar with Weil’s clients, culture, and strategic positioning, Weil said in a statement. “His return, after roughly two years, is a strong sign of loyalty and shows how attractive the firm is as a platform for sophisticated tax law and transaction-related advice.” "He remained closely connected to us personally even after his departure," said German tax partner Tobias Geerling. Weil has a profit per equity partner of about $5.4 million on average, according to AmLaw’s Global 200 rankings, compared to Gibson Dunn’s PEP of roughly $7.2 million. Gibson Dunn has been on maneuvers for lateral hires in the Germany-Austria-Switzerland (DACH) region, hiring a former Kirkland & Ellis restructuring partner in Germany last week and opening an office in Zurich in September. Gibson Dunn and Weil have been contacted for comment.

Feb 17

1 min

Willkie advised Blackstone Growth as co-lead investor in a €175 million Series F funding round for Pennylane, a France-based provider of an integrated financial management and accounting platform. Pennylane recently announced that it raised €175 million in a financing round led by TCV and Blackstone Growth that values the company at €3.5 billion. In connection with its investment, Blackstone Growth also acquired shares from existing shareholders of Pennylane. Pennylane’s platform provides a financial operating system that enables business owners and their accountants to work together in a shared workspace. Blackstone Growth is a seasoned growth equity investor focused on investments in companies with proven business models across five sectors: financial services, consumer, enterprise software, healthcare and consumer technology. The Willkie team was led by partner Dr. Kamyar Abrar and included partners Eduardo Fernandez, Hugo Nocerino and Dr. Michael Ilter, counsel Sebastian Brenner, and associate Sylvain Bureau.

Jan 23

1 min

New York, NY, December 16, 2025 -- Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP announced today that M&A and private equity attorney Dr. Sebastian Häfele has joined the Firm as a partner in Germany. He is based in the Firm’s Munich office. Sebastian is a corporate attorney who focuses on all aspects of mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, public takeovers and corporate reorganizations. He has significant experience with German and cross-border M&A projects and has been recognized by leading German legal research guides for his M&A, private equity and corporate practice. Sebastian’s addition continues Willkie’s steady growth strategy in Germany in recent years. This year, the Firm has welcomed lateral partners in Germany in the areas of private equity, antitrust and litigation, and opened a new office in Hamburg, the Firm’s third office in Germany. Kamyar Abrar, Co-Managing Partner of Germany, commented: “Sebastian is a skilled lawyer with a diverse corporate practice spanning numerous industries. His experience and market recognition in M&A and private equity will strengthen our dynamic team in Germany, and we look forward to working with him to further extend our transactional capabilities to clients worldwide.” Sebastian commented: “Willkie has a top-ranked global private equity and transactional platform that is known for its collaborative, client-focused approach and well-established reputation in the German market. I am delighted to join this growing team of exceptional lawyers in Germany.” Sebastian joins Willkie from Kirkland & Ellis. Willkie Germany focuses on a wide range of practices including private equity, mergers and acquisitions, insurance transactions, labor and employment, restructuring, litigation and arbitration, investigations and enforcement, and more. Our lawyers are recognized as leaders in their field, handling complex corporate and commercial transactions and other matters that demand multifaceted legal experience. Willkie’s offices in Germany are located in Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg. ***************************************************** Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provides leading-edge legal solutions on complex, business critical issues spanning markets and industries. Our approximately 1,300 attorneys across 16 offices worldwide deliver innovative, pragmatic and sophisticated legal services across approximately 45 practice areas. Learn more at www.willkie.com.

Dec 16

2 min

New York, NY (July 2, 2025) --- Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP today announced the opening of its office in Hamburg, which will be home to approximately 25 lawyers initially. The opening marks the Firm’s third office in Germany and 16th office worldwide. The office will offer services in restructuring, litigation and private equity at first. Willkie also has offices in Frankfurt and Munich in Germany. Dr. Jörn Kowalewski and Dr. Ulrich Klockenbrink, Co-Chairs of the German Restructuring Group, along with members of the restructuring team, including partners Dr. Hendrik Hauke and Dr. Jan-Philipp Praß, will be based in Hamburg. In addition, partners Prof. Rüdiger Lahme and Prof. Andreas Ruster, market-leading cartel litigation lawyers, will be based there with members of their team, as well as lawyers who focus on corporate transactions. Willkie Chairman Thomas Cerabino said: “As a firm, we have been growing strategically across practices and geographies for the last several years, including in Germany. Opening in Hamburg, home to major corporates including existing Willkie clients, further expands our practice offerings in the region and enables us to better serve clients worldwide.” Georg Linde, Managing Partner of Germany, and Kamyar Abrar, Co-Managing Partner of Germany, commented: “Our platform continues to be among the most dynamic in Europe. We are thrilled to continue this growth and are excited for what is to come.” Willkie has approximately 90 lawyers based in Germany. The Firm has continuously strengthened its transactional practice in the region while also expanding its legal advisory services in the market by introducing a number of new practices, each headed by leading figures in their fields, including capital markets, real estate, litigation, restructuring, employment, financial regulation and compliance. ***************************************************** Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provides leading-edge legal solutions on complex, business critical issues spanning markets and industries. Our more than 1,200 attorneys across 16 offices worldwide deliver innovative, pragmatic and sophisticated legal services across approximately 45 practice areas. Learn more at www.willkie.com.

Jul 2

1 min