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Photo, Christian Atzler

Christian Atzler

Partner
Baker McKenzie Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH von Rechtsanwälten und Steuerberatern

Biography

Christian Atzler is a member of the Firm's Global M&A Steering Committee. He is also the co-head of the Corporate/M&A Practice Group in EMEA and Germany. He is listed as a leading lawyer in Chambers Global from 2012 to 2024.

Practice Focus

Christian regularly advises German and international clients on cross-border M&A transactions, corporate matters and joint venture projects. Prior to joining the Frankfurt office of Baker McKenzie in 2009, Christian worked in the Shanghai and Hong Kong offices of Baker McKenzie from 2005 to 2008, and mainly advised international clients on M&A projects, joint ventures, and China foreign direct investment projects.

Representative Legal Matters

  • Advised Owens Corning on the divestiture of its Glass Reinforcements Business for USD 755 million in a competitive auction.
  • Advised UBE Corporation on its acquisition of LANXESS's Urethane Systems business for approx. EUR 500 million in a competitive auction.
  • Advised Accenture in connection with several acquisitions of technology companies in Germany.
  • Advised Global New Material International Holdings Ltd. (HKSE: 6616) on its acquisition of Merck KGaA's global Surface Solutions business with a deal value of approx. EUR 665 million.
  • Advised Sika AG on its remedy divestment of the MBS business to Cinven.
  • Advised ServiceNow on an acquisition of a technology company in Germany.
  • Advised the shareholders of e-commerce platform KP Family International GmbH to Avedon Capital Partners.
  • Advised Chr. Hansen A/S on its acquisition of Jennewein Biotechnologie GmbH.
  • Advised HK-listed Johnson Electric on its acquisition of automotive supplier E. Zimmermann GmbH and Pendix GmbH.
  • Advised Deutsche Beteiligungs AG on its investment in vhf camfacture AG and its divestement of Rheinhold & Mahla.
  • Advised Paccor Packaging GmbH on its acquisition of MikoPac NV and EDV Packaging S.A.
  • Advised the shareholders of Hauck Group on the sale of a majority interest in Hauck Group to, and the formation of a joint venture with, Avedon Capital Partners. 
  • Advised Hillhouse Capital on the acquisition of Gimborn from Czech PE house Penta in a competitive auction.

Professional Honors

  • Corporate/M&A (Foreign Expertise in International Firms) - Expert based abroad, Chambers Global 2012-2024
  • Recommended for M&A, Private Equity and Corporate Law in JUVE 2024
  • IFLR1000, highly regarded for M&A and Private Equity

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Rechtsanwaltskammer Frankfurt - Member

Admissions

  • Germany (2005)

Education

  • State of Rhineland-Palatinate (Second State Exam) (2005)
  • University of Passau (State Exam) (2003)
  • National Taiwan University School of Law (2000)

Languages

  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Mandarin

Previous Offices

  • Hong Kong
  • Shanghai

Publications

  • Co-author, "The 6 Best Ways to Wreck Your Cross-Border Acquisition," Wall Street Journal, March 2024
  • Co-author, "Corona und M&A Transaktionen," NZG 2021, 1281
  • Co-author, "Vis à VIE – Ein Überblick über das Investitionsmodell der Variable Interest Entities," ZChinR 2016, 91
  • Co-author, "Der Entwurf für ein Gesetz der Volksrepublik China für ausländische Investitionen," ZChinR 2015, 252
  • Co-author, "Private M&A: Auktionsverfahren, Due Diligence, Vertragsgestaltung," in Bu, Yuanshi, Chinesischen Outbound-Investitionen in Deutschland, 2014

Geschäftsführer: Dr. Alexander Wolff, Dr. Oliver Socher, Dr. Christian Vocke
Baker McKenzie Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH von Rechtsanwälten und Steuerberatern is registered with the Local Court of Frankfurt/Main (registered seat) HRB 123975. It is associated with Baker & McKenzie International, a Verein organized under the laws of Switzerland.