Thomas Gierath

Thomas' practice focus is tax advice on domestic and international transactions of all kinds (mainly M&A, private equity, real estate and financing), tax structuring of transactions, domestic and cross-border tax planning for corporates, sponsors and/or investors and general tax planning.

Thomas advises German and international private equity investors on buy-out transactions and minority investments and real estate investors buying or selling real estate portfolios. Part of his advice is the setting up of management incentives structures (such as sweet equity and any type of option plans). He also advises German and global corporates on M&A transactions both on the sell or buy side and on the structuring of domestic and cross-border reorganizations (e.g. mergers, spin offs, carve outs, business or share contributions) and start-up companies and venture capital investors on VC financing rounds at all stages and in relation to exits and restructurings (including US flips). Finally, he is also experienced in the structuring of private equity and real estate funds and on investments into such funds by institutional and private investors.

Thomas' clients include private equity, venture capital, strategic and real estate investors as well as German and global corporate groups.

Thomas is considered as "trusted advisor" by several international corporate clients and real estate funds and has been awarded Best Lawyer in Germany for the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers.

• Advised Cognizant Technology Solutions, one of the world's leading professional companies, on its acquisition of ESG Mobility, a subsidiary of ESG Elektroniksystem - and Logistik - GmbH, a portfolio company held by Armira Private Equity.
• Advised French supplier of industrial gases group Air Liquide S.A. on the sale of Schülke & Mayr GmbH to financial advisor EQT.
• Advised Tyrus Capital  on the structuring and tax advice relating to the mezzanine financing and recapitalization of the development of residential assets in Berlin through a cross border structure.
• Advised Dätwyler on the sale of the Distrelec and Nedis Group to Aurelius.
• Advised Embracer on the acquisition of Deca Live Operations GmbH.

Before joining the Firm, Thomas:

• Advised Deutsche Bank on the structuring and tax implications in connection with strategic disposal of a portfolio of USD 1 billion of shipping loans spread across a diversified pool of maritime sectors and sponsors to Varde and Oak Hill.
• Advised a leading European real estate asset manager on the structuring and tax implications of the acquisition of several commercial real estate properties in Germany (office buildings, shopping center, logistic properties - total value approx. EUR 1 billion.).
• Advised ENGIE Axima on the structuring and tax implications of the acquisition of Noske-Kaeser-Group from insolvency receiver.
• Advised Manufacture Francaise de Pneumatic SCA (Michelin) on the structuring and tax implications of the acquisition of PTG Reifendruckregelsysteme.
• Advised Concord Music in the acquisition of the Sikorski Music Group, a Hamburg based music publishing house specializing in classical music.
• Advised DPK Deutsche Privatkapital on its acquisition of Weibler Confiserie and Argenta Schokoladenfabrik.
• Advised ASC Investment Sarl on acquisition of Canon Business Services Deutschland GmbH.
• Advised Klister LLC on the sale of Minimax Viking Group to Intermediate Capital Group (ICG).
• Advised MIG Funds regarding the sale of Siltectra GmbH to Infineon AG.
• Advised Target Partners regarding several investments into German portfolio companies and exit transactions (e.g. investment into Adjust GmbH and sale of 1-2-3.tv GmbH).
• Advised Michelin Travel Partners SA on an investment into Campanda GmbH (Series C round).
• Advised 3i Group plc on the buy-out of family owned industrial supplier Rasmussen/Norma, various add-on acquisitions during the holding period and the dual
  track exit process run by Rothschild leading to a €386 million initial public offering of NORMA Group AG on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (DACH deal of the year at the 2012 Real Deals PE Awards).
• Advised a leading German bank on a cornerstone investment into two leading private equity funds. 

• Best Lawyer in Germany, Best Lawyers, 2022

• German Bar - Member
• German Tax Bar - Member
• International Fiscal Association - Member