image of Thomas Koenig

Dr Thomas König

Partner

Thomas specializes in corporate law and corporate governance as well as domestic and cross-border M&A ranging from public and private mergers and acquisitions to joint ventures, corporate reorganizations and private equity transactions. He has extensive transactional experience and in-depth expertise in many industries including the automotive, banking, chemicals, healthcare and mechanical engineering sectors.
Thomas regularly represents German and international corporate clients, management and supervisory boards, private equity sponsors and investment banks in M&A transactions and corporate matters.

Thomas is recognized also leading and frequently recommended lawyer for Corporate/M&A by major directories. He draws praise from clients for his expert negotiation skills in M&A transactions. Sources point out that “Thomas König always has the big picture but is also really involved in the detail” and that “he is outstanding, a key contact in every respect” and appreciate his “very goal-oriented approach”

Expertise

Experience

Representative matters

  • Swoctem GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prof. Dr. E.h. Friedhelm Loh, on various matters including the voluntary public takeover offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Klöckner & Co. SE against cash.
  • Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG) on numerous transactions including its acquisition of in-tech GmbH, Cartonplast Group, SERO Schröder Elektronik Rohrbach and Pfaudler Process Solutions as well as on the sale of Spheros and of Pfaudler.
  • Pfaudler GmbH and its parent company GMM Pfaudler Ltd. on various transactions including the acquisition of Mixel SAS, France, of Hydro Air Research, Italy and of Professional Mixing Equipment, Cananda.
  • Allianz on numerous transactions including the sale of its majority stake of Oldenburgische Landesbank to Bremer Kreditbank.
  • International Chemical Investors on a regular basis including in the (contemplated) acquisition of pharmaceutical intermediates businesses from Genzyme, Roche, Novartis/Sandoz and Tessenderlo, of Hospira Boulder from a Pfizer subsidiary and certain European chlorovinyls assets fromINEOS .
  • in-tech GmbH on the acquisition of Ruetz Systems Solutions and of ProIT and on the establishment of Mobility Technology Center (MTC) as joint venture with Ergo, Munich Re and others.
  • Qualtrics’ $1.55 billion carve out IPO from SAP.
  • TELUS International on its acquisition of Competence Call Center Group.
  • American Axle & Manufacturing on the acquisition of the German business of MITEC Automotive AG.
  • Continental on the acquisition of Kathrein Automotive.
  • CITIC Capital on the co-investment with 3i in Formel D.
  • Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse as financial advisor to Bayer in connection with its acquisition of Monsanto.
  • L-GAM in the acquisition of the FAIST ChemTec-Group.
  • Aabar Investments on Aabar’s and Daimler’s acquisition of a 75.1% stake in Brawn GP (today: Mercedes Grand Prix), winner of the 2009 Formula 1 constructors’ and drivers’ championships.
  • Groundbreaking M&A transactions including the merger of Daimler and Chrysler, the acquisition and sale of Dresdner Bank by Allianz, the merger of VEBA/VIAG to become E.ON and the acquisition of Putzmeister Holding by Sany Heavy Industry.

Published Work

König, T (2016) “Private Equity Investments in the Financial Industry – a Regulatory Challenge.” Financial Yearbook Germany

 

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

Corporate Law Association, Prof. Dr. Peter Hommelhoff, University of Heidelberg

Recognition

Thomas König always has the big picture but is also really involved in the detail…He coordinates everything for us and it is good to have him by our side in negotiations.
Chambers Global/Europe, Germany 2022
Very goal-oriented approach… “He is able to take on tough challenges and negotiates very persistently and patiently
JUVE Handbook, 2020/2021

Awards

  • ‘Recognized’ in Legal 500 Germany, 2022
  • Ranked ‘Band 5’ for Chambers and Partners Germany, 2022
  • Listed among the best corporate lawyers in 2019 for WiWo Top-Kanzleien and Handelsblatt

Qualifications

Admissions

Germany, 1991

New York, 1992

Academic

Doctorate (Germany), Jurisprudence, University of Munich, 1989 M.C.J.,

New York University, 1990

Languages

German English
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.