About
Lars practises in the area of restructuring and insolvency. He founded the firm’s German restructuring and insolvency practice and has been its leader ever since. He has consistently been recognised as one of the few leading practitioners in the market.
Lars advises groups on their financial restructurings, often in complex situations (for example where the client is a listed entity and/or has a multi-layered financing structure). He also often acts for fulcrum creditors on innovative restructurings of their borrowers. In doing so, Lars has been involved in most of the milestone transactions that have shaped the German market.
He speaks German, English and French.
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- The Meyer/Neptun shipyard group on its financial restructuring and the simultaneous entry of the German federal government and the state of Lower Saxony as shareholders;
- Tele Columbus on its financial restructuring as part of an amend and extend transaction;
- The RCF and bilateral lenders of German wire and cable manufacturer Leoni, a major supplier to the international automotive industry, on its financial restructuring under the StaRUG;
- The automotive supplier WKW on its financial restructuring, including the negotiation of agreements with its customers and corporate law measures to change the group structure until insolvency;
- The trustee of drive shaft and joint manufacturer IFA on the sale of the company during its operational and financial restructuring;
- The leading German engine manufacturer Deutz on the refinancing and acquisition of the business operations of Neue Halberg-Guss, a major supplier to the automotive industry;
- The successful bidder for the business of the insolvent wind energy group Senvion;
- The automotive supplier TAKATA on its cross-border financial restructuring;
- The largest creditor of online travel portal operator Unister in its insolvency, including membership in creditor committees of various group companies; and
- The international airline Air Berlin in connection with the initiation and implementation of insolvency proceedings, including the temporary continuation of flight operations.
"The best lawyer in this area"
— Chambers Europe 2016
Dr. Lars Westpfahl
Partner
Hamburg Office
Hohe Bleichen 7
Hamburg 20354