Dr. Michael Bernhardt

Primary Focus & Experience

Michael Bernhardt provides broad practice in corporate/M&A including private equity. Michael represents national and international corporations and sponsors on investments and cross-border transactions and advises regularly on private equity transactions including public-to-privates, LBOs and MBOs.

Recent Project Samples

• ECM-Fund GEP IV on the sale of its majority shareholding in MediFox to HgCapital.
• Bavaria Industries Group AG on the sale of TriStone Flowtec to Zhongding Group.
• Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG) together with DBAG Fund VI on the acquisition of a majority stake in FRIMO Group.
• ECM Equity Capital Management GmbH (ECM) on the acquisition of Wieners + Wieners GmbH.
• capiton AG on acquisition of the Hamm Reno Group.
• Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG) on acquiring a majority share in the Telio group from the previous owners in a management buyout.
• Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG) on the acquisition of Silbitz Group, a group of three foundries in Germany and Slovakia.
• 3i on the acquisition of Weener Plastic Packaging Group (WPPG).
• PATRIZIA Alternative Investments GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PATRIZIA Immobilien AG, on the acquisition of LBBW Immobilien GmbH as well as on the acquisition of GBW AG from BayernLB.
• Deb Group, a portfolio company owned by private equity company Charterhouse, on the acquisition of the global skincare business from Evonik Industries.
• ECM Equity Capital Management (ECM), on the sale of its interest in Kamps GmbH to French Groupe LE DUFF.

Recognition & Accomplishments

Current rankings in directories as JUVE, Chambers, Legal 500 and Best Lawyers recognize Michael Bernhardt as top lawyer for Private Equity.

Prior to joining Milbank, he was a partner in the Corporate/M&A practice with another leading international law firm in Frankfurt. He is admitted to the German bar and speaks German and English.