Wenzel Richter

Overview

Dr Wenzel Richter is recognised as a leading M&A lawyer in Germany, advising financial sponsors, institutional investors and strategic players on complex domestic and cross‑border transactions. He is a partner in Norton Rose Fulbright’s Munich corporate team, where he focuses on M&A, private equity and energy & infrastructure matters, with a pronounced emphasis on transactions connected to the energy transition and renewables. His practice combines transactional finesse with sector knowledge, positioning him to lead deals that intersect project-level risks and broader corporate law considerations. Dr Richter brings a practical, cross‑border perspective to complex acquisitions, restructurings and exits, ensuring seamless execution for clients across Europe.

Professional Background & Credentials

Dr Wenzel Richter read law at the Universities of Bayreuth, Münster and Moscow, and completed his doctorate at Freie Universität Berlin, underlining a strong academic grounding in comparative and international legal issues. He qualified as a Rechtsanwalt (German-qualified lawyer) in 2013 and is a member of the Rechtsanwaltskammer München, practising out of Munich. His multilingual ability in German, English and Russia supports cross-border mandates across Europe and beyond. These credentials underpin a tailored approach to M&A and cross‑border energy transactions, combining legal rigor with commercial sensitivity.

Career Path & Milestones

Dr Wenzel Richter began his professional career in 2013 with Clifford Chance in Munich, where he gained exposure to high‑stakes European deals. He then joined the Munich office of Milbank, supporting private equity and energy transactions for sponsors, asset managers and corporates. In June 2022, he joined Norton Rose Fulbright to strengthen the firm’s M&A and energy/infrastructure capabilities in Germany, bringing a clear sector focus to the team. Across his career, he has consistently worked within international deal teams, advising on acquisitions, disposals and reorganisations.

M&A Expertise & Sector Focus

Dr Richter’s M&A practice spans public and private acquisitions, sponsor‑led buyouts, carve‑outs, share and asset deals, and complex restructurings. He is particularly active on matters involving energy, infrastructure and renewables, advising buyers and sellers on bid processes, due diligence, transactional documents and closing mechanics. His client profile routinely includes private equity funds, institutional investors and renewable asset managers; he also advises strategic corporates on add‑on acquisitions and portfolio consolidations. This broad platform is complemented by a robust understanding of cross‑border risk and regulatory interfaces.

What distinguishes Dr Richter is his ability to marry sector technicalities, such as project finance structures, grid access, and regulatory consents relevant to energy assets with core corporate transactional work. This integrated approach is valuable in transactions where operational, regulatory and financing risks converge, particularly in the fast‑moving energy transition space. His experience advising renewable asset managers on project‑related matters across Europe provides clients with practical insight into post‑closing implementation and asset optimisation. In high‑value deals in Germany, that combination supports durable deal structures and smoother integration.

Representative Transactions & Notable Engagements

Dr Richter has acted on a range of significant transactions illustrating his focus on energy, infrastructure and sponsor work. Representative matters include advising on the acquisition of GETEC Energia‑related assets and structuring financing portfolios for high‑power EV charging networks. He has advised infrastructure investors such as Infrared Capital Partners and EQT Infrastructure on principal deals and exits. He has also supported private equity clients on strategic add‑on acquisitions and disposals in automotive supplier and industrial technology sectors. These engagements demonstrate his capacity to manage auction processes, negotiated sales and multi‑jurisdictional closings.

Earlier in his career, while at Milbank, Dr Richter contributed to notable assignments such as the sale of G+E GETEC Holding to IIF, Swiss Life Asset Management’s investment in Helrom GmbH and the sale of a minority stake in LucaNet AG to Hg Capital. He coordinated due diligence, negotiated complex purchase agreements and advised on regulatory and financing interfaces across these transactions. His work required aligning private equity structures with sector‑specific regulatory expectations and cross‑border financing. These experiences underscore his ability to navigate detailed deal mechanics and integrate commercial objectives with legal risk management.

Publications, Speaking & Professional Activities

Dr Richter contributes to firm insights and client briefings on corporate and energy topics and engages in industry discussions on M&A trends affecting renewable investment and infrastructure consolidation. He translates legal developments such as changes in energy regulation, cross‑border investment controls and evolving private equity market practice into actionable guidance for clients. He shares expertise through speaking engagements and client seminars, emphasising practical implications for deal execution in Germany and across Europe. He is active within the Munich legal community through his membership in the regional bar association.

M&A Law In Germany: Context & Key Challenges

M&A transactions in Germany require specialist counsel because of the country’s dense overlay of corporate, employment, regulatory and sectoral rules. Deal teams must navigate takeover law, merger control and foreign investment review, sector‑specific consents (notably in energy & infrastructure), and intricate employee participation rights in certain corporate forms. For energy and infrastructure deals, project‑level considerations such as grid access, permitting and feed‑in or subsidy regimes can be determinative to valuation and post‑closing integration. This complex landscape demands advisers who can balance transactional objectives with regulatory compliance and practical execution.

Given this complexity, experienced advisers who combine transactional experience with sector expertise are essential to managing deal risk and accelerating closing timetables. Dr Richter’s blend of private equity and energy/infrastructure experience positions him to advise across technical and regulatory fault lines, reducing execution risk for buyers and sellers alike in Germany. He brings cross‑border insight to client teams, helping to align deal structures with financing, tax considerations and local enforcement realities. His work supporting renewable projects across Europe gives clients practical strategies for post‑closing asset optimisation.

Who Should Consider Engaging Dr Richter

Businesses and individuals seeking M&A counsel in Germany should consider Dr Richter when transactions intersect with energy, infrastructure or sponsor‑driven investment strategies. His practice is well suited to private equity houses pursuing platform investments or add‑ons, institutional investors managing portfolio transactions, and corporates executing strategic disposals or asset consolidation in regulated sectors. He is a practical choice for cross‑border buyers who need a Munich‑based lead with international deal experience and language capability. His track record across Germany and Europe demonstrates an ability to align commercial objectives with legal risk management.

Why Choose Specialist M&A Counsel

This combination of practical capability and sector insight helps clients navigate complex market dynamics and regulatory shifts, delivering durable value. Dr Wenzel Richter’s established practice in Germany confirms his ability to manage risk, coordinate multi‑jurisdictional teams and execute across the deal lifecycle. Clients benefit from a strategic advisor who can anticipate integration challenges and structure outcomes to optimise long‑term value. His cross‑border experience ensures seamless alignment of legal risk with commercial objectives across Europe.