The Bossard Group is strengthening its presence in the German market. The Swiss corporate group has acquired BRUMA Schraub- und Drehtechnik GmbH ("BRUMA"). Both parties have agreed to maintain confidentiality about the amount of the purchase price. GvW Graf von Westphalen advised BRUMA in this transaction.

Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”) have acquired three “elbgym” branded fitness centers in Hamburg through its German portfolio company Fitness First Germany Holdings GmbH (“Fitness First”).

46.6 million Euro billings in the financial year 2018 are the highest revenue in the history of the law firm and represent an increase in billings of 10.4 % compared to the previous year. The law firm GvW Graf von Westphalen was able to generate a total of approximately 20 % more billings in the last three years. The profit again significantly increased for the third time in a row. The profit of 21 million Euro was 14.1 % higher than in the previous year. For the first time, the attorneys in the law firm generated billings per attorney of more than 400,000 Euro.

Württembergische Lebensversicherung AG ("WLV") has purchased a hotel project still to be constructed in the Mainzer Zollhafen by the seller from Mainz Zollhafen Hotel GmbH & Co. KG, which belongs to the UBM Group, by way of a "forward deal". The purchase price for this hotel project is around EUR 24 million. GvW Graf von Westphalen, with the Munich partner Dr. Christian Zerr (Hospitality & Real Estate) and Shari Roßkamp (Real Estate, Frankfurt) advised WLV in this transaction.

GvW Graf von Westphalen has been nominated as law firm of the year in Germany at "The Lawyer European Awards 2019". The international magazine The Lawyer has now announced this and included the law firm for the fourth time in a row in the list of best German independent law firms.

The commercial law firm GvW Graf von Westphalen is continuing to expand its competence in the area of digitalization. At the beginning of the year, the well-known telecommunications law (TC-law) expert, Dr. Grace Nacimiento, joined the law firm's Düsseldorf office as a partner. She is accompanied by her associate of many years Dr. Carolin Küll, who is joining GvW as Counsel.

Cycas Hospitality is continuing its European expansion in Germany. The international hotel management company is the new operator of the extended stay Element Frankfurt Hotel at the airport. Element is a brand in the Marriot Group.

DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH ("DFS") is enhancing its software development competency in the field of drone technology: Through its subsidiary DFS International Business Services GmbH, DFS has acquired 23.6 percent in Unifly NV and is, thus, the largest shareholder of the Belgian software development company which specializes in operational air traffic management system for unmanned aircraft systems. GvW Graf von Westphalen supported DFS in this transaction.

The law firm GvW Graf von Westphalen is again among the top law firms for the year. The Legal 500 Germany 2019 announced in its current issue: The firm is "considered by clients to be the ideal law firm for mid-size industry.

The Joachim Herz Foundation is a new partner in Immo-Service-KVG IntReal (IntReal). The Hamburg Foundation has acquired a 49 percent stake in the company; Warburg-HIH Invest Real Estate remains the majority partner. After the entry of Joachim Herz Foundation, IntReal now has a second investor on board which will be involved in the long-term in the growth policy of the company.