Awards

Leinemann Partner has been listed for many years as one of the leading law firms in the key directories for commercial law firms, including JUVE, Chambers and The Legal 500. The same applies to our lawyers, who are regularly recognised for their achievements.

JUVE Handbook Commercial Law Firms

The widely respected JUVE Handbook Commercial Law Firms has ranked Leinemann Partner among the top firms in construction and public procurement law for many years including in its 2024/2025 edition. Leinemann Partner was named “Law Firm of the Year for Construction Law” by the JUVE editorial board in 2015, 2008 and 2004 – a distinction no other firm has received three times.

In the field of construction law, JUVE notes that “no other practice is as present in the infrastructure sector as Leinemann Partner. Traditionally strong in road and rail construction, the firm has recently become increasingly involved in projects connected to the energy transition.” In procurement law, JUVE praises the firm’s “broad and comprehensive market presence even beyond its core sectors.” JUVE particularly highlights the strong integration of construction, real estate and procurement law as well as the firm’s expertise in infrastructure projects, complex new developments, IT and healthcare, concession contracts and complex review proceedings.

Dr Thomas Hildebrandt and Prof Dr Ralf Leinemann are listed as “leading individuals” in construction law, with Oliver Schoofs “frequently recommended.”
In public procurement, Prof Dr Ralf Leinemann is also listed among the “leading individuals,” Dr Thomas Kirch is named a “rising star,” and Dr Eva-D. Leinemann is “frequently recommended.”

The Legal 500 Germany

The 2025 edition of The Legal 500 Germany once again confirms the high quality of our legal services in core practice areas: Leinemann Partner is recommended as a Tier 2 firm for construction law, a Top Tier firm for plant engineering, a Tier 2 firm in public procurement law, and a Tier 5 firm in real estate law.

Construction (including dispute resolution): Tier 2
Plant Engineering: Tier 1
“[…] The firm continues to focus on construction and infrastructure projects, including recent mandates involving motorways, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, as well as various civil and structural engineering projects. Public procurement often plays a central role in these mandates. Practice head Ralf Leinemann is particularly active at this intersection, drawing on his experience in dispute resolution, including procurement and review proceedings.”

“Specialised contractual knowledge in the construction sector.”

“Leinemann has a strong reputation in construction law and knows how to assert clients’ interests effectively. The cooperation was marked by clear and concise communication.”

Special recognition: Ralf Leinemann was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Real Estate: Tier 5
“Leinemann & Partner operates at the intersection of real estate and construction law. The team advises clients from the hotel and commercial sectors on asset acquisitions and financing contracts, and supports project developers throughout the lifecycle of their developments. Michael Göger is experienced in managing due diligence processes and handles issues relating to hotel, residential, and commercial leases.”

Public Procurement: Tier 2
“The procurement team advises on large-scale construction projects, particularly in the rail and road infrastructure sectors, where it predominantly represents bidders. The firm also brings in-depth sector-specific expertise in healthcare, particularly in new hospital developments and digitalisation. In addition to advising private-sector companies, the team also supports public authorities in procurement procedures, review proceedings and litigation. The team is led by Ralf Leinemann, a recognised expert in procurement and review procedures and project-related public procurement.”

“What sets the firm apart is the consistently high quality of advice, even during peak workloads and its overall reliability. Unlike other firms, you never get the sense that excessive effort is being billed. Everything is very transparent. Professional and straightforward.”

“Thomas Kirch demonstrates a quick grasp of complex issues and strong leadership skills. He is deeply familiar with the mandates he handles.”

Leading partner: Ralf Leinemann

Chambers Germany

With its first stand-alone Germany 2025 edition, Chambers confirms our outstanding reputation.
In “Projects: Construction,” the firm is ranked in Band 1, cementing our top-tier position. Prof Dr Ralf Leinemann is the only lawyer listed in Band 1 and is praised for his extensive expertise in construction projects and disputes.
Dr Thomas Hildebrandt is listed in Band 4 for his work on cross-border infrastructure projects and procurement.

Dr Eva-D. Leinemann is ranked for the first time in “Public Law: Public Procurement/PPP,” debuting in Band 3 – thanks to outstanding client and market feedback. Prof Dr Ralf Leinemann is also listed in Band 3 for his procurement expertise, especially in review procedures and construction-related mandates.

Chambers Europe

Chambers has been identifying the world’s leading lawyers and law firms for 25 years. The rankings are based on thousands of independent interviews with clients and lawyers.

Once again, Leinemann Partner is ranked in Chambers Europe 2023 as a leading firm in “Projects – Construction.” Chambers highlights our strong presence in Germany and the quality of our advice in major construction projects.

Original Chambers quote:
“Exceptional construction team with offices nationwide renowned for large-scale infrastructure, energy power plant and other industry facilities projects. Advises German mid-cap companies as principals as well as contractors on construction contracts, tenders and disputes. Also assists clients with public procurement and real estate matters.”

Notable practitioners: Prof Dr Ralf Leinemann and Dr Thomas Hildebrandt.
Prof Dr Ralf Leinemann is also ranked in Band 2 in the “Public Procurement” category.

Handelsblatt / Best Lawyers

The US publisher Best Lawyers, in cooperation with Handelsblatt, has recognised the best law firms and lawyers in Germany for 2026. 14 lawyers from Leinemann Partner were named “Best Lawyers,” and 6 others were recognised as “Ones to Watch.”

Prof Dr Ralf Leinemann was named “Lawyer of the Year” in construction law.

In construction law, the following lawyers were honoured:
Dr Amneh Abu Saris, Dr Ralf Averhaus, Dr Martin Büdenbender, Bastian Haverland, Dr Thomas Hildebrandt, Andreas S. Jacob, Dr Thomas Kirch, Dr Eva-Dorothee Leinemann, Prof Dr Ralf Leinemann, Jochen Lüders, Armin Preussler and Oliver Schoofs.

In real estate law: Dr Ralf Averhaus, Michael Göger, Dr Thomas Hildebrandt, Jochen Lüders.
In dispute resolution: Dr Oliver Homann and Prof Dr Ralf Leinemann.
In public law: Dr Martin Büdenbender, Bastian Haverland, Dr Oliver Homann, Dr Thomas Kirch, Prof Dr Ralf Leinemann, Jochen Lüders, Armin Preussler and Oliver Schoofs.
In public-private partnerships: Bastian Haverland, Dr Thomas Kirch and Dr Eva-Dorothee Leinemann.
In the “Ones to Watch” category: Mark von Dahlen, Hauke Meyhöfer and Malte Offermann (construction law), Clarissa Busato, Marco Hohensee, Malte Offermann and Andreas Rosenauer (public law), and Elisabeth Rolfes (real estate law).

Best Lawyers compiles these rankings exclusively for Handelsblatt through a peer-to-peer process: business lawyers are asked which competitors they would particularly recommend. The full list is published online by Handelsblatt. In 2020, Leinemann Partner was named “Law Firm of the Year” in construction law.

Lexology (formerly Who’s Who Legal)

The internationally renowned legal directory Lexology (formerly Who’s Who Legal) recognised partners from Leinemann Partner in both its German and global editions:

Dr Thomas Kirch is recommended in the national edition for “Government Contracts.”

Prof Dr Ralf Leinemann is recommended in both the national and global editions for “Construction” and “Government Contracts” and listed as a “Thought Leader.”

Jochen Lüders is recommended in the national edition for “Construction.”

WirtschaftsWoche

In February 2025, WirtschaftsWoche once again named Leinemann Partner a “Top Law Firm 2025” in construction law. Prof Dr Ralf Leinemann was again recognised as a “Top Lawyer 2025.”
In April 2025, he was also named a Legal Allstar 2024 in private construction law. This marks the third consecutive time he has achieved this recognition – more than any other construction lawyer.

In August 2025, WirtschaftsWoche also listed Leinemann Partner among the top public procurement law firms, naming Dr Eva-Dorothee Leinemann as a leading lawyer in the field.

brand eins

In the current brand eins ranking, Leinemann Partner is once again recognised as one of Germany’s Best Commercial Law Firms 2025. The firm received the highest rating – 5 out of 5 stars – in both construction and public procurement law.

The ranking is based on an independent survey by the research institute Statista, conducted annually since 2020. This year, around 2,300 lawyers and in-house counsel from German companies took part in the survey.

Iurratio Awards 2025

Leinemann Partner was named “Best Mid-Sized Law Firm” in the REF50 ranking and also recognised as “Best Employer for Legal Trainees” at our offices in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Cologne.

According to the REF50 editorial team:
The specialists in construction, real estate and public procurement law at Leinemann Partner integrate legal trainees directly into everyday practice. Their tasks include drafting legal documents, analysing contracts, writing legal articles and conducting research. Depending on the subject and team, trainees also attend lawyer-client meetings and accompany attorneys to court. Each trainee is mentored by two experienced lawyers, who provide guidance, support professional development and offer regular feedback, both on individual performance and career prospects. Complimentary snacks and drinks, along with full access to the firm’s social events, make for a well-rounded training experience.