BCLP Continues Strategic Expansion in Europe, Team of Four Partners Joins in Frankfurt

Partners Dr. Torsten Pokropp, Frank Schwem, Christian Lonquich, and Mike Danielewsky will join in Frankfurt and represent the latest milestone in BCLP’s strategic focus on building strength-on-strength internationally in priority, high growth practices. The emphasis on Germany follows BCLP’s continued expansion in Paris, where the firm has more than tripled the size of its fast-growing office.

“In line with our strategy, this is a transformative move for our presence in Germany that complements how we serve clients in Europe and those with interests around the globe,” said BCLP Co-Chairs Lisa Mayhew and Steve Baumer. “We are excited to welcome this accomplished group of lawyers and we look forward to working with our new Partners to spearhead our growth plans here. As we enter our next phase, we are committed to further growth in Germany where we see great potential.”

With offices in Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg, this marks the latest move by BCLP to strengthen its robust offering in Germany, following the recently announced arrival of Tax partner Heiko Stoll. Combined with the onboarding of this new group, BCLP will have 60 lawyers in Germany.

“The Real Estate practice is of great strategic importance for BCLP in Germany and worldwide,” said BCLP Partner in Charge for Germany, Carsten Bremer. “Especially in these times of market uncertainty, our clients’ need for advice is increasing.”

“We are delighted and proud to welcome our new colleagues to our team,” said Tina Siebenhaar, BCLP Head of Real Estate Germany. “With their many years of experience, we strengthen all aspects of our firm’s advisory services as we have built one of the market’s largest platforms in Germany.”

Meet the Team

About Dr. Torsten Pokropp, Partner, Real Estate Finance

With broad experience throughout the financing sector, Dr. Torsten Pokropp focuses on advising both financiers and borrowers on real estate acquisition and development financings, including residential, commercial, single assets, portfolio, and warehouse financings. In terms of restructuring advice, Torsten advises on loan portfolio sales and refinancings. He also advises on project financings, including those in the energy sectors related to infrastructure, wind, and power.

In connection with the activities named above, Torsten advises domestic and international financiers, as well as investors, which include German Pfandbriefbanken, investment banks, and private equity companies.

Torsten previously served as head of the German Finance & Projects group for DLA Piper.

About Frank Schwem, Partner, Real Estate Finance

With a market-leading position in real estate, Frank Schwem advises both financiers and borrowers on real estate acquisition and development financings. He advises national and international financiers, as well as a range of investors, including real estate developers, German Pfandbriefbanken, investment banks, and private equity companies.

In terms of restructuring advice, Frank advises on loan portfolio sales, refinancings, debt add-on structures – as well as liability-related advice for directors, shareholders, and creditors.

His background also includes deep experience in project and acquisition financings, with an emphasis on the sectors of paper and pulp, wind, power, and pipelines, in addition to ECA financings.

About Christian Lonquich, Partner, Real Estate

Christian Lonquich advises throughout the entire chain of value creation in real estate, which includes transaction and asset management, as well as finance and restructuring. His practice focuses on structuring, monitoring, and leading large and complex transactions, including forward deals, as well as sale and lease back structures throughout Europe.

Given his experience in the Anglo Saxon industry, Christian also closely advises investors and financial institutions on workout issues, in addition to the acquisition – and liquidation of – complex loan portfolios, while developing and implementing corresponding business plans related to these legal proceedings.

With a focus on Germany, France and Israel, Christian advises a variety of prominent national and international private equity and hedge funds, as well as real estate investors, developers, insurance companies, senior lenders and servicers around the globe.

About Mike Danielewsky, Partner, Restructuring & Insolvency

Mike Danielewsky focuses his practice on the development and execution of restructuring strategies, both inside and outside of insolvency proceedings, where he advises national and international companies, as well as executive bodies, banks, investment companies, investors, and funds. In connection with this work, he advises companies and executive bodies experiencing special situations and crises to develop successful restructuring approaches by evaluating debt restructuring strategies that ensure the positive-going concern of businesses.

At the same time, Mike also advises opportunity investors and strategic investors in distressed situations of target companies in debt or equity investment situations.

Working with debtors, Mike also advises on the sale and acquisition of distressed loans and distressed loan portfolios, the restructuring of complex syndicated loans, plus securitized transactions for banks and investors, which include CMBS, RMBS, and CDOs/CLOs.