Dr. Hermann Melnikov
Biography
Overview
Hermann Melnikov is a senior mergers and acquisitions lawyer, with a practice focusing on complex, cross-border transactions including corporate acquisitions and joint ventures.
International in outlook and experience, he worked for a number of years as a managing partner in the Firm's Moscow office. He joined the Düsseldorf office in 2013 and has been the managing partner of that office since then. His international credentials are further underlined by his dual qualification in English and German law, which makes him a valuable resource for clients seeking to execute transactions across multiple jurisdictions.
Clients to have benefited from his knowledgeable representation include large and medium-sized enterprises operating in an array of business sectors, including Commerzbank AG, Société Générale SA, Goldman Sachs, Axel Springer, BASF/Wintershall and Daimler.
Hermann has written for a number of professional publications, and is a regular contributor to the Firm's industry alerts, focusing on the latest changes in national and international laws, and the impact they may have on his clients' interests.
He is a member of a number of professional associations, including the International Bar Association and the Deutscher Anwaltsverein.
Experience
Sale of DIY-retailer OBI to a Russian buyer
Hermann advised the leading international DIY-retailer OBI (part of the Tengelmann group) on their exit from Russia immediately following Russia's aggression in the Ukraine through a sale for a nominal consideration to a non-sanctioned local buyer of 100% of OBIs shares in five Russian subsidiaries that own and operate 29 DIY-stores with 5.000 employees and who are the second largest such business in Russia.
Wintershall's asset swaps with Gazprom
Hermann represented the BASF group on two successful asset swaps with Gazprom concerning upstream and downstream activities in Germany, Russia, England, The Netherlands and Denmark.
Investor group acquisition of Auto1's financing platform
Hermann advised a group of investors on the acquisition of Auto1 FT GmbH, a member of the Auto1 dealer platform, together with co-investors Deutsche Bank and Allianz X.
Sale of supplier to wind turbines maker to PE fund
Hermann represented IMO Group's trustee, acting on behalf of UniCredit, other bank creditors and IMO Group's shareholders, on the sale of the group to a Berlin-based PE fund. IMO Group is a leading supplier of blade, yaw and single main bearings for wind turbines and slew drives to the on- and offshore wind industry.
Nabtesco's purchase of leading supplier of high-tech components
Hermann advised Nabtesco Corp., Japan, on the purchase of 100% of the shares in Ovalo, a leading supplier of highly specialized auto passenger car components and sensors.
Sale of Whitesell Germany's production sites
Hermann advised the insolvency administrator of Whitesell Germany, a large automotive supplier with more than 1,300 employees in four production sites, in the sale of the assets to several investors including Nedschroef, the leading automotive fasteners supplier in Europe.
Purchase of caverns operating company
Hermann advised the institutional investors owning the currently active oil and gas caverns located at the North German energy hub near Wilhelmshaven on the proposed acquisition of STORAG ETZEL GmbH.
Bombardier Transportation's joint ventures with TMH
Hermann advised Bombardier Transportation on the establishment of joint ventures with TMH, the leading manufacturer of rolling stock and signaling products in Eastern Europe.
Sberbank's proposed joint acquisition of a majority shareholding in Adam Opel AG
Hermann advised Sberbank on the proposed joint acquisition, together with Canadian automotive components supplier Magna International Inc., of a majority shareholding in the 60 companies of the Adam Opel group.
Knauf Gips KG's public takeover of KPK OAO
Hermann advised Knauf Gips KG on the public takeover of KPK in St. Petersburg, one of the world's largest producers of primary products for the construction sector.
Commerzbank Put Option
Hermann represented Commerzbank in connection with the exercise of its €400 million put option vis-à-vis Promsvyazbank's majority shareholder.
Société Générale SA's public takeover of Rosbank
Hermann advised Société Générale SA on the €2.5 billion public takeover of Rosbank.
Goldman Sachs group company's acquisition of Moscow's top residential complex
Hermann advised a Goldman Sachs group company on the acquisition of Moscow's top residential complex from AIG Inc. and Deutsche Bank AG.
Axel Springer SE's acquisition of Gruner + Jahr publishing group titles
Hermann represented Axel Springer SE on its acquisition of several Gruner + Jahr publishing group titles.
Recordati's acquisition of a portfolio of assets in Russia
Hermann advised Recordati, a listed European pharmaceuticals group, on its acquisition of the rights to five product lines of OTC pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements.
Russia, Legal Guidelines for International Management Practice. Ed. Ruediger Theiselmann. Basingstoke, pp. 423–480, 2012
Joint Ventures in the Russian Federation, Joint Ventures in Europe. 3rd edition, Chapter 10. Ed. Martin Mankabady. London, pp. 421–443, 2008
Best Lawyer Germany in Real Estate Law, Corporate Law, Handelsblatt 2021-2023
Foreign Expertise in Russia - Chambers Global, Germany, 2018
Corporate/M&A