“Outstanding strategist and visionary; man of numbers, could also be a board member.”
JUVE 2022/2023
“Excellent negotiating partner, also in the management and coordination of complex and demanding negotiation situations with a high level of economic and financing know-how.”
The Legal 500 EMEA 2022 (Germany)
“In my view, Jörn Kowalewski is the grand seigneur of the German restructuring market. A first-class lawyer who knows how to successfully unite even the largest banking circles in the interests of the company and the financiers themselves.”
The Legal 500 EMEA 2022 (Germany)
“He is incredibly structured and cannot only penetrate complex topics but also structure them. He also sets the tone in negotiations, is headstrong and really argues brilliantly.”
Chambers Europe 2022 (Germany)
Leading Individual – Restructuring
The Legal 500 EMEA 2023
Profile
Dr. Jörn Kowalewski has long-standing experience advising stakeholders within complex corporate restructurings, both out of court and within insolvency proceedings, as well as handling distressed M&A transactions.
Dr. Kowalewski advises distressed investors, lenders, lender groups, and steering committees, as well as the debtors, shareholders, and management in:
Out-of-court (financial and operational) restructurings
Distressed M&A transactions
Debt-to-equity transactions
Dr. Kowalewski enhances his legal advice with an entrepreneurial and pragmatic approach, drawing on his prior experiences running a midsized international trading company and serving as a research fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law.
Accolades and Rankings
Mr. Kowalewski is recommended consistently for restructuring and insolvency in legal directories, including JUVE, IFLR1000, Chambers Europe Germany, The Legal 500 Germany, and Handelsblatt Best Lawyers. Market participants’ feedback on his work includes:
Leading individual for Restructuring/Reorganization, "outstanding strategist and visionary; man of numbers, could also be board member", "one of the best lawyers, especially in complex stakeholder situations", “very entrepreneurial”, “great analytical and implementing skills“, "very operatively oriented and strong in implementation JUVE 2017-2023
Lawyer of the year for Restructuring and Insolvency in Germany Handelsblatt Best Lawyers 2020
Highly regarded for Restructuring & Insolvency, “Brilliant performance. Worth every Euro. Dr. Jörn Kowalewski saved the restructuring negotiations we had to undergo.” (CEO) “He’s technically excellent with a pragmatic commercial approach to solve complex, multinational restructuring situations.” (auditor) “A great and knowledgeable guy with a good commercial sense and in-depth knowledge. A joy to work with.” IFLR1000 2017-2022
“A brilliant negotiator and strategist. Assertive, pragmatic and solution-oriented; an optimal negotiator.” “He has a very clear business strategic and tactical understanding.” “Stands out with his ‘entrepreneurial thinking’ and by ‘always being one step ahead and very committed.’” “Clients applaud his ‘creative and solution-oriented way of stakeholder management,’ … ‘It was excellent how he managed the parties.’” Chambers Europe Germany 2018-2021
Experience
Mr. Kowalewski's experience includes advising:
2022
Bank consortium in the restructuring and refinancing of WKW Group
2021
Bank consortium in the restructuring of BENTELER Group
EMAG Group in the development and negotiation of a comprehensive restructuring concept
Summit Partners on the sale of RadioOnkologieNetzwerk (RON) to Medipass
2020
LEONI in its restructuring
R+S Group in its restructuring
2019
Bank consortium in the restructuring of BORGERS GROUP
Bank consortium in the restructuring of IFA GROUP
Investor in the acquisition and restructuring of HÜLSTA Group
2018
Riverside on the sale of the KEYMILE Group to NASDAQ listed Dasan Zhone Solutions
Senior lenders and SteerCo in the financial and operative restructuring of Kathrein Group
Shareholders (including H.I.G. and BlueBay) on the sale of DSD - Duales System Holding (GRÜNER-PUNKT-GROUP) to Remondis
2017
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics in its financial and operational restructuring
Scholz Group on post-closing restructuring matters
2016
Rockaway Capital SE in the acquisition of UNISTER out of insolvency
Uniper in its spinoff from E.ON Group
2015
RENA on its debtor-in-possession proceedings and development of an insolvency plan option and dual-track sale
2013
Commerzbank as Agent in the protective shield proceedings and subsequent sale of Neumayer Tekfor out-of-insolvency
H.I.G. Europe and Anchorage in pre-packed protective shield proceedings and insolvency plans for walter services
2010/2011
Senior lenders in the insolvency proceedings and subsequent sale of HONSEL
Qualifications
Bar Qualification
Rechtsanwalt (Germany)
Education
Dr. jur., University of Hamburg, 2007
Second German State Exam, Higher Regional Court, Schleswig, 2005
First German State Exam, University of Hamburg, 2001
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