Berlin/Dusseldorf—Global law firm Dentons will welcome two renowned energy lawyers to its German practice. Effective October 1, 2024, Dr. Kerstin Henrich will start as a partner in the Dusseldorf office and Dr. Sebastian Helmes will join as a partner in Berlin.

Prior to her move to Dentons, Kerstin Henrich was the Head of Energy Transactions/M&A at EY Law in Dusseldorf. She has 20 years of experience in advising companies and financial investors on complex M&A transactions and venture capital investments in the energy and infrastructure sector, with a focus on renewable energy. Her most recent projects include advising a private equity fund on the acquisition of a leading German producer of biomethane. She also regularly advises funds on the acquisition of solar and wind projects.

Sebastian Helmes, who also joins from EY Law, has 17 years’ experience in advising energy and infrastructure companies as well as the public sector, with a focus on plant licensing and energy regulation. He is regularly involved in approval procedures for wind energy, photovoltaic and biogas plants. He is also experienced in storage projects, grid expansion measures, and issues in connection with the German Energy Industry Act and the German Renewable Energy Sources Act. He also regularly advises real estate companies on construction and environmental law with a focus on decarbonization. He has supported federal and state governments and industry associations with legislative projects and has been a senior lecturer on energy law and renewables at the Technical University of Braunschweig since 2019.

“We welcome two highly qualified and experienced advisors whose expertise will be seamlessly integrated into our existing offering. Kerstin Henrich will strengthen our transaction expertise in Dusseldorf, while Sebastian Helmes brings deep experience in regulatory and planning law,” said Thomas Schubert, Head of the German Energy group at Dentons.

“The strategic expansion of our team gives us an even stronger footprint in the growing renewable energy sector which ideally positions us to advise our clients on the energy transition. We are delighted that Kerstin Henrich and Sebastian Helmes have decided to become part of our team,” added Andreas Ziegenhagen, Germany Managing Partner of Dentons.

Dr. Sascha Grosjean, Dusseldorf Managing Partner, commented: “The energy and infrastructure sectors play an important role for our national and international clients. The growth of our Energy group will help address the rising demand for in-depth regulatory and transaction advice in the energy sector. Additionally, this recruitment supports our growth strategy in Dusseldorf."

With 20 lawyers and a cross-practice approach, Dentons' Energy team in Germany advises on the pulse of the latest legal and energy policy developments. The German team is part of Dentons’ global Energy group which brings together the talent of more than 1000 lawyers worldwide, including more than 190 in Europe.

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