Dr Benjamin Parameswaran

Partner

Managing Director, Clients
Global Co-Chair, Corporate

One of the leading minds for M&A in Germany, brilliant negotiator.
Client, JUVE Handbook 2021/2022
About

Dr Benjamin Parameswaran has vast experience in global M&A and corporate law, focusing in particular on complex cross-border transactions for major multinational corporations.

He is known in particular for his broad experience in the industrials and technology sectors, and is universally recognised as one of the leading M&A practitioners in Germany, having acted as lead advisor on some of the most prominent transactions in Europe.

Ben regularly advises the world’s largest chemicals company BASF. This has recently included assisting the company with its strategic acquisition of a 49.5% stake in the world’s largest offshore windfarm, Vattenfall’s Hollandse Kust Zuid in The Netherlands (EUR1.6 billion, overall deal value), with the carve-out of the company’s global mobile emissions catalysts and precious metals services businesses and with the acquisition of Solvay’s multinational polyamide business (EUR1.3 billion).

Ben is a member of various legal associations, a frequent speaker at conferences and the author of many academic and business publications on international law.

Prior to Ben’s current role as Global Co-Chair of the Corporate practice, he headed DLA Piper in Germany as Managing Partner from 2014 to 2022 and before that he led the firm’s German M&A practice. Prior to joining DLA Piper, he worked for international law firms in New York, Düsseldorf and Mumbai.

Professional QualificationsRechtsanwalt admitted with Hanseatische Rechtsanwaltskammer Hamburg

EXPERIENCE

Benjamin's experience includes advising:

  • BASF on the acquisition of a 49.5% (EUR1.6bn) stake in the world’s largest offshore windfarm, Hollandse Kust Zuid in The Netherlands, from Vattenfall.
  • BASF on its EUR1.3bn acquisition of Solvay's global polyamide business.
  • Qualcomm on its USD3.5bn joint venture with TDK Corporation.
  • Rolls-Royce Power Systems on the EUR700m structured auction sale of its international fuel injection systems business L’Orange to Woodward.
  • Daimler Trucks on the establishment of a fuel cell joint venture with Volvo Group.
  • Rolls-Royce on the acquisition of the e-aircraft business of Siemens.
  • Samsung on its investment in Verimi.
  • Heidelberger Druckmaschinen on a comprehensive package of measures to increase its profitability and in connection with various strategic M&A transactions (e.g. on a Chinese production joint venture with Masterwork Group).
  • Bilfinger on the strategic sale of its piping construction business.
  • Heidelberg Materials on the acquisition of the SER Group.
  • HCLTech on the acquisition of the ASAP Group for approx. EUR250m.
  • Uniper on the sale of its crude oil processing and marine fuel trading business in the United Arab Emirates.
Languages
  • German
  • English
  • French
education
  • University of Hamburg (Scholar of Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, German Academic Scholarship Foundation)
  • Université de Paris I (Sorbonne)
  • Columbia Law School, New York
  • Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law, Hamburg (International Max Planck Research Scholar)
  • Highest State Court, Hamburg
  • Harvard Business School Executive Education (HBS/DLA Piper Senior Leadership Program)

Awards & Recognitions

  • JUVE Handbook 2023/2024: Leading name for M&A in Germany (aged 50 and under) for the tenth consecutive year and frequently recommended for corporate law; "Very quick on the subject, very experienced in internat. questions, maximally goal-orientated", client.
  • Legal 500 Germany 2024: Recommended for corporate law and M&A: mid-sized deals (EUR100-500 million); "Benjamin Parameswaran has a lot of experience; good negotiator; always solution-orientated and always available; great personal commitment", "excellent understanding of the business and company processes, practical usability of work products, negotiation skills, availability and reliability".
  • Chambers Europe Germany 2024: Recommended for Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market and as a ‘Foreign expert in India’ (Chambers Global 2024); "he is highly responsive, I get what I need anytime. He delivers", "he is one of these trusted advisers who you can turn to and make things work in high-pressure situations", "he is really excellent", clients.
  • WirtschaftsWoche 2024: Listed as German Top Lawyer in the area of corporate and M&A.
  • Handelsblatt in cooperation with Best Lawyers 2024/2025: Recommended for corporate and M&A.
  • WirtschaftsWoche/Best of Legal Awards 2021: Awarded as Senior Leader of the Year.

Prior Experience

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Benjamin worked with international law firms in New York, Düsseldorf and Mumbai.

Memberships And Affiliations

  • Hamburg Bar Association
  • International Bar Association (IBA)
  • Alumni Club of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes)
  • German Corporate Law Association (VGR)
  • Indo-German Lawyer Foundation (former Vice President)

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