Ulrich Klockenbrink is a partner in Willkie’s Restructuring Group and Co-Chair of the German Restructuring Group. He is based in the firm’s Hamburg office.
Ulrich helps clients navigate through complex restructuring, distressed M&A, and enforcement situations, both in-court and out-of-court. With more than 15 years of experience, he advises investors, shareholders, lenders, lender groups, steering committees, insolvency administrators, and distressed companies with a great sense for pragmatic solutions and strategic value. He is well regarded for his empathetic approach and his great sense for pragmatic solutions.
Ulrich is recognized for restructuring and insolvency in legal directories, including JUVE, The Legal 500 EMEA, IFLR1000, and Handelsblatt Best Lawyers.
He is a member of TMA Germany e.V. and of the German-American Lawyers Association (DAJV), and has authored numerous articles on restructuring, insolvency, and distressed investment topics.
Experience
"Law Firm of the Year – Insolvency and Restructuring”
JUVE Awards 2025
One of the best lawyers for Restructuring and Insolvency in Germany
Handelsblatt Best Lawyers 2022-2024
Next Generation Partner – Restructuring & Insolvency
The Legal 500 Deutschland 2024
“An absolute expert in the area of restructuring and brings in good strategic perspectives, while still remaining approachable.”
“Primarily supports large restructurings, distressed M&A and takeovers as well as in and out-of-court enforcements.”
The Legal 500 EMEA 2024
“Dr. Ulrich Klockenbrink, an absolutely highly creative specialist who always has all the necessary details about the mandate at hand.”
The Legal 500 EMEA 2023
“High business understanding, technically excellent and very solution–oriented.”
The Legal 500 EMEA 2023
“Outstanding...he is a first-class analyst and strategist, at the same time very assertive, pragmatic and goal-oriented – in short, the perfect restructurer and reorganizer.”
The Legal 500 EMEA 2022
Frequently recommended for Restructuring & Insolvency
JUVE 2021-2024
“Balanced and professional”
Client
- "Grenzen des einstweiligen Rechtsschutzes in Sanierungssituationen“ (Limits of interim legal protection in restructuring situations), NZI 2025, pp. 205-208, co-author
- "Neue Treiber für Carve-Out-Transaktionen“ (New drivers for Carve-Out-Transactions), Börsen-Zeitung, 11 January 2025, co-author
- "Sanierungsverantwortung und Kompetenzgefüge bei der Einleitung von StaRUG-Verfahren“ (Restructuring responsibility and competence structure for initiating StaRUG proceedings), ZRI 2024, pp. 1089-1098, 2024, co-author
- "Keine Zustimmung der Gesellschafter für Einleitung des StaRUG-Verfahrens einer GmbH zur Vermeidung der Insolvenz“ (No consent of the shareholders for the initiation of StaRUG proceedings in a GmbH to avoid insolvency), NZI 2024, pp. 832-840, co-author
- "Panoramic: Distressed M&A 2025“, Lexology Panoramic Guide – Distressed M&A (Germany), 2025, co-author
- "Insolvency 2024, Germany: Trends and Developments“, Chambers and Partners, Practice Guide Insolvency 2024, co-author
- "Restructuring & Insolvency Comparative Guide July 2024“ Legal500 – Germany: Restructuring & Insolvency Q&A, 2024, co-author
"Seibt/Westpfahl StaRUG Unternehmensstabilisierungs- und -restrukturierungsgesetz Kommentar", Otto Schmidt, 2023, co-author - "Zur Anwendung des Kleinbeteiligtenprivilegs nach § 39 Abs. 5 InsO bei koordinierter Finanzierung", Der Betrieb 2023, pp. 952-953
- “Auswirkungen der Richtlinie über präventive Restrukturierungsrahmen auf Fremdkapitalgeber”, Der Betrieb 2019, pp. 1489-1494
- “Germany: Insolvency Claw-Back Reform Provides Some Relief for Creditors“ Pratt’s Journal of Bankruptcy Law 2017, pp. 351-353
- “Ausschluss der außerordentlichen Kündigung von Anleihen bei Sanierungsbemühungen“, Der Betrieb 2016, pp. 1745-1746
- Adler Group in its pursuit of claims against Gröner Group
- Admetos in the acquisition and restructuring of Recticel Automotive
- All4Golf in its restructuring and refinancing for Bregal
- Archroma in its restructuring and ringfencing process
- Bank consortium on the in court and out of court restructuring of Borgers Group
- Bank consortium on the in court and out of court restructuring of Vivonio Group
- Barings in Refinancing of Scheu Group
- BLG Logistics Group in its restructuring and on ringfencing structures
- BMZ Group in its restructuring
- Carlyle in the acquisition of Klenk Holz AG
- Centrotherm in its financial restructuring
- Ecovium Group in its restructuring and refinancing for FSN Capital
- Eissmann Automotive on its in court and out of court restructuring
- EMAG Group in its restructuring including StaRUG proceedings
- GetYourGuide on convertible notes
- Hagedorn group in acquisition of Hüffermann group
- Hellmann Worldwide Logistics on its restructuring
- H.I.G. Europe and Anchorage in pre-packed protective shield proceedings and insolvency plans for walter services
- Hülsta in its acquisition, restructuring and refinancing
- Inteva Products in the acquisition and restructuring of International Automotive Components Group’s European and South African operations
- Orlando and Hagedorn on the acquisition of Tennis-Point
- Prinsen Capital on the restructuring of PlanetHome
- Rantum Capital in the insolvency of d.i.i. Deutsche Investment Immobilien Gruppe
- Rockaway Capital SE in the acquisition of Unister group out of insolvency
- Swash Group in its restructuring and refinancing for FSN Capital
Credentials
Education
University of Virginia, LL.M., 2010 Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf, Second State Exam, 2009 Westfälische Wilhelms-University, Dr. jur./Executive Master of Business Administration, 2007 Westfälische Wilhelms-University, First State Exam, 2005 University of Bayreuth, Business Lawyer, 2002