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Dr Sven Schelo

Partner
I am an experienced restructuring and insolvency lawyer. I offer calm, considered and authoritative advice to help clients achieve viable outcomes in situations where business is at its most threatened, drawing on my extensive practical experience of resolution in a wide range of circumstances.
Frankfurt
About

Sven Schelo is specialised in restructuring banks and financial institutions, advising on the restructuring of insolvent companies and their shareholders, advising on the purchase out of insolvency and advising banks and creditors on the insolvency of their clients.

He was a member of the European Commission's expert group on the drafting of a bank restructuring and resolution directive (ILEG) and is a member of the board of trustees of the Centre for Insolvency and Restructuring at the University of Mannheim and INSOL Europe, the largest European association of restructuring advisors and insolvency administrators.

Areas of FocusRestructuringFinancial ServicesEnergy and Natural ResourcesIndustrials
Professional QualificationsRechtsanwalt admitted with Rechtsanwaltskammer Frankfurt am Main

EXPERIENCE

  • Advising the insolvency administrators of two affiliated automotive on the sale of the entities by way of an asset-deal.*
  • Advising an international energy company in relation to the restructuring and insolvency issues at its Brazilian investee ENEVA.*
  • Advising the insolvency administrators of a German retail company on the sale of the shares representing 100% of the share capital in the Spanish company, and indirectly its fully owned Portuguese subsidiary to a Spanish major supermarket chain listed company.*
  • Advising the insolvency administrator of a German retail company on the sale of the French drugstore activities (about 140 shops located in South of France) to one of the French leading retail companies.*
  • Advising a German bank and its management board in its financial distress, options and directors duties.*
  • Advising a group of senior only lenders on the corporate and financial restructuring of a private cable television network operator implemented through an English law scheme of arrangement.*
  • Advising a business advisory services provider as insolvency administrator in connection with the insolvency of an investment banking company.*

*Denotes experience from previous firm.

Languages
  • German
  • English

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • INDat Report (September 2025) focusing on StaRUG and international restructurings
  • JUVE Handbook 2020/2021: “Frequently recommended lawyer in the field of insolvency and restructuring”
  • Chambers Germany 2025: Recommended for Restructuring/Insolvency; “It is incredibly straightforward having long, complex conversations with Sven Schelo.”
  • Handelsblatt in cooperation with Best Lawyers 2023/2024: Recommended for Restructuring and Insolvency law
  • IFLR1000 2022/23: “Highly regarded” for Restructuring and insolvency, Financial restructuring”
Education
  • University of Muenster, Doctorate, 1999
  • University of Köln, First State Examination, 1995

Prior Experience

  • 2008 – 2024, Partner, Frankfurt based international law firm

Additional Qualifications

  • Certified business Mediator

My latest insights

News
Abstract Architectural Red Wave

Banco Santander funds EUR1.4 billion to leading flexible payments provider Klarna

2 September 2025 .2 minute read

News
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DLA Piper Strengthens its Restructuring team with the appointment of new partner

18 February 2025 .3 minute read

News
Abstract view of building

DLA Piper strengthens global Restructuring offering with appointment of Sandra...

25 November 2024 .2 minute read

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Connect

Phone

+49 69 271 33 481
(Work, Frankfurt)
+49 162 23 03 028
(Mobile, Frankfurt)
+49 69 271 33 100
(Fax)