Expertise
Employment
Running a company means having to handle a wide range of employment law issues on a daily basis. Even though human resource matters are standardised in many respects, details can often make all the difference. We help our clients when it comes to clarifying employment law issues or when a second opinion is needed. We assist in the drafting and review of employment contracts as well as in the termination of employment relationships. We provide advice on how to structure legally compliant working conditions and operational procedures and support in negotiations with works councils and trade unions.
Financing
In order to realise growth plans or necessary transformation processes, e.g., in the context of digitalisation or new regulatory requirements, a company's equity capitalisation is often not sufficient. Borrowed capital is also needed in the event of a crisis, market disruptions or sales declines that put businesses under economic pressure. We advise our clients on financing agreements as well as on negotiations with banks and investors or when looking to raise funds on the capital market. We also have extensive expertise in banking and capital market law litigation.
Corporate
Founding a company is always associated with taking risks. Managing a business requires strength and determination, while changing it to secure long-term viability often requires courage. We support business leaders at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey. We help them choose the right legal form, draw up contracts and negotiate them with business partners, customers and financiers. We develop corporate and management structures and advise executive bodies on all the obligations that come with their office. With long-standing experience in advising on corporate law, we also make sure that all compliance issues are covered.
Intellectual Property
Trademarks and other intangible assets are core company assets and contribute considerably to the value of a business. Registering them in a legally secure manner and protecting them from unauthorised use is therefore key. We help you understand which IP protection you need and how you can compete without infringing the rights of others. We support you, if necessary together with relevant specialised partners, in registering and defending trademarks, designs and patents. We advise you on the legally compliant design of your website and your advertising measures. You can also rely on our expertise in copyright law.
Commercial
Globalisation has significantly changed trade flows. The Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have recently shown how vulnerable global supply chains are. At the same time, trade activities have gone digital, which means that companies have to adapt distribution channels and their conditions. The German Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains (Lieferkettensorgfaltsgesetz) obliges companies to review their suppliers from a social and environmental perspective. We advise our clients on the drafting of supply contracts and terms and conditions, negotiate on their behalf with buyers and suppliers and, in case of disputes, represent them out of court as well as before the commercial courts and arbitration tribunals.
Succession
For many medium-sized businesses, passing on a company to the next generation is challenging. Should there be no family members or suitable executives available to take over the business, sale options or an orderly liquidation of the company need to be assessed, which also requires considering obligations towards the workforce. Succession can be particularly complex when several parts of a family are involved. We advise entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial families on all legal and strategic issues of succession planning and structuring.
Litigation & Arbitration
The guiding principle of our dispute resolution practice is to settle a conflict as smoothly as possible, with both sides safeguarding their (partial) interests through skilful negotiation. Nevertheless, in addition to alternative dispute resolution, our lawyers are well versed in conducting civil cases through all instances. We have won or defended damages for our clients, enforced contracts and contractual clauses or had them declared null and void, defended against warnings from associations and competitors, and obtained interim legal protection. We also have extensive experience in arbitration, developing case-specific conflict resolution strategies for our clients.
Transactions
Competing in rapidly changing markets requires change from all types of companies, including medium-sized ones. Acquisitions and cooperations open up access to new market segments and expand know-how. Private equity investment can be a way to enable expansion. Partial sales and spin-offs help to concentrate on the core business. We advise medium-sized enterprises on acquisitions and sales as well as mergers and joint ventures. In cross-border transactions, we cooperate with partner law firms, especially in Austria, Switzerland, the USA and UK.