Our Strengths:
Finding the best way forward.
Even in difficult circumstances.
We combine our knowledge in dispute resolution and the negotiating and drafting of contracts with many years of experience in a wide range of industries and areas:
Disputes in plant and mechanical engineering projects are often complex. We provide our clients with experienced legal advice and support.
We have many years’ experience of acting for clients in disputes relating to technical projects, including interface risks disputes and claims for additional remuneration, delay and defect disputes, and supply chain disputes involving a large number of stakeholders.
We are familiar with the relevant contractual frameworks and project structures and we have specific knowledge of a wide range of industries and sectors (including wind energy, heavy industry, automation, defence, shipbuilding).
We assist our clients in resolving disputes out of court and act with determination on their behalf before state courts and arbitral tribunals. We are familiar with the specific conflict resolution tools available in the context of project-related disputes (including arbitration, expert determination, DAB, multi-stage and hybrid disputes resolution).
- Acting for a company in relation to damage to a glass melting furnace caused by a faulty tempering process
- Acting for a company in a dispute concerning claims for additional remuneration and construction delays during the installation of offshore wind turbines
- Acting for a DAX 40 company in proceedings to preserve evidence following a warranty claim
- Acting for a company in connection with the supply of defective windows for passenger trains
- Acting for a company in connection with allegedly defective automation software for programmable logic controllers
- Advising a company in connection with allegedly defective gas turbine components
- Acting for a company in a complex dispute concerning a cross-border shipbuilding project
(cases include matters handled by our lawyers in previous law firms)
We have particular expertise in the renewable energy sector, including wind power, photovoltaics and green hydrogen.
We have many years of experience in acting for clients in a wide range of disputes in the renewable energy industry: From disputes in connection with the construction of wind and solar farms to disputes under supply and maintenance contracts, from warranty issues and damage claims to disputes between project partners and insurance disputes under Construction All Risk (CAR) and Business Interruption (BI) policies.
Our aim is always to find the best possible solution for our clients. In addition to the high quality of our work, our clients value our specific industry knowledge and our technical understanding.
Because of their industry expertise, lawyers of our firm are also sought after arbitrators in renewable energy arbitrations.
- Representing a company in proceedings concerning claims for additional remuneration and construction delays in connection with the construction of an offshore wind farm
- Representing a solar plant manufacturer in proceedings concerning warranty claims against a supplier
- Advising and representing a company in a dispute regarding insurance coverage for a serial damage to offshore wind turbines
- Acting for a supplier in connection with claims for defects in a contract for work relating to an offshore wind farm
- Advising a family office on the establishment of a group of companies in the photovoltaic industry
(cases include matters handled by our lawyers in previous law firms)
Environmental, social and responsible corporate governance (‘ESG’) is a key issue today. Companies are challenged by changing expectations of customers, clients and investors. ESG is therefore at the top of the agenda for many companies.
The legal aspects of ESG are also becoming increasingly important for companies: These include specific legal requirements, such as the Supply Chain Duty of Care Act (LkSG), but also climate change related litigations and ‘greenwashing’ claims. In supply chains, there is a risk of complex contractual disputes in the event of ESG breaches. In addition, directors and officers face questions about ESG-related obligations and liability risks.
We assist and represent our clients in ESG-related disputes. These disputes often have an international element. Companies benefit from our core expertise in complex international disputes.
- Advising a German trading company on ESG-related disputes in international supply chains
- Advising a family office on an investment in a sustainability-focused venture capital fund
(cases include matters handled by our lawyers in previous law firms)
The life of companies is complex. Equally diverse are the corporate law issues that companies, their shareholders and management bodies regularly face. We advise and support our clients on the full range of limited liability company law, stock corporation law and partnership law as well as corporate housekeeping: from the formation of a company to its liquidation. Our clients include national and international companies of all sizes and from all sectors, from start-ups to SMEs and family businesses to listed stock corporations and foreign companies as well as their German subsidiaries. We also advise investors, shareholders and board members of companies.
In addition to setting up companies, one of the core areas of our corporate practice is the drafting of clear, well-structured and interest-orientated articles of association, shareholders' agreements and management contracts. We know from our litigation experience that conflicts often arise from unclear, inappropriate or unfair contractual provisions.
We also have extensive experience in the preparation and support of shareholder meetings, particularly those with a contentious background. We are also experienced in directors' and officers' liability and corporate disputes, and in advising on transactions, reorganisations and business successions.
We advise foreign clients on entering the German market, whether by registering a branch, establishing a new German company or setting up a joint venture.
- Advising a Norwegian healthcare company on its market entry into Germany
- Advising a trading company on the preparation and organisation of shareholders' meetings
- Advising a Chinese liner shipping company on its market entry in Europe and the establishment of a joint venture with a German shipbroker and liner agent
- Advising the shareholders of a Hamburg-based insurance broker on the sale of all shares in the company to a strategic investor and the conclusion of a reinvestment agreement
- Corporate housekeeping advice to a Hamburg-based issuing house
- Advising a Dutch EdTech company on the acquisition of all shares in a German operator of an online learning platform
- Advising a Hamburg-based issuing house on the acquisition of the entire fund business of a competitor through a combination of share deal and asset deal
(cases include matters handled by our lawyers in previous law firms)
Disputes between shareholders cannot always be avoided. Shareholders' disputes often affect not only the shareholders themselves but can also have an impact on the entire company and seriously jeopardise its continued existence. We have many years of experience in corporate disputes. Together with our clients, we develop a tailor-made strategy to enforce our clients' interests. Our services include the protection of rights in court by way of interim relief, the enforcement and defence of claims before state courts or arbitral tribunals, and the use of alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation to resolve disputes amicably.
We also have extensive experience in post-M&A disputes, advising and representing clients in litigation, arbitration and expert determination proceedings. From our contract drafting work, we know that M&A transactions are based on complex economic and legal processes. Complex contractual provisions are often negotiated under time pressure. It is therefore not uncommon for disputes to arise between buyer(s) and seller(s). Contractual purchase price adjustment mechanisms or earn-out provisions are a regular source of dispute. Other typical points of contention include warranty and indemnity obligations, as well as potential breaches of pre-contractual disclosure obligations by the seller(s). We are familiar with these.
- Acting for a private equity fund in court proceedings concerning claims for damages for balance sheet manipulation
- Representing several sellers of a company in a post-M&A dispute in DIS arbitration proceedings
- Advising and representing minority shareholders of an operator of medical care centres in a shareholder dispute with the majority shareholder
- Advising and representing an investment fund company in defending against a challenge to a shareholder resolution on the sale of fund assets by 'predatory shareholders’
- Advising and representing a food manufacturer in a complex dispute in connection with its participation in a joint venture
- Advising a company in the food industry in connection with the compulsory redemption of the shares of a shareholder and representation in court in defence of a subsequent action for compensation
- Advising a founder of a start-up company against extraordinary termination and dismissal as managing director as well as forced exclusion from the company due to a Bad-Leaver-Clause
- Advising a media company in asserting claims under § 25 UmwG against the members of the representative body of a transferring legal entity
A changing world: Disrupted supply chains, the steady march of digitalisation and automation as well as changing expectations and requirements in the areas of decarbonisation and sustainability – the trade of goods is facing particular challenges. We are at our clients' side as a reliable partner.
Based in Hamburg, a traditional trading centre and Germany's ‘gateway to the world’, we specialise in the areas of trade and distribution. We have particular expertise in the area of international contractual relationships involving cross-border setups and connections to different laws or jurisdictions.
When contractual disputes arise, we help our clients find the best possible solution. We advise on out-of-court dispute resolution or represent our clients before German state courts and in national and international arbitration proceedings.
Additionally, we assist our clients in negotiating and drafting contracts.
- Representing a trading company in a dispute with a service provider regarding liability for improper handling of goods
- Representing a German company in a cross-border sales contract dispute (CISG), including enforcement of the judgment in France
- Representing a trading company in a legal dispute with a service provider regarding liability for improper handling of inventory
- Representing a recruitment agency in a dispute with a commercial agent regarding the extraordinary termination of the commercial agency agreement and the defence of unjustified commission claims, as well as in interim relief proceedings regarding prohibited competitive activities
- Advising a trading company on the inclusion of general terms and conditions in cross-border purchase and supply agreements
- Advising a trading company on the conclusion of a commercial agency agreement
- Acting for a listed media company in a dispute concerning claims for damages against former employees and external logistics service providers for the invoicing of fictitious logistics services as part of an extensive fraud scheme.
(cases include matters handled by our lawyers in previous law firms)
We have particular expertise in international disputes. Private International Law and International Procedural Law are among our core areas of expertise.
With many years of experience, we represent our clients in disputes relating to cross-border commercial contracts (including inter alia purchase and supply contracts, contracts for work and services) as well as in disputes relating to international supply chains, plant and construction projects and claims for damages.
As experienced litigators, we represent our clients in complex international disputes before state courts in Germany. We also represent our clients in national and international arbitration proceedings and have extensive experience with a wide range of arbitration rules (including inter alia ICC, DIS, GMAA, HK Hamburg). Lawyers of our firm regularly act as arbitrators in commercial disputes.
In multi-jurisdictional disputes, we develop the international litigation strategy with our clients and coordinate the litigation.
We also assist our clients in the cross-border enforcement of judgements and arbitral awards.
In matters relating to foreign law and proceedings before foreign courts, our clients benefit from our relationships with leading commercial law firms abroad.
- Acting for a trading company in a cross-border supply contract dispute with parallel proceedings in different jurisdictions
- Acting for a service company in a complex dispute under a cross-border repair contract with numerous parties seated in different countries
- Representing a Scandinavian company in a cross-border dispute concerning repayment claims under a framework agreement
- Representing a US company in a cross-border dispute regarding payment claims arising from a software contract
- Acting for a trading company in a disputes regarding the inclusion of standard terms and conditions in cross-border sales and supply contracts
- Acting for a shipyard in a dispute under a shipbuilding contract with parallel competing proceedings in different countries
- Advising and representing a German trading company in cross-border enforcement of a judgment
- Representing a Spanish company in court proceedings concerning alleged defects in a cross-border supply relationship
(cases include matters handled by our lawyers in previous law firms)
Business decisions are often tightrope walks. The art of the lawyer is to know where the line is between permissible business discretion and a breach of duty or even a criminal offence.
As experienced legal advisors, we support managing directors, board members, supervisory board members and advisory board members in all day-to-day matters and in dealing with special situations (especially in times of crisis or suspected compliance violations). In the event of a claim, we advise and represent both board members in defending against unjustified claims and companies in investigating and enforcing liability claims.
When lawyers, accountants and management consultants provide advice, disputes sometimes arise over potential professional liability. In such cases, we advise and represent both consultants in the defence against unjustified claims and companies in the investigation and enforcement of liability claims.
- Advising the supervisory board of a listed betting provider in connection with the investigation and possible assertion of claims for damages against former members of the management board
- Representing a law firm in relation to alleged analogue liability for alleged unlawful acts of a (bogus) lawyer
- Representing a lawyer in court proceedings regarding allegations of aiding and abetting a client's breach of trust
- Advising a director of a construction company against claims arising from director's liability
(cases include matters handled by our lawyers in previous law firms)
The Hamburg metropolitan region is an important location for innovative shipbuilding (especially special-purpose-vessels, yachts and naval ships), for high-performance port logistics and a centre of the German wind energy industry. Hamburg has also been the seat of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea since 1996.
We have many years of experience with complex disputes in the areas of shipbuilding, shipbuilding supply industry, maritime plant construction and disputes in the areas of marine and offshore technology. We also have particular expertise in corporate disputes in the maritime industry.
Furthermore, lawyers from our firm regularly act as arbitrators in disputes in the maritime industry, including in arbitration proceedings under the arbitration rules of the Hamburg based German Maritime Arbitration Association (GMAA).
In addition to advising and representing clients in dispute resolution, we also provide experienced legal advice to the maritime industry on corporate law issues.
- Representing a company in a complex dispute relating to the construction of a special purpose vessel
- Representing a company in litigation regarding compensation claims in connection with a shipbuilding project
- Representing a company in litigation regarding alleged liability under a ship newbuilding supervision contract
- Advising in a dispute under a war risk insurance policy
- Representing a company in connection with the failure of a slewing bearing in a ship's propulsion system
(cases include matters handled by our lawyers in previous law firms)