Corporate & Commercial Lawyers in Berlin

Corporate lawyers in Berlin work at the centre of Germany's largest startup scene, alongside established companies, property groups and a growing number of foreign businesses opening a German base. Typical matters include setting up a GmbH or UG, financing rounds with business angels and venture funds, employee participation plans, shareholder disputes and commercial contracts with German partners.

German company law has some features that surprise foreign founders. Forming a GmbH and transferring its shares require a notary, and the company only exists once entered in the commercial register, which for Berlin is kept at the Amtsgericht Charlottenburg. Many startups are founded as a UG with very little capital and converted later. A corporate lawyer in Berlin will draft the articles and shareholder agreement, coordinate with the notary, run investment rounds and advise managing directors on their liability. Commercial disputes go to the chambers for commercial matters at the Landgericht Berlin. Many specialists hold the title Fachanwalt für Handels und Gesellschaftsrecht. All lawyers in Berlin belong to the Rechtsanwaltskammer Berlin and can be checked in the BRAK federal lawyer directory.

Court work follows the RVG fee act, but advisory and deal work is usually billed by the hour under a written fee agreement. Notary fees are fixed by law and come on top. Before hiring corporate lawyers in Berlin, decide on the legal form, list the founders and their shares, prepare any term sheet and ask whether the firm offers fixed packages for formation. Then compare the firms below and contact them directly.