In each issue of our newsletter, members of our law firm introduce themselves personally. This time, it is the turn of our partner Christiane Fuchs.

I was born in November 1967 and, after graduating from high school and studying law in Heidelberg and at the Europa-Institut at the Saarland University, I obtained my doctorate in 1999 with my dissertation on the realization of the internal electricity market in the EU. My work as a research assistant to Torsten Stein at the Europa-Institut at Saarland University gave me access to European Community law, the importance of which cannot be overestimated and which has permeated my entire career.

My doctoral supervisor was more than a role model to me. His outlook on life, which was of the highest academic standard yet realistic, and his calm demeanor as a competent contact person even when dealing with complex issues, with an absolute determination to find solutions rather than discuss problems, had a lasting impact on my fundamental attitude. Today, more than ever, it is important to demonstrate motivation, perseverance, and optimism in difficult situations, not least in order to be a role model for younger people.

The topic of my doctoral thesis, “Organization of grid-based energy supply from a competitive perspective,” has stayed with me ever since. I continue to follow legal developments in this area with great interest, alongside food law. A clear view of European legal structures and a practice-oriented approach are essential in order to steer the further development of food law in the internal market in the right direction.

I began my professional career while still working on my doctorate in public commercial law, specializing in food law in European community law as well as administrative and fee law. In 2002, together with my colleague Uwe Renger, I founded the boutique law firm Dr. Fuchs & Renger in Mannheim to represent companies in the food and agricultural industries in all matters of national and European administrative law.

Since then, we have successfully represented clients ranging from small butchers to the top market leader in the meat industry. With two decisions by the Federal Administrative Court, we have been able to incorporate new aspects into the assessment of legal issues and obtain favorable rulings for our clients. I conduct proceedings nationwide, up to the highest administrative courts. Thanks in part to my former Of Counsel, Dr. Friedrich Greve, and strategic litigation, we were able to shape the case law of the higher administrative courts and the Federal Administrative Court in favor of our clients.

We ran the boutique law firm together with other colleagues for 21 years, until April 1, 2023. Since then, my partner has retired due to age and I have been working as a partner at the commercial law firm Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner in Frankfurt am Main. In addition to my daily consulting work for clients, I am involved in the further expansion of the food law department in collaboration with my Cologne-based colleague, attorney Hildegard Schöllmann.

Outside of the law firm, I give guest lectures at universities and various professional associations, focusing on future legal developments and outlooks. As a passionate animal lover, I am also committed to enforcing animal welfare in everyday situations. My hobbies of art and interior design, as well as running and yoga, provide me with a happy balance that allows me to experience impressive things outside of my professional life.