The summer holidays are or will soon be over for most of us and it‘s time to return to work. Heatwaves and draught have been in the headlines all over Europe and in many parts of the world this summer, reminding us that climate change is a reality. The war of Russia against Ukraine has shown how dependant many European countries, especially Germany, are from Russian gas supplies. Thus, fear is rising that after a hot summer a cold winter will follow. Clever solutions are needed to save energy and increase the use of renewable energy sources, especially in a country like Germany with little natural resources of fossil energy.

The good thing is that there are already plenty of clever ideas, for example on how to make house constructions carbon-neutral, public transport more efficient and renewable energy more available. We are proud to say that many of our clients are working at such new ideas. The current situation could act as a catalyst for the same and help them become reality faster. This makes us confident that things will change for the better despite or even because of the crisis.

There is a lot to do when we return to work after this summer. We, too, will do our best to assist our clients and partners worldwide in achieving their goals.
For now, have a good last bit of summer and maybe one or the other new insight while reading our newsletter.

Yours sincerely,

Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner

FGvW elects new management
Our partners' meeting elected a new management board in June. In the future, our firm will be led by Carsten Laschet (49) as spokesman of the management, Sabine Schröter (42) and Stefan Lammel (46). The management has been elected until December 31, 2024. read more >

FGvW strengthens labor law practice in Berlin / Partner exit in Freiburg
A team of three partners led by senior partner Gerhard Manz, Barbara Mayer and Jan Barth have left our Freiburg office by the end of July 2022. At the same time, we have strengthened our Berlin office with corporate experienced labor and employment lawyer Andrea Wilke as Local Partner. read more >

FGvW Strengthens Real Estate Practice in Cologne with Gregor Lamla as Partner
On May 1, 2022, real estate lawyer Gregor Lamla joined our real estate practice group, which has a strong presence throughout Germany, as a partner. read more >

Changes to the Act on Notification of Employment Conditions as of August 1, 2022
To all employers: As of August 1, 2022, new playing rules regarding notification of employment conditions will apply. read more >

Corporate Law: On the registration in the commercial register when a shareholder leaves the company
The registration of the withdrawal does not require the cooperation of the shareholder concerned if his obligation to cooperate has been determined by a court. read more >

Evergreen: Is it possible to mark a company with special symbols"//"?
The name of a company may only contain special symbols that can be clearly pronounced according to common usage. read more >

The shareholders‘ list of a limited liability company - a declaration of knowledge
The list of shareholders of a German limited liability company is not a declaration of intent, but a declaration of knowledge. The submission of such list to the registry court is an act  not allowing for representation by a third party. read more >

Antitrust law: The new Block Exemption Regulation for Vertical Agreements entered into force on June 1, 2022
On May 10, 2022, the European Commission adopted the new Block Exemption Regulation for Vertical Agreements , which is accompanied by the new Commission's Guidelines on Vertical Restraints. Accordingly, vertical agreements between supplier and buyer are exempt from antitrust prohibition if their market share does not exceed 30 % and the agreement does not contain so-called hardcore restrictions or other non-exempt clauses (so-called grey clauses). read more >

The success of the 9 euro ticket
It is a well-known fact that Germans love their cars. However, with energy and fuel costs rising, public transport is seen as an important alternative by many in Germany. This summer, an initiative of the Federal Government, the so called „9 euro ticket“, has generated great public acclaim. read more >

"Germany's Best Lawyers 2023" - FGvW recommended by "Best Lawyers"
Once a year, the US publisher "Best Lawyers" asks business lawyers for their recommendations from other law firms. We are pleased with the results again this year: 30 lawyers from our firm are among the "Best Lawyers" in Germany. read more >

brand eins: FGvW is one of the best commercial law firms in Germany
read more >

WiWo Ranking 2022: FGvW Top Law Firm for labor and employment law
read more >

Statista research: FGvW among the leaders in inheritance law
read more >

In each issue of our newsletter, people from our firm introduce themselves personally. This time, it is the turn of trademark and design law lawyer Eva Kessler from our Freiburg office. read more >

We further introduce to you our Berlin tax lawyer Yusuf Yildirim - read more >.