Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Private clients and non-profits

Boutique PONTES Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater PartG mbB supports wealthy private individuals, corporate families, family offices and foundations and recently strengthened its corporate and tax law competencies by adding several new players to the client roster.

Private clients and non-profits in Germany

Flick Gocke Schaumburg

Flick Gocke Schaumburg supports medium-sized family businesses, companies and their foundations as well as family offices in succession and inheritance planning and boasts  particular expertise in related tax issues. Practice head Christian von Oertzen advises national and international medium-sized entrepreneurial families, non-profit organisations and wealthy private individuals on tax issues in the context of succession planning. Christian Kirchhain covers tax law matters and also advises on foundation and association law, the latter two areas are also a core strength of Stephan Schauhoff, while Christian Kahlenberg and Philipp Windeknecht specialise in tax law and were both appointed to partners in January 2024.

Praxisleiter:

Christian von Oertzen


Referenzen

‘The partners of the firm are of a far above-average professional level. Focus on Germany with an established network in key foreign locations for dealing with cross-border issues. Can also solve very complex issues including international aspects sustainably and reliably.’

‘Accessibility, clarity in communication, competence.’

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POELLATH

POELLATH advises wealthy private individuals, their family offices and foundations on all aspects of succession and inheritance planning, including related domestic and foreign tax law matters, and offers support in the establishment and restructuring of family foundations. Interfacing tax law issues are a core strength if Stephan Viskorf, while Andreas Richter is experienced asset management as well as in foundation and shareholder disputes. Katharina Gollan is a key contact for foundation and non-profit law issues. In January 2024, Sebastian Löcherbach was appointed to associated partner; he acts at the interface between corporate and tax law and also handles inheritance tax issues.

Weitere Kernanwälte:

Katharina Hemmen; Sebastian Löcherbach


Referenzen

‘POELLATH stands for market-leading advice on transactions and asset management. They offer coordinated legal and tax advice. The tax/private client teams are specialized in advising wealthy private individuals, especially family entrepreneurs, and their often complex international asset and corporate structures.’

‘Andreas Richter is THE private clients lawyer in Germany.’

‘Katharina Hemmen is excellent and highly recommended!’

‘Outstanding, absolutely first class team.’

‘The partners are excellent strategists, can deal with UHNWIs just as well as with business people and can develop and present appropriate, complex solutions to them. Strong in the concrete implementation of work products, including contact with tax authorities.’

‘Excellent expertise and experience also in cross-border situations, broad and well-trained team with various focus areas (crypto, trusts, etc.).’

‘State-of-the-art technology, good presentation of work results and recommendations, pragmatic and risk-adequate approach.’

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  • Advising a UHNWI on globally oriented asset structuring, including advice on related tax declaration (voluntary disclosure).

  • Advising a HNWI on the establishment of a dependent non-profit foundation and on the transfer of assets subject to usufruct.

  • Advising a HNWI on moving with family to Lithuania with a complex asset structure and extensive share valuation.

ADVANT Beiten

ADVANT Beiten advises family offices on succession planning and has particular expertise in the establishment and management of foundations, including the support in tax and non-profit law issues. The practice is jointly headed by Gerrit Ponath and Lucas van Randenborgh, who advise wealthy private individuals on national and international asset succession planning and tax optimisation. Ponath also advises on foundation and association law matters, while van Randenborgh handles corporate and tax law issues in connection with corporate succession planning. Georg Tolksdorf is the key contact for executing wills and inheritance law matters pertaining to estates, while Katharina Fink primarily acts at the interface between foundation and inheritance law, including litigation. In October 2023, Esther Kindler (foundation law and asset succession) joined from ASG Asche Stein Glockemann Verstl Wiezoreck.

Weitere Kernanwälte:

Georg Tolksdorf; Katharina Fink


Referenzen

‘Outstanding performance in commitment and expertise: Gerrit Ponath and Katharina Fink.’

‘Gerrit Ponath is a very reliable partner who can draw on a huge wealth of experience. He is very pleasant to deal with personally, well-founded in his opinions/elaborations and very flexible. A highly recommended business partner!’

‘Gerrit Ponath is not only an outstanding expert in the foundation scene, but also always develops outstanding and tailor-made solutions.’

‘The service at Advant Beiten is excellent, extremely fast and the team can be contacted at any time. The foundation law experts understand the needs of foundations precisely and are informed early on about upcoming legal changes in the “industry”. Overall, we experience very fast and extremely professional advice on many issues, especially in foundation and tax law but also beyond that.’

‘The fast, interested and very committed advice from Georg Tolksdorf and his team helped us a lot to implement the project.’

‘The team is very competent, has a comprehensive understanding of the complex task and makes excellent suggestions for the design and implementation of the project.’

‘Gerrit Ponath demonstrates high/broad technical expertise, can summarize complex issues in understandable and descriptive sentences and gets to the point. He is approachable, structured, focused and always has his client’s success in mind.’

‘Proven expert at the bank/private client interface in the area of ​​corporate and asset succession.’

Kernmandanten

Else Kröner-Fresenius Stiftung


Familie Schambach-Stiftung


Goethe-Universität


Helga Ravenstein-Stiftung


Glasmeister Heinz Familienstiftung


Altkönig Stiftung / Altkönig Genossenschaft


Highlight-Mandate


  • Ongoing advice to various departments of the Goethe University’s Foundation University on tax law issues as well as on foundation law matters, GmbH law and association law.

  • Advising the Helga Ravenstein Foundation on all aspects of foundation law, including tax non-profit status, compliance and litigation as well as representation in various court proceedings.

  • Advising the Schambach family foundation on all aspects of foundation and tax law as well as on corporate and real estate law.

CMS

CMS supports entrepreneurial families, wealthy private individuals and family offices in corporate succession as well as the management and transfer of assets, including succession planning, execution of wills and place of residence matters; in the latter area, clients benefit from the practice's cross-location approach. The team is also experienced in the structuring of non-profit foundations and contentious issues such as inheritance and shareholder disputes. Dirk Schauer (national and international asset and corporate succession as well as foundation law) heads the practice; Jasper Philippi (inheritance and foundation law) joined the partner roster in January 2024.

Praxisleiter:

Dirk Schauer


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Christian Blum; Jasper Philippi


Referenzen

‘Simply an outstanding team!’

‘Very high level of competence, both professionally and personally. Very good connections across a wide range of legal and tax areas. Very good feel for dealing with international issues.’

‘CMS has a very heterogeneous team. From succession planning to corporate law and M&A, I have had very good experiences with the experts at CMS and can highly recommend the firm.’

‘Dirk Schauer and Christian Blum are experts in the field of corporate law and succession planning.’

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Noerr

Noerr offers a full-service approach in advising family offices, wealthy private individuals and foundations on asset management as well as succession and foundation law, including related corporate and tax law matters as well as litigation. Practice head Tobias Bürgers is a key contact for issues at the corporate law interface; this expertise was further strengthened in January 2024 with the partner appointments of Tobias Hueck, who is experienced in transactions, investments as well as the management of family estates, and Jan-Philipp Meier, who offers expertise in transactions and shareholder disputes.

Praxisleiter:

Tobias Bürgers


Referenzen

‘One of the few large law firms with a private clients team that has become very established in the market over the years.’

‘I highly recommend Frank Schuck for foundations.’

Kernmandanten

Fresenius / Else-Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung


Dieter Schwarz Stiftung


Hermes Johannes Burges Stiftung


Kaufland Stiftung & Co. KG


Allianz Foundation


Villeroy & Boch


Sedlmayr-Gruppe


Embaré Indústrias Alimentícias S.A.


Krones


Claas-Gruppe


Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG


Serviceplan-Gruppe


Tönnies


Gegenbauer


King Baudouin Foundation


Dehner-Gruppe


Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG


Right Livelihood Foundation


Semper Idem Underberg


Hardtke Stiftung


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising Dieter Schwarz Stiftung gGmbH on expanding its cooperation with the Technical University of Munich regarding the financing and development of an AI and research campus.

  • Advising HERMES ARZNEIMITTEL Group on the implementation of succession in the family business, including the establishment and management of a family foundation as a holding company and non-profit foundation.

  • Advising the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung as the largest shareholder on the strategic realignment of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA and the deconsolidation of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KgaA; also ongoing advice.

Oppenhoff

Oppenhoff's expertise in ​​asset management as well as succession and foundation law is regularly called upon by wealthy private individuals in connection with corporate and asset succession planning. Practice head Axel Wenzel focuses on corporate law issues as well as the cross-border advice on inheritance and family law issues; the team is also well versed in foundation and non-profit law. David Falkowski (corporate and foundation law) is also dedicated to these areas and focuses on cross-border matters.

Praxisleiter:

Axel Wenzel


Referenzen

‘Axel Wenzel supports his partners and clients with a high level of competence and commitment. He manages all services and competencies within the firm. He is always open to new ideas and supports his clients with advice and assistance, even beyond legal issues.’

‘Perfect management of the individual areas of expertise. Very friendly and committed handling of the subject areas.’

Kernmandanten

Alfred Landecker Foundation


JAB Holding Company SARL


Familie Reimann


Sebastian Vettel


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SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft

SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft comprehensively advises entrepreneurs, wealthy private individuals and family offices regularly instruct on all aspects of succession planning, including related corporate and tax law issues, foundation and non-profit law, asset management and structuring as well as marriage law matters. These competencies correspond with the focus of the Mannheim-based three-strong practice management: Martin Feick and Stephan Scherer predominantly advise on corporate law and succession planning, including inheritance, inheritance tax, foundation and non-profit law, while Stefan Zeyher focuses on corporate law and clients' representation before state courts and arbitration tribunals.

Referenzen

‘A very committed and experienced team, including some promising young talent.’

‘Stephan Scherer is an extremely highly valued colleague in every respect – both professionally and personally!’

‘First-class lawyers with a clear compass even beyond their high level of expertise.’

Kernmandanten

Gesellschafter der Voith GmbH & Co. KGaA


Gesellschafter von Freudenberg & Co.


Heinz Hermann Thiele Familienstiftung


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  • Advising the shareholders of Voith GmbH & Co. KGaA in connection with the avoidance of exit taxation as well as ongoing advice on all issues pertaining to corporate and succession planning.

  • Ongoing advice to numerous partners of Freudenberg & Co. on succession planning, including marriage contracts and on international matters.

  • Advice and representation of the Heinz Hermann Thiele Family Foundation in administrative court proceedings regarding the recognition of the foundation as well as advice regarding inheritance matters.

Taylor Wessing

Taylor Wessing advises family businesses, family offices and wealthy private individuals on inheritance, corporate and family law as well as foundation and tax law issues; clients also benefit from the practice's cross-locational approach. The team is particularly well versed in supporting owner-related transaction and restructuring projects as well as the establishment of holding structures for private and corporate assets, where the team regularly cooperates with the corporate experts of the private wealth industry group. Martin Kraus heads the private wealth team, while Axel Godron leads the private clients practice. In December 2023, Luise Hauschild (corporate and asset succession) joined from Loschelder.

Praxisleiter:

Axel Godron; Martin Kraus


Referenzen

‘Luise Hauschild is excellent at the interface between corporate law and succession planning.’

‘Jens Escher has been a very reliable and extremely knowledgeable tax specialist in the area of ​​private clients and NGOs for years, and I am happy to recommend him, especially for complex structuring and cross-border issues. I find the advice to be very individual and tailored to the respective situations with a lot of empathy.’

‘The partners have different specialties with in-depth expertise and work very collaboratively on the mandates; very good exchange of know-how.’

‘Established PC team.’

‘Jens Escher is very knowledgeable and makes precise analyses off the cuff.’

‘Cornelia Maetschke-Biersack quickly and confidently understands complex issues, provides practical solutions and is empathetic in her discussions with clients.’

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dtb rechtsanwälte

dtb rechtsanwälte's expertise in foundation, non-profit, inheritance and art law is routinely called upon by artists, collectors and museums. Among the mainstays is the support in art law matters regarding the protection of artists' estates and the establishment and preservation of collections, as well as foundation and succession planning issues. The practice is jointly led by a Berlin-based duo, consisting of Bertold Schmidt-Thomé (foundation, corporate, non-profit, inheritance and art law) and Pascal Decker (art, foundation, press and media law).

Referenzen

‘Bertold Schmidt-Thomé has excellent knowledge of inheritance and estate matters.’

‘Pascal Decker has excellent knowledge in all areas of art law – he is very experienced, very friendly, responsive, fast, accurate.’

‘In addition to impeccable legal skills, also excellent knowledge of the art market.’

Kernmandanten

Stiftung KUNSTFORUM der Berliner Volksbank


Universität der Künste Berlin


Ikemura Foundation


Alien Athena Foundation for Art


Die Braunschweigische Stiftung


Karg-Stiftung


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising the Braunschweigische Stiftung (formerly STIFTUNG NORD/LB) on its cooperation with a public museum to develop a dependent foundation for an artist’s estate.

  • Advising the Berlin University of the Arts on the completion of the foundation establishment.

Heussen Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH

Heussen Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH regularly acts at the interface between inheritance, corporate and tax law, including dispute resolution and litigation. In addition to traditional matters such as asset structuring and succession planning, the team also increasingly supports international real estate acquisitions via private equity with a geographical focus on the Balearic Islands; the practice advises wealthy private individuals, donors, shareholders and foundations. Frank-Grischa Feitsch (succession planning, inheritance and shareholder disputes, foundation establishment, establishment of family companies) heads the team.

Praxisleiter:

Frank-Grischa Feitsch


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Christoph Hamm; Kerstin Linder


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising the founder and majority shareholder of a manufacturer of specialty products on anticipated inheritance and the establishment of an asset-managing and asset-equipped “de-stamped” family holding company.

  • Advising a real estate company on the relocation of residence abroad, including minor children, while avoiding exit tax and on anticipated inheritance.

  • Advice on inheritance, corporate and tax law succession to a wealthy entrepreneur with land and real estate law implications with regard to risks from contaminated industrial land.

Rittershaus

The interdisciplinary team at Rittershaus comprehensively covers all aspects of succession, asset and foundation law, including contentious issues, and regularly operates at the interface between corporate and tax law. Frankfurt-based Michael Kühn leads the team and advises family offices and wealthy private individuals on all aspects of succession and asset protection, with a focus on gift, inheritance and inheritance tax law. Foundation law matters are regularly handled by Werner Born (also mediative succession support) in Mannheim.

Praxisleiter:

Michael Kühn


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Werner BornCorinna Stiehl


Kernmandanten

Hagedorn-Gruppe


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Winheller

Winheller specialises in advising non-profit organisations and private clients and acts in an advisory capacity as well as in contentious proceedings with a particular focus on dispute resolution regarding foundations. Stefan Winheller (private clients) and Johannes Fein (non-profits) head the respective core areas. In early 2024, Winheller took over the management from Boris Piekarek (optimised asset management in accordance with real estate, corporate and tax law), who remains part of the team. Tax law expert Winheller advises on exit taxation and supports crypto investors in the tax optimisation of cryptocurrencies; he is also well versed in foundation and non-profit law and advises wealthy entrepreneurs and private individuals with a focus on wealthy private individuals from English- and Russian-speaking countries. Fein routinely advises foundations and non-profit organisations in non-profit, association and foundation law.

Weitere Kernanwälte:

Elmar Krüsmann; Boris Piekarek


Kernmandanten

Fondation Roi Baudouin


Hubert Burda Stiftung und Felix Burda Stiftung


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising the Fondation Roi Baudouin on inheritance and donation law and the new register of grant recipients.

  • Tax advice to the founder and the board of a family foundation regarding changes to the statutes and the sale of a company shareholding valued at approximately €100 million.

BRL BOEGE ROHDE LUEBBEHUESEN

BRL BOEGE ROHDE LUEBBEHUESEN is well versed in non-profit law advice regarding foundations and regularly supports shareholders in the establishment and restructuring of foundations, including related tax law issues. In addition, the practice supports family entrepreneurs in succession planning and also covers interfacing corporate law and contentious matters. Practice head Oliver Tomat also acts at the corporate law interface and advises on corporate succession and the establishment of family foundations.

Praxisleiter:

Oliver Tomat


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Nils Meyer-Sandberg; Daniel Mundhenke


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Dissmann Orth

Dissmann Orth advisory offering focuses on the interface between corporate and tax law and is frequently drawn upon by entrepreneurs and family offices in connection with investments and related succession planning as well as donations. This is complemented by experience in supporting wealthy private individuals and family offices in execution of wills and estate matters as well as the establishment of foundations, including cross-border issues. Jochen Ettinger, Armin Hergeth and Chiara Balbinot are among the key contacts for these areas.

Referenzen

‘Jochen Ettinger has many years of experience in international tax law; in addition to his high level of technical expertise, we value his empathetic demeanor.’

‘Dissmann Orth has outstanding expertise in the legal and tax issues of high net worth private investors and their family groups. Particular strengths include the design of asset succession and generational advice. Highly valued dual qualifications as lawyers/specialist lawyers and tax consultants.’

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DREYENBERG Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater PartG mbB

Boutique DREYENBERG Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater PartG mbB specialises in tax, non-profit as well as tax and criminal law and regularly advises national and international non-profit organisations, wealthy private individuals and entrepreneurs, the latter in particular across the start-up and crypto sector on various interfacing issues. The private clients area is headed by Lars-Olaf Leskovar, while Uwe Müller leads the non-profit practice. Bartosz Dzionsko covers tax criminal law issues as well as cross-border investment and asset structuring.

Weitere Kernanwälte:

Bartosz Dzionsko


Referenzen

‘I had the great pleasure of working with Lars-Olaf Leskovar and can fully recommend him as an outstanding legal advisor.’

‘Lars-Olaf Leskovar impressed me with his extraordinary professionalism, expertise and dedication at every stage. He has impressive specialist knowledge and extensive experience in his field and always explained complex legal issues to me in an understandable way and guided me safely through all legal challenges with his in-depth expertise.’

‘We would particularly like to praise Uwe Müller, who has always given us good advice and knows our structure, our challenges and needs. Over the years we have been able to build a relationship of trust that is very valuable to us. In addition, Mr Müller has the ability to help and support us quickly and pragmatically, but with great expertise, even in time-critical moments.’

Kernmandanten

FIWARE Foundation e.V.


S&S gGmbH


neues handeln AG


Tibethaus Kulturstiftung


IVEB e.V.


LiA – Leben im Alter gGmbH


KJSH – Verbund für Kinder-, Jugend- und Soziale Hilfen


Purpose-Gruppe


DRK KV Müggelspree e.V.


Bhakti Marga Gruppe


SSRF Germany e.V.


House of Digital Transformation e.V.


Bundesverband der Waldkindergärten e.V.


Deutsche Gehörlosen Jugend e.V.


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advice to FIWARE Foundation eV on association and non-profit law matters.

  • Non-profit advice to S&S gGmbH on the revision of the articles of association and the planned demerger of business sections into sister companies.

Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young comprehensively supports family-run businesses and their shareholders, wealthy private individuals, family offices and foundations in succession planning, including asset structuring, share transfers and donation agreements. Clients also benefit from the firm's international network as well as its cooperation with EY Tax on interfacing tax matters. Practice head Christian Steger focuses on corporate and asset succession issues.

Praxisleiter:

Christian Steger


Referenzen

‘Christian Steger is a very good lawyer and very experienced. He has a great deal of detailed knowledge.’

‘Large team, very broadly positioned.’

‘Strong staff, access to the global EY network, know-how in many areas.’

Forvis Mazars

Forvis Mazars offers wealthy private individuals, families and family offices expertise in inheritance, tax and corporate law issues. The team is led by Catarina Herbst (Hamburg), Bernd Schult (Berlin) and Wolfgang Durach (Stuttgart), who are all experienced in the management of asset and corporate succession. Herbst complements this with inheritance tax expertise and Schult is additionally well versed in inheritance law and the execution of wills.

Weitere Kernanwälte:

Françoise Dammertz; René Udwari


Referenzen

‘René Udwari is characterized by his extremely high level of friendliness, commitment, helpfulness and professional competence.’

‘What I particularly appreciate about Mr Udwari is his willingness to be able to exchange information on issues in an uncomplicated manner without this necessarily being linked to an invoice, unless a specific mandate is given. As soon as the matter goes beyond his own area of ​​expertise, Mr Udwari is extremely committed to bringing in the appropriate other contacts.’

‘Particularly worthy of mention is the cross-disciplinary and cross-border competence, which is available in an uncomplicated manner, at a high technical level and at a very pleasant personal level.’

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Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH

Wealthy private individuals, family offices and family companies regularly instruct Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH on tax-optimised succession planning, where the team offers support in national and international foundation law matters, family pools and exit strategies. The team is led by transaction expert and notary Andreas Blunk, who acts in both an advisory role as well as a notary in connection with share sales, real estate transactions, company formations and restructurings. Tax law issues are regularly handled by Zacharias-Alexis Schneider.

Praxisleiter:

Andreas Blunk


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Arnd Becker; Zacharias-Alexis Schneider


Kernmandanten

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz


QSIL AG


Holger Grelck Forstbaumschulen GmbH


Hans Übelacker GmbH + Co. KG


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising family-run company Holger Grelck Forstbaumschulen GmbH on entering into a partnership with the private equity investor Beyond Capital Partners with prior internal restructuring.

  • Advising the shareholder of Hans Übelacker GmbH + Co KG on the sale of his company to the Norwegian Håndverksgruppen AS with retention of the name and brand.

  • Advising a shareholder on the sale of ERKA Internationale Spedition GmbH to the Noerpel Group with complete takeover of all employees and management.

Redeker Sellner Dahs

Redeker Sellner Dahs focuses on its key strength, which is the support in inheritance disputes and contentious execution of wills matters; here, clients also benefit from the close cooperation with the corporate and public law teams. Other mainstays include the advice on foundation and tax law issues. Andreas Frieser and Cornel Potthast co-lead the practice and comprehensively cover matters pertaining to inheritance, foundation, art, association and corporate law as well as litigation.

Weitere Kernanwälte:

Philipp Georg Kampmann


Kernmandanten

Hoffnungstaler Stiftung Lobetal


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising the Hoffnungstaler Stiftung Lobetal on the establishment of foundations under the reformed foundation law that came into force in July 2023 and on related non-profit law issues.

  • Advising a widow in a dispute with the executor of a will and a foundation in the process of being established.

SKW Schwarz

SKW Schwarz advises on strategic succession planning, including corporate, inheritance, tax and foundation law issues as well as contentious issues, which is complemented by expertise in family law. Wealthy private individuals, foundations and family companies regularly draw upon these competencies in connection with national and cross-border matters. Gerd Seeliger (inheritance and inheritance tax law, restructuring and transformations, succession planning) leads the team. In November 2024, a three-strong team led by Christoph Philipp (asset structuring and national and international succession planning) joined from POELLATH.

Praxisleiter:

Gerd Seeliger 


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising the Institut für Generationenberatung GmbH on the standardized drafting of wills and powers of attorney.

  • Advising Commerzbank AG on the notarization of all TV certificate and certificate of inheritance applications in FFM as well as the notarization of legacy fulfillment contracts and inheritance settlement agreements.

  • Advising the Björn Schulz Foundation on expanding its estate management business, adapting statutes and on association law matters.