GvW Appoints 14 New Partners

Growth from within the firm continues: at its partners' meeting on 20 November in Hamburg, the law firm GvW Graf von Westphalen elected four new Equity Partners and ten new Associate Partners. We are also delighted to announce the appointment of four new Counsels.

New Equity Partners

We congratulate Stefan Glock, Sven-Erik Holm, Laurens Klinkert and Andreas Kössel on their admission to the equity partnership.

Stefan Glock is a lawyer and criminal defence lawyer based in Hamburg. He has specialised in criminal law since starting his career at GvW, focusing on commercial and tax criminal law as well as representing individuals and companies in criminal proceedings. He defends clients in all phases of criminal and administrative offence proceedings and also advises companies on compliance and internal investigations.

Sven-Erik Holm has been a lawyer at GvW's Frankfurt office since the start of his career. With his many years of experience in the fields of Tech & Data, cyber law and IT contract law, he advises the public sector and companies on the implementation of data protection and IT compliance, as well as on the legally compliant use of AI and the procurement of IT systems.

Laurens Klinkert works in the field of Corporate/M&A and has extensiveexperience advising on strategic M&A transactions, private equity and venture capital investments, as well as complex restructurings. A particular focus of his practice is on supporting cross-border transactions.

Andreas Kössel is a certified specialist lawyer in employment law and business mediator based in Munich. He has extensiveexperience advising national and international employers and executives on all aspects of individual and collective employment law. His work focuses in particular on providing strategic support for restructuring, advising on the use of external personnel and employment law litigation.

New Associate Partners

We congratulate Irmela Dölle, Martin Egner, Susanne Juliane Hofmann, Katharina Lanio, Markus Laskowsky, Nicole Lindner, Dr Richard Lungstras, Marie-Christin Molitor, Dr Johanna Röper and Isabel Schmid-Raab on their election as new Associate Partners.

Irmela Dölle (Frankfurt) advises clients on IT, data and contract law. One of her main areas of expertise is advising on data protection compliance and the legally compliant use of AI systems. She also represents her clients in administrative and court proceedings.

Martin Egner (Munich) specialises in conflict resolution as well as automotive & mobility. As former legal counsel to a global automotive manufacturer, the Joint Head of GvW's Automotive & Mobility Focus Area combines in-depth industry expertise with technical know-how and an understanding of technically complex issues.

Susanne Juliane Hofmann (Berlin) advises on environmental, planning and energy law. Her main areas of expertise are grid expansion projects, complex PFAS damage cases and nuclear waste disposal issues. She assists with planning and approval procedures for major infrastructure projects, prepares expert opinions and represents clients before authorities and courts.

Katharina Lanio (Frankfurt) advises on real estate law and commercial landlord and tenant law, with a particular focus on supporting real estate transactions and the interface between ESG/sustainability and real estate.

Markus Laskowsky (Munich) advises on public procurement law, with a focus on projects in the transport sector (local and regional public transport) and digitalisation. His practice focuses on the design and implementation of procurement measures, including the drafting contracts and conducting negotiations. 

Nicole Lindner (Hamburg), a certified specialist lawyer in administrative and agricultural law, advises companies and associations on food and feed law, with  the focus on the specific needs of agribusiness. Her further core areas of expertise include animal welfare law and packaging law.

Dr Richard Lungstras (Munich) specialises in conflict resolution. He advises and represents national and international companies before state courts and arbitration tribunals, with a particular focus on commercial and corporate law disputes as well as the hotel, automotive and sports industries.

Marie-Christin Molitor (Düsseldorf), a certified specialist lawyer in construction and architects‘ law, oversees complex construction and real estate projects from contract drafting to successful completion. She advises and represents companies and public clients both in and out of court.

Dr. Johanna Röper (Hamburg) advises and represents manufacturing companies in particular in product liability, product safety, contract and tort law. She specialises in regulatory and product compliance, contract drafting and the defence and enforcement of liability claims.

Isabel Schmid-Raab (Munich), a certified specialist lawyer in IT law, advises her clients on all issues relating to data and IT law. She has a particular focus  on representing clients in data protection proceedings before the courts. She also advises on matters at the intersection of data, IT and competition law.

New Counsels

Congratulations to Michael Fischer, Tobias Lang, Hanno Schmücker and Denise Waelde on their appointment as Counsels.

Michael Fischer (Munich) specialises in data protection and IT law and focuses on data litigation.

Tobias Lang (Munich) advises clients in the energy industry on all aspects of energy, corporate and private construction law, with a particular specialisation in renewable energies,power plant and grid expansion projects.

Hanno Schmücker (Hamburg) is a member of the Dispute Resolution Practice Group and focuses on product liability and product safety. 

Denise Waelde (Munich) is a certified specialist lawyer in employment law and advises and represents companies and executives on all employment law matters, with a particular focus on employment law transaction support, restructuring and insolvency employment law.