Public Commercial Law

Advice for companies and governmental agencies

Public commercial law traditionally plays an important role at GvW Graf von Westphalen. We have represented the interests of our clients throughout the areas of public law for approximately 70 years. Our clients include both private companies as well as governmental agencies.  

Our attorneys advise and represent companies in permit proceedings, in the case of orders or objections issued by public authorities as well as in obtaining access to administrative information. Our daily work has given us excellent knowledge about the procedures and decision making in public administration. We act before local community administrative agencies as well as regional specialized agencies and the European Commission. We regularly represent our clients before the administrative courts in all instances, the state and national constitutional courts, the courts of the European Union and the European Court for Human Rights. As a result of our academic expertise, we are also frequently asked to act as legal experts.

We support public agencies (for example, ministries, local communities and professional associations) in court proceedings, the legislative process, organizing public tasks (restructuring, privatization, "recommunalization"), establishing and managing governmental holding companies as well as in the preparation and implementation of investments.

Areas of our activity


Environmental and planning law


Public construction law


Commercial administrative law


Constitutional law


State aid and subsidies


Public contracting


Law governing food and animal feed


The law governing chambers of industry and commerce


Freedom of information


Gambling


Local communities


Public levies


Special expertise: Advice related to projects

We also rely on our practical experience in working with administrative agencies and the courts in the respective specialized area in providing general advice and advice on specific projects to companies, for example, in connection with establishing or evolving a compliance organization or in connection with corporate transactions (restructuring, sale or acquisition of companies).