Axel Bödefeld

Kirsten Placke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Kirsten, who practices law in Düsseldorf, Germany, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kirsten is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Born in 1959 Trained and worked as police officer in North Rhine-Westphalia, 1979 - 1983 Legal studies and clerkship at Bielefeld University State bar exam and bar admission in 1989 Worked in the legal department of Dr. Oetker Nahrungsmittel KG, Bielefeld, 1990 - 1991 With the firm since 1992 Certified Specialized Attorney in Administrative Law since 1993 Doctor of Laws (Dr. jur.) 1994 under Prof. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Papier Visiting lecturer at the University of Rostock since 2002 Honorary P...

Dr. Kai Rüting is attorney since 2005 and partner of the firm since 2015. He advises clients in patent infringement litigation, technology-related arbitrations, and licensing matters. He specializes in national and cross-border patent litigation. Kai has comprehensive litigation experience, in particular in the areas of standard-related patents, electronics, medical technology, chemistry and life sciences. He also has broad experience advising international clients on strategies relating...

Olaf Konzak is a partner in the Cologne office of Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner and heads the public law practice. In September 2018, Olaf Konzak and a team of four lawyers from LLR Legerlotz Laschet und Partner moved to the FGvW office in Cologne. Since September 1, 2018, he has been a partner in the practice in public law. His practice focuses on environmental and waste law, chemicals and substances law and public building law. Olaf Konzak has been working as a lawyer since 19...

Gabi Müllejans LL.M. oec. is a lawyer and local partner at Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner. Since 2024, she has been working in the intellectual property and trademark and design law practice of Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner’s Cologne office. She has many years of working experience as a trademark and competition lawyer at leading, internationally oriented law firms. She worked as a lawyer specializing intellectual property law at a renowned IP boutique in...

Hildegard Schöllmann is a lawyer and local partner in the Cologne office of Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner mbB. She advises on all food and feed law issues along the food industry’s value chain as well as on the relevant complementary areas of law such as trademark and competition law. Prior to joining Friedrich Graf von Westphalen, she was a partner in the German food law boutique KWG Rechtsanwälte. She studied law in Cologne and Amsterdam. Hildegard comprehensiv...

Markus Kappenhagen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits Law, Labor and Employment Law and Litigation. Markus, who practices law in Düsseldorf, Germany, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Markus is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Philipp-Gerald Hammes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Philipp-Gerald, who practices law in Düsseldorf, Germany, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Philipp-Gerald is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael Schaumann is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Michael, who practices law in Cologne, Germany, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christoph J. Müller is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor and Employment Law. Christoph J., who practices law in Cologne, Germany, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christoph J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.