Birgit Franz

Born in 1969 Legal studies at Bielefeld University First Exam ("1. Staatsexamen") in 1995 Research associate under Prof. Dr. Gerhard Otte (Chair for Civil Law, Civil Procedure and Legal History) at Bielefeld University, 1995 - 1998 Legal clerkship ("Referendariat") at the Bielefeld District Court Second (Bar) Exam ("2. Staatsexamen") in 1997 Judge at the Güstrow Local Court, 1998 - 1999 Bar admission in 1999 and with the firm since then Doctor of Laws (Dr. jur.) 2002 Appointment as notar...

Ralph Wollburg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Ralph, who practices law in Düsseldorf, Germany, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ralph is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Born in 1976 Legal studies at the University of Münster First Exam ("1. Staatsexamen") in 2002 Doctoral studies at the University of Münster Research consultant at the University of Münster's Freiherr-vom-Stein Institute, the academic research center of the Association of North-Rhine Westphalian Districts, 2002 - 2004 Doctor of Laws (Dr. jur.) 2005 Legal clerkship ("Referendariat") at the Paderborn District Court Second (Bar) Exam ("2. Staatsexamen"), bar admission 2006, with t...

Mike Weitzel is a lawyer and partner at FGvW in Cologne. He is a specialist lawyer for insurance law and specialises, among other things, in product liability and product advice (especially for liability lines), insurance contract law as well as litigation and arbitration. He is a lecturer in insurance law at Hagen Law School, a member of the insurance law working group of the DAV and the author of numerous publications and specialist lectures. He speaks German and English.

Markus Beaumart is a lawyer and partner at Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner. Since July 2018, Markus Beaumart has been a partner in the area of real estate law and construction law at the Cologne office. He moved from DLA Piper to the Practice Areas Plant Construction, Real Estate and M&A of FGvW in Cologne with partners Arnt Göppert, Uwe Steingröver and Jörn Zons. Markus Beaumart began his legal career in 1996 in the Cologne office of the (then) law firm Oppenho...

Legal studies at Bielefeld University State bar exam in 1984 Research associate under Prof. Dr. Westermann and Prof. Dr. Otte (Chairs for Civil Law) at Bielefeld University, 1984 - 1986 Bar admission in 1986 Doctor of Laws (Dr. jur.) 1987 Lawyer at the Hamm and Celle Higher District Courts, 1986 - 1989 With the firm since 1989 Certified Specialized Attorney in Tenancy and Condominium Law

Tobias Lenz is a lawyer and partner at Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner. In addition, he is a professor for national and international commercial law at the Rhineland University of Applied Sciences (Rheinische Fachhochschule) in Cologne and the director of the Institute for Liability and Insurance Law (Institut für Haftungs- und Versicherungsrecht). Tobias’ main focus lies on product liability and insurance law, liability of managing directors and execute board members, ...

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

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

Carsten Grave is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Competition / Antitrust Law and Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice. Carsten, who practices law in Düsseldorf, Germany, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carsten is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.