Christian Schmitz

Born in 1976 Legal studies at Bielefeld University, 1995 - 2000 Supplementary studies in informatics at Bielefeld University, 1996 - 1998 First Exam ("1. Staatsexamen") in 2000 Postgraduate studies in legal informatics at the Universities of Hannover and Vienna, 2000 - 2001 Research associate at Bielefeld University, 2001 - 2002 Legal clerkship ("Referendariat") in Bielefeld and Düsseldorf, 2002 - 2004 Doctor of Laws (Dr. jur.) 2004 Second (Bar) Exam ("2. Staatsexamen") in 2004 Worked ab...

Katharina Landes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Data Security and Privacy Law. Katharina, who practices law in Cologne, Germany, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katharina 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 Cologne, 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.

Lawyer Partner

Since 2009, Simone Zündorf has specialised in construction and architectural law as well as real estate law. She advises and represents clients in services contract law, both in and out of court, and conducts mediation proceedings. Zündorf also advises numerous small and medium-sized companies on commercial law matters and regularly provides legal training for clients, with a focus on contract drafting. She is based in Düsseldorf.

Claudia Maaßen LL.M. is a lawyer and partner at Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner. She has been working in the litigation and arbitration practice group of Friedrich Graf von Westphalen’s Cologne office since 2016. Claudia Maaßen is a specialist in dispute resolution with a focus on manager liability and D&O and product liability. Her clients include insurance companies, managers and private companies. Claudia Maaßen speaks German, French and English.

I was born in 1976 and studied law in Bonn (Germany) and Strasbourg (France). After my legal traineeship at the Bonn Regional Court and the 2nd state law examination, I was admitted to the bar in 2005. In 2011, the board of the Cologne Bar Association allowed me to use the title “Specialist Lawyer for Tax Law”. In 2016, I successfully took part in the “Certified Executor of Wills (AGT)” course, which was carried out in cooperation with the Working Group for Wills Execu...

Jens Biemann is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Law. Jens, who practices law in Düsseldorf, Germany, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jens is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthias is a Counsel in Dentons’ Dusseldorf office and a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group. He is specialised in international commercial arbitration and has extensive experience in construction engineering and post-M&A disputes. Another key focus of his work is global commercial disputes, including the representation of clients in mass-litigations. He also advises on project development, including the drafting, negotiation and enforcement of commercial...

Henrik Holzapfel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Intellectual Property Law and Litigation. Henrik, who practices law in Düsseldorf, Germany, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Henrik is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.