Joachim Schmitt

Dr. Michael Mütze is a partner with MKRG, where he specialises in the areas of private and public construction law, public procurement law and real-estate law. During the last 35 years he has gained extensive experience in supporting companies in the building industry, architects and engineers, project developers, property owners and investors. In addition, he participates in arbitration proceedings both as legal counsel and as an assessor. His specialisations include property transactio...

Born in 1968 Legal studies at Bielefeld University First Exam ("1. Staatsexamen") in 1995 Legal clerkship ("Referendariat") at the Detmold District Court Second (Bar) Exam ("2. Staatsexamen") in 1997 Bar admission in 1998 Doctor of Laws (Dr. jur.) 2001 With the firm since 2001 Certified Specialized Attorney in Labor and Employment Law since 2003

Rainer Krüger is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Restructuring and Insolvency Law. Rainer, who practices law in Bielefeld, Germany, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rainer is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Dr Thomas Bezani offers advice to national and international companies on all matters of individual and collective labour law. One of his specialities is the restructuring of companies and the associated negotiations with work councils and trade unions, with as well as regarding termination rights. He also represents his clients before courts of labour and civil law. His focuses is in the areas of commerce and services, automotive and manufacturing.

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

Lawyer Partner

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...

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.

Jörn Zons is a lawyer and partner at Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner in Cologne. Jörn’s main focus lies on German and international construction and engineering projects as well as domestic and international dispute resolution in litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. He is also a regular referee on German and international construction and engineering projects and dispute resolution at seminars, associations and in-house for compan...