Gleiss Lutz offers a full service within both individual and collective employment law, while simultaneously providing clients with a particular nous in cross-border employment matters, and standing out for its ability to collaborate with local authorities in the context of regulatory advice to boards and executives. Christian Arnold‘s advice is accessed by boards of renowned companies, a feature of the wider group, especially for advice on the termination of employment contracts. Steffen Krieger excels in company restructurings, as well as regularly assisting with insolvency-related and transaction-related issues, including complex reorganisations and employment matters stemming from large M&A, for which practice head Thomas Winzer stands out. Doris-Maria Schuster stands out for appeals to counsel remuneration.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Gleiss Lutz is our go to firm for German employment law matters – they are excellent in their field, solid litigators and great advisors. There is no other preferred law firm in Germany I would recommend or engage.'
- 'Thomas Winzer heads the team at Gleiss Lutz and his team is fantastic. Very knowledgeable and responsive. They can help with any problem we have.'
- 'Gleiss Lutz is a reference in German labour law. The name is known by any professional, especially since the practice has been set up by Jobst Hubertus Bauer who really is a reference. He even has a Wikipedia page. He has trained and set up a fantastic team of highly skilled professionals.'
- 'The team is exceptionally strong. All partners are outstanding and associates are excellent too. Their portfolio of strategic clients is impressive.'
- 'Doris-Maria Schuster is very clear, calm and focus on the goal to be attained. She inspires confidence. Steffen Krieger is pragmatic and efficient, always straight to the point and adding value..'
- 'The lawyers at Gleiss Lutz are distinguished by their exceptional professional expertise, entrepreneurial thinking, and very accessible, partnership-based communication. What sets Gleiss Lutz apart from many others is its ability to remain calm, structured, and absolutely reliable even in complex situations—at all levels, from partners to associates.'
- 'Thomas Winzer and Christian Arnold: both are top specialists in employment law. Super fast and clear in their advice. Steffen Krieger: a top pro when it comes to employment law related aspects of M&A transactions. Rut Steinhauser: new generation, very motivated and full of spirit.'
- 'Gleiss Lutz impresses with its excellent legal expertise, strong commercial mindset, and solution-oriented, client-focused approach. Particularly noteworthy are its capabilities in complex, often cross-border mandates and its focus on teamwork, innovation, and modern legal tech tools. For us, it is a reliable partner on equal footing in the German market.'
- 'As a business partner, I see Gleiss Lutz's employment team as highly reliable and commercially minded, offering not only top-tier legal advice but also practical solutions that align with clients' strategic goals.'
Work highlights
Assisted Volkswagen AG with the “Zukunft Volkswagen” (“Future Volkswagen”) restructuring.
Advised the Supervisory Boards of various listed companies on Board of Management remuneration.
Advised KPS Capital Partners on employment law advice in connection with the acquisition of Innomotics GmbH from Siemens AG.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Thomas Winzer
Other key lawyers
Rut Steinhauser; Doris-Maria Schuster; Steffen Krieger; Christian Arnold