Noerr focuses on commercial and distribution law at the interfaces with IP and IT law. This expertise is utilised in the advice to the e-commerce sector: practice head Michael Reiling, alongside banking contract lawyer Tom Billing, is regularly instructed on the design of digital distribution systems and the structuring of innovative franchise agreements. The team also covers traditional distribution law topics, particularly in the automotive industry. Albin Ströbl and Cathrin Wentzel regularly assist large corporations with distribution antitrust issues and contract litigation. Counsel Karsten Metzlaff focuses on franchise and cooperation agreements.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Tom Billing and Karsten Metzlaff offer very pragmatic and practice-oriented advice. Clear focus on the crucial points. Very good knowledge of the industry.'
'The team is extremely experienced and knowledgeable in franchise, sales agency and sales antitrust law. The solutions are consistently practical and “to the point”.'
'Memorandums are consistently easy to understand (no exaggerated scientific nature) and the solutions shown therein are practical to implement.'
'We work with Prof. Dr. Karsten Metzlaff in the area of distribution antitrust law and with Dr. Tom Billing in franchise and sales agency law. Both are excellent professionals who work quickly and comprehensively. Dr. Billing provided us with significant support in rewriting our model franchise agreement – top job. We also really appreciate the quick responsiveness. Prof. Metzlaff accompanied us, among other things, in a mediation process with a franchisee: calm, pleasant and very goal-oriented demeanor. An outstanding legal personality.'

Key clients

A.T.U Autoteile Unger
Audi AG
B-ON GmbH
Canyon Bicycles GmbH
CarNext B.V.
Credi2 GmbH
Daimler Truck AG
Demecan GmbH
Digital Charging Solutions GmbH
Electric Brands AG
Ferrari S.p.A.
GlobalGym GmbH
Jaguar Land Rover Deutschland
Hülsta Group
Kion Group/Linde Material Handling GmbH
Libri
MAN Truck & Bus SE
Mazda Motor Europe
McDonald’s Deutschland
MS Pharma Ventures Holding
OBI
Opel Automobilie GmbH
Rädlinger Primus Line
SAIC Europe S.A.R.L.
Stellantis
Suzuki Deutschland GmbH
Triumph Motor Deutschland
Valora Food Services Deutschland
Zooplus AG

Work highlights

Advising Audi AG on the implementation of a platform concept for the distribution of digital products in the EU.
Advising MAN Truck & Bus SE as consortium leader in the context of the conclusion and implementation of the federally funded ATLAS L-4 R&D consortium for the development of autonomous trucks and their operation on motorways and expressways.
Advising Rädlinger Primus Line and its US subsidiary on an exclusive sales cooperation with Manufactured Technologies Corp. (MTC) to distribute a system for the rehabilitation of drinking and wastewater pipes in the US.

Lawyers

Leading individuals

Karsten Metzlaff

Noerr

Karsten Metzlaff is a Partner in Noerr's Commerce & Trade and also Antitrust & Competition Practice Group in Noerr's Berlin office. He specialises in EU and German merger control, cartels, monopolies, state aid, competition compliance. Karsten Metzlaff represents clients before the EU Commission, the German Federal Cartel Office and European and German courts. He has extensive experience in automotive, financial services, retail, food and media regulation.

Next Generation Partners

Cathrin Wentzel

Noerr