A corporate lawyer is a specialist in the field of commercial law who provides comprehensive advice and support to companies and corporate bodies on legal issues. His field of activity includes the formation, restructuring, merger and liquidation of companies as well as advice on corporate management and control issues. The corporate lawyer is indispensable for companies of all sizes, as he ensures that all business activities are in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations. Corporate lawyers are employed in a wide variety of fields, including commercial law firms, corporate legal departments, banks and financial institutions, consulting firms and the public sector.

The future prospects for lawyers specializing in corporate law are positive. In a globalized economy characterized by constant change and new legal requirements, the need for specialized legal advisors remains high. Companies are constantly striving to optimize their business models, expand and adapt to new markets, which requires ongoing legal advice. In addition, developments such as digitalization, the increasing importance of compliance and corporate governance as well as the increased focus on sustainable business practices are leading to new challenges and opportunities in and at the interface with corporate law.

What does a lawyer for corporate law do?

A corporate lawyer plays a crucial role in providing legal advice and support to companies at various stages of their life cycle. The tasks of such a lawyer are diverse and include a wide range of services aimed at protecting the legal interests of companies and entrepreneurs/shareholders as well as managing directors and board members or committees and minimizing legal risks.

Overview of the main tasks of a corporate lawyer

Company foundation

A corporate lawyer can advise you on the formation of a company. This begins with the choice of the appropriate legal form, be it a GmbH, AG, OHG or another legal form. The lawyer (or notary, if necessary) draws up the necessary formation documents, including articles of association, statutes and other relevant documents. These documents are crucial for defining the rights and obligations of the shareholders and creating the legal basis for business operations.

Restructuring and mergers

Another key area of activity of the corporate lawyer is advising companies on restructuring and mergers (M&A). This includes legal support for mergers, takeovers, demergers and other restructuring measures. The corporate lawyer reviews and draws up the necessary contracts, accompanies negotiations and ensures that all legal requirements are met. The aim is to ensure a smooth process and avoid potential legal pitfalls. Within corporate law, an M&A or private equity specialization is often seen.

Shareholder agreements

The drafting and negotiation of shareholder agreements and partnership agreements is another important task. These agreements regulate the rights and obligations of the shareholders and serve to avoid conflicts and protect the interests of all parties involved. A corporate lawyer helps to formulate clear and legally sound agreements that form the basis for successful cooperation.

Compliance

Compliance is playing an increasingly important role in everyday business life. A corporate lawyer supports companies in complying with all legal requirements. This often takes place at the interface of compliance programs, employee training and the review of internal processes. The aim is to minimize legal risks and avoid sanctions.

Dispute resolution

In the event of corporate law disputes, the corporate lawyer represents the interests of the company both out of court and in court (corporate litigation). This may involve disputes between shareholders, liability issues or other legal conflicts. The corporate lawyer develops strategies for dispute resolution, conducts negotiations and represents the company in court proceedings in order to achieve an optimal solution for the client.

Advice to the management

A corporate lawyer advises management on legal issues, particularly in relation to liability and responsibilities. This includes reviewing and drafting contracts, advising on strategic decisions and supporting compliance with legal regulations. The aim is to provide management with legal protection and to enable well-founded decisions to be made.

In summary, it can be said that a corporate lawyer plays a central role in the legal support of companies. Through their expertise and experience, they help to minimize legal risks, avoid conflicts and create legal structures and the legal foundations for entrepreneurial success.

We understand the different skills that a corporate lawyer needs.

What skills does a corporate lawyer need?

A successful corporate lawyer must have a wide range of skills in order to meet the complex and diverse requirements of this area of law. These skills enable them to effectively represent their clients' legal interests and find optimal solutions for their concerns.

Overview of the key skills of a corporate law attorney

Sound specialist knowledge

A lawyer for corporate law requires comprehensive knowledge of corporate law. This includes the various forms of companies, the legal framework for company formations, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and the rights and obligations of shareholders. It is also important to be familiar with related areas of law such as tax law, employment law and insolvency law. This broad specialist knowledge enables the lawyer to offer holistic and well-founded legal advice.

Analytical skills

The ability to analyze complex legal issues is a fundamental competence of a corporate lawyer. They must be able to quickly recognize legal problems, assess their impact and develop practical solutions. This requires a high degree of analytical thinking and the ability to process legal information precisely and efficiently.

Negotiating skills

Strong negotiation skills are essential to effectively represent clients' interests. Corporate lawyers must be able to present a convincing case in negotiations, think strategically and reach compromises that are in the best interests of their clients. This applies both to negotiations with other companies and to internal disputes between shareholders or managing directors.

Communication skills

Clarity and precision in written and oral communication are crucial to the success of a corporate lawyer. He or she must be able to present complex legal issues in an understandable way, whether in contracts, expert opinions or in communication with clients and courts. Good communication skills help to avoid misunderstandings and ensure effective cooperation.

Assertiveness

A high degree of determination and persuasiveness is necessary to successfully assert the rights of clients. A corporate lawyer must be able to stand firm and defend their position even in difficult situations. This is particularly true in court disputes, but also in out-of-court negotiations and internal company conflicts.

Integrity and discretion

Integrity and discretion are indispensable qualities for any lawyer, regardless of specialty. A corporate lawyer must also demonstrate a high level of ethical behavior and always act in the best interests of their clients. The trustworthy handling of sensitive information is also of great importance in order to gain and maintain the trust of clients.

In summary, a successful corporate lawyer requires a combination of in-depth expertise, analytical skills, negotiation skills, communication skills, assertiveness, integrity and discretion. These skills enable them to master the diverse challenges of this area of law and provide their clients with comprehensive and effective legal support.

How do you become a lawyer for corporate law?

The path to becoming a corporate lawyer is demanding and requires thorough and comprehensive training. First of all, you need to have successfully completed a law degree at a university. This course provides the basic legal knowledge and skills that are essential for later professional practice.

After graduation, the traineeship follows, a two-year period of practical training. During this time, the prospective lawyer passes through various stations, including courts, law firms and authorities. A placement in a commercial law firm or in corporate law is particularly advantageous, as this offers specific insights and experience in corporate law.

The next step is to successfully pass the second state examination in law.

In order to specialize in corporate law, it is advisable to acquire additional qualifications. A specialist lawyer course in commercial and corporate law can help to deepen your knowledge in this area and establish yourself as an expert.

Finally, practical experience is essential. This can be gained in a law firm or in the legal department of a company with a focus on corporate law. Professional experience makes it possible to apply theoretical knowledge in practice and to specialize further.

How much does a corporate lawyer earn?

The salary of a corporate lawyer can vary greatly and depends on various factors such as professional experience, employer and location. In a reputable commercial law firm, starting salaries can range from around €90,000 to €170,000 per year. This salary range reflects the high demand for specialized lawyers and the complex nature of corporate law.

With increasing experience and specialization, earning potential increases considerably. Lawyers with several years of professional experience and broad expertise in corporate law can earn significantly higher salaries, often in the six-figure range. These lawyers often take on demanding mandates and play an important role in providing strategic advice to companies.

The highest salaries are usually achieved by partners in large law firms or in the legal departments of international corporations as general counsel, for example. These positions require not only extensive experience and expertise, but also strong leadership and management skills. Partners can achieve an annual salary of several hundred thousand euros or more, depending on the size and success of the law firm or company in which they work.

Note: The salary figures given here are for guidance only. As in many other sectors, it is difficult to make general statements about individual salaries in legal advice.

What is a lawyer for corporate law?