Christoph Schmitt

Partner

christoph.schmitt@hoffmannliebs.de

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Christoph Schmitt

Partner

christoph.schmitt@hoffmannliebs.de

+49 211-518 82-123

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Print profile


Christoph Schmitt

Christoph Schmitt has been advising national and international clients in the areas of commercial and corporate law as well as employment law for more than two decades. He is a nationally recognized expert and highly recommended throughout Europe by Chambers, Global Law Experts and Al Global Media for national and international business contract law, in particular in drafting and negotiating company ( M&A) purchase agreements, national as well as international supply contracts and plant construction agreements, topics related to general terms and conditions and distribution law. He is specialized in corporate law and advises companies in the fields of corporate structuring, shareholder disputes as well as mergers and acquisitions. Christoph Schmitt regularly gives seminars at well-known seminar organizers (e.g. Beck Akademie, Forum Institut für Management, Otto Schmidt Verlag) in national and international contract law matters and he trains in-house counsels and lawyers. Moreover, Christoph Schmitt is the author of various specialist books and publications and completed the DAI training as a certified lawyer for employment law.

Contact
  • Legal advice on company law matters, in particular relating to shareholder disputes
  • Commercial law, in particular advising on the optimised structuring of distribution systems, drafting, reviewing and negotiating national and international business contracts as well as distribution and supply agreements, incl standard terms and conditions; ongoing advice and support in drafting Project and joint venture contracts, framework arrangements, collaborations and confidentiality agreements as well as General Terms and Conditions
  • Distribution law, in particular drafting, reviewing and negotiating supply, purchase and distribution contracts, agency and distributor agreements both within the Federal Republic and internationally
  • Law relating to standard terms and conditions, in particular drafting and reviewing general conditions of sale and purchase, standard contracts and preformulated terms; other contractual clauses, also reviewing and drafting contracts in relation to general conditions of business and use in E-Commerce
  • Joint ventures, in particular advising on and drafting joint venture agreements within the Federal Republic and internationally
  • Trade law and company law, in particular advising on structural issues, advising and litigating on any commercial issues, drafting company constitutional documents and advising on disputes with shareholders; advising directors and Boards on how to avoid liability; drafting shareholder agreements
  • Litigation: Litigation of disputes arising from business contracts and shareholder disputes
  • Employment law, in particular advising on all issues pertaining to individuals and industrial relations including proceedings involving termination of contracts
  • Intellectual property, in particular competition advice on advertising concepts and defending the company’s position; advising on the protection of know-how and dealing with thefts of know-how
  • Litigation, in particular commercial contracts, intellectual property and employment law.
  • contract design and contract negotiations
  • China Desk, Head of China Desk
  • Advising on structural issues, drafting contracts for German/Chinese joint ventures
  • Advising Chinese companies on the European market entry and the acquisition of companies and participations
  • Advising European companies on settlement, distribution and joint ventures in China
  • Construction of franchise systems
  • Drafting, representation and implementation of franchise contracts
  • Contractual advice and support for franchisee and franchiser
  • Judicial enforcement of rights arising from franchise agreements
  • Product Compliance
  • A leading supplier of lighting and air-conditioning technology: development of an innovative overall legal concept for rental lighting system including contract drafting for customers and suppliers + drafting of all general terms and conditions
  • A leading international plant manufacturer: drafting and consulting for model plant construction contracts
  • International supplier of baby food products: development of distribution concept including worldwide contract drafting + drafting of all supplier contracts and general terms and conditions
  • A leading manufacturer of exhaust gas disposal system in the semiconductor industry: Negotiation and drafting of an international equipment supply and construction contract with the world’s leading chip manufacturer
  • Deutsche Investmentgesellschaft: drafting and negotiation of a cooperation contract for the development of an industrial estate in China with an investment of approx. 450 million
  • A leading oil mill: preparation of the contract for selling an old production plant abroad and the drafting of plant construction contract for modernization of the production plant
  • A leading manufacturer of aluminum crane system: drafting of all template contracts for worldwide sales + general terms and conditions
  • A leading chemical company: drafting of template logistic contracts for worldwide logistic services
  • Innovative watch manufacturer: draft template supply contract and quality guarantee agreement for Asian suppliers
  • A leading innovator of in-house CADCAM solutions for dental laboratories: drafting of worldwide distribution agreements and supply contracts
  • A leading manufacturer of natural cosmetic and anthroposophical medicines: drafting of worldwide distribution and supply contracts + general terms and conditions
  • A leading Chinese medical device manufacturer: drafting of the acquisition agreement of a German medical device company
  • A leading competence center and development house for professional radio technology: negotiation and drafting of the acquisition agreement with Chinese aerospace group
  • A leading German private TV channel package provider: advice on general terms and conditions and contract drafting
  • A leading marketing company of Bundesliga: advice on and drafting of tender documents for international Bundesliga image rights
  • Since 1999 Partner at Hoffmann Liebs
  • 1993 – 1999 Rechtsanwälte Herzog Meyer Will (Partner since 1996)
  • 1993 Weber & Sauberschwarz, Rechtsanwälte
  • 1993 Deutsche Anwaltsinstitut’s course for Certified Lawyer in Employment Law
  • 1992 – 1993 Kübler & Rogier, Rechtsanwälte
  • 1990 – 1992 Company advisor
  • Studied law at the University of Cologne
  • established expert for FORUM Institut für Management, Beck Akademie and Management Circle on contractual and commercial legal topics (incl. standard terms and conditions; drafting national and international contracts; supply agreements; collaboration agreements)
  • Book publication: “Schmitt / Herrmann: Contract clauses in commercial law”, C.H.Beck, 2nd edition 2025
  • Author of publication “Practical Law’s Cross-border contracts and boilerplate clauses (Germany)”, Thomson Reuters 2017
  • Getting the Deal Through: Commercial Contracts 2016
  • Editor of the work „Allgemeine Verkaufs- und Lieferbedingungen (B2B)“ (De Gruyter)
  • Editor of the work „Praxishandbuch Gestaltung von Wirtschaftsverträgen“ (De Gruyter)
  • Author of the work “AGB-Anwaltskommentar” (Deutscher Anwaltsverlag)
  • Author of the work “Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen und Verträge für Unternehmen” (Springer Verlag)
  • Author of the work “Projektverträge im Anlagenbau” (Springerverlag beginning 2013)
  • Author of the work „Wirtschaftsverträge rechtssicher gestalten“ (Springer Verlag, 2010)
  • AGB Fallstricke in Handelsvertreterverträgen (H&V JOURNAL)
  • OLG Düsseldorf: Zulässiger Werbeanruf bei Gewerbetreibenden (CR Computer und Recht)
  • Differenzierungsklausel – kein Exklusivrecht für Gewerkschafter, “zweifelhafte Klauseln der Gewerkschaften” (Börsen-Zeitung)
  • “Recommended: Christoph Schmitt”
    Legal 500 Germany 2021
  • Corporate lawyers recommend Christoph Schmitt in contract law.
    Kanzleimonitor 2019/2020
  • Christoph Schmitt has been nominated: Best Business Contract and GTC Law Adviser of the Year Germany
    AI – Acquisition International 2019
  • Christoph Schmitt is named as an Annual Awards Winner – Contract Lawyer of the Year in Germany
    Global Law Experts 2019
  • Christoph Schmitt is named as a winner of Corporate Law Firm of the Year 2019 – Germany
    Global Business Insights Awards 2019
  • Unternehmensjuristen empfehlen Christoph Schmitt im Vertragsrecht.
    Kanzleimonitor 2018/2019
  • Regarded as “an expert in terms and conditions“
    Christoph Schmitt professes extensive experience in national and international joint ventures and participation agreements. One interviewee states: “He is very experienced and clients really respect him.”
    Chambers Europe 2018 
  • Christoph Schmitt has been named: 2018 Leading Adviser Awards – Leading Business Contract Law Adviser of the Year, Germany
    AI – Acquisation International 2018
  • Christoph Schmitt is an author of: Practical Law’s Cross-border contracts and boilerplate clauses (Germany)
    Thomson Reuters 2018
  • Christoph Schmitt is renowned for his experience in general terms and conditions across a range of domestic and international contracts. His expertise also touches on joint venture and participation agreements. […]Clients applaud his “practical recommendations for complicated contractual relationships.”
    Chambers Europe 2017
  • Christoph Schmitt is an author of: Practical Law’s Corss-border contracts and boilerplate clauses (Germany)
    Thomson Reuters 2017
  • Department head Christoph Schmitt has a strong reputation for cross-jurisdictional and national joint ventures and distribution law. One source states: “He is great at tactics and negotiation. He is very good at tackling difficult opponents and we are happy to recommend him.”
    Christoph Schmitt is higly recommended as a leading lawyer in Commercial Contracts.
    Chambers Europe 2016
  • Christoph Schmitt is a noted commercial lawyer who has published widely on the subject. Clients report that “he is a quick thinker, has great ideas and is easy to communicate with.”
    Chambers Europe 2015
  • Legal advice on company law matters, in particular relating to shareholder disputes
  • Commercial law, in particular advising on the optimised structuring of distribution systems, drafting, reviewing and negotiating national and international business contracts as well as distribution and supply agreements, incl standard terms and conditions; ongoing advice and support in drafting Project and joint venture contracts, framework arrangements, collaborations and confidentiality agreements as well as General Terms and Conditions
  • Distribution law, in particular drafting, reviewing and negotiating supply, purchase and distribution contracts, agency and distributor agreements both within the Federal Republic and internationally
  • Law relating to standard terms and conditions, in particular drafting and reviewing general conditions of sale and purchase, standard contracts and preformulated terms; other contractual clauses, also reviewing and drafting contracts in relation to general conditions of business and use in E-Commerce
  • Joint ventures, in particular advising on and drafting joint venture agreements within the Federal Republic and internationally
  • Trade law and company law, in particular advising on structural issues, advising and litigating on any commercial issues, drafting company constitutional documents and advising on disputes with shareholders; advising directors and Boards on how to avoid liability; drafting shareholder agreements
  • Litigation: Litigation of disputes arising from business contracts and shareholder disputes
  • Employment law, in particular advising on all issues pertaining to individuals and industrial relations including proceedings involving termination of contracts
  • Intellectual property, in particular competition advice on advertising concepts and defending the company’s position; advising on the protection of know-how and dealing with thefts of know-how
  • Litigation, in particular commercial contracts, intellectual property and employment law.
  • contract design and contract negotiations
  • China Desk, Head of China Desk
  • Advising on structural issues, drafting contracts for German/Chinese joint ventures
  • Advising Chinese companies on the European market entry and the acquisition of companies and participations
  • Advising European companies on settlement, distribution and joint ventures in China
  • Construction of franchise systems
  • Drafting, representation and implementation of franchise contracts
  • Contractual advice and support for franchisee and franchiser
  • Judicial enforcement of rights arising from franchise agreements
  • Product Compliance
  • A leading supplier of lighting and air-conditioning technology: development of an innovative overall legal concept for rental lighting system including contract drafting for customers and suppliers + drafting of all general terms and conditions
  • A leading international plant manufacturer: drafting and consulting for model plant construction contracts
  • International supplier of baby food products: development of distribution concept including worldwide contract drafting + drafting of all supplier contracts and general terms and conditions
  • A leading manufacturer of exhaust gas disposal system in the semiconductor industry: Negotiation and drafting of an international equipment supply and construction contract with the world’s leading chip manufacturer
  • Deutsche Investmentgesellschaft: drafting and negotiation of a cooperation contract for the development of an industrial estate in China with an investment of approx. 450 million
  • A leading oil mill: preparation of the contract for selling an old production plant abroad and the drafting of plant construction contract for modernization of the production plant
  • A leading manufacturer of aluminum crane system: drafting of all template contracts for worldwide sales + general terms and conditions
  • A leading chemical company: drafting of template logistic contracts for worldwide logistic services
  • Innovative watch manufacturer: draft template supply contract and quality guarantee agreement for Asian suppliers
  • A leading innovator of in-house CADCAM solutions for dental laboratories: drafting of worldwide distribution agreements and supply contracts
  • A leading manufacturer of natural cosmetic and anthroposophical medicines: drafting of worldwide distribution and supply contracts + general terms and conditions
  • A leading Chinese medical device manufacturer: drafting of the acquisition agreement of a German medical device company
  • A leading competence center and development house for professional radio technology: negotiation and drafting of the acquisition agreement with Chinese aerospace group
  • A leading German private TV channel package provider: advice on general terms and conditions and contract drafting
  • A leading marketing company of Bundesliga: advice on and drafting of tender documents for international Bundesliga image rights
  • Since 1999 Partner at Hoffmann Liebs
  • 1993 – 1999 Rechtsanwälte Herzog Meyer Will (Partner since 1996)
  • 1993 Weber & Sauberschwarz, Rechtsanwälte
  • 1993 Deutsche Anwaltsinstitut’s course for Certified Lawyer in Employment Law
  • 1992 – 1993 Kübler & Rogier, Rechtsanwälte
  • 1990 – 1992 Company advisor
  • Studied law at the University of Cologne
  • established expert for FORUM Institut für Management, Beck Akademie and Management Circle on contractual and commercial legal topics (incl. standard terms and conditions; drafting national and international contracts; supply agreements; collaboration agreements)
  • Book publication: “Schmitt / Herrmann: Contract clauses in commercial law”, C.H.Beck, 2nd edition 2025
  • Author of publication “Practical Law’s Cross-border contracts and boilerplate clauses (Germany)”, Thomson Reuters 2017
  • Getting the Deal Through: Commercial Contracts 2016
  • Editor of the work „Allgemeine Verkaufs- und Lieferbedingungen (B2B)“ (De Gruyter)
  • Editor of the work „Praxishandbuch Gestaltung von Wirtschaftsverträgen“ (De Gruyter)
  • Author of the work “AGB-Anwaltskommentar” (Deutscher Anwaltsverlag)
  • Author of the work “Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen und Verträge für Unternehmen” (Springer Verlag)
  • Author of the work “Projektverträge im Anlagenbau” (Springerverlag beginning 2013)
  • Author of the work „Wirtschaftsverträge rechtssicher gestalten“ (Springer Verlag, 2010)
  • AGB Fallstricke in Handelsvertreterverträgen (H&V JOURNAL)
  • OLG Düsseldorf: Zulässiger Werbeanruf bei Gewerbetreibenden (CR Computer und Recht)
  • Differenzierungsklausel – kein Exklusivrecht für Gewerkschafter, “zweifelhafte Klauseln der Gewerkschaften” (Börsen-Zeitung)
  • “Recommended: Christoph Schmitt”
    Legal 500 Germany 2021
  • Corporate lawyers recommend Christoph Schmitt in contract law.
    Kanzleimonitor 2019/2020
  • Christoph Schmitt has been nominated: Best Business Contract and GTC Law Adviser of the Year Germany
    AI – Acquisition International 2019
  • Christoph Schmitt is named as an Annual Awards Winner – Contract Lawyer of the Year in Germany
    Global Law Experts 2019
  • Christoph Schmitt is named as a winner of Corporate Law Firm of the Year 2019 – Germany
    Global Business Insights Awards 2019
  • Unternehmensjuristen empfehlen Christoph Schmitt im Vertragsrecht.
    Kanzleimonitor 2018/2019
  • Regarded as “an expert in terms and conditions“
    Christoph Schmitt professes extensive experience in national and international joint ventures and participation agreements. One interviewee states: “He is very experienced and clients really respect him.”
    Chambers Europe 2018 
  • Christoph Schmitt has been named: 2018 Leading Adviser Awards – Leading Business Contract Law Adviser of the Year, Germany
    AI – Acquisation International 2018
  • Christoph Schmitt is an author of: Practical Law’s Cross-border contracts and boilerplate clauses (Germany)
    Thomson Reuters 2018
  • Christoph Schmitt is renowned for his experience in general terms and conditions across a range of domestic and international contracts. His expertise also touches on joint venture and participation agreements. […]Clients applaud his “practical recommendations for complicated contractual relationships.”
    Chambers Europe 2017
  • Christoph Schmitt is an author of: Practical Law’s Corss-border contracts and boilerplate clauses (Germany)
    Thomson Reuters 2017
  • Department head Christoph Schmitt has a strong reputation for cross-jurisdictional and national joint ventures and distribution law. One source states: “He is great at tactics and negotiation. He is very good at tackling difficult opponents and we are happy to recommend him.”
    Christoph Schmitt is higly recommended as a leading lawyer in Commercial Contracts.
    Chambers Europe 2016
  • Christoph Schmitt is a noted commercial lawyer who has published widely on the subject. Clients report that “he is a quick thinker, has great ideas and is easy to communicate with.”
    Chambers Europe 2015

Short Biography

  • Since 1999 Partner at Hoffmann Liebs
  • 1993 – 1999 Rechtsanwälte Herzog Meyer Will (Partner since 1996)
  • 1993 Weber & Sauberschwarz, Rechtsanwälte
  • 1993 Deutsche Anwaltsinstitut’s course for Certified Lawyer in Employment Law
  • 1992 – 1993 Kübler & Rogier, Rechtsanwälte
  • 1990 – 1992 Company advisor
  • Studied law at the University of Cologne
  • established expert for FORUM Institut für Management, Beck Akademie and Management Circle on contractual and commercial legal topics (incl. standard terms and conditions; drafting national and international contracts; supply agreements; collaboration agreements)

Recommendations

  • “Recommended: Christoph Schmitt”
    Legal 500 Germany 2021
  • Corporate lawyers recommend Christoph Schmitt in contract law.
    Kanzleimonitor 2019/2020
  • Christoph Schmitt has been nominated: Best Business Contract and GTC Law Adviser of the Year Germany
    AI – Acquisition International 2019
  • Christoph Schmitt is named as an Annual Awards Winner – Contract Lawyer of the Year in Germany
    Global Law Experts 2019
  • Christoph Schmitt is named as a winner of Corporate Law Firm of the Year 2019 – Germany
    Global Business Insights Awards 2019
  • Unternehmensjuristen empfehlen Christoph Schmitt im Vertragsrecht.
    Kanzleimonitor 2018/2019
  • Regarded as “an expert in terms and conditions“
    Christoph Schmitt professes extensive experience in national and international joint ventures and participation agreements. One interviewee states: “He is very experienced and clients really respect him.”
    Chambers Europe 2018 
  • Christoph Schmitt has been named: 2018 Leading Adviser Awards – Leading Business Contract Law Adviser of the Year, Germany
    AI – Acquisation International 2018
  • Christoph Schmitt is an author of: Practical Law’s Cross-border contracts and boilerplate clauses (Germany)
    Thomson Reuters 2018
  • Christoph Schmitt is renowned for his experience in general terms and conditions across a range of domestic and international contracts. His expertise also touches on joint venture and participation agreements. […]Clients applaud his “practical recommendations for complicated contractual relationships.”
    Chambers Europe 2017
  • Christoph Schmitt is an author of: Practical Law’s Corss-border contracts and boilerplate clauses (Germany)
    Thomson Reuters 2017
  • Department head Christoph Schmitt has a strong reputation for cross-jurisdictional and national joint ventures and distribution law. One source states: “He is great at tactics and negotiation. He is very good at tackling difficult opponents and we are happy to recommend him.”
    Christoph Schmitt is higly recommended as a leading lawyer in Commercial Contracts.
    Chambers Europe 2016
  • Christoph Schmitt is a noted commercial lawyer who has published widely on the subject. Clients report that “he is a quick thinker, has great ideas and is easy to communicate with.”
    Chambers Europe 2015

Client Services - Practice Areas

  • Legal advice on company law matters, in particular relating to shareholder disputes
  • Commercial law, in particular advising on the optimised structuring of distribution systems, drafting, reviewing and negotiating national and international business contracts as well as distribution and supply agreements, incl standard terms and conditions; ongoing advice and support in drafting Project and joint venture contracts, framework arrangements, collaborations and confidentiality agreements as well as General Terms and Conditions
  • Distribution law, in particular drafting, reviewing and negotiating supply, purchase and distribution contracts, agency and distributor agreements both within the Federal Republic and internationally
  • Law relating to standard terms and conditions, in particular drafting and reviewing general conditions of sale and purchase, standard contracts and preformulated terms; other contractual clauses, also reviewing and drafting contracts in relation to general conditions of business and use in E-Commerce
  • Joint ventures, in particular advising on and drafting joint venture agreements within the Federal Republic and internationally
  • Trade law and company law, in particular advising on structural issues, advising and litigating on any commercial issues, drafting company constitutional documents and advising on disputes with shareholders; advising directors and Boards on how to avoid liability; drafting shareholder agreements
  • Litigation: Litigation of disputes arising from business contracts and shareholder disputes
  • Employment law, in particular advising on all issues pertaining to individuals and industrial relations including proceedings involving termination of contracts
  • Intellectual property, in particular competition advice on advertising concepts and defending the company’s position; advising on the protection of know-how and dealing with thefts of know-how
  • Litigation, in particular commercial contracts, intellectual property and employment law.
  • contract design and contract negotiations
  • China Desk, Head of China Desk
  • Advising on structural issues, drafting contracts for German/Chinese joint ventures
  • Advising Chinese companies on the European market entry and the acquisition of companies and participations
  • Advising European companies on settlement, distribution and joint ventures in China
  • Construction of franchise systems
  • Drafting, representation and implementation of franchise contracts
  • Contractual advice and support for franchisee and franchiser
  • Judicial enforcement of rights arising from franchise agreements
  • Product Compliance

Current Publications

  • Book publication: “Schmitt / Herrmann: Contract clauses in commercial law”, C.H.Beck, 2nd edition 2025
  • Author of publication “Practical Law’s Cross-border contracts and boilerplate clauses (Germany)”, Thomson Reuters 2017
  • Getting the Deal Through: Commercial Contracts 2016
  • Editor of the work „Allgemeine Verkaufs- und Lieferbedingungen (B2B)“ (De Gruyter)
  • Editor of the work „Praxishandbuch Gestaltung von Wirtschaftsverträgen“ (De Gruyter)
  • Author of the work “AGB-Anwaltskommentar” (Deutscher Anwaltsverlag)
  • Author of the work “Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen und Verträge für Unternehmen” (Springer Verlag)
  • Author of the work “Projektverträge im Anlagenbau” (Springerverlag beginning 2013)
  • Author of the work „Wirtschaftsverträge rechtssicher gestalten“ (Springer Verlag, 2010)
  • AGB Fallstricke in Handelsvertreterverträgen (H&V JOURNAL)
  • OLG Düsseldorf: Zulässiger Werbeanruf bei Gewerbetreibenden (CR Computer und Recht)
  • Differenzierungsklausel – kein Exklusivrecht für Gewerkschafter, “zweifelhafte Klauseln der Gewerkschaften” (Börsen-Zeitung)

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