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    Public Sector

    Reliable administrative structures are vital for both the rule of law and the economic development of a country. It has been our privilege to work closely with and advise the public sector for many years.

    As legal advisors, we support public administrations in the performance of their duties, advising primarily on the planning and implementation of construction, infrastructure, and IT projects. We advise from the start, helping to design the project and advising on the frequently related issues of budget, price, and procurement law. Our experience in dealing with political decision-making processes is significant. Providing in-depth assessments and expert opinions on specific questions of law also falls within our wheelhouse.

    We develop procurement concepts and manage national tenders and EU-wide procurement procedures. Our expertise and experience allow us to ensure there is a level playing field when drafting and negotiating contracts. We monitor the performance of services and works and, where necessary, enforce claims for public authorities before courts and in arbitration proceedings.

    Many projects require more than just legal advice. We work closely with technical and commercial advisors and, on request, take responsibility for providing integrated consultancy services from one source.

    Focus

    Digitalisation

    Digitalisation is transforming our society and economy at whirlwind speed. The accompanying structural transformations necessitate radical change in many areas. Artificial intelligence is redesigning work processes. Over the past few years, the public sector has been working at full speed towards Digital Administration 4.0 and developing a diverse range of eGovernment apps. Digital innovation, cyber security and the protection of critical infrastructure remain a priority in Germany.

    For many years, we have assisted both the public sector and private companies with complex digitalisation processes. This has involved the acquisition of IT infrastructure and hardware for cutting-edge technologies, such as for federal or state grids or defence and security, as well as new software. Our Public Sector Practice Group works closely with our IT and data protection law specialists, allowing us to respond to all issues that arise during procurement proceedings and handle even complex contracts from one source.

    You can find more information in our sector Digital, Media & Technology and in the legal area Procurement Law.

    Healthcare

    Healthcare is a key economic sector in Germany, and it continues to grow. The Hospitals of the Future Act (KHZG) and projects such as the electronic patient file (ePA) drive digitalisation in hospitals and the entire healthcare sector.

    Generally, digitalisation, the procurement of high-performance medical technologies, the development of innovative health services, additional IT security measures, and similar projects must comply with public procurement law. We advise ministries, hospitals and their operators, and other contracting entities, as well as subsidy recipients bound by procurement law under the grant decision, on all procurement and contract law aspects arising during the preparation and implementation of such projects. Our experienced team also assists companies active in the healthcare sector when bidding on such projects and helps increase their chances of being awarded the contract.

    We have particular expertise with complex procurement projects involving medical technologies, innovative health services, including telemedicine, and modern technology partnerships between operators, hospitals and industry. Our work with IT services in the healthcare sector is of note; we provide comprehensive advice from one source on data protection, IT security and other issues that arise, in addition to all procurement and contract law aspects.

    You can find more information in our sector Healthcare and in the legal area Procurement Law.

    State aid / subsidies

    Digitalisation, the transition to renewable energy and green transport, climate protection and conservation, and other key topics of the future would be inconceivable without state aid and subsidies. Between 2019 and 2022, the total volume of federal subsidies granted in Germany increased from EUR 24.6 billion to EUR 47.2 billion (source: 28th Report on Federal Subsidies).

    We help both granting authorities and aid recipients ensure that the use of funding complies with the complex legal requirements of the grant decision, collateral clauses, and funding guidelines. Our advice also covers related (EU) state aid law issues (e.g., Law on the Future of Hospitals (KHZG), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF), LIFE programme).

    State aid is a classic interdisciplinary issue. We clarify questions about the applicable statutory provisions, advise on the legal aspects of procurement by the recipient of the aid (e.g., based on the General Provisions for the Grant of Project Funding, ANBest-P or ANBest-I), and provide administrative law advice when alleged infringements of the grant decision risk an order for the repayment of the aid.

    Mobility of the future

    Future mobility should be autonomous, environmentally friendly, and flexible. The European Union is planning to make the combustion engine history by 2035. The automotive industry is undergoing far-reaching change.

    In the transport sector, we advise public authorities, transport companies and start-ups on all the legal issues related to mobility of the future. This includes the tendering of public transport and rail services under the Act against Restraints of Competition (GWB) and the EU public passenger transport regulation (No. 1370/2007). We also advise on the procurement of exempt transport services (e.g., school services) and clean vehicles (e.g., electric buses) in line with the Procurement of Clean Vehicles Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG), and provide regulatory advice on the provision and organisation of journeys under the Public Transport Act (PBefG).

    You can find more information in our sector Mobility and in the legal area Procurement Law.

    Renewable energy – geothermal energy

    Municipal energy providers are challenged with finding alternatives to fossil fuels and developing new energy supply structures. Geothermal energy, the thermal energy in the Earth’s crust, is an important element in the move to a renewable energy and heating policy. It not only limits any damage to the environment, is climate-friendly and seemingly unlimited, but it ensures a reliable and safe supply of energy with stable pricing. Geothermal energy is available irrespective of the weather and the existing technologies can be used almost anywhere. The many possible applications reduce the dependence on providers that rely on fossil fuels and increase the security of supply.

    We have advised on the development of geothermal energy from the start and are very familiar with the relevant legal issues. Our team assists with selecting and securing well and grid sites and advises on construction and planning approval and environmental law issues. We structure procedures for the award of contracts for works under the relevant laws and advise on communal and budgetary law issues. Our experts are also well-versed in the legal requirements of the federal aid for efficient heating networks (BEW).

    You can find more information in our sector Energy and in the legal area Public Law.

    Professionals

    Munich
    Michael Brückner
    Rechtsanwalt
    Partner
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    Berlin
    Mike Schwichtenberg
    Rechtsanwalt
    Partner
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    Dusseldorf
    Teresa Werner
    Rechtsanwältin, Steuerberaterin, Licensed Specialist for Tax Law
    Partner
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    Munich
    Dr Sebastian Kroll
    Rechtsanwalt, Fachanwalt für Arbeitsrecht
    Partner
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    Berlin
    Dr Florian Böhm
    Rechtsanwalt
    Senior Associate
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    Berlin
    Dr Thomas Jilg
    Rechtsanwalt
    Partner
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    Berlin
    Irina Rauche
    Rechtsanwältin
    Partner
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    Berlin
    Max Stanko
    Rechtsanwalt, Licensed Specialist for Procurement Law
    Partner
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    Berlin
    Dr Sebastian Hartwig
    Rechtsanwalt
    Senior Associate
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    Berlin
    Dr Andreas Hipke
    Rechtsanwalt, Licensed Specialist for Agricultural Law
    Partner
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    Berlin
    Stephan Rechten
    Rechtsanwalt
    Partner
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    Frankfurt/Main
    Dr Daniel Fischer
    Rechtsanwalt, Licensed Specialist for Administrative Law
    Partner
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    Dusseldorf
    Sascha Opheys
    Rechtsanwalt, Licensed Specialist for Procurement Law
    Partner
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    Brussels - Berlin
    Christian Hipp
    Rechtsanwalt
    Partner
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    Berlin
    Oliver Schwarz
    Rechtsanwalt
    Partner
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    Moscow
    Kamil Karibov
    Diplom-Jurist, Ph.D.
    Partner
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    Berlin
    Dr Christian Kaufmann
    Rechtsanwalt, LL.M.
    Partner
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    Frankfurt/Main
    Dr Gerald Müller-Machwirth
    Rechtsanwalt, Licensed Specialist for Labour Law
    Partner
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    Berlin
    Michael Riedel
    Rechtsanwalt, Licensed Specialist for Labour Law
    Partner
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    Dusseldorf
    Gamze Dogan
    Rechtsanwältin
    Senior Associate
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    Berlin
    Sebastian Berg
    Rechtsanwalt, LL.M.
    Partner
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    Munich
    Hans Georg Neumeier
    Rechtsanwalt, Licensed Specialist for Administrative Law
    Partner
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    Brussels - Hamburg
    Prof. Dr Rainer Bierwagen
    Rechtsanwalt
    Partner
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    Frankfurt/Main
    Jason Komninos
    Rechtsanwalt, LL.M., Licensed Specialist for Information Technology Law
    Senior Associate
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    Brussels - Hamburg
    Dr Dietmar O. Reich
    Rechtsanwalt
    Partner
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    Munich
    Katharina Mayerbacher
    Rechtsanwältin, Licensed Specialist for Information Technology Law, external data protection officer (certified by TÜV Rheinland)
    Partner
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    Dusseldorf
    Marcus Mische
    Rechtsanwalt, Steuerberater, Licensed Specialist for Tax Law
    Partner
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    Munich
    Katrin Lüdtke
    Rechtsanwältin, Licensed Specialist for Administrative Law
    Partner
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    Berlin
    Dr Malaika Ahlers
    Rechtsanwaltin, LL.M. (University of London)
    Partner
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    Frankfurt/Main - Munich
    Christopher Theis
    Rechtsanwalt, Licensed Specialist for Procurement Law
    Partner
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    Berlin
    Dr Michael Späthe
    Rechtsanwalt, LL.M.
    Partner
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    Berlin
    Wolf J. Reuter
    Rechtsanwalt, LL.M., Licensed Specialist for Labour Law
    Partner
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    Dusseldorf
    Wilken Beckering
    Rechtsanwalt
    Partner
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    Berlin
    Stefan Bräunig
    Rehtsanwalt, LL.M.
    Partner
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