The Baker McKenzie trade, distribution and logistics practice combines deep regulatory expertise with commercial insight, frequently acting for global clients across the automotive, life sciences, consumer goods and technology industries. The team offers comprehensive advice regarding distribution channels, antitrust compliance, commercial contracts and e-commerce. The practice is led by Ulf Wauschkuhn, who advises on the full spectrum of commercial law matters, with particular expertise in structuring distribution systems and terminating distribution contracts. Katharina Spenner offers expertise in competition law and supports clients across all industries with compliance, including conducting training and audits. Philipp Schütt brings extensive experience to M&A transactions, with a focus on reorganising supply and distribution structures to align with post-transaction business strategies.

CMS advises on trade and distribution law, particularly focused on the automotive and e-mobility, energy, consumer goods and retail sectors. The team provides guidance on purchasing, production, franchising, liability, energy and climate change matters, as well as supply chain compliance and distribution law.  The practice, jointly led by Lars Eckhoff  and Gerald Gräfe, integrates peripheral legal areas including competition, intellectual property and dispute resolution. Eckhoff focuses on advising clients in the consumer products and chemical industries, with particular expertise in e-commerce and distribution systems, including selective distribution. Gräfe brings expertise to the automotive sector, supporting clients navigating the industry transformation, especially in relation to purchasing, cooperation agreements and distribution law. Also noteworthy is Robert Budde who specialises in commercial agency law, framework supply agreements, authorised dealer arrangements and competition law.

The Hogan Lovells International LLP Strategic Operations, Agreements and Regulation practice is widely recognised for their cross-border expertise and deep industry knowledge, advising multinational clients across the automotive, consumer goods, technology, life sciences, aerospace and defence industries. The team provides comprehensive support on commercial contracts, distribution systems, innovative sales projects, compliance, e-commerce and EU market entry. Led by Patrick Ayad and Florian Unseld, the team also brings specialist insight to emerging issues including AI, tariffs, and supply chain disruptions. Ayad represents companies in matters relating to regulation, international contract drafting, purchasing and sales, cooperation and licensing. Unseld advises across the entire value chain, bringing expertise in national and international distribution law, contract negotiation, regulation, consumer protection, procurement, sales, cooperation, R&D and outsourcing.

Noerr provides advice on trade, distribution and logistics across the automotive, logistics, retail and franchising sectors. The practice advises on digital transformation, data regulation, platform regulation, cybersecurity standards and the horizontal exchange of information within vertical structures. The team guides clients through shifting trade policies and global relations often advising on emerging trade agreements, the reform of the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation and the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act. The practice is jointly led by Michael Reiling, Albin Ströbl, Christian Mayer, Thorsten Kraul and Thomas Thalhofer. Reiling is recognised for their expertise in franchising and reorganisation of cross-border distribution systems, while Ströbl specialises in distribution law at the intersection of antitrust law. Mayer focuses on regulatory issues in the transport, energy, environment, media and gambling sectors. Tom Billing specialises in e-commerce, banking contract and distribution law, while Cathrin Wentzel brings experience in distribution and competition law.

Taylor Wessing delivers comprehensive advice across the entire supply chain, from sourcing and manufacturing, through to market access and digital distribution. The practice stands out for its dual focus on supply chain compliance and product compliance, particularly in highly technical and regulated sectors such as electronics, machinery, automotive and chemicals. The team is also recognised for their expertise in AI regulation, distribution antitrust law and the structuring of complex franchise systems. The practice is led by Benedikt Rohrßen, who brings expertise at the intersection of national and international distribution law and product compliance. Rohrßen regularly advises on compliance with the Machinery Regulation, General Product Safety Regulation, Battery Regulation and the revised Product Liability Directive, with particular emphasis on CE marking and AI conformity assessments under the EU AI Act. Martin Rothermel is renowned for his knowledge of supply chain compliance, distribution and trade relations.

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH provides extensive expertise in trade, distribution and logistics primarily assisting clients with commercial contracts, distribution systems, distribution antitrust law, product compliance, supply chain management, commercial compliance and disputes. The team is particularly recognised for its role in transformative industry projects, including large-scale decarbonisation and the integration of green energy into manufacturing processes. Practice head Steffen Gaber provides comprehensive advice on distribution law, EU market entry and contracts with consumers, with a particular focus in the automotive supply industry and textile industry. Anne Wegner primarily advises on matters pertaining to vertical agreements, antitrust damages, compliance and merger control, while Johannes Teichmann brings in-depth expertise in commercial, distribution and antitrust law.

Clifford Chance delivers comprehensive trade, distribution and logistics advice across the automotive, health and life sciences, consumer goods, technology and energy sectors. The practice brings expertise to matters regarding sustainable distribution systems, distribution antitrust, global de-risking and regulatory compliance. The team is particularly recognised for their work in digitalisation, specifically AI-driven distribution platforms, robotic solutions and data-driven supply chain optimisation. Practice head Gunnar Sachs is a specialist in intellectual property who guides global clients through cross-border distribution models and digitalisation. Marc Besen specialises in competition law, offering a wealth of knowledge on mergers and acquisitions, compliance programmes, distribution and licensing arrangements, while Dimitri Slobodenjuk advises on anti-trust law and foreign investment rules. Thomas Voland brings strategic advice regarding cross-border transactions, sustainable distribution systems and regulatory requirements. Torsten Syrbe further strengthens the team, often supporting multinational corporations on their global operations.

The Dentons distribution team provides advice spanning contract dealer law and international franchise systems, as well as related fields including international distribution transactions, foreign trade regulations, logistics and waste management law. The team has a strong industry focus on consumer goods with particular expertise in the fashion sector, while also serving clients in the cosmetics, food, real estate and medical industries. The team is led by Christiane Zedelius, a specialist in distribution and commercial law who is recognised for advising consumer goods companies on developing international multichannel strategies, including sophisticated online distribution networks.

DLA Piper commercial practice delivers comprehensive advice regarding supply chains, distribution channels, contracts, transactions, logistics, e-commerce and consumer protection. The team are particularly well versed in the automotive, chemicals, consumer goods, life sciences and finance sectors. Thilo Von Bodungen and  Sylvia Ebersberger  lead the practice with Ebersberger advising on commercial matters, innovation-based projects and transformation processes, while Bodungen advises companies on all stages of the value chain, focusing on national and international trade and distribution law.

Eversheds Sutherland offers comprehensive advice regarding contracts, compliance and cross-border operations to global clients from the automotive, consumer goods, life sciences and health sectors. The strategic contracts team led by Alexander Niethammer advises on contract concepts in procurement, logistics, sales, distribution systems, licensing and foreign trade. The dispute resolution practice led by Joos Hellert primarily handles trade, contract and distribution disputes. The team is also recognised for their experience with e-commerce, antitrust, digital transformation, ESG and strategic acquisitions.

Gleiss Lutz delivers trade, distribution and logistics advice regarding distribution networks systems, preventive risk avoidance strategies and crisis management such as product recalls. The firm assists clients with the negotiation of contracts, while also enforcing and defending claims in contractual, liability and commercial disputes. The team is led by Eric Wagner and Marc Ruttloff. Wagner specialises in the area of commercial law including product liability, e-commerce, autonomous driving, connectivity and Industry 4.0. Ruttloff advises on public commercial law, often advising on product compliance including connectivity, data protection, AI, sustainability transformation, supply chain and ESG compliance.

Heuking offers comprehensive advice to international companies on all aspects of trade and distribution law. The team’s work includes the development of new sales markets and customer groups, distribution systems, distribution antitrust issues, contract negotiations, compliance and disputes. The practice is led by Reinhard Siegert who brings extensive experience with distribution and antitrust law, particularly in matters involving merger control, litigation, compliance and franchise matters. Martin Imhof brings expertise to distribution law, transport, corporate, and private equity matters while Stefan Bretthauer advises on distribution law, arbitration, merger control and antitrust compliance.

Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner offers expertise in sales and distribution arrangements in the automotive, IT and medtech sectors, among others, and is also able to oversee competition issues linked to existing distribution contracts. Leading the group are Sven Köhnen, who oversees the structuring and termination of distribution structures, and Hendrik Thies, who handles both cross-border transactions and related distribution lines.

The GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB IP and IT department advises on complex multinational distribution law matters and related disputes, representing clients in litigation before state courts as well as in domestic and international arbitration proceedings. The practice has particular experience in the steel, construction, automotive and medical sectors, including biopharmaceuticals. Practice head Oliver Spieker offers strategic guidance across contentious and non-contentious mandates to companies regarding distribution antitrust law, commercial distribution structures, industrial and intellectual property matters.

Haver & Mailänder Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft mbB advises clients on the distribution and procurement of products and services. The team brings expertise in cross-border transactions, the establishment of distribution systems, representation of clients in enforcing or defending distribution-related claims and managing ongoing distribution relationships, particularly with regard to issues of compensation claims and competition restrictions. Clients benefit from the team’s in-depth knowledge of antitrust law, data protection law and insurance law, as well as the firm’s experience in product liability and recall management. The team is led by Christian Aufdermauer who specialises in the interface of distribution law and antitrust law.

LUTZ | ABEL RECHTSANWALTS PARTG MBB advises on national and international trade, distribution and logistics at the intersection of commercial law. The practice has particular experience with the automotive, mechanical engineering, life sciences, IT and consumer goods industries, where they regularly assist with distribution systems, antitrust distribution, drafting contracts, supply relationships, restructuring, arbitration and dispute resolution. The team is led Marius Mann who brings notable expertise in commercial contracts, dispute resolution and distribution law.

The SKW Schwarz transport and logistics department advises machine manufacturers in the food and fashion industries regarding merger control, antitrust, commercial and distribution matters. Practice head Niels Witt is recognised for their expertise in drafting customised logistics contracts and representation of companies in complex claims. Philipp Hartmann focuses on comprehensive forensic work particularly in complicated transport claims, while Christine Lingenfelser specialises in trade, contract and product liability law.

Founded in January 2025, Cattwyk is a boutique firm dedicated to the economically critical regulatory issues of foreign trade, sustainability and cross-border supply chains. The team offers comprehensive expertise across the full spectrum of trade compliance encompassing customs, export control, sanctions, foreign direct investment, excise duties and sustainability regulation. The practice is spearheaded by Katja Göcke, Hartmut Henninger and Franziska Kaiser. Henninger is noted for his expertise in customs, sustainability and contentious trade proceedings. Göcke advises on export controls, sanctions and excise tax matters, while Kaiser complements the team with knowledge of customs, anti-dumping and excise duties.

Deloitte Legal Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH offers expertise for companies undergoing major distribution restructuring, cross-border supply chain optimisation and ESG-aligned contract management. The team is jointly led by Andreas Leclaire and Johannes Passas with Leclaire bringing experience of cross-border distribution systems, product-related regulatory issues and large-scale contract negotiations, particularly for clients in the automotive, consumer goods, and technology sectors. Passas regularly advises on structuring distribution models, franchise systems and e-commerce strategies, bringing a strong knowledge of supply chain law, commercial contracts and ESG-related compliance.

Fieldfisher advises at the intersection of distribution, commercial law, information technology and traditional business, with particular industry expertise in the automotive, industrial and consumer goods sectors. The team is co-led by Sara Bandehzadeh, Silke Goschler, and Susanne Weckbach. Bandehzadeh focuses on classic distribution law matters, including distribution agreements, distribution antitrust, cross-border distribution structures and damages claims. Goschler advises on commercial contracts across the supply chain, as well as operational business issues, consumer protection law and the structuring of distribution systems. Weckbach’s practice spans drafting and negotiating complex contracts to support clients in their day-to-day operations.

The Loschelder team brings expertise in national and international sales law, with particular strength in structuring complex supply relationships and distribution systems. The practice is especially noted for their expertise in contract drafting, the design of antitrust-compliant distribution models and risk mitigation in cross-border supply chains. The team has a strong sectoral focus in the automotive, chemical, healthcare, food and IT industries. The practice is led by Hans-Georg Schreier who brings experience in commercial contracts and dispute resolution. Simon Kohm is recommended for their specialist knowledge of sales antitrust and vertical restraints, while Patrick Pommerening adds further breadth with their expertise in intellectual property.

The orka team advises on trade, distribution and contract law, with the practice being jointly led by Volker Herrmann, Dafni Nikolakudi, Frank Wältermann, Christiane Hoffbauer, Margarete von Oppen and Julius Böckmann. Herrmann is noted for their expertise in the legal structuring of supply and distribution relationships, purchasing and quality assurance arrangements and drafting general terms and conditions. Böckmann focuses on litigation, product liability and insurance law, while Wältermann specialises in drafting and negotiating purchasing, sales, cooperation and investment agreements. Hoffbauer’s practice spans commercial, civil and distribution law, advising clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Nikolakudi specialises in international contract law, producer liability and renewable energies.