Ahlers & Vogel

Ahlers & Vogel is a German law firm (Rechtsanwalts- und Notarskanzlei) headquartered in Bremen, with additional offices in Hamburg and Leer in East Frisia. It was founded in 1858 by Julius Heinrich Eduard Stachow and is regarded as one of the oldest law firms in Germany and the oldest in Bremen. The firm has carried various names over its history and has used its current name, Ahlers & Vogel, since 1992. The practice is a partnership (Partnerschaft) of lawyers and notaries. According to its own website, it employs around 40 lawyers across two main locations and describes itself as advising national and international clients in the core areas of commercial law, with particular emphasis on corporate law, construction and architectural law, employment law, and shipping and transport law. Additional practice areas listed include medical law and notarial services in Bremen. The firm's history page notes that it has been operating for over 160 years while keeping a focus on the future. Ahlers & Vogel is characterised as a mid-sized (mittelständisch) firm that has built a strong reputation in construction, shipping, employment and transport law, and also distinguishes itself in corporate law. Its client base has traditionally consisted of commercial clients, larger institutions and public-sector bodies. The firm has a notable political heritage: several of its lawyers went on to hold prominent public office, including the later Bremen mayors Albert Gröning, Hermann Hildebrand and Theodor Spitta, as well as the later Federal President Karl Carstens, who was a partner of the firm and took part in its 125th anniversary celebrations in 1983. The firm has expanded over the decades. A Hamburg office was established in 1993, followed by a Rostock office in 1996 and a Leer (East Frisia) office in 2011. The Bremen location was expanded in 2007 with additional premises at Contrescarpe 18, and the Hamburg office moved to the Aztekenkontor at Schaarsteinwegsbrücke 2 in 2006. The Leer office moved to the "Haus Hamburg" at Hafenstraße 6 in 2019. In 2008 the firm celebrated its 150th anniversary with a ceremony at Bremen City Hall. Beyond client work, Ahlers & Vogel has contributed to German legal reform. Partners of the firm, notably Prof. Dr. Rolf Herber, led the drafting of proposals that formed the basis of the 1998 reform of German transport law and the 2013 reform of German maritime transport law. The firm also publishes a client newsletter (Jusletter) covering developments such as rulings of the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) and the Federal Labour Court (BAG). Today Ahlers & Vogel remains an active, privately held partnership. Its offices in Bremen, Hamburg and Leer serve a primarily commercial clientele, and the firm continues to position itself as a traditional yet forward-looking adviser in German business law.

Ahlers & Vogel was founded in 1858 in Bremen by Julius Heinrich Eduard Stachow, at Wachmannstraße 16. It is one of the oldest law firms in Germany and the oldest in Bremen. Over its long history the firm has operated under various names and has been associated with a number of lawyers who became politically prominent, including the later Bremen mayors Albert Gröning, Hermann Hildebrand and Theodor Spitta, and the later Federal President Karl Carstens, who was a partner of the firm. The firm's modern history is marked by a series of relocations and expansions. In 1983 it celebrated its 125th anniversary with a ceremony attended by its former partner Karl Carstens, then President of the Federal Republic of Germany. In 1986 the Bremen office moved to Contrescarpe 21. In 1992 the firm adopted its current name, Ahlers & Vogel. A Hamburg office was established in 1993, followed by a Rostock office in 1996. In 1998, a reform of German transport law was enacted based on a draft prepared under the leadership of the firm's partner Prof. Dr. Rolf Herber. In 2006 the Hamburg office moved to the Aztekenkontor at Schaarsteinwegsbrücke 2, and in 2007 the Bremen location was expanded with additional premises at Contrescarpe 18. In 2008 the firm celebrated its 150th anniversary with a festive event at Bremen City Hall. In January 2011 a further office was opened in Leer (East Frisia). In 2013, a reform of German maritime transport law was enacted, again based on a draft prepared under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Rolf Herber. In 2019 the Leer office moved to the "Haus Hamburg" at Hafenstraße 6, overlooking the picturesque Leer harbour (the office remained there until April 2023). According to Wikipedia, the firm is a mid-sized practice (mittelständische Kanzlei) with a profile in construction, shipping, employment and transport law, and also strong in corporate law. At the time of the Wikipedia article, the Bremen office had 30 lawyers (and one Of Counsel), Hamburg 15 and Leer 2, with a total of 24 partners and 27 associates. The firm's own website states that it has around 40 lawyers at two main locations and has been operating for over 160 years, advising national and international clients in the core areas of commercial law, with a focus on corporate, construction, employment, and shipping and transport law. Additional practice areas include medical law and notarial services in Bremen. The firm has traditionally served commercial clients, larger institutions and public-sector bodies. It continues to publish a client newsletter (Jusletter) covering current legal developments, such as decisions of the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) and the Federal Labour Court (BAG).

• 2019

  Leer office moves to the 'Haus Hamburg' at Hafenstraße 6 (until April 2023).

• 2013

  Reform of German maritime transport law based on a draft led by partner Prof. Dr. Rolf Herber.

• 2011

  Leer (East Frisia) office established in January.

• 2008

  150th anniversary celebrated with a festive event at Bremen City Hall.

• 2007

  Bremen location expanded with additional premises at Contrescarpe 18.

• 2006

  Hamburg office moves to the Aztekenkontor at Schaarsteinwegsbrücke 2.

• 1998

  Reform of German transport law based on a draft led by partner Prof. Dr. Rolf Herber.

• 1996

  Rostock office established.

• 1993

  Hamburg office established.

• 1992

  Firm adopts the name Ahlers & Vogel.

• 1986

  Bremen office moves to Contrescarpe 21.

• 1983

  125th anniversary celebrated with former partner and then Federal President Karl Carstens.

• 1858

  Firm founded in Bremen by Julius Heinrich Eduard Stachow at Wachmannstraße 16.

Mid-sized German commercial law firm with a long tradition, advising national and international clients from offices in Bremen, Hamburg and Leer.

• Corporate and company law

• Construction and architectural law

• Employment law

• Shipping and transport law

• Medical law

• Notarial services (Bremen)

1. 1Ahlers & Vogel - Rechtsanwälte & Notare in Bremen und Hamburgahlers-vogel.de
2. 2Geschichte - Ahlers & Vogel - Rechtsanwälte & Notareahlers-vogel.de
3. 3Ahlers & Vogel - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Ahlers & Vogel - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org