Prof. Dr. Christian Rohnke
Barrister at the
Federal supreme Court

Precise. creative. convincing.

Decades of experience

For more than three decades I have been representing clients in demanding litigation. Before I was admitted to the Supreme Court bar I have conducted expedited and principal proceedings before all mayor German civil courts; I have also appeared before the Federal Patent Court, the European Court of First Instance and the Europea Court of Justice. In arbitration proceedings I have acted as counsel and arbitrator. Finally, I have served as an legal expert witness in German and international Proceedings.

See cv

Complex Litigation

As a barrister at the Federal Supreme Court I am active in all fields of civil law. I am focused on cases of legal, financial or technological complexity. Particular legal challenges may be posed by cross-border litigation or the influence of European Union law as well as the interplay between litigation and arbitration. A deep understanding of business and finacial aspects is required in corporate, insolvency and antitrust law. Technology plays a central role not only in patent law but also in energy, infrastructure and product liability cases.

See References

Working towards a common goal

My work is always guided by the interest of my clients. Even before filing the appeal I give detailed and objective advice. I consider economic aspects and strategic alternatives. I advise against litigation that has no chance of success. Once a strategy has been agreed, I implement it with maximum commitment.

My Approach

Rankings and recommendations

The quality of my work is confirmed by my peers who have made me one of the most highly recommended barristers at Federal Supreme Court in the reviews conducted by the legal industry publication Juve.

See Rankings

Curriculum Vitae

Science and
Legal Practice

I have studied law in Munich, Geneva and Austin (Texas). The University of Texas has awarded me the degree of Master of Comparative Jurisprudence. I have received a doctorate from the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich for a dissertation on international antitrust law.
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My career started as an attorney-at-law in New York. Subsequently, I worked as a German Rechtsanwalt in corporate law firms in Munich and Hamburg where I focused on litigation, in particular in the field of intellectual property, and on antitrust law. Before I was elevated to the Supreme Court bar I was a partner in a leading international law firm for 13 years, and head of their Hamburg office and member of the German management.

I have been admitted to the Supreme Court bar since 2014. In addition to my appellate work before the Supreme Court I also serve as a legal expert witness and as arbitrator.

During my whole career I have also been active in academic research and teaching. I have published numerous articles and books and was one of the editors of the leading work on the German Trademark Act. I have been a lecturer in law at the Friedrich-Schiller-University in Jena and the Technical University Hamburg-Harburg that has made me an adjunct professor for patent law in 2003. In addition, I have lectured in numerous courses and seminars.

References

Selected
Reference cases

Judgment of Max 25, 2025 – XII ZB 395/24

The Federal Supreme Court upholds the decison of the Court of Appeals that I defended. He decides on the permissible content of nuptial agreements involving business owners, in particular with respect to the exclusion or limitation of the spouse's rights.

Zum Beschluss

Judgment of June 16, 2025 – V ZR 133/24

The Federal Supreme Court addressed key legal questions concerning the participation of the German privatization agency in payments made for the use of privatized land by wind turbines. On appeal by the privatization agency represented by me, the unfavorable judgment oft he Court of Appeals was vacated and the complaint dismissed.

Zum Urteil

Judgment of March 28, 2025 – KZR 73/23

The Federal Supreme Court ruled on fundamental antitrust questions regarding the prohibition of discriminatory practices – particularly whether economic dependency may be created through long-term contractual relationships. The judgment of the Court of Appeals, which I defnded on behalf of the plaintiff, was largely upheld.

Zum Urteil

View CASE archive

My Approach

Competence and
Cooperation

Focus

My approach is informed by my long experience as a trial attorney and my academic rigor. It is focused on the specific case and my client's objectives. I consider details, engage with academic controversies and take no shortcuts. I look for the decisive point and a creative solution.

cooperation

Successful litigation is based on teamwork. I cooperate closely with the client's external and in-house attorneys and other team members. Of course, I am open to discussing my draft briefs and am happy to participate in meetings. If the client desires, I will also advise on litigation pending in the lower courts or in anticipation of impending cases.

responsibility

At every stage of the case I provide clear assessments and recommendations. The necessary steps result from this analysis. Decisions are made jointly but the ultimate responsibility for the conduct of the litigation always rests with me.

publications

Representative
Examples

Markengesetz

bis zur 3. Aufl. 2010 (mit Reinhard Ingerl)

Kommentar

Markengesetz

bis zur 3. Aufl. 2010 (mit Reinhard Ingerl)

Kommentar

Erfinderische Versuche

Festschrift für Peter Meier-Beck zum 65. Geburtstag, S. 331 ff.

GRUR 2021

Aufsatz

Erfinderische Versuche

Festschrift für Peter Meier-Beck zum 65. Geburtstag, S. 331 ff.

GRUR 2021

Aufsatz

Automarken

Festschrift für Paul Ströbele, S. 361 ff.

2019

Aufsatz

Automarken

Festschrift für Paul Ströbele, S. 361 ff.

2019

Aufsatz

All Publications

Testimonials

Recommendations and
Rankings

JUVE Legal Market 2025 – Most Recommended BGH Lawyer

Voices from the Market: „Luminary among Supreme Court lawyers – excellent standing at the First Senate (Healthcare); „Extremly knowledgeable, very fast Supreme Court lawyer, now also active in insolvency law (Insolvency and Restructuring); „Great know-how in antitrust and competition law and clientoriented solution -is and remains a top address (Conflict Resolution)

JUVE Book of Comcerial Law 2024/2025

„Highly competent in motions to grant leave to appeal“

JUVE Legal Market 2024 – Most Recommended BGH Lawyer

Voices from the Market: „Excellent lawyer and convincing in court“ (Corporate Law); Highly competent in antitrust law“ (Antitrust); „Extensive experience in food law, confident, strong standing“ (Food law)

JUVE Handbook of Commercial Law Firms 2023/2024

“Convincing appearance in complex oral negotiations.”

JUVE legal market 2022 — Most recommended BGH lawyer

Voices from the market: “Top lawyer, outstanding academic staff, quick comprehension, creative audit approaches” (insolvency and restructuring) “Outstanding, technically brilliant trademark lawyer - at the cutting edge of development yet pragmatic" (IP) “Deep understanding of energy law, argues clearly and precisely”

JUVE Handbook of Business Law Firms 2022/2023

“Absolute audit expert, assertive and collegial”.

JUVE legal market 2021 — most recommended BGH lawyer

Voices from the market: “Good standing at the Federal Court of Justice, good pleadings and pleadings” (IP) “One of the best experts in insolvency law among BGH lawyers” (insolvency and restructuring) “Very confident and convincing appearance at the hearing”.

Juve legal market 2020 — most recommended BGH lawyer

Voices from the market: “With Rohnke, you can (almost) not lose" (IP) “Professionally outstanding and economically minded, committed and efficient” “Excellent litigator, good knowledge of antitrust law” (antitrust law).

Juve legal market 2019

Rohnke Winter most recommended BGH law firm

JUVE Handbook of Business Law Firms 2019

“Strong BGH lawyer in intellectual property law”

Juve legal market 2018

Rohnke Winter most recommended BGH law firm

Prof. Dr. Christian RohnkeBarrister at the Federal supreme Court

Curriculum Vitae

References

My Approach

Focus

cooperation

responsibility

publications

Testimonials

contact

Prof. Dr. Christian Rohnke
Barrister at the
Federal supreme Court