Corporate law attorney in Frankfurt

Those searching for "corporate law lawyer Frankfurt" rarely have "just" a legal question – but usually a very specific entrepreneurial issue: founding, growth, investors, restructuring, shareholder conflicts, directors' liability or succession.

This is precisely where our consulting services at GxG Legal in Frankfurt am Main come in: as a boutique firm with streamlined decision-making processes , direct contacts and a strong international network – precise in structure, pragmatic in implementation.

What is corporate law?

Corporate law governs how companies are founded, organized, managed, and—if necessary— dissolved. It deals with the rights and obligations of shareholders and officers, liability issues, decision-making processes, and the rules of engagement within the company.

For whom is a corporate lawyer in Frankfurt particularly relevant?

Corporate law concerns not only "the company," but also the people and bodies behind it. We advise particularly on:

• medium-sized companies and subsidiaries of large corporations

• Start-ups and investors

• Family offices and entrepreneurial families

• Managing directors, board members, supervisory board members, advisory board members and other bodies

When should you consult a corporate lawyer?

Typical “triggers” where early consultation pays off:

• You want to start a business or change its legal form.

• New shareholders or investors are joining – or someone is leaving.

• They are planning capital measures (e.g., capital increases) or major restructurings.

• There are tensions between shareholders (classically: 50/50 stalemates).

• They want to manage liability risks for managing directors/board members effectively.

• They are preparing for an exit or company sale and want to establish "corporate readiness".

What legal forms are there – and how do you find the right one?

In Germany, the following are common: GbR, OHG, KG (partnerships) as well as GmbH, UG (limited liability), AG (corporations).

The election is not merely a formality. Among the decisive factors are:

• Liability and risk profile

• Capital requirements and financing

• Flexibility in governance

• Steer

• Investor suitability and succession capability

The basic logic is particularly important: In the case of corporations , liability is generally limited to the company's assets; in the case of partnerships, personal liability may be a possibility – depending on the legal form.

What does a typical corporate law consultation entail?

Good corporate law is not a "form service," but rather structural work. In practice, it often works like this:

1. Clarify the initial situation and the target vision (growth, succession, investor, conflict prevention)

2. Structuring risks and options (liability, decision-making rights, exit scenarios)

3. Set up documents and governance properly (articles of association, shareholders' agreement, rules of procedure, etc.)

4. Making implementation operationally feasible (registries, approvals, interfaces with tax/bank/M&A)

Our aim is to be legally sound and operationally feasible – from the initial setup to complex structural measures.

What does corporate governance mean – and why does it also affect medium-sized businesses?

Corporate governance is the system of rules, processes, and controls by which a company is managed and monitored – in other words: Who is allowed to decide what, how is control exercised, and how are risks managed?

And no: This isn't just a "corporate issue". Smaller companies also benefit from clear decision-making structures and transparency – especially when multiple shareholders are involved and the potential for conflict is realistic.

What is corporate housekeeping?

Corporate housekeeping means keeping the company "clean and organized" – continuously, not just when a deal or dispute arises. This includes, for example, updating articles of association , appointing officers , filing commercial register entries , and ongoing corporate law support.

It sounds unsexy – but it's often the difference between "going well" and "suddenly costing a lot of money".

What mistakes can typically be avoided by hiring a consultant?

Corporate law problems rarely arise overnight. They often stem from recurring patterns – and these can be avoided with good structuring:

1) Unclear responsibilities and lack of decision-making processes

If it is not clear what shareholders decide (principle) and what management does (operational), it quickly becomes expensive – and prone to disputes.

2) Outdated or “overgrown” company agreements

Growth, new shareholders, new financing – but the articles of association are still from the "founding year 2014". Classic.

3) No conflict mechanics – especially in 50/50 games

A 50/50 split sounds fair, but from a corporate law perspective, it often poses a risk of gridlock. Without mechanisms, stagnation is likely. Mediation clauses, tie-breaking votes, or clearly defined exit rules (even "shoot-out" mechanisms) are advisable.

4) Roles are blurred (shareholder vs. managing director)

Especially in founder or family structures, the boundary between the role of owner and the role of director is often blurred – with potential for liability and disputes.

When are managing directors or board members personally liable?

Personal liability can arise if duties of the company's governing bodies are violated – e.g., in the case of breaches of duties of care, duties of legality, or duties to file for insolvency.

It is also important to clearly distinguish between the position as an officer (power of representation as an officer) and the employment contract (legal basis for remuneration, term, termination, etc.). Mixing these two things creates unnecessary liability and conflict risks.

D&O insurance can protect board members against the financial consequences of liability claims – but the protection is not unlimited (e.g. in case of intent or unsuitable coverage).

How does corporate law help with restructuring or the sale of a company?

Corporate law is often the "engine" behind strategic changes:

• Capital measures (increases/decreases, conversion of equity and debt capital)

• Transformations such as mergers, divisions, changes of legal form or (also) cross-border measures

• Carve-outs in preparation for a sale: Business units are legally separated in order to be sold off selectively.

• Exit readiness / sales preparation (“brush-up”)

  – i.e., the optimization of structure, contracts and board composition to strengthen transactional capability and negotiating position

And when corporate law and deals come together, we support M&A transactions in close coordination with the corporate setup.

Why choose GxG Legal as a corporate law boutique in Frankfurt?

Many clients in corporate law are not looking for "overhead", but rather clear solutions – fast, structured and reliable.

What makes our boutique approach unique:

• Personal & efficient: direct contacts, streamlined decision-making processes

• Practical: legally sound, operationally feasible

• Proactive: Identify risks early, build options carefully.

• Interface competence: close cooperation with M&A, tax advisors, banks and stakeholders

• Independent: no cross-selling pressure; we work hand in hand with existing consultants and, if necessary, draw on an established international network.

Contact

Whether you need help with company formation , shareholder agreements , corporate governance , restructuring , directors' liability , or exit preparation: If you are looking for a corporate lawyer in Frankfurt , we are happy to assist you – in a structured, pragmatic, and boutique-style approach: mail@gxglegal.com