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Portrait ofBjörn Otto

Dr. Björn Otto

Partner
Rechtsanwalt | Fachanwalt für Arbeitsrecht (Certified lawyer for labor and employment law)

CMS Hasche Sigle
Kranhaus 1
Im Zollhafen 18
50678 Cologne
Germany
Languages German, English, French

Björn Otto is a certified employment lawyer and a member of the CMS Employment & Pensions Board. He advises national and international clients on all aspects of both individual and collective labor and employment law. Apart from giving advice on day-to-day labor law issues, a main focus of Björn's practice is on transformation projects, outsourcing and restructuring as well as privatization, including conducting negotiations with unions and other employee representatives on collective bargaining agreements, transfer- and reorganization agreements, voluntary leaver programs as well as on reconciliation of interests and social plans. Björn has particular expertise with regard to (national and international) boardroom codetermination, matrix structures of multinationals, the establishment of compliance structures, the implementation of (cloud-based) HR-, ERP-, AI- and other IT-systems, insolvency specific employment law, European and SE (Societas Europaea) Works Council issues and cross-border reorganization projects.

Clients as well as other lawyers regularly recommend Björn in leading industry publications, highlighting the competent, effective and pragmatic advice he provides.

Björn Otto joined CMS in 2002 and has been a partner since 2009.

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„Oft empfohlen“ für Arbeitsrecht

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

Listed as "Thought Leader"

Who's Who Legal 2023 – Employment & Benefits

Listed as "Thought Leader"

Who's Who Legal 2023 Germany

"Björn Otto is a favourite among clients who praise his "pragmatic and hands-on approach", making him "a pleasure to work with", client

Who's Who Legal 2023

Listed as "Thought Leader"

Who's Who Legal 2022 – Labour & Employment

Listed as "Thought Leader"

Who's Who Legal 2022 Germany

"Clients praise Björn Otto for his 'cutting-edge legal knowledge' and his practical approach 'focusing on clients' needs and requirements' in employment matters." "Björn Otto wins praise for his exemplary work on employee transfers, reorganisations and collective bargaining agreements."

Who's Who Legal 2022

Listed as "Thought Leader"

Who's Who Legal 2021 – Labour & Employment

Listed as "Thought Leader"

Who's Who Legal 2021 Germany

"Björn Otto is a “highly experienced” individual who is applauded for his profound expertise in advising clients on labour and employment matters relating to corporate restructurings."
"Björn Otto is highly sought after for his practice, which spans outsourcing, restructuring and privatization matters and how they intersect with German labour law."

Who's Who Legal 2021

Listed as "Thought Leader"

Who's Who Legal 2020 – Labour & Employment

Listed as "Thought Leader"

Who's Who Legal 2020 Germany

"Björn Otto is noted for his "exceptional communication skills" in negotiations with trade unions, and in transfers and restructurings"

Who's Who Legal 2020

"Björn Otto gains recognition for his impressive work in a range of restructuring-related labour matters."

Who's Who Legal 2019

"Recommended"

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2022 (GCLF)

"Recommended"

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2021 (GCLF)

"Recommended"

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2020 (GCLF)

"Recommended"

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2019 (GCLF)

"Recommended"

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2018 (GCLF)

"Recommended"

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2017 (GCLF)

"very good lawyer", competitor

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2016 (GCLF)

"Recommended"

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2015 (GCLF)

"competent, professional, efficient, pragmatic", client

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2014 (GCLF)

"Recommended" for Employment

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2022 (GCLF)

Memberships & Roles

  • European Employment Lawyers Association (EELA)
  • International Bar Association (IBA)
  • Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA), Vice Chair of the Employment & Immigration Law Committee
  • Labor Law Group of the German Bar Association
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Publications

  • Betriebs(teil)übergang im Onlinehandel, ZAU 2023, p. 363 ff.
  • Gender balance quotas: The key to gender equality?, IBA Diversity and Equality Law Committee e-bulletin April 2023
  • "Neues zum Sozialplan", ZAU 2022, Heft 03, p. 183 ff.
  • "Was bei Jobverlagerungen zu beachten ist", Börsen-Zeitung, 25.06.2022
  • "Die elektronische Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung", ArbRB 2022, 87, gemeinsam mit Carolin Millgramm
  • Author of several chapters in Gaul, Arbeitsrecht der Umstrukturierung, 2022
  • Data Protection – European Road Block or Global Guidance, IPBA Journal 2021, p. 40 ff.
  • Gender equality and employment: from familiar terrain to new dimensions, Diversity and Equality Law Committee Newsletter 2019
  • Employment and Insolvency in Europe: Selected Questions of Employment and Insolvency Law from a European Perspective, IPBA Journal 2019, p. 45 ff.
  • Unterrichtungspflicht nach § 613a BGB in Bezug auf Betriebsvereinbarungen und Tarifverträge, Festschrift für Heinz Josef Willemsen, p. 105 ff.
  • Kommentierung § 113 InsO in Blersch/Goetsch/Haas, Berliner Kommentar zum Insolvenzrecht, Loseblattsammlung 2021
  • Kommentierung des § 120 InsO in Blersch/Goetsch/Haas, Berliner Kommentar zum Insolvenzrecht, Loseblattsammlung 2020
  • Kommentierung § 125 InsO in Blersch/Goetsch/Haas, Berliner Kommentar zum Insolvenzrecht, Loseblattsammlung 2021
  • Kommentierung § 126 InsO in Blersch/Goetsch/Haas, Berliner Kommentar zum Insolvenzrecht, Loseblattsammlung 2020
  • Kommentierung § 127 InsO in Blersch/Goetsch/Haas, Berliner Kommentar zum Insolvenzrecht, Loseblattsammlung 2020
  • Kein allgemeiner Unterlassungsanspruch des Betriebsrats bei Betriebsänderung, DB 2018, p. 899
  • Übergang von Arbeitsverhältnissen bei einer umwandlungsrechtlichen Spaltung, DB 2018, p. 1284
  • Consultation procedure for collective redundancies, International Law Office of 05.07.2017
  • Author of several chapters, i. a. "The European Works Council" and "Tendenzschutz", in Gaul/Ludwig/Forst, European Co-Determination – SE, SCE, SPE and cross-border merger, 2015
  • Die Große Koalition und die Tarifeinheit – Eine On-off-Beziehung, DB 2014, p. 1683.
  • Employment Law in Germany, Croner-i Human Resources, published online, July 2014
  • Bestellung des Wahlvorstands – Grenzen des Beurteilungsspielraums des Betriebsrats und Rechtsschutzmöglichkeiten des Arbeitgebers, NZA 2014, p. 169 ff.
  • Year after year – Christmas bonuses and ex-gratia provisions, International Law Office of 18.12.2013
  • Assignment of temporary employees, International Law Office of 16.10.2013
  • Personal liability of works council members for consultancy fees, International Law Office of 06.03.2013
  • Terrorabwehr im Spannungsfeld von Mitbestimmung und Datenschutz, NZA 2011, p. 1134 ff.
  • Rechtsfolgen von § 613 a BGB, Schriftlicher Management-Lehrgang - Lektion 9, Euroforum-Verlag 2011
  • Aufspaltung, Verschmelzung, Anwachsung - Schadenersatz bei unzureichender Unterrichtung trotz Erlöschen des übertragenden Rechtsträgers?, BB 2011, p. 1978 ff.
  • Arbeitsrechtliche Aspekte des Restrukturierungsgesetzes, NZI 2011, p. 91 ff.
  • Übergegangene Leiharbeitnehmer, Gelten für Leiharbeitnehmer bei Betriebsübergängen jetzt neue Spielregeln?, FAZ of 01.12. 2010, p. 21
  • Entgeltflexibilisierung als Weg aus der Krise - Arbeitsrechtliche Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten im Familienunternehmen neben Personalabbau und Kurzarbeit, BB 2010, p. 373 ff.
  • Erleichternde Weichenstellung für grenzüberschreitende gemeinsame Betriebe - Kommentar zu BAG v. 26.03.2009 - 2 AZR 883/07, BB 2009, p. 1926 f.
  • Irrtümer aus dem Arbeitsrecht - Wissen, was der Chef nicht weiß, focus online of 20.04 2009
  • Grenzen der Mitbestimmung des Betriebsrats bei Aktienoptionsplänen, DB 2009, p. 1594 ff.
  • Basiswissen Arbeitsrecht, Schriftlicher Lehrgang "Zwischen Sekretariat und Sachbearbeitung", Basiswissen Arbeitsrecht, Lektion 6, Euroforum-Verlag 2008
  • Kündigungsschutz bei Arbeitsverhältnissen mit Auslandsbezug, BB 2008, p. 149 ff.
  • Praxisfragen der Karenzentschädigung, FA 2008, p. 297 ff.
  • Gericht stärkt Betriebsräte, Kurzbeitrag, FAZ of 12.12 2007, p. 21
  • Rechtsfolgen von § 613 a BGB - Schriftlicher Management-Lehrgang - Lektion 8, Euroforum-Verlag 2007
  • Cross-border transfers of undertaking, PLC Magazine 2007, p. 37 ff.
  • Der Wechsel in Beschäftigungsgesellschaften zur Vermeidung von § 613 a BGB, ZIP 2006, p. 644 ff.
  • Bei Kündigung droht Chaos, FAZ of 25.01.2006, p. 23
  • Abfindung von Betriebsrenten, ArbRB 2005, p. 281 f.
  • Personalabbau durch "Turboprämie", ArbRB 2005, p. 344 ff.
  • Rechtsfolgen einer fehlenden oder fehlerhaften Unterrichtung bei Betriebsübergang und Umwandlung, DB 2005, p. 2465 ff.
  • Die Änderungskündigung zur Entgeltreduzierung (Dissertation), 2001­​​This list is just an excerpt of Björn's publications. For a full overview please contact Björn directly.
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Lectures list

  • "The four-day work week – why we need to change our attitude to work", 31.10.2023, IBA Annual Conference, Paris, France
  • "Drafting global remote and hybrid working policies", 27.04.2023, IBA Annual Employment and Diversity Law Conference, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • "From crisis to crisis – COVID-19, energy shortages, disrupted supply chains, isolation and beyond: Employment aspects of corporate transformations and restructurings to be considered in a changing world" 09.03.2023, IPBA Annual Conference, Dubai, UAE
  • "The employment landscape in the new normal: Covid-19 a diversity catalyst or a diversity catastrophe?" 03.11.2022, IBA Jahreskonferenz, Miami, USA
  • "Data Protection - European old school or global guidance?" 16.06.2021, IPBA Virtual Annual Conference
  • "Diversity, the rights of the disabled and the future of work", 26.09.2019, IBA Annual Conference, Seoul, South Korea
  • "Handlungsempfehlungen für die Praxis – wie Sie sich im Arbeitsrecht auf die Digitalisierung vorbereiten", 20.09.2019, 4. AGVL-Expertenkonferenz, Frankfurt
  • "Brexit – To be or not to be", 25.05.2019, EELA Annual Conference, Tallinn, Estonia
  • "Herausforderungen ordnungsgemäßer Betriebsratsbeteiligung im internationalen Konzern", 21.05.2019, Frankfurt
  • "Strategies to deal with vocal or troublesome employees, officers, directors and other stakeholders of an insolvent company", 26.04.2019, IPBA Annual Conference, Singapore
  • "Artificial Intelligence Bias and Data Transparency in the Legal Workplace", 05.04.2019, IBA Annual Employment and Diversity Law Conference, Paris, France
  • "Employment and Insolvency", 16.04.2018, IPBA Annual Conference, Manila, Philippines
  • "Outsourcing und § 613a BGB – ein Praxis-Up-Date", 10.11.2017, Deutscher Syndikusanwaltstag, Berlin
  • "Hot trends in executive compensation", 09.10.2017, IBA Annual Conference, Sydney, Australia
  • "Arbeitsrechtliche Auswirkungen bei gesellschaftsrechtlichen Umstrukturierungen", Anwaltverein Freiburg, 13.07.2017, Freiburg
  • "Anwaltskanzlei 4.0 und Rechtsabteilung 4.0 – Wie ändern sich die Erwartungen der Rechtsabteilungen und die Angebote der Kanzleien", Deutscher Anwaltstag, 26.05.2017, Essen
  • "Connectivity and convergence in employment: Representing multinational companies across borders", 08.04.2017, Auckland, New Zealand
  • "Betriebsübergang gemäß § 613a BGB – Update und Vertiefung", Anwaltverein Karlsruhe, 28.10.2016, Ettlingen
  • "New technology, remote employment relationships and the cross-border duty of care obligations of multinational employers", 22.09.2016, Washington DC, USA
  • "National Associations of Employment Lawyers for EELA members – Reduction in the Employee's Protection against Unfair Dismissals, Limitation of Court Litigation, Promotion of ADR", 20.05.2016, Prague, Czech Republic
  • "Deploying external / temporary labor – pitfalls of and new regulations for temporary employment and agency work", 20.04.2016, Cologne
  • "Betriebsübergang, Betriebsänderung und Outsourcing", 11.09.2015, Frankfurt
  • "Employment law aspects of restructuring a business in Germany", 20.10.2014, Tokyo, Japan
  • "Betriebsübergang, Betriebsänderung und Outsourcing", 14.02.2014, Berlin
  • "Cross Border Merger - employee participation in cross border Transactions", 13.03.2013, Cologne
  • "Betriebsübergang und Outsourcing nach § 613 a BGB", 21./22.01.2013, Cologne
  • "Employment Law aspects of acquiring a business in Germany", 04.10.2012, Utrecht, The Netherlands
  • "Betriebsübergang, Betriebsänderung und Outsourcing", 26.05.2011, Mannheim
  • "Aktuelles zum Arbeitskampfrecht", 16.12.2010, Walldorf
  • "Umstrukturierung von Krankenhäusern", 04.11.2010, Potsdam
  • "Transfer of undertaking", 23.04.2010, Luxembourg
  • "Betriebsübergang und Outsourcing", 05.02.2009, Hamburg
  • "Betriebsübergang rechtssicher gestalten", 30.09.2008, Osnabrück
  • "Arbeitsrecht für technische Führungskräfte", 15.09.2008, Potsdam
  • "Arbeitsrechtliche Themen im Rahmen von Zielvereinbarungen und Mitarbeitergesprächen", 10.07.2008, Düsseldorf
  • "Arbeitsrecht für Führungskräfte", 16./17.04.2008, Düsseldorf
  • "Das Allgemeine Gleichbehandlungsgesetz", 18.01.2007, Kassel
  • "Das Neueste im Arbeitsrecht", 16.05.2006, Wuppertal
  • "Arbeitsrecht in der Insolvenz", 05.05.2006, Cologne­​​
  • This list is just an excerpt of Björn's lectures. For a full overview please contact Björn directly.
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Education

  • Certified lawyer for labor and employment law
  • Academic assistant at GAEDERTZ Rechtsanwälte / Norton Rose Vieregge in Cologne and Norton Rose in London
  • PhD under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Manfred Lieb, University of Cologne; thesis on employment law topic
  • Academic assistant at GESA Gesellschaft für Arbeitsrecht, gewerblicher Rechtsschutz und Managementschulung mbH (service provider for labor and employment law and management training / consultancy)
  • Law studies in Cologne
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30/10/2022
CMS - Meet our experts at The International Bar Association (IBA) Annual...
More than 70 percent of the world’s purchasing power is located outside of the United States. So for US companies, establishing or growing their business and investments with their main trade partners – whether in the UK, the European Union, China, Africa or the Middle East – is essential for their success. However, doing business in diverse markets, each with its unique legal environment and ways of practicing law, requires specialist knowledge. Our more than 5,000 lawyers worldwide provide business-focused advice, whether in a single market or across multiple jurisdictions. Our focus is on building long-term partnerships to keep our clients ahead in their chosen markets. CMS lawyers are pleased to be attending the International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference from 30th October to 04th November 2022. Below you can find an overview of our partners attending the IBA Annual Conference, representing a range of jurisdictions, practice areas and sector specialisms. To arrange a meeting, please contact melania. kozyra@cmslegal. com. CMS lawyers will be participating in the following panel dis­cus­sions:France based Partner Annabelle Bail­leul-Mira­baud will be chairing Roundtables discussions of global tax trends, Wednesday 2 November (1430 - 1730)France based Partner Frédéric Roux and Michel Collet will participate in Roundtables discussions of global tax trends, Wednesday 2 November (1430 - 1730)Italy based Partner Paolo Bonolis will participate in the panel on Contracting of IT assets (digitalisation 2.0) in an increasingly complex regulatory environment, Monday 31 October (1430 - 1545)Italy based Partner Laura Opilio will take part in 3 panels:chairing Addressing dis­tri­bu­tion-re­lated shortages of medicines and medical devices from a multi-jur­is­dic­tion­al perspective meeting, Tuesday 1 November (1615 - 1730);Hot topics in international commerce, trade, franchising and product law, Monday 31 October (0930 - 1230);and Best practices in supply chain in the post (or continuing) Covid environment, the war in Ukraine and the impact of digitization, Wednesday 2 November (1615 - 1730)Germany based Partner Bjoern Gaul and Orly Gerbi of Herzog Fox Neeman, Israel will moderate a panel on New developments on Al in the workplace on 02.11.2022 (Wednesday) 9.30 h – 10.45 a. mEmployment and Industrial Relations Law Committee (Lead for moderators and speak­ers)Tech­no­logy Law Committee (one speaker) with the attending experts below:Patricia Barboza, CGM Advogados, BrazilSteven T. Hunt, Technology & Work, SAP Innovation Office, USACliff Jurkiewicz, Vice President, Strategy at Phenom, USAInge de Laat, Rutgers & Posch, Neth­er­landsAnthony J. Oncidi, Proskauer, USAVikram Shroff, Nishith Desai, IndiaYardenne Assa, Co-Founder and CEO, Unboxable, IsraelTo find out more about CMS, visit the About CMS section. For further information, please see our partners attending the conference in the gallery below and an overview of all our expertise areas.
30/03/2020
German parliament grants relief for short-time work
In a fast-track procedure, the German parliament passed the “Law on a temporary crisis-related improvement of the regulations for short-time working allowances” on 13 March 2020. On the basis of this...
22/09/2019
IBA Annual Conference
Several of our partners will be at the IBA Annual Meeting in Seoul, South Korea, representing a range of jurisdictions, practice areas and sector specialisms. To arrange a meeting during the IBA, please...
07/10/2018
IBA Annual Conference 2018
Several of our partners will be at the IBA Annual Meeting in Rome, Italy, representing a range of jurisdictions, practice areas and sector specialisms. To arrange a meeting during the IBA, please contact...
07/05/2018
CMS advises STRABAG on successful agreement with ISS on transfer of more...
Cologne – STRABAG Property and Facility Services GmbH (STRABAG PFS) has signed an agreement with ISS Facility Services Holding GmbH (ISS) regarding the continued employment of more than 3,000 workers...
15/03/2018
Consultation Procedure for Collective Redundancies - The Works Council...
In reorganisation scenarios, German employers must comply with a number of statutory regulations. If a reorganisation involves redundancies, and if certain thresholds are exceeded, special attention must...
19/09/2016
CMS Get-together at the IBA Annual Meeting 2016, Washington, DC
Thank you to 650 guests who attended our get-together reception on the occasion of the IBA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. You will find below the profiles of our CMS delegates at the IBA. We look forward...
06/10/2014
HOCHTIEF sells subsidiary formart to ActivumSG with advice from CMS
Frankfurt/Main – Germany’s leading construction group, HOCHTIEF, has sold its property developer subsidiary, formart GmbH & Co KG, to Jersey-based private equity investor ActivumSG Capital Management.A...
14/08/2014
CMS Hasche Sigle advises Bruker on sale of division to Analytik Jena
Frankfurt/Main - US technology company Bruker Corporation is selling its Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) business to Analytik Jena AG. The acquisition is expected to close in September...
23/05/2012
CMS advises Milch-Union on merger with Arla Foods amba
Cologne – Scand­inavi­an-Ger­man dairy group Arla plans to merge with Milch-Union Hocheifel and the UK's Milk Link. The transaction is currently awaiting approval from the EU competition authorities and...
29/04/2009
CMS Hasche Sigle successfully advises Swissport on restructuring of its...
An in­ter­dis­cip­lin­ary, multi-location team from CMS Hasche Sigle has successfully advised Swissport on the restructuring of its operations in Germany. Withmore than 33,000 employees around the world, Swissport...