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Björn Otto
Partner

Dr. Björn Otto

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

Cologne, Germany
Languages
  • German
  • English
  • French
Social media

Björn Otto is a certified employment lawyer and a member of the CMS Employment, Labor & Pensions Board. He advises national and international clients on all aspects of both individual and collective labor and employment law. In addition to advising on day-to-day labor and employment law matters, a key focus of Björn's practice is on transformation projects, outsourcing, spin-offs 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, structuring of codes of conduct, whistleblower hotlines and other compliance-inducing mechanisms, the implementation of (cloud-based) AI-, HR-, ERP- and other IT-systems, running HR compliance investigations as well as compliance-specific employment law (including CSR- and ESG-related requirements), insolvency specific employment law, European and SE (Societas Europaea) Works Council issues, cross-border reorganization projects, complex collective and individual dismissals as well as cross-border employment / agency work structures.

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.

Awards & Recognitions
01 –
  • Quote
    Listed as "Thought Leader"
    Lexology Index 2026 (formerly Who's Who Legal)
  • Quote
    Listed as "Thought Leader"
    Lexology Index 2026: Labour & Employment (formerly Who's Who Legal)
  • Quote
    „Oft empfohlen“ für Arbeitsrecht
    JUVE Handbuch, 2025/2026
  • Quote
    „sehr gute Zusammenarbeit, Beratung auf höchst denkbarem Niveau“ (Mandant)
    JUVE Handbuch, 2025/2026
  • Quote
    Top Anwalt | Arbeitsrecht
    F.A.Z. Institut, 2025
  • Quote
    Listed as „Thought Leader“
    Lexology Index 2025: Labour & Employment (formerly Who's Who Legal)
  • Quote
    Listed for Employment
    Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2025 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
  • Quote
    „Oft empfohlen“ für Arbeitsrecht
    JUVE Handbuch, 2024/2025
  • Quote
    „exzellente Fachkenntnisse, kurze Reaktionszeiten, hoher Einsatz“, Mandant
    JUVE Handbuch, 2024/2025
  • Quote
    Listed as "Thought Leader"
    Who's Who Legal 2023 – Employment & Benefits
  • Quote
    Listed as "Thought Leader"
    Who's Who Legal 2023 Germany
  • Quote
    "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
  • Quote
    Listed as "Thought Leader"
    Who's Who Legal 2022 – Labour & Employment
  • Quote
    Listed as "Thought Leader"
    Who's Who Legal 2022 Germany
  • Quote
    "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
  • Quote
    Listed as "Thought Leader"
    Who's Who Legal 2021 – Labour & Employment
  • Quote
    Listed as "Thought Leader"
    Who's Who Legal 2021 Germany
  • Quote
    "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
  • Quote
    Listed as "Thought Leader"
    Who's Who Legal 2020 – Labour & Employment
  • Quote
    Listed as "Thought Leader"
    Who's Who Legal 2020 Germany
  • Quote
    "Björn Otto is noted for his "exceptional communication skills" in negotiations with trade unions, and in transfers and restructurings"
    Who's Who Legal 2020
  • Quote
    "Björn Otto gains recognition for his impressive work in a range of restructuring-related labour matters."
    Who's Who Legal 2019
  • Quote
    „Oft empfohlen“ für Arbeitsrecht
    JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024
  • Quote
    „Oft empfohlen“ für Arbeitsrecht
    JUVE Handbuch, 2022/2023
  • Quote
    „Oft empfohlen“ für Arbeitsrecht
    JUVE Handbuch, 2021/2022
  • Quote
    „Oft empfohlen“ für Arbeitsrecht
    JUVE Handbuch, 2021/2022
  • Quote
    „Oft empfohlen“ für Arbeitsrecht
    JUVE Handbuch, 2020/2021
  • Quote
    „Oft empfohlen“ für Arbeitsrecht
    JUVE Handbuch, 2019/2020
  • Quote
    „Oft empfohlen“ für Arbeitsrecht
    JUVE Handbuch, 2018/2019
  • Quote
    „Häufig empfohlen“ für Arbeitsrecht
    JUVE Handbuch, 2017/2018
  • Quote
    „Häufig empfohlen“ für Arbeitsrecht
    JUVE Handbuch, 2016/2017
  • Quote
    „sehr guter Anwalt“, Wettbewerber
    JUVE Handbuch, 2015/2016
  • Quote
    „Häufig empfohlen“ für Arbeitsrecht
    JUVE Handbuch, 2014/2015
  • Quote
    „kompetent, professionell, effizient, pragmatisch“, Mandant
    JUVE Handbuch, 2013/2014

Publications

  • "IBA Global Employment Institute's (GEI) 2025 Annual Global Report on global trends and legal issues impacting human resources (Co-Editor)", 14th edition
  • "Arbeitsrechtliche Besonderheiten in der kritischen Infrastruktur", ZAU 2026, p. 156 ff.
  • "Author of several chapters in Gaul", Arbeitsrecht der Umstrukturierung, 3rd edition, 2025
  • "IBA Global Employment Institute's (GEI) 2024 Annual Global Report on global trends and legal issues impacting human resources (Co-Editor)", 13th edition
  • "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
  • "IBA Global Employment Institute's (GEI) 2023 Annual Global Report on global trends and legal issues impacting human resources (Co-Editor)", 12th edition
  • "Neues zum Sozialplan", ZAU 2022, Heft 03, p. 183 ff.
  • "Was bei Jobverlagerungen zu beachten ist", Börsenzeitung, 25.06.2022
  • "Die elektronische Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung", ArbRB 2022, 87, gemeinsam mit Carolin Millgramm
  • "Author of several chapters in Gaul", Arbeitsrecht der Umstrukturierung, 2nd edition, 2022
  • "IBA Global Employment Institute's (GEI) 2022 Annual Global Report on global trends and legal issues impacting human resources (Co-Editor)", 11th edition
  • "Data Protection – European Road Block or Global Guidance", IPBA Journal 2021, p. 40 ff.
  • "IBA Global Employment Institute's (GEI) 2021 Annual Global Report on global trends and legal issues impacting human resources (Co-Editor)", 10th edition
  • "IBA Global Employment Institute's (GEI) 2020 Annual Global Report on global trends and legal issues impacting human resources (Co-Editor)", 9th edition
  • "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 2024
  • Kommentierung des § 120 InsO in Blersch/Goetsch/Haas, Berliner Kommentar zum Insolvenzrecht, Loseblattsammlung 2024
  • Kommentierung § 125 InsO in Blersch/Goetsch/Haas, Berliner Kommentar zum Insolvenzrecht, Loseblattsammlung 2024
  • 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 2024
  • "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.

Memberships & Roles

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

Lectures list

  • "Employment & Workforce Transformation in a Changing Asia", 28.09.2026, IPBA Mid-Year Council Meeting and Regional Conference 2026, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • "Competing Across Borders", 26.03.2026, ela employment lawyers association, 26.03.2026, In-house Conference 2026, London, UK
  • "From Boomers to Zoomers – exploring trends for the future of work and work-life balance expectations vs. 996 working hour systems in Asia, the US, Europe and beyond", 26.02.2026, IPBA Annual Conference, New Delhi, India
  • "Equity on trial: gender justice in sport today", 06.11.2025, IBA Annual Conference, Toronto, Canada
  • "Coldplaying HR policy – when concert cuddles become compliance crises", 31.07.2025, IPBA webinar
  • "Impact of Insolvency on Employee Rights and Benefits - Employees-Management stand-offs", 25.04.2025, IPBA Jahreskonferenz, Chicago, USA
  • "Recent developments and trends in the field of Artificial Intelligence / LLaMA2, Bard, ChatGPT and Co. – just tech talk acronyms or serious drivers for (positive) change in HR?", 26.04.2024, IPBA Annual Conference, Tokyo, Japan
  • "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, EELA Annual Conference, 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.

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
Practice Areas
Labor, Employment & Pensions German Labor and Employment Law Directors & Benefits HR Compliance Legal Tech in employment law Co-determination New Work Restructuring & Transformation Restructuring and Insolvency
sectors
Automotive & Mobility

Insights by Björn

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Event International

CMS - Meet our experts at the International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference

02 Nov 2025
Event International

CMS - Meet our experts at the International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference

15 Sep 2024
Deals Switzerland

CMS advises Lab14 GmbH on the acquisition of a majority stake in Nanosurf AG

26 Jan 2023 2 min read
Event International

CMS - Meet our experts at the International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference 2022

30 Oct 2022
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