Partner

Dr. Christian Friedrich Haellmigk, LL.M. (College of Europe)

Rechtsanwalt

Languages

German
English
French

Christian Haellmigk specialises in EU and German competition law and in energy law. His competition practice focuses on complex merger control cases, in particular multijurisdictional filings, and on abuse of dominance proceedings as well as on fine proceedings and compliance; his energy work mainly revolves around hydrogen, regulation, concessions and takeovers.

Christian has more than 20 years of experience advising and representing companies before the European Commission (EC) and German competition and regulatory authorities and in litigation cases, in particular before the Court of Justice of the European Union, the Antitrust Division of the German Federal Court and of numerous Higher Regional Courts. To date he has worked on more than 300 merger control, antitrust and regulatory proceedings.

He joined CMS in 2001 and was made partner in 2007. Christian regularly speaks at conferences and has authored numerous publications.

Awards & Recognitions

01 –

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Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Germany, 2025
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"Stuttgart-based practitioner Christian Haellmigk regularly represents clients in interim and injunction proceedings regarding energy concessions. He also assists with the regulatory aspects of M&A transactions, including spin-offs."

Chambers Germany, 2025
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„Oft empfohlen“ für Kartellrecht

JUVE Handbuch, 2024/2025
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„Oft empfohlen“ für Energiewirtschaftsrecht

JUVE Handbuch, 2024/2025
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Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2024
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„Oft empfohlen“ für Kartellrecht

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024
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„Oft empfohlen“ für Energiewirtschaftsrecht

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024
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Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2023
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Listed as leading individual

Chambers Europe, 2023
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"very visible in the market", competitor

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2023 (GCLF)
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"Recommended" for Regulatory

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2023 (GCLF)
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"Recommended" for Antitrust

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2023 (GCLF)
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"highly competent contact", client

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2022 (GCLF)
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"Recommended" for Energy Law

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2022 (GCLF)
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"proactive mindset and attention to detail", client

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2022 (GCLF)
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"Recommended" for Antitrust

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2022 (GCLF)
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"Christian Haellmigk regularly assists with cross-border joint venture set-ups, spin-offs and acquisitions in the energy world, especially those requiring in-depth regulatory expertise."

Chambers Europe, 2022
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Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2022
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Listed as Leading Individual

Chambers Europe, 2022
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"Christian Haellmigk is an excellent antitrust lawyer. We use his team to analyze global merger approvals and always receive prompt and solid support.", client

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022

Relevant experience

Christian has advised on many high-profile cases both in the competition and energy area. These cases include representing/advising:

HitecVision (NO)/NEO Energy (UK) on its multi USD billion acquisition and UK wide joint venture with Repsol UK, creating the second largest independent oil and gas company in the UK
Hydro Systems on its combination with Rhinestahl (US) to R-H Aviation (US)
Epiroc (SE) on its USD 760 million acquisition of STANLEY Infrastructure, a global manufacturer of excavator attachments and handheld hydraulic tools
Vattenfall on its sale of Vattenfall Wärme Berlin to the Land of Berlin (purchase price of approx. EUR 1.4 billion)
Epiroc (SE) on its acquisition of CR (AU), a Ground Engaging Tools manufacturer for the mining industry
Atlas Copco (SE) on its EUR 670 million acquisition of industrial pump manufacturer LEWA and of Geveke (NL), a distributor of industrial compressors and developer of process pump installations
Allianz Real Estate on its acquisition of a real estate portfolio comprising 14 warehouses in six countries from DHL
BBC (UK) and ITV (UK) on their creation of joint venture BritBox, a provider of video-on-demand (VOD) services
SFS Group (CH) on its acquisition of all shares in international systems partner for quality tools Hoffmann SE
ENTEGA on the creation of joint venture Energy Market Solutions together with Viessmann Group, a provider of climate (heating, cooling, water and air quality) and renewable energy solutions
Atlas Copco (SE) on its acquisition of automated metrology solutions provider Perceptron, Inc. (US)
terranets bw on its acquisition of regional gas transmission operator Gas-Union Transport
APG Asset Management N.V. (NL) on its GBP 274 million acquisition of sole control of VIA Outlets (UK), an outlet operator with 11 outlets in nine countries
Quaker Chemical Corporation (US) on its USD 1.5 billion acquisition of Houghton International (US) and its divestment of certain product lines to TOTAL (F)
Atlas Copco (SE) on its USD 675 million acquisition of Brooks Automation’s (US) Cryogenic Business, including Brooks Automations' 50 % share in Ulvac Cryogenics Inc. (JP)
Advance Publications (US) on its acquisition of Stage Entertainment (NL)
Circle Media Group (NL) on its acquisition of CPI (FR)
Atlas Copco (SE) on the sale of its Road Construction Equipment Division (Dynapac) to Fayat (FR)
Atlas Copco (SE) on its EUR 486 million acquisition of Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum from OerlikonCorporation (CH)
Bosch Software Innovations on its cooperation with Daimler in the e-mobility sector
Atlas Copco (SE) on its USD 1.6 billion acquisition of Edwards (US)

Publications

Commentary on §§ 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 109, 110 EnWG in: Elspas/Graßmann/Rasbach (Hrsg.), EnWG, 2nd edition 2023
Unbundling: Brisanz immer noch nicht erkannt, Zeitung für kommunale Wirtschaft (ZfK) 2022, p. 17
Commentary on §§ 29, 31, 31a and 31b GWB in: Beck’scher Online-Kommentar Kartellrecht
"Einseitige Verhaltensweisen und Missbrauch von Marktmacht" (3. Kapitel) in: Rübenstahl/Hahn/Voet van Vormizeele (Hrsg.), Kartell Compliance, 2020
Fusionskontrolle: Reform überfällig? Cash. 5/2019, p. 92 et seq.
Ein zwiespältiger Befund, Legal Tribune Online (LTO), 01.03.2019
Wie geht es weiter mit der EU-Fusionskontrolle?, M&A REVIEW 2019, Heft 3
Förderung von LNG-Terminals darf Wettbewerb nicht verfälschen, energate Messenger, 22.02.2019
Commentary on §§ 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 109, 110 EnWG in: Elspas/Graßmann/Rasbach (Hrsg.), EnWG, 2018
Joint Ventures und Kooperationen – Kartellrechtliche Grenzen der Zusammenarbeit in: Bundesverband der Unternehmensjuristen (BUJ)/CMS Hasche Sigle (Hrsg.), Legal Management of Innovation – Herausforderungen für die Rechtsabteilung in einem disruptiven Wettbewerbsumfeld, Frankfurt 2017/2018, p. 198 et seq.
Kartellrechtliche Aspekte der sog. (Re)Kommunalisierung in: Gundel/Lange (Hrsg.), Die Energiewirtschaft im Instrumentenmix - Wettbewerb, Regulierung und Verbraucherschutz nach der Energiewende, Tübingen 2013, p. 107 et seq.
Der Letztverbraucher als unmittelbarer Schuldner der EEG-Umlage, Recht der Energiewirtschaft (RdE) 2013, p. 408 et seq.
Was ändert sich durch die 8. GWB-Novelle für die Energie-, Wasser- und Fernwärmewirtschaft?, Recht der Energiewirtschaft (RdE) 2013, p. 1 et seq.
Book review: Büdenbender, Ulrich: Die kartellrechtliche Kontrolle der Fernwärmepreise, Wirtschaft und Wettbewerb (WuW) 2012, p. 600
Fernwärmepreise als Gegenstand kartellrechtlicher Missbrauchskontrolle, EuroHeat&Power 2012, Heft 4, p. 24 et seq.
Elektromobilität – Diskriminierungsfrei und kostengünstig?, PLATOW Online, 24.01.2012
Diskriminierungsfrei und kostengünstig?, Zugang zu öffentlichen Ladestationen muss Bedingungen erfüllen, GoingPublic Magazin, Sonderausgabe CLEANTECH 2011, p. 62 et seq.
Der Anspruch auf Wiedereinräumung von Wegenutzungsrechten im Fernwärmebereich, Recht der Energiewirtschaft (RdE) 2011, p. 248 et seq.
Die kartellrechtliche Rückzahlungsverpflichtung "nach § 32 Abs. 2 GWB" - Eine kritische Betrachtung der kartellbehördlichen Befugnisse nach der "Stadtwerke Uelzen"-Entscheidung des BGH, Wirtschaft und Wettbewerb (WuW) 2010, p. 513 et seq.
Gasversorger müssen sich bei Weitergabe hoher Bezugskosten zu Fair Play verpflichten, Financial Times Deutschland, 21.07 2009, p. 20
Germany Introduces Second Domestic Merger Control Threshold, International Law Office Newsletter 2009
Government Plans Change to Merger Control Thresholds, International Law Office Newsletter 2008
Aktuelle Änderungen des Gesetzes gegen Wettbewerbsbeschränkungen, Betriebs-Berater (BB) 2008, p. 174 et seq.
Court of First Instance Upholds Fine against Third Party in Cartel Case, International Law Office Newsletter 2008
ECJ Confirms Commission Concept of Upper Limit on Fines, International Law Office Newsletter 2007
Neues Deutsches Kartellgesetz - Stichtag 01.07.2005: Änderung des GWB, Betriebs-Berater (BB) 2005, p. 1509 et seq.
Referentenentwurf der 7. GWB-Novelle: Tiefgreifende Änderungen des deutschen Kartellrechts, Betriebs-Berater (BB) 2004, p. 389 et seq.
Konzept für Netznutzungsentgelte steht, Zeitung für kommunale Wirtschaft (ZfK) 2004, p. 7 et seq.
Schweden und das Europäische Gemeinschaftsrecht, Diss., Universität Bonn, 2003
Verrechtlichung entfaltet Wirkung, Zeitung für kommunale Wirtschaft (ZfK) 2003, p. 4 et seq.

Memberships & Roles

Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht e.V.
International Bar Association (IBA)
Institute for Energy and Regulatory Law Berlin e.V. (enreg)

Lectures list

Getting realistic: What pipeline development for hydrogen is really needed? How much infrastructure needs to be built and what is stopping it? Who should take the risk?” Panel discussion at World Hydrogen Week 2025 together with J Giehl, Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure, and Christoph von dem Bussche, GASCADE Gastransport GmbH, on 09 October 2025 in Copenhagen
“The hydrogen ramp-up in Germany – What role does competition law have to play?”, workshop on competition law in the energy industry, Institut für Energie- und Regulierungsrecht Berlin e.V. (Institute for Energy and Regulatory Law Berlin) on 21 May 2025 in Berlin
“Transformation of the grid infrastructure: repurposing and decommissioning natural gas grids, building new hydrogen grids – what’s next?”, CMS H2 Duo Webinar on 30 January and 13 February 2025
"Unbundling of hydrogen networks – why is this happening?", Handelsblatt Gas Summit 2022 on 28 September 2022 in Berlin
"Current practice in EU remedy cases: up-front buyer, fix-it-first and hybrid models under review", working meeting of Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht e.V. (association of German-speaking lawyers with an interest in competition law) (regional group), 27 May 2019 in Stuttgart
"Legal framework for drafting termination clauses in drinking water concession agreements", BDEW Water Information Day "Drinking water concession agreements in 2018", 10 October 2018 in Kassel
"Concluding licence agreements for district heating pipelines", BDEW Energy Information Day "Rights of way in district heating" on 18 June 2015 in Berlin
"Legal framework for drafting termination clauses in water concession agreements", BDEW Water Information Day "Water concession agreements" on 29 April 2015 in Leipzig and on 5 November 2015 in Bonn
"Legal framework conditions to properly structure unbundling in accordance with the decision--making practice of the EU Commission", workshop on unbundling, Institut für Energie- und Regulierungsrecht Berlin e.V. (Institute for Energy and Regulation Law Berlin) on 14 April 2015 in Berlin
"New developments with regard to termination clauses in water concession agreements", 58th meeting of German energy lawyers in the IBA/SEERIL on 20 March 2015 in Karlsruhe
"What's new in competition law?", BDEW Energy Information Day "Current challenges in district heating" on 4 March 2015 in Berlin
"Licences for district heating pipelines ("concession agreements") - the unknown entity", AGFW Information Days "District heating law - current developments in statute and case law" on 12 November 2014 in Berlin
"The Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court judgments of 25 August 2014 regarding the ITO certification decisions of the German Federal Network Agency - the scope of application of the "cooling provisions" under review", workshop on energy law, Institut für Energie- und Regulierungssrecht Berlin e.V (Institute for Energy and Regulation Law Berlin) on 15 September 2014 in Berlin
"Competition law inquiry into district heating prices", BDEW Information Day "Current challenges in district heating" on 3 July 2014 in Berlin
"2030 EU Climate and Energy Goals", 20th ICCI International Energy and Environment Fair andConference on 26 April 2014 in Istanbul
"EEG surcharge: payment and information duties to transmission system operator and sanctions for failing to observe them", Forum Contracting e.V. 2014 Annual Conference on 25 February 2014 in Frankfurt am Main
"Abuse proceedings against district heating companies and requests for information from competition authorities and how to deal with them", AGFW Information Days "District heating law - answers for the future" on 14 November 2013 in Berlin
"Competition law aspects of "remunicipalisation", 4th Bayreuth Energy Law Conference on 15 March 2013 in Bayreuth
"After the "district heating" sector inquiry - how to react to post from the Federal Cartel Office", AGFW Information Days "District heating law - answers for the future" on 6/7 November 2012 in Berlin
"Closed distribution systems and customer installations from a legal point of view - first practical experience and background to the new § 110 German Energy Act", 12th EUROFORUM Annual Conference "Current legal developments in energy and environmental law: options for large chemical and industrial sites" on 21 March 2012 in Düsseldorf
"Energy supply contracts: current case law and problems in implementing them", Talk im Turm, 3rd GET AG Meeting of Experts on 24 November 2011 in Leipzig
"Competition law control of district heating prices", AGFW Information Days "District heating law - answers for the future" on 9/10 November 2011 in Berlin
"Street-lighting legislation", Verband kommunaler Unternehmen e.V. (Association of Local Authorities), Baden-Württemberg Regional Group, "Energy and Climate Working Group", on 24 October 2011 in Bretten
"Control of abusive practices by competition authorities", AGFW seminar "Post from the Federal Cartel Office - what now? Competition law in the district heating sector" on 9 June 2011 in Cologne
"The fate of site networks - lex lata and lex ferenda", workshop on energy law, Institut für Energie- und Regulierungssrecht Berlin e.V (Institute for Energy and Regulation Law Berlin) on 24 January 2011 in Berlin
"Compliance with competition law: energy supply contracts, prices and terms", Talk im Turm, 2nd GET AG Meeting of Experts on 5 October 2010 in Leipzig
"Site networks - where do we go from here? The consequences of the CJEU decision of 22 May 2008 in practice", FORUM seminar on 19 September 2008 in Cologne
"The fate of site networks (§ 110 German Energy Act) following the decision of the CJEU of 22 May 2008", workshop on energy law, Institut für Energie- und Regulierungssrecht Berlin e.V. (Institute for Energy and Regulation Law Berlin) on 7 July 2008 in Berlin
"Controlling price levels pursuant to §§ 19 and 29 German Act against Restraints of Competition from a lawyer's point of view", workshop on "Controlling electricity and gas price levels pursuant to §§ 19 and 29 German Act against Restraints of Competition" organised by the Institut für Energie- und Wettbewerbsrecht in der Kommunalen Wirtschaft e.V. (Institute for Energy and Competition Law in Local Public Economy) at Humboldt University, Berlin, on 5 June 2008 in Berlin
"Plans of the Commission - a summary", BDEW Information Day "Ownership Unbundling" on 17 January 2008 in Bonn
"Energy regulation and energy competition law", FORUM seminar on 25/26 September 2007 in Cologne
"(Waste) water prices - calculation and assessment under competition law", FORUM seminar on 27 June 2005 and 27 June 2006 in Frankfurt and on 15 June 2007 in Cologne
"Legal protection against orders from the Federal Cartel Office in abuse proceedings", EUROFORUM conference on 15/16 July 2003 in Mainz

Education

PhD thesis on a European law topic under the supervision of Prof. Dr Dr h.c. Everling, University of Bonn
Trainee lawyer in Berlin, including nine months with the Representation of the Free State ofBavaria in Berlin – Bavarian State Chancellery (Bayerische Staatskanzlei)
WÜRTH Group scholar (German global leader in assembling and fastening materials)
LL.M. at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium
Law studies at the Universities of Heidelberg and Bonn

Practice Areas

Antitrust, Competition & Trade

sectors

Energy & Climate Change

topics

Digital Regulation

Insights

Global Reach

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