Of Counsel

Dr. Fritz von Hammerstein

Rechtsanwalt

Languages

German
English

Fritz von Hammerstein has been a CMS partner between 1992 and 2024 and is a certified lawyer for administrative law. He focuses on environmental and planning as well as energy law and is particularly noted for his mining law expertise. Fritz advises and represents German and international companies in complex planning and permitting procedures for infrastructure projects, power stations, power lines, pipelines, mines, water extraction and renewable energy projects as well as acts for them in proceedings of the federal energy regulator (Bundesnetzagentur). He has ample expertise representing project developers in administrative court disputes with environmental NGOs and local pressure groups. Fritz often supports his clients in the context of legislative procedures and other matters as they occur at the interface of the law and politics.

In 1992 and after having worked for a law firm in Düsseldorf for two years, Fritz became a partner with Weiss & Hasche, one of the firms that later merged to found CMS.

Awards & Recognitions

01 –

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Hall of Fame für Umwelt- und Planungsrecht

The Legal 500 Deutschland, 2025
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Listed as Senior Statespeople

Chambers Germany, 2025
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Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Germany, 2025
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Energy Lawyer of the Year

The Legal 500 Deutschland, 2025
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"With a long-standing career in energy regulation, Fritz von Hammerstein is well placed to comprehensively assist with network expansion projects. He also offers prowess in mining law mandates."

Chambers Germany, 2025
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„Fritz von Hammerstein: Maximal profunde Kenntnis im Bergrecht, Planfeststellung, Umweltrecht.“, Mandant

The Legal 500 Deutschland, 2025
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"Fritz von Hammerstein is widely appreciated for his strength in large and often cross-border planning approval projects in both the construction and energy sectors, and has further expertise in water and mining law."

Chambers Germany, 2025
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"Fritz von Hammerstein provides a high level of expertise in mining and environmental law. He is very responsive and pleasant to deal with, and he uses precise lines of argumentation.", client

Chambers Germany, 2025
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„sehr erfahren u. strateg.“, Mandant

JUVE Handbuch, 2024/2025
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„Oft empfohlen“ für Öffentlicher Sektor

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

JUVE Handbuch, 2024/2025
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Listed for Commercial Law

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2024 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
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Listed for Energy Law

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2024 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
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Listed for Public Construction and Planning Law

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2024 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
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Listed for Mining Law

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2024 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
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Lawyer of the Year for Energy Law

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2024 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
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Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2024
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Leading Individual for Energy

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2024
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Hall of Fame for Planning and Environment

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2024
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Führender Name im Öffentlichen Wirtschaftsrecht

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024
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„Oft empfohlen“ für Öffentlicher Sektor

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

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024
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„langjährige erfolgreiche u. vertrauensvolle Zusammenarbeit“, „enorm erfolgreich, auch beim Teamaufbau“, Wettbewerber

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024
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"Fritz von Hammerstein is widely appreciated for his strength in large and often cross-border planning approval projects in both the construction and energy sectors, and has further expertise in water and mining law.", client

Chambers Europe, 2023
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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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Listed for Commercial Law

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
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Listed for Public Construction and Planning Law

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
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Listed for Energy Law

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
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Listed for Mining Law

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
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Listed for Construction Law

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
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Leading Individual for Energy

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2023
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Hall of Fame for Planning and Environment

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2023
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Nennung als Top Anwalt für den Bereich Umwelt- und Bauplanungsrecht

WirtschaftsWoche Top-Kanzleien 2022; In Kooperation mit: Handelsblatt Research Institute
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Führender Berater im Umwelt- und Planungsrecht (über 50 Jahre)

JUVE Handbuch, 2021/2022
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"Recommended" for Environmental and Planning Law, Energy Law

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2020-2022 (GCLF)
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"high level of expertise”, competitor"

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2022 (GCLF)
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Leading lawyer for public law

Kanzleimonitor 2020-2022
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"Fritz von Hammerstein has an excellent standing in the market as an active adviser on regulatory matters."

Chambers Europe, 2021
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"Fritz von Hammerstein is a leading planning and environmental lawyer with particular expertise in planning approvals for large infrastructure and energy projects."

Chambers Europe, 2021
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"Reflective of the market's approval of his top position, one interviewee applauds: 'He is undoubtedly very good and well respected nationally,' adding: 'He is rightly top-ranked.'"

Chambers Europe, 2021
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Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2021
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Leading individual for Energy

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022
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Listed in the Hall of Fame for Planning and environment

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2021
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Führender Name im Umwelt- und Planungsrecht

The Legal 500 Deutschland, 2021
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"[Competitors] praise von Hammerstein’s team for its 'constant work in prestigious instructions and their leading role'."

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2021 (GCLF)
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"we have worked together successfully for many years", competitors

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2021 (GCLF)
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Listed for Public commercial law

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2020 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
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"One interviewee reports: 'He is excellent at providing the interface with the local regulatory codes and he is very well connected.'"

Chambers Europe, 2019
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"'Excellent adviser' Fritz von Hammerstein heads the team."

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2017
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"[…] Dr. Fritz Frhr. von Hammerstein in Hamburg, who is praised by competitors as 'outstanding' in the market […]."

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2016 (GCLF)
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"the best lawyer I have worked with", client

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2013 (GCLF)
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"The best-known team member is von Hammerstein, who is highly praised by competitors and clients."

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2013 (GCLF)
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"Clients appreciate the team's 'flexibility regarding timelines and scope of work', and its 'efficient and reliable co-operation'. Fritz von Hammerstein is 'one of the top lawyers in environmental and mining law'."

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2012
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„Oft empfohlen“ für Planungs- und Umweltrecht

JUVE Handbuch, 2022/2023
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„Oft empfohlen“ für Regulierung

JUVE Handbuch, 2022/2023
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"Fritz von Hammerstein remains one of Germany’s most wellknown energy experts who is regularly mandated for complex power plant construction projects and international electricity network expansions."

Chambers Europe, 2022
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"He is well known and highly regarded", client

Chambers Europe, 2022
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"leading in planning and environmental law", client

Chambers Europe, 2022
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"very professional and helpful", client

Chambers Europe, 2022
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Listed as Leading Individual

Chambers Europe, 2022
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Listed as Leading Individual

Chambers Europe, 2022
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Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2022
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"Fritz von Hammerstein is 'circumspect and competent'."

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022
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Hall of Fame for Planning and environment

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022
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Leading individual for Energy

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022
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"The team around Dr. Fritz von Hammerstein represented us very carefully and competently in two administrative court disputes that were important for our company. It is remarkable how in-depth the team is not only legally, but also environmentally versed and can discuss complex questions of nature and species protection law with our environmental experts on an equal footing. The excellent connection to the responsible authorities was particularly helpful. He made it possible to coordinate and implement unconventional solutions in a short period of time, which would normally have taken much longer. The cooperation with the obviously well-established team is smooth, fast and efficient.", client

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022
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"Fritz von Hammerstein is 'circumspect and competent'."

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022
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Führender Anwalt Öffentliches Recht

Kanzleimonitor 2022/2023

Publications

Co-Editor of Kühne/von Hammerstein/Keienburg/Kappes/Wiesendahl, Federal Mining Act, 3rd Edition 2023
Rechtsstaatliche Defizite der wasserwirtschaftlichen Planung, W+B 2020, 68, gemeinsam mit Dr. Insa Nutzhorn
Rechtsschutz gegen Bewirtschaftungspläne und Maßnahmenprogramme im Wege der Normerlassklage, ZfW 2018, 125, gemeinsam mit Dr. Insa Nutzhorn
Rechtliche Grenzen der Förderabgabeerhöhung durch Landesverordnung, ZfB 2016, 151 (gemeinsam mit Prof. Dr. Stefan Haack)
Rechtsschutz gegen wasserrechtliche Planungsinstrumente, in: Reinhardt (Hrsg.), Vollzug der Wasserrahmenrichtlinie durch Planung, Tagungsband Wasserwirtschaftsrechtstag 2014
Wann ist das Bundesberggesetz auf die Nutzung von Erdwärme anwendbar?, in: Klees/Gent (Hrsg.), Festschrift für Peter Salje, 2013, S. 201 - 217.
Feldesüberschreitende Kohlenwasserstoff-Lagerstätten, in: Baur et al, Festschrift for Gunther Kühne, 2009, p. 575 - 597.
Vergütungstransparenz und informationelle Selbstbestimmung - Die Pflicht zur Veröffentlichung von Vorstandsgehältern in der GKV nach § 35a VI 2 SGB IV, NZS 2006, p. 398 (co-author)
CMS Guide to the Electricity Sector 2005
Overview of waste management law and the waste business in Germany, Environmental Law Bulletin 2001
The constitutional right to privacy in tax law, Peter Lang Verlag 1993

Lectures list

Biannual Mining Law FORUM, Co-Chair, next Event: Berlin, 30.11./01.12.2023
Acceleration of permitting procedures – suggestions for approval procedures under mining law, Erfurt 07.10.2022
Annual intensive seminar on mining law, Co-Chair, last seminar: Berlin, 01./02.09.2022
The draft Act on Phasing Out of Coal-Fired Power Generation, Goslar, 15.11.2019
Legal redress regarding water management plans and programmes, Hamburg, 03.05.2018
Deficits of the rule of law in water management planning, Bonn, 27.4.2018
Management of complex planning and permitting procedures (together with Dr. Berthold Viertel), Frankfurt, 16.3.2016
Which geothermal projects are subject to the Federal Mining Act? Berlin, 19.11.2015
Recycling of ships, Hamburg, 02.06.2014
Legal Protection against water management plans; Wiesbaden, 22.05.2014
Hydraulic Fracturing: Developments and trends at the European Union level, SEERIL Biennial Conference, Berlin, 29.04.2014
E-mobility, Legal framework for network integration - status quo and to do, Berlin, 15.05.2012
Environmental Impact Assessment and NATURA 2000 Assessment in mining permit procedures - current developments, Berlin, 01.12.2011
Expansion of the electricity transmission system - Legal and practical issues between acceleration of planning and permitting procedures and additional public participation, Hamburg, 30.09.2011
Green Electricity - A European Perspective, Toronto, 27.04.2010
Management of complex planning and permitting procedures, Hamburg, 04.03.2010
Nature and species protection law in permitting procedures, Hamburg, 03.03.2010
Nature and species protection law in mining permit procedures, Berlin, 20.11.2009
Status of the transposition of the EC Environmental Liability Directive into German law, 27.04.2006
Dealing with authorities from a private company perspective, 22.03.2006
Large-scale retail trade and public construction law, Hamburg, 22.03.2006
Unbundling obligations of operators of storage plants, Herne, 09.09.2005
Chair of the block "Legal principles of maintenance with respect to operational soil and groundwater contamination of mining after final closure", 10th Dresden groundwater research week, 13.06.2005

Education

1995: Qualified as a certified lawyer for administrative law
1993: PhD at the University of Heidelberg on a constitutional law topic
1985 - 1988: Trainee lawyer in Berlin
1979 - 1984: Law studies at the Universities of Heidelberg and Freiburg

Practice Areas

Environmental Law Infrastructure, Project Developments and Public Construction Law

sectors

Energy & Climate Change Hydrogen

Insights

Global Reach

Karriere