Home / People / Dr. Gerald Gräfe

Dr. Gerald Gräfe

Partner
Rechtsanwalt

Portrait ofGerald Gräfe

Dr. Gerald Gräfe

Partner
Rechtsanwalt

Contact
CMS Hasche Sigle
Theodor-Heuss-Straße 29
70174 Stuttgart
Germany
Languages German, English

Gerald Gräfe is regularly advising clients on purchasing, production and distribution matters, including product liability and product safety. Gerald has a focus on drafting complex contracts and T&Cs. On an ongoing basis, he advises German and international clients on all legal issues related to contracts and distribution, often in the context of their international activities. Gerald also represents companies in court and arbitration proceedings, with a focus on distribution disputes. He is also regularly consulted on data protection issues that have a bearing on distribution law.

After having worked in the legal department of a chamber of commerce and with an international law firm, Gerald joined CMS in 2006 and was made partner in 2013. Alongside his legal practice, he regularly publishes in legal journals and lectures in contract and distribution law at Berlin’s Steinbeis University. Gerald is ranked in Chambers, listed in Legal 500 as Next Generation Lawyer and listed as regularly recommended lawyer in JUVE.

more less

Führender Name für Vertrieb und Handel

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

„tiefe Kenntnis im Automotive-Sektor“, Mandant

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

„pragmat. u. lösungsorientiert“, Mandant

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

„Oft empfohlen“ für Vertrieb und Handel

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

„kompetent u. fair“, Wettbewerber

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2023

Listed as leading individual

Chambers Europe, 2023

Leading Individual for Trade, Distribution and Logistics

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2023

Listed for Product Liability

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

"competent and fair”, competitor

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2022 (GCLF)

"Recommended" for Distribution and Franchising

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2020-2022 (GCLF)

"very strong", "he has quality in him", competitors

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2021 (GCLF)

Leading individual for Trade, distribution and logistics

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2021

Listed for Product Liability

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2020-2021 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

"well-respected adviser on a variety of matters, including contract standardisation and the implementation of novel retail or distribution systems"

Chambers Europe, 2021

Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2021

"recommendable", competitor

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2020 (GCLF)

Listed as Leading Individual

Chambers Europe, 2022

Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2022

Leading individual for Trade, distribution and logistics

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022

Führender Name für Vertrieb und Handel

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

„tiefe Kenntnis im Automotive-Sektor“, Mandant

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

„pragmat. u. lösungsorientiert“, Mandant

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

„Oft empfohlen“ für Vertrieb und Handel

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

„kompetent u. fair“, Wettbewerber

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024

Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2023

Listed as leading individual

Chambers Europe, 2023

Leading Individual for Trade, Distribution and Logistics

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2023

Listed for Product Liability

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2023 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

"competent and fair”, competitor

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2022 (GCLF)

"Recommended" for Distribution and Franchising

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2020-2022 (GCLF)

"very strong", "he has quality in him", competitors

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2021 (GCLF)

„Gerald Gräfe steht an der Spitze der Commercial-Gruppe und lässt seine Erfahrung in der Automotive-Branche sowie dem Vertragsrecht in seine Mandate einfließen.“

The Legal 500 Deutschland, 2021

Leading individual for Trade, distribution and logistics

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2021

Listed for Product Liability

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2020-2021 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers

"well-respected adviser on a variety of matters, including contract standardisation and the implementation of novel retail or distribution systems"

Chambers Europe, 2021

Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2021

"recommendable", competitor

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2020 (GCLF)

„fundierte Kenntnisse im Kfz-Sektor, pragmat. u. angenehm“, Mandant; „kompetenter u. fairer Verhandlungspartner“, „kennt sich aus“, „vertrauenswürdig“, Wettbewerber

JUVE Handbuch, 2022/2023

Führender Berater im Vertriebsrecht

JUVE Handbuch, 2022/2023

„Oft empfohlen“ für Vertrieb, Handel, Logistik

JUVE Handbuch, 2022/2023

Listed as Leading Individual

Chambers Europe, 2022

Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2022

Leading individual for Trade, distribution and logistics

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022

Führender Name für Handel, Vertrieb, Logistik

The Legal 500 Deutschland, 2022

Relevant experience

  • Advising a multinational US group on contract and product liability law issues in relation to different European jurisdictions on an ongoing basis
  • Advising tier 1 suppliers as well as one OEM on automotive industry supply contracts on a regular basis
  • Advising machine tool manufacturers on contract and distribution law issues on a regular basis
  • Drafting a global standard distribution agreement for an Asian heavy machinery manufacturer
more less

Memberships & Roles

  • ZVertriebsR
  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Vertriebsrecht e.V.
  • Deutsch-Kanadische Gesellschaft e.V.
more less

Publications

  • Doch keine grundsätzliche Neuberechnung des Ausgleichsanspruchs nach Semen – Anmerkung zu BGH, 24.09.2020 - VII ZR 69/19, ZVertriebsR 2020, 386
  • Sales Conditions and Consumer Protection, Doing Business in Europe, 2017, Sweet & Maxwell (together with Dirk Loycke)
  • Aktuelle Entwicklungen beim Unternehmervorteil als Anspruchsvoraussetzung des Ausgleichsanspruchs nach § 89b Abs. 1 HGB – Der neue "Neugeworbene Stammkunde" und "Intensivierte Altkunde" (?), ZVertriebsR 2017, 282 (together with Timon Boerner)
  • Verjährung des Anspruch auf Buchauszug, Anmerkung zu BGH, Urt. v. 03.08.2017 – VII ZR 32/17, ZVertriebsR 2017, 289
  • Stichwort Handelsvertreter und Tankstellenstationärverträge im Anwaltskommentar AGB-Recht, 3. Aufl., Deutscher Anwalt Verlag 2017
  • Auf Kosten des Verkäufers zur Nacherfüllung, Anmerkung zu BGH, Urt. v. 19.07.2017 – VIII ZR 278/16 in LTO – Legal Tribune Online, 20.07.2017
  • Die Auswirkungen des Brexit auf das Vertriebsrecht – Erste Überlegungen, Editorial ZVertriebsR 4/2016
  • Verjährung des Buchauszugsrechts, Anmerkungen zu OLG Stuttgart, Urt. v. 17.02.2016 – 3 U 118/15 gemeinsam mit Dr. David Preisendanz, ZVertriebsR 4/2016, 2730
  • Neukundenbegriff beim Handelsvertreterausgleich, Anmerkungen zu EuGH, Urt. v. 07.04.2016 – C – 315/14, EuZW, 2016, 427
  • Buchauszug und Ausgleichsanspruch – Zeitliche und inhaltliche Grenzen der Geltendmachung des Anspruchs auf Erteilung des Buchauszugs, ZVertriebsR 2015, 227
  • Neuland: Was nach dem "Grexit" käme – Auswirkungen eines Austritts Griechenlands aus der Euro-Zone auf Verträge, Deutscher Anwaltsspiegel, Ausgabe 13, 1. Juli 2015, S. 3
  • Sales Conditions and Consumer Protection im Länderteil Germany, gemeinsam mit Dirk Loycke in Frank Wright, Doing Business in Europe, Sweet & Maxwell, Loseblattsammlung, Stand Dezember 2014
  • "Neuer Kunde" i.S.d. § 89b Abs. 1 S. 1 Nr. 1 HGB – Produktbezogener Neukundenbegriff, zusammen mit Dr. Kai-Oliver Giesa, ZVertriebsR 2014, 287
  • Von Ingmar zu Unamar – Welche Beschränkungen der Rechts- und Gerichtswahlfreiheit ergeben sich aus der Entscheidung des EuGH vom 17.10.2013, C-184/12, zusammen mit Dr. Kai-Oliver Giesa, ZVertriebsR 2014, 29
  • Vertriebsverträge während der laufenden Kündigungsfrist – Rechte und Pflichten der Vertragsparteien, ZVertriebsR 2013, 362
  • Zur Frage ob und unter welchen Voraussetzungen der Hersteller einen Kunden ohne Einschaltung seines Händlers direkt beliefern darf, Anmerkung zu OLG Düsseldorf, 16 U 172/12, ZVertriebsR 2013, 224
  • Sales Conditions and Consumer Protection im Länderteil Germany, gemeinsam mit Dirk Loycke in Frank Wright, Doing Business in Europe, Sweet & Maxwell, Loseblattsammlung, Stand Juni 2013
  • Zusammenarbeit mit anderen Unternehmen (Kooperationsverträge und Joint-Ventures) gemeinsam mit Dirk Loycke in Haamann/Sigle, Vertragsbuch Gesellschaftsrecht, 2. Auflage, C. H. Beck 2012
  • Länderteil Germany, gemeinsam mit Dr. Axel Funk in Francoise Gilbert, Global Privacy and Security Law, Wolters Kluwer Loseblattsammlung, Stand Oktober 2011
  • Gläubigerschutz bei der englischen Limited mit Verwaltungssitz in Deutschland - Eine europarechtliche Untersuchung, Peter Lang 2010
  • Zukünftig höhere Ansprüche – EuGH Urteil zum Ausgleichsanspruch des Handelsvertreters, w.news – Wirtschaftsmagazin der IHK Heilbronn – Franken Nr. 11, November 2009, S. 60 f.
  • Produktrückrufe und Kostentragungspflicht, CMS Report XVI. S. 28 f.
  • BGH klärt Frage des Umfangs der Kostentragung bei Nacherfüllung, CMS Report XV. S. 74
  • Grenzüberschreitende Verschmelzung als Modalität der Ausübung der Niederlassungsfreiheit? Anmerkung zu EuGH C-411/03, ELR 2006, p. 65 ff
  • Director`s fiduciary duties als Gläubigerschutzinstrument bei britischen Limiteds mit Verwaltungssitz in Deutschland, DZWiR 2005, 410 ff.
more less

Lectures list

  • COVID-19 – Implications for International Sales Contracts under German law, ASIAN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE (AIAC) & MALAYSIAN-GERMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY(MGCCI), Kuala Lumpur, 13.07.2020
  • Purchasing and distribution contracts – Avoiding pitfalls, Association of German Engineers (VDI) Stuttgart, 24.06.2019
  • Warranty claims and product liability, Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Rhineland-Palatinate, Ludwigshafen, 27.09.2018
  • Purchasing and distribution contracts – Avoiding pitfalls, Association of German Engineers (VDI) Stuttgart, 28.06.2018
  • Commercial agency law – Compensation claims and recent development, Chamber of Industry and Commerce Heilbronn Franken, Heilbronn, 07.05.2018
  • Legal framework with regard to safety-relevant defects – An overview, Quality 2018 – Düsseldorf, 12.03.2018
  • Warranty claims and product liability, Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Rhineland-Palatinate, Ludwigshafen on 28.09.2017
  • Distribution agreements during the current notice period, 16th Distribution Law Practice Forum 2016, Cologne, 11.11.2016
  • Warranty claims and product liability, Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Rhineland-Palatinate, Ludwigshafen, 29.09.2016
  • Warranty claims and product liability, Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Southern Upper Rhine, 28.04.2016
  • Warranty claims and product liability, Stuttgart Chamber of Industry and Commerce, 30.11.2015
  • Warranty claims and product liability, Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Rhineland-Palatinate, Ludwigshafen, 08.10.2015
  • Warranty claims and product liability, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, 21.10.2014
  • Warranty claims and product liability, Chamber of Commerce for the Palatinate, Ludwigshafen, 16.10.2014
  • Warranty claims and product liability, Chamber of Commerce Southern Upper-Rhine, Lahr, 06.05.2014
  • Warranty claims and product liability, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, 08.11.2013
  • Common problems when pursuing the compensation claim of the commercial agent, Heilbronn-Franken Chamber of Commerce, 03.06.2013
  • Update on distribution law – common problems in connection with termination of commercial agency agreements, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, 13.03.2013
  • Update on Distribution Law – The Compensation Claim, Heilbronn-Franken Chamber of Commerce, 16.02.2012
  • Update on Distribution Law – The Compensation Claim, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, 17.11.2011
  • Exporting Services – Drafting Service Contracts, Global Connect Trade Fair, Stuttgart, 27.10.2010
  • Update on Distribution Law – The Compensation Claim, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, 18.10.2010
  • Direct Marketing after Legal Reforms, Heilbronn-Franken Chamber of Commerce, 29.06.2010
  • Customers and suppliers in times of an economic downturn – risks and precautionary measures, ZVEI-PCB and Electronic Systems, Ludwigsburg 08.02.2010
  • Update on Commercial Agency Law, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, 19.10.2009
  • Retention of title in case of threatening insolvency, Mittelstandstag Bodensee, 22.09.2009
  • Supplier insolvency – risks and precautionary measures, Heilbronn-Franken Chamber of Commerce, 08.07.2009
  • Legal aspects of procurement for product development, Management Circle Munich, 08.05.2009
  • Liability and data protection on the internet, Heilbronn Chamber of Commerce, 16.10.2008
  • Compensation claims of commercial agents and distributors, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, 16.09.2008
  • Procurement for product development, Management Circle 2008, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt/Main, Munich
  • Workshop on current distribution law issues, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce 16.10.2007
  • Workshop on the impact of the new anti-discrimination laws on contracts, Ulm Chamber of Commerce 19.10.2006
  • Workshop on the impact of the new anti-discrimination laws on contracts, Weingarten Chamber of Commerce 10.10.2006
  • Workshop on current distribution law issues, Heilbronn Chamber of Commerce 18.06.2006
  • Workshop on current distribution law issues, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce 19.06.2006
  • Regular lectures at the University of Constance on different commercial law issues
  • Regular in-house workshops for legal departments at clients, procurement and distribution departments
more less

Education

  • 2009: PhD under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Jochen Glöckner; LL.M. in Konstanz with a focus on EU law
  • 2003: Trainee lawyer at Heilbronn Regional Court
  • 2001: six-month work experience placement with Silicon Valley law firm
  • Law studies in Konstanz
more less

Expertise

Feed

08/09/2023
CMS advises Modine on the sale of three Automotive Businesses
Stuttgart – Modine, a diversified global leader in innovative thermal management technology and solutions, has divested three automotive businesses in Germany and sold to affiliates of Regent LP. The...
Deals
27/12/2022
Green light from European Commission: CMS advises German government on...
Stut­tgart/Brus­sels – State-owned gas trader SEFE Securing Energy for Europe GmbH (SEFE) can continue to operate as an integrated midstream gas company and pursue its chosen realignment strategy after...
Deals
16/11/2022
Comprehensive advice on securing energy supply in Germany
Ham­burg/Stut­tgart – Struggling gas company Securing Energy for Europe (SEFE) has been transferred to the ownership of the Federal Republic of Germany in order to secure German gas supplies. SEFE is...
Deals
05/09/2022
CMS advises Clariant on the Signing of definitive agreement to sell Quats...
Stuttgart – Clariant, a focused, sustainable, and innovative specialty chemical company, announced that it has reached a definitive agreement for the divestment of its Quats business to Global Amines...
Deals
10/06/2022
CMS advises KK Wind Solutions on strengthening energy conversion offerings
Stuttgart – KK Wind Solutions has acquired ConverterTec Deutschland GmbH’s R&D team and its IP portfolio. With the acquisition, KK Wind Solutions strengthens its own research and development department...
News
05/05/2022
CMS advises Husqvarna Group on acquisition of Heger GmbH Excellent Diamond...
Stuttgart, Germany - Husqvarna Group has acquired Heger GmbH Excellent Diamond Tools, a company specializing in professional diamond tools for the sawing and drilling industry. The acquisition also includes...
News
11/01/2022
CMS advises ME Capital on acquisition of shares in G.S. Autoteile as part...
Stuttgart – The owner of G.S. Autoteile GmbH, Günther Strejc, has implemented a business succession arrangement with effect from 3 January 2022, with all the shares being sold to ME Capital Advisory...
Deals
15/10/2021
CMS advises private equity investor capiton on investment in Solvis
Stuttgart – Private equity firm capiton has acquired a stake in Braun­sch­weig-based Solvis, a developer and manufacturer of resource-saving and energy-efficient hybrid heating systems. Together, capiton...
Deals
18/12/2020
CMS advises Dürr on acquisition of majority stake in teamtechnik
Stuttgart – The Dürr Group has acquired 75% of the shares in teamtechnik Maschinen und Anlagen GmbH, thereby strengthening its market position in the automation sector. teamtechnik, which is headquartered...
Deals
17/09/2020
Business advisors delivering smart solutions
Commercial law reaches into all sectors. It is at the core of every business. Today’s increasingly regulated markets demand that operators manage commercial risk as they work towards their business...
Publication
15/07/2020
CMS advises Gardena on formation of alliance to standardise batteries for...
Stuttgart – Robert Bosch Power Tools GmbH has established the Power for All Alliance together with Gardena GmbH. This will enable users to operate power tools, garden tools and household appliances...
Deals
08/04/2020
Force majeure and new contracts - what to bear in mind when concluding...
The COVID-19 pandemic is having and will continue to have serious consequences for companies and their contractual relationships with suppliers and customers. This applies not only to existing contracts...
Law-Now
Load more articles