Partner

Dr. Michael C Frege

Rechtsanwalt | Fachanwalt für Insolvenzrecht (Certified lawyer for insolvency law) | Fachanwalt für Insolvenz- und Sanierungsrecht (Certified lawyer for insolvency and reorganisation law)

Languages

German
English

Michael Frege is an insolvency and corporate restructuring specialist. He has long-standing experience in advising on insolvencies and as an insolvency administrator, including insolvency proceedings pertaining to specific assets only and forced administrations. Michael is regularly appointed as an administrator in significant national proceedings.

He also advises on corporate and capital market law, acts as a mediator and is a skilled negotiator.

Michael joined CMS in 1992 and became a partner in 1997.

Offices

Frankfurt

Neue Mainzer Straße 2 – 4, 60311 Frankfurt/Main

Tel.: +49 69 71701 300

Fax: +49 69 71701 367

Düsseldorf

Breite Straße 3, 40213 Düsseldorf

Tel.: +49 211 4934 451

Fax: +49 211 4934 452

Berlin

Lennéstraße 7, 10785 Berlin

Tel.: +49 30 20360 1071

Fax: +49 30 20360 2000

Leipzig

Augustusplatz 9, 04109 Leipzig

Tel.: +49 341 21672 300

Fax: +49 341 21672 323

Munich

Nymphenburger Str. 12, 80335 Munich

Tel.: +49 89 23807 850

Fax: +49 89 23807 110

Awards & Recognitions

01 –

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Listed for Restructuring and Insolvency Law

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2025 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
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Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Germany, 2025
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Führender Partner für Insolvenz

The Legal 500 Deutschland, 2025
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"Michael Frege is held in high esteem for the breadth of his expertise in insolvency and restructuring mandates in Germany. His strength as an administrator in insolvencies in the banking sector is particularly respected."

Chambers Germany, 2025
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„Oft empfohlen“ für Insolvenz und Restrukturierung

JUVE Handbuch, 2024/2025
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Listed for Restructuring and Insolvency Law

Deutschlands beste Anwälte 2024 – Handelsblatt in Kooperation mit Best Lawyers
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Lawyer of the Year for Restructuring and Insolvency 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 Insolvency

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2024
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„Oft empfohlen“ für Restrukturierung und Insolvenz

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024
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„hat seine Spezialkompetenz“, Wettbewerber

JUVE Handbuch, 2023/2024
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"He is a go-to for bank insolvencies.", 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 Restructuring and Insolvency Law

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

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2023
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"Recommended" for Insolvency and Restructuring

JUVE German Commercial Law Firms 2020-2022 (GCLF)
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"Michael Frege is regularly appointed as insolvency administrator in highly complex and nationwide cases, covering industry sectors such as banking and finance and travel. Interviewees laud his activity on high-end mandates, describing him as 'a very successful administrator'."

Chambers Europe, 2021
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Listed as notable practitioner

Chambers Europe, 2021
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Nennung als Top Anwalt für den Bereich Insolvenzrecht

WirtschaftsWoche Top-Kanzleien 2020; In Kooperation mit: Handelsblatt Research Institute
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"Michael Frege has a strong reputation for difficult cases.", client

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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Leading individual für Insolvency

The Legal 500 EMEA, 2022
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Seit 2000/2001 kontinuierlich empfohlen im Bereich Medien/Presse und Verlage

JUVE Handbuch

Relevant experience

Administrations

Frankfurt am Main

Maple Bank GmbH
Lehman Brothers Bankhaus AG
neckermann.de GmbH
WCMBeteiligungs- und Grundbesitz-Aktiengesellschaft
WCM Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG
WCM Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs GmbH
Eckhardt Müller Stahlbau GmbH
Metropol Access Deutschland GmbH
Parfum art Parfüm- und Kosmetik-Handels-GmbH
Gehespitz-Bürohaus GmbH & Co.KG
ODP eCommerce GmbH
Gotek GmbH
EUROAMERICAN Marketing GmbH

Berlin

Belle et Fou GmbH & Co. Lizenz und Entertainment KG
Cambridge International School Berlin GmbH
DJV Deutscher Journalisten-Verband Berlin e.V.
Euroleasing GmbH
Fablog GmbH
Literatur Agentur Axel Poldner Media GmbH
Cordes & Cordes GmbH
Tentrup Pflanzen GmbH

München

Solo Film Verleih GmbH
Domizil Haus- und Grundbesitz GmbH
Akzente Wohnbau GmbH
Onur Travel GmbH

Augsburg

Baugeschäft Adolf Rauch GmbH
HDB haus- und betriebstechnische Dienste GmbH

Leipzig

AWUS Bildungs- und Beratungsgesellschaft mbH (g)
EIA Dirschka & Co. Elektroinstallation und Anlagenbau GmbH
Sobotta Büroorganisation Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH
Geithainer Emaillierwerk GmbH
Dr. Gerhard Hering
Ring-Messehaus AG i.L.
IAB Ingenieur- und Anlagenbau GmbH
FA Günther & Sohn Actiengesellschaft

Sonderverwaltungen (insolvency proceedings pertaining to specific assets)

Aero Lloyd Flugreisen GmbH & Co. Luftverkehrs KG - AG Bad Homburg v.d.H.
SISO Textil GmbH Franz Sinn & Sohn - AG Aachen
Michael Mayrock, Inhaber der Allgäuer Schirmfabrik - AG Memmingen
Initiator Bauträgergesellschaft mbH - AG Leipzig

Insolvency plan proceedings (special insolvency proceedings under German law aimed at maintaining the insolvency debtor as a going concern)

WCM Beteiligungs- und Grundbesitz-Aktiengesellschaft
DJV Deutscher Journalisten-Verband Berlin e.V.
Kulturraumorchester Leipziger Raum gGmbH
Chester Properties Messehaus am Markt GmbH & Co. KG
Gewerbezentrum Liebertwolkwitz GmbH

Insolvency advisory work

Spiele Max AG
ProMarkt-Gruppe
Virnich-Hotel KG
Stadt Freiberg-SWG Freiberg GmbH/Stadt Darmstadt
DRK Landesverband Sachsen-Anhalt e.V.
Unternehmensgruppe Georg von Opel GmbH

Publications

Gläubigerrechte bei der Teilabtretung von Insolvenzforderungen nach Vorliegen eines Eröffnungsgrundes (Creditors' Rights in Case of Partial Assignment of Insolvency Claims After Occurrence of a Ground for Institution of Proceedings), Festschrift, publisher: RWS, 2015, co-authors: Nicht/Schildt, editors: Bork/Kayser/Kebekus
Die Anwendung von § 44a InsO bei Doppelbesicherung in der Konzerninsolvenz (Applicability of Section 44a of the German Insolvency Code in Case of Double Collateralization in Group Insolvency), ZInsO 2012, co-authors: Nicht/Schildt, p. 1961–1969
Informationserteilung und Informationsverwendung im Insolvenzverfahren (Provision and Use of Information in Insolvency Proceedings), InsVZ 2010, co-author: Nicht, p. 407–417 (reprint in ZInsO 2012, p. 2217–2229)
Die Anwendung der Business Judgment Rule auf unternehmerische Ermessensentscheidungen des Insolvenzverwalters (Application of the Business Judgment Rule to Entrepreneurial Discretionary Decisions of the Insolvency Administrator), Festschrift for Jobst Wellensiek to his 80th birthday, publisher: C.H. Beck, 2011, co-author: Nicht, p. 291–304
Unternehmerische Ermessensentscheidungen im Insolvenzverfahren – Entscheidungsfindung, Kontrolle und persönliche Haftung (Entrepreneurial Discretionary Decisions in Insolvency Proceedings – Decision-making, Supervision and Personal Liability), NZI 2010, co-authors: Berger/Nicht, p. 321–332
Gläubigerrechte beim gerichtlichen Einziehungs- und Verwertungsverbot im vorläufigen Insolvenzverfahren (Creditors' Rights Regarding the Prohibition of Collection and Exploitation in Preliminary Insolvency Proceedings), InsVZ 3/2010, p. 81 et seqq.
Schlussbericht und Schlussrechnung im Insolvenzverfahren (Final Report and Final Invoice in Insolvency Proceedings), publisher: RWS, 4th edition, 2015, co-author: Riedel
Sanierung von Kreditinstituten und Finanzdienstleistern (Restructuring of Credit Institutions and Financial Service Providers), Unternehmenssanierung (Restructuring of Enterprises), publisher: C.F. Müller, 2nd edition, 2015, co-author: Nicht, editor: Thierhoff/Müller
Insolvenzrecht (Insolvency Law), HRP (Handbook of Legal Practice), publisher: C.H. Beck, 8th edition, 2015, co-authors: Keller/Riedel
Der Bankkonzern in der Insolvenz (The Bank Group in Insolvency), Handbuch Konzerninsolvenzrecht (Handbook of Group Insolvency Law), publisher: Erich Schmidt, 2015, co-author: Nicht, editor: Wilhelm
Koordination verschiedener Insolvenzverfahren über Gesellschaften eines Konzerns (Coordination of Different Insolvency Proceedings Against Members of the Same Group), Handbuch Konzerninsolvenzrecht (Handbook of Group Insolvency Law), publisher: C.H. Beck, 2014, co-author: Nicht, p. 74–109, editor: Flöther
Kommunikation im Insolvenzverfahren (Communication in Insolvency Proceedings), Der Kreditrahmen (Line of Credit), Restrukturierung von Banken (Restructuring of Banks), chapters 4, 32 and 58 in: Handbuch Restrukturierung in der Insolvenz − Eigenverwaltung und Insolvenzplan (Handbook of Restructuring in Insolvency – Self-Administration and Insolvency Plan), publisher: RWS, 2nd edition, 2014, co-author: Nicht, editor: Kübler
Auflösung und Abwicklung(Dissolution and Winding Up), Handbuch der Europäischen Aktiengesellschaft (Handbook of the European Stock Corporation) – Societas Europaea, publisher: C.F. Müller, 2nd edition, 2014, co-author: Nicht, p. 473–496, editors: Jannott/Frodermann
Die Unabhängigkeit des Insolvenzverwalters (Independence of the Insolvency Administrator), Insolvenzrecht 2.020 Perspektiven und Visionen (Insolvency Law 2.020 Perspectives and Visions), conference transcript, 6th Heidelberg symposium on the restructuring of enterprises, publisher: Nomos, 2013, p. 49 et seqq., editor: Ebke/Seagon/Blatz
Die persönliche Haftung des Insolvenzverwalters (Personal liability of the Insolvency Administrator), Die Betriebsfortführung in der Insolvenz (Continuation of Business in Insolvency), 2nd edition, publisher: RWS, 2013, co-authors: Berger/Nicht, p. 1013–1036, editor: Mönning
Das Insolvenzplanverfahren (Insolvency Plan Proceedings), Praxishandbuch des Restrukturierungsrechts (Practice Handbook of Restructuring Law), publisher: Heymanns, 2nd edition, 2013, co-author: Nicht, p. 760–813, editor: Theiselmann
Insolvenzrecht (Insolvency Law), p. 903-1038, Anfechtungsrecht (Right of Avoidance), p. 1039-1066, chapters 5 and 6 in: Handbuch Zwangsvollstreckungsrecht (Handbook of Enforcement Law), publisher: Erich Schmidt, 2013, co-author: Nicht, editor: Keller
Mediation in der Unternehmenskrise (Mediation in Corporate Crises), Alternative Streitbeilegung: Neue Entwicklungen und Strategien zur frühzeitigen Konfliktbewältigung (Alternative Dispute Resolution: New Trends and Strategies for Early Conflict Resolution), publisher: C.H. Beck, 2011, p. 89–121, editor: Eidenmüller
Der Sonderinsolvenzverwalter (The Special Insolvency Administrator), publisher: RWS, 2008
Verhandlungserfolg in Unternehmenskrise und Sanierung (Negotiation Success in Corporate Crises and Restructuring), publisher: RWS, 2008

Memberships & Roles

Gravenbrucher Kreis
German Association of Insolvency Administrators (VID)
German Bar Association – working group for insolvency law, restructuring and administration
Wustrower Arbeitskreis Insolvenzrecht e.V., Potsdam
Insol International (International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Professionals)
American Chamber of Commerce
American German Business Club
gwmk Gesellschaft für Wirtschaftsmediation und Konfliktmanagement e.V., München

Lectures list

From Oct 2014Lectureship at the Berlin School of Economics and Law Lecture course on the law of credit and security, winter term 2014/2015
21 Jan 2014Lecture at Freiburg University Topic: The practice of insolvency administration
11 Nov 2013Schranner Seminar Single seminar of the open programme course Topic: Difficult conduct of negotiations in restructuring and insolvency
From Oct 2013Lectureship at the Berlin School of Economics and Law Module: The law of credit and security, winter term 2013/2014
8 Oct 2013Symposium on insolvency law organised by Handelsblatt Topic: Confidentiality and transparency in international insolvency proceedings
5 June 20132nd German creditors' congress, German institute for applied insolvency law Topic: Professional representation of the creditors' interest in international proceedings
22 April 2013Training seminar on insolvency law for judges and judicial officers working at insolvency courts in Saxony Topic: Insolvency plan procedure
9 April 20136th Heidelberg symposium on corporate restructuring Topic: The independence of the insolvency administrator
15 March 201310th German insolvency law conference 2013 Topic: Challenges of international bank insolvency
From Oct 2012Lecture course at the Berlin School of Economics and Law
4 Oct 2012Lecture at Schranner: N-conference Topic: Order and stability during chaos
19 Sept 2012Lecture at the restructuring summit at the Westphalian University in Munster Topic: Challenges of bank insolvency
13 Sept 2012Lecture at the ZIP annual meeting 2012 Topic: Right to information in insolvency proceedings
5 July 2012Lecture at the Berlin School of Economics and Law, lecture course

Education

Law and economics studies at the University of Freiburg
Law and business studies at the Free University of Berlin

Practice Areas

Restructuring and Insolvency Capital Markets Corporate / M&A Alternative Dispute Resolution Restructuring Real Estate & Public Insolvency Administration

Insights

Global Reach

Karriere