20 Years of ARQIS

11. February 2026

Independent commercial law firm ARQIS is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. What began in 2006 as a visionary idea with eleven lawyers has since evolved into one of Germany’s leading specialist commercial law firms – a success that would have been inconceivable without the trust of our clients and the exceptional quality of the ARQIS team.

Two Decades of Transformation: The Evolution into a Big Law Boutique

The past 20 years have been marked by continuous development and strategic growth. From its original focus on M&A, employment law, and the Japan Desk, ARQIS has developed a distinctive model: the Big Law Boutique. This positioning combines the quality, performance capability, and resources of an international full-service firm with the flexibility, entrepreneurial mindset, and specialist focus of a boutique.

Today, ARQIS comprises around 80 highly specialised lawyers and legal specialists and approximately 200 employees across its offices in Düsseldorf, Munich, and Tokyo, as well as its Talent Hub in Berlin. The firm has repeatedly exceeded its own growth targets and once again recorded double-digit revenue growth in the past year.

What Makes ARQIS Unique: The ARQIS Way

A cornerstone of ARQIS’ success strategy is its six focus groups: Transactions, HR.Law, Japan, Tech.Law, Risk, and Regulatory. These are not merely traditional practice groups. Each focus group operates as a think tank dedicated to advancing clients’ commercial objectives, enabling their businesses to succeed and to overcome legal challenges in an increasingly complex economic environment.

“The ARQIS Way. Beyond expectations” is the firm’s guiding philosophy. ARQIS strives not only to exceed its clients’ expectations, but also its own. This mindset, combined with entrepreneurial thinking and the ambition to turn legal challenges into opportunities, is what sets the firm apart.

20 Years of ARQIS: A Moment to Say Thank You

“Our 20th anniversary is, above all, an opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you,” emphasises Dr Friedrich Gebert, Managing Partner of ARQIS. “Without the trust of our clients – many of whom have worked with us for decades and entrust us with their most complex matters – we would not be where we are today. That trust is our strongest motivation.”

At the same time, ARQIS’ success is inseparably linked to the quality and commitment of its entire team. “Our lawyers and legal specialists deliver outstanding work every day – technically, strategically and in their client relationships. They are the cornerstone of our twenty-year success,” adds Dr Shigeo Yamaguchi, Senior Partner of ARQIS. “In particular, Andrea Panzer-Heemeier, in her role as long-standing Managing Partner, laid a strong foundation for the firm and built an excellent Business Services team.”

Looking Ahead: Innovation and Continued Development

“We look back with pride on 20 successful years, while keeping a clear focus on the future,” Gebert continues. “We are continuously evolving. Our refreshed brand identity is a visible expression of this innovative strength, presenting in a contemporary way what ARQIS stands for.”

“For our clients, we aim to remain the partner who not only advises, but also thinks ahead, develops solutions, and translates entrepreneurial objectives into measurable success,” Yamaguchi concludes.