ARQIS News
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.
ARQIS advised European IT Consultancy EITCO GmbH, which specializes in enterprise content management (ECM), on all legal aspects of its merger with edoc solutions ag. Both companies are joining forces and will operate jointly on the market. EITCO and edoc will remain independent brands, managed by their existing management teams. The merger will enable the combined company to advise over 800 clients with 370 employees on the digitalization of their business processes using its combined product portfolio. The parties involved have agreed not to disclose further details of the transaction, such as the purchase price.
The European IT consulting company EITCO GmbH, headquartered in Berlin, is a leading ECM specialist. Its customers include public institutions, regulatory authorities and companies with growing needs for digital content and document management. With offices in Berlin, Bonn and Essen and around 210 employees, the company has been offering customized IT solutions for more than 20 years.
edoc solutions ag, based in Weilerswist near Cologne, offers software solutions and services for digital enterprise content management (ECM). Its 160 employees serve corporate customers from various industries. edoc is the largest certified partner of d.velop AG.
An ARQIS team headed by Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze advised Adelis Equity Partners already on the acquisition of EITCO. It was the first platform transaction in Germany for a fund managed by Adelis. EITCO and Adelis have now entrusted ARQIS with their first add-on transaction.
Advisors to EITCO GmbH
ARQIS (Dusseldorf): Core Deal Team: Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze (Partner, Lead), Severin Steffens (Managing Associate, both Transactions), Partner: Thomas Chwalek (Transactions), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Real Estate), Marcus Nothhelfer (IP, Munich), Counsel: Christian Judis (Compliance, Munich), Jens Knipping (Tax), Franziska Leubner (Munich), Martin Weingärtner (both HR Law), Nora Stratmann (Commercial, Munich), Managing Associates: Christos Choudeloudis (Transactions), Johanna Klingen (Data Law), Marius Mesenbrink (Japan Desk), Rolf Tichy (IP, Munich), Associates: Rebecca Gester (Commercial, Munich), Tim Meyer-Meisel, Steffen Schubert (both Transactions), Lia Papismedova (Real Estate), Dr. Tim Weill (HR Law), Dr. Julia Wildgans (IP, Munich), Foreign Lawyer: Qing Xia (Transactions)
ARQIS advised GBS Electronic Solutions GmbH, a portfolio company of the mid-sized equity financier VR Equitypartner, on the acquisition of all shares in productware Gesellschaft zur Produktion von elektronischen Geräten mbH. The seller is Controlware Holding GmbH. The acquisition is carried out as part of the GBS EMS Group's buy-and-build strategy in the field of electronic manufacturing services (EMS). With this acquisition, the group is strengthening its position as a full-service partner for industrial customers while expanding its technological expertise and regional presence. At the same time, the GBS EMS Group is opening up new industrial end markets, including in the areas of railway technology, defense and IoT.
Productware Gesellschaft zur Produktion von elektronischen Geräten mbH, based in Dietzenbach, is a regionally established EMS specialist. The company manufactures high-quality electronic assemblies and complete devices (box builds) on high-end assembly lines and covers the entire range of services from development and series production to testing and logistics. Productware employs around 65 people and has more than 30 years of market experience.
GBS Electronic Solutions GmbH, based in Bayreuth, is a mid-sized technology company and positions itself as a full-service EMS provider along the entire value chain. VR Equitypartner has held a stake in the company since 2016 and supports it together with INDUC as a long-term growth partner. The aim is to develop the GBS EMS Group into one of the leading EMS providers in Germany.
An ARQIS team headed by Dr. Lars Laeger regularly advises VR Equitypartner and its portfolio companies and has already advised GBS on the acquisition of Elektron Systeme in 2022.
ARQIS (Dusseldorf): Dr. Lars Laeger (Partner, Transactions, Lead), Partner: Johannes Landry (Transactions), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Real Estate), Marcus Nothhelfer (IP, Munich), Counsel: Christian Judis (Compliance, Munich), Jens Knipping (Tax), Nora Stratmann (Commercial, Munich), Martin Weingärtner (HR Law), Managing Associates: Christina Huckschlag (Transactions), Tim Bresemann (Real Estate), Johanna Klingen (Data Law), Rolf Tichy (IP, Munich), Associate: Dr. Tim Weill (HR Law)
ARQIS has provided comprehensive legal advice to Karo Healthcare, a portfolio company of leading private equity firm KKR, on the sale of Alpha Foods to Vision Healthcare. The transaction strengthens Alpha Foods and enables the company's long-term growth. The parties have agreed not to disclose details of the transaction, such as the purchase price.
Karo Healthcare, headquartered in Stockholm, is a consumer healthcare company offering a broad product portfolio in the field of health and nutritional supplements. The company distributes products in over 90 countries and employs more than 470 people at 13 international locations.
Alpha Foods B.V., headquartered in Deurle, Belgium, offers natural, plant-based nutritional supplements. Its product range includes plant proteins, nutritional elixirs and supplements.
The Dutch company Vision Healthcare N.V. is a fast-growing omni-channel platform specializing in direct sales brands with a diverse portfolio of health and wellness brands. The company offers among other products cosmetics, dietary supplements, vitamins and non-prescription medications.
ARQIS, with a team headed by partner Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze, advised Karo Healthcare on all legal aspects of the sale of Alpha Foods to Vision Healthcare. The team has provided legal advice to Karo Healthcare already on previous occasions. In spring 2024, ARQIS advised Karo Healthcare on the acquisition of Proctosedyl from Bayer.
Advisors to Karo Healthcare
ARQIS (Dusseldorf): Core Deal Team: Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze (Partner, Lead), Dr. Maximilian Backhaus (Counsel, both Transactions), Counsel: Jens Knipping (Tax), Associate: Ivo Ertekin (Transactions)
ARQIS provided legal advice to Kapital 1852 and the founder and managing director of Physio CKI on the successful exit to Gilde Healthcare.
Chaled Qarizada, founder and managing director of Physio CKI, remains a significant shareholder in the group and will continue to lead the business. Kapital 1852 has successfully supported Physio CKI in recent years during its start-up and growth phase. The partnership with Gilde Healthcare now represents the next step in the company's development and is intended to be further accelerated through a successful greenfield approach.
Kapital 1852 is a fund platform initiated and advised by Hauck Aufhäuser Lampe Privatbank AG and comprises a direct investment fund focused on private equity, as well as funds of funds in the areas of venture capital, private debt, and infrastructure. The focus of the direct investment strategy within private equity is on structuring and financing company successions, the acquisition of corporate carve-outs, and expansion financing for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Physio CKI, headquartered in Cologne, provides physiotherapy services of the highest standard across 13 practices in the Rhein-Sieg, Cologne-Bonn, and Düsseldorf regions. The group employs over 200 people, making it one of the most successful physiotherapy chains in Germany.
ARQIS previously advised Chaled Qarizada on the entry of Kapital 1852. As part of the exit, the sponsor has once again chosen the team led by Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze, which impressed with its healthcare expertise and interdisciplinary approach. A Livingstone team led by Christian Grandin acted as M&A advisor, as it had done for the entry.
ARQIS (Düsseldorf): Core Deal Team Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze (Lead), Christos Choudeloudis (Managing Associate), Tim Meyer-Meisel (Associate, all Transactions), Partner: Dr. Mirjam Boche (Risk), Thomas Chwalek (Transactions), Johannes Landry (Restructuring & Insolvency), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Real Estate), Counsel: Jens Knipping (Tax), Martin Weingärtner (HR Law), Managing Associates: Tim Bresemann, Diana Puchowezki (both Real Estate), Dr. Bernhard Gröhe (Regulatory), Katrin Ludwig, Severin Steffens (both Transactions), Rolf Tichy (IP, Munich), Associates: Ivo Ertekin, Stella Tönnessen (both Transactions), Paulina Hüttner (IP, Munich), Lia Papismedova (Real Estate), Dr. Tim Weill (HR Law), Foreign Lawyer: Qing Xia
ARQIS provided comprehensive legal advice to the shareholder of Argentum Gruppe, the leading private equity firm Lafayette Mittelstand Capital, on the acquisition and successful restructuring of Alten- und Pflegeheim in Zerbst GmbH (Zerbst Pflege Gruppe). This ensured the continuity of operations for the Zerbst Pflege Gruppe, with all facilities at a total of eight locations being secured. At the same time, the acquisition enables further growth for the Argentum Gruppe. The parties involved have agreed not to disclose further details of the transaction. The acquisition remains subject to the usual regulatory approvals.
Alten- und Pflegeheim in Zerbst GmbH employs around 750 people and operates inpatient and outpatient care facilities as well as senior care facilities in Saxony-Anhalt, Lower Saxony, Berlin and Saxony.
Argentum Gruppe operates nursing and senior care facilities throughout Germany. Headquartered in Bad Homburg, the company currently operates 22 facilities with around 1,600 employees. It offers a wide range of services to over 2,000 residents, including full inpatient care, assisted living, short-term care and home care.
An ARQIS team headed by partners Johannes Landry and Dr. Ulrich Lienhard, as well as counsel Benjamin Bandur, advised the shareholder of Argentum Gruppe, Lafayette Mittelstand Capital, on all legal aspects of this transaction. ARQIS was recommended for the mandate by other market participants.
ARQIS (Dusseldorf): Johannes Landry (Partner, Restructuring and Insolvency), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Partner, Real Estate), Benjamin Bandur (Counsel, Transactions, Munich, all Core Deal Team), Partner: Dr. Mauritz von Einem (Transactions, Munich), Tobias Neufeld (Data Law), Counsel: Jens Knipping, Dennis Reisich (both Tax, Munich), Martin Weingärtner (HR Law), Managing Associate: Johanna Klingen (Data Law), Associates: Sabine Müller (HR Law, Munich), Lia Papismedova (Real Estate), Foreign Lawyer: Konstantinos Strempas (Transactions, Munich)
MARCK (Dusseldorf): Dr. Georg Schmittmann, Dr. Reto Batzel (both Partner, both Antitrust)
ARQIS appoints Managing Associate Dr. Maximilian Backhaus as Counsel at the turn of the year 2025/2026. The law firm thus underscores its commitment to developing talents from within its own ranks. Dr. Maximilian Backhaus started his career at ARQIS in 2019 and has been a member of the Transactions focus group ever since. As a lawyer, he advises clients, particularly in the private equity sector, on legal issues relating to corporate law and complex transactions.
With this appointment, ARQIS is further expanding its largest focus group, Transactions, and responding to the continuously growing demand in the market for excellent transaction advice. “Maximilian Backhaus impresses with his outstanding professional expertise and a precise understanding of transaction dynamics He will continue to drive forward the interests of both our clients and our focus group in the future,” said Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze, Head of the Transactions focus group at ARQIS.
ARQIS is also expanding other focus groups in a targeted manner. Most recently, ARQIS hired Dr. Franziska Leubner as Counsel for the HR.Law focus group at its Munich office. “By developing our focus groups in this targeted way and encouraging close interdisciplinary cooperation across our locations, we are building a strong, consistent profile of expertise and providing clients throughout Germany with reliable, comprehensive advice,” concluded Dr. Andrea Panzer-Heemeier, Managing Partner at ARQIS.
ARQIS advised Agile Robots SE on all legal aspects of the acquisition of assets from systems manufacturer thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering in Europe and North America. Through this acquisition, Agile Robots plans to further strengthen its market position in next-generation smart automation solutions and is tapping into new growth markets. With the technological expertise, long-standing customer relationships and experience of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering, Agile Robots intends to tap into new market segments and expand its presence in the US. Following the acquisition, the company will operate as Krause Automation within the Agile Robots Group.
The transaction is still subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in the coming months. The parties involved have agreed not to disclose the commercial details.
Agile Robots, headquartered in Munich, is a leading global provider of AI-powered robotic solutions. By combining artificial intelligence and robotics, the company makes industrial processes smarter, more flexible and more efficient. Since its founding in 2018, the company has grown into a global innovation leader and employs around 2,500 people in Germany, China and India.
thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering is an operating unit within the Automotive Technology segment of thyssenkrupp AG. Around 1,100 employees work across ten countries on three continents.
An ARQIS team headed by partner Dr. Mauritz von Einem provided comprehensive legal advice to Agile Robots SE on this transaction, which also included the global coordination of local counsel teams. Dr. Andrea Panzer-Heemeier and the ARQIS HR.Law team negotiated a best-and-fair owner agreement ahead of the transaction. As part of this agreement, Agile Robots, thyssenkrupp, employee representatives and IG Metall agreed on framework conditions for the further development of the German locations and their involvement into the ongoing integration process. Agile Robots, founded in 2018 by robotics researchers from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), has relied on ARQIS' expertise for many years, most recently in the acquisition of Idealworks from the BMW Group.
Advisors to Agile Robots SE
ARQIS (Munich): Core deal team: Dr. Mauritz von Einem (Global Lead, Partner, Transactions), Dennis Reisich (Counsel, Transactions/Tax), Giulia Kögel (Associate, Transactions), Konstantinos Strempas (Foreign Lawyer, Transactions), Dr. Andrea Panzer-Heemeier (Co-Lead, Partner, Labour, Düsseldorf), Dr. Roua Schmitz (Labour), Partner: Dr. Friedrich Gebert (Regulatory, Düsseldorf), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Real Estate, Düsseldorf), Tobias Neufeld (Pensions, Düsseldorf), Marcus Nothhelfer (IP/IT), Counsel: Benjamin Bandur (Transactions), Christian Judis (Compliance), Jens Knipping (Tax, Düsseldorf), Franziska Leubner, Martin Weingärtner (Düsseldorf, both Labour), Nora Stratmann (Commercial), Managing Associates: Tim Bresemann, Diana Puchowezki (both Real Estate, Düsseldorf), Anselm Graf (Transactions), Dr. Bernhard Gröhe (Regulatory), Rolf Tichy (IP/IT), Associates: Rebecca Gester (Commercial), Paulina Hüttner, Julia Wildgans (both IP/IT), Lia Papismedova (Real Estate, Düsseldorf), Dr. Tim Weill (Pensions, Düsseldorf)
MARCK (Düsseldorf): Dr. Georg Schmittmann, Dr. Reto Batzel (both Partner), Simon Philipp (Associate, all Antitrust)
ARQIS has provided comprehensive legal advice to Christoph Herbrig, CEO and sole shareholder of Herbrig & Co. GmbH, on the sale of a majority stake to Borromin Capital Management GmbH. In particular, the Borromin Capital Fund V SCSp, advised by Borromin Capital Management, is acquiring the stake in the company. Christoph Herbrig and the existing management team will remain at the head of the company.
Herbrig & Co. GmbH is one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality precision turned parts and has been a reliable system partner for numerous international technology companies for many years, including the sensor technology, electrical engineering and e-mobility sectors. The company, headquartered in Altenberg, Saxony, employs around 200 people at three locations.
Borromin Capital Management GmbH, based in Frankfurt am Main, is a private equity company that invests primarily in medium-sized companies in German-speaking Europe and the Benelux countries. Since 2001, Borromin has been investing in profitable companies from a wide range of industries.
An ARQIS team headed by Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze provided comprehensive legal advice to the CEO and sole shareholder of Herbrig & Co. GmbH on this transaction. MAYLAND AG acted as M&A advisor and process manager, on whose recommendation ARQIS was mandated as legal advisor.
Advisor to Herbrig & Co. GmbH
ARQIS (Dusseldorf): Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze (Partner, Lead), Thomas Chwalek (Partner), Ivo Ertekin (Associate, all Transactions, Core-Dealteam), Partner: Johannes Landry (Financing), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Real Estate), Marcus Nothhelfer (IP, Munich), Counsel: Christian Judis (Compliance, Munich), Jens Knipping (Tax), Martin Weingärtner (Transactions), Managing Associates: Dr. Maximilian Backhaus (Transactions), Tim Bresemann (Real Estate), Dr. Bernhard Gröhe (Regulatory), Rolf Tichy (IP, Munich), Associate: Dr. Julia Wildgans (IP, Munich)
ARQIS is expanding its employment law practice with Franziska Leubner, who will join the Munich office as Counsel on November 3, 2025. The 35-year-old brings many years of experience in advising national and international companies on all matters of individual and collective employment law. Her work focuses on personnel restructuring, labor court litigation, as well as advising on all employment law aspects in transactional contexts. She joins from Lupp+Partner, where she most recently headed the employment law practice.
Dr. Andrea Panzer-Heemeier, Managing Partner and Head of the HR.Law Focus Group at ARQIS, said: “Franziska Leubner will be an excellent addition to our team, both professionally and personally. Especially in economically challenging times, when companies have to deal with increasingly complex employment law issues, the expansion of our HR.Law team strengthens our ability to provide clients with tailored and hands-on practical advice.”
With this latest addition, ARQIS's employment law practice in Munich continues to strengthen its profile and importance. This marks another milestone in the expansion of the HR.Law Focus Group and the strategic positioning of ARQIS at the top of the law firm market. The firm is also consistently expanding its presence in key business locations and broadening its range of advisory services.
The independent, internationally operating commercial law firm ARQIS is changing its management structure in preparation for the next phase of development. From January 1, 2026, the firm will be managed by dual leadership.
Dr. Friedrich Gebert, head of the regulatory focus group, is set to become managing partner. He will be responsible for the operational management and direction of the firm. The 40-year-old is a representative of the new generation of partners at ARQIS. Meanwhile, Dr. Shigeo Yamaguchi, founding partner and head of the Japan focus group, will be responsible for all strategic and partnership matters as Senior Partner.
‘I am very grateful to be taking over the management of such a well-positioned law firm. Together with Shigeo Yamaguchi, I will continue to run it in line with the ARQIS culture,’ said Friedrich Gebert. ‘In my new role as Senior Partner, I will build on my experience as one of the founding partners and continue to support the successful “ARQIS Way”,’ added Shigeo Yamaguchi.
Since its foundation in 2006, ARQIS has been successfully led by Dr. Andrea Panzer-Heemeier During her time as managing partner, she strategically expanded ARQIS and consolidated its position as a leading firm in the legal market. Under her leadership, ARQIS recorded double-digit revenue growth and exceeded its ambitious growth targets once again in the past financial year.
‘I’m looking back with pride on the development of ARQIS. Together with a great team, we have made the firm what it is today: at the top of its field and, as a Big Law Boutique, unique in the market. With Shigeo Yamaguchi and Friedrich Gebert, ARQIS is excellently positioned for the future. I am confident that they will continue the firm's success story “the ARQIS Way”,’ explained Dr. Andrea Panzer-Heemeier. ‘I am looking forward to being able to focus entirely on my HR.Law team and supporting our clients with increasingly complex challenges in the future.’
Dr. Christof Alexander Schneider, partner and lawyer at ARQIS, is taking on the newly created position of Partner for Legal Innovation & AI with immediate effect. In this role, he will work with a team to consolidate the firm's existing legal innovation and AI initiatives, continuing to drive the topic forward at management level.
Dr. Christof Alexander Schneider has been a partner in the Transactions focus group at ARQIS since 2013. He is supported in his new role by a team of three. "Combining my work as a lawyer with the management of the Legal Innovation and AI department isn’t a contradiction. On the contrary: I am convinced that true innovation can only come from practical experience. Above all, I remain first and foremost an M&A lawyer with full conviction, combining this role with leading the Legal Innovation and AI team," explained Dr. Schneider.
The topics legal innovation and AI have already been integral within the firm’s approach for several years. In line with this, ARQIS already uses various tools in its day-to-day work. The new role of Dr. Christof Schneider and his team will now bundle all of these topics and structure them more clearly. This also includes the offering of targeted training programs for all lawyers and employees, which will be available throughout the firm with immediate effect. Also, findings and results of the previous intensive testing of several legal AI providers will be incorporated here. ARQIS is also working on the development of its own legal tech tools.
Dr. Andrea Panzer-Heemeier, Managing Partner at ARQIS, added: "We are honored to have Christof Schneider starting this important, future-facing role. We don’t see legal innovation and AI as ends in themselves, but as a means of making our work for our clients more efficient and, above all, better. Our focus will always be on qualitative added value. This is inherently linked to personal and professionally sound legal advice."