Michael Brems is counsel based in the Cologne office.
Mr. Brems’ practice focuses on corporate transactions, particularly domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and employment law matters.
Chambers Global distinguished Mr. Brems as a leading Corporate and M&A lawyer in Germany.
He is co-author of a commentary on German takeover law and a handbook on executive remuneration (both in English).
Mr. Brems regularly advises German and international corporations on M&A transactions. He represented Booz & Company in its acquisition of Management Engineers, Orascom Construction Industries in its acquisition from Eurochem of distribution rights for AS produced by Lanxess, a Mittal family trust in the acquisition of the business of ESCADA out of insolvency, Medco Health Solutions and Europa Apotheek Venlo in the acquisition of the internet pharmacy business of “shop-apotheke.com” and Deutsche Postbank in the sale of its fund administration in Germany to KAS Bank, in the divestiture of the consumer finance business of BHW Bank to Landesbank Berlin and in the acquisition of BHW Holding. He advised Rexel in the sale of its German subsidiary and Hagemeyer in the sale of several branches, in each case to Sonepar, Deutsche Post in its sale of Vfw, Standard Microsystems in its acquisition of OASIS SiliconSystems, Citigroup in the formation of two joint ventures with Eurohypo and GMAC concerning the servicing of non-performing loans and Dow Chemical in the formation of a joint venture with Petrochemical Industries Company of Kuwait.
Mr. Brems advises also on the employment law aspects in the context of M&A transactions and restructurings as well as on management contracts and their termination. His employment law practice also includes headcount reductions, works council and co-determination issues and pension matters.
Mr. Brems joined the firm in 1996 and became counsel in 2004. He was resident in the New York office from 1998 through 1999 and in the Frankfurt office from 1996 through 1997 and from 1999 through 2004. Mr. Brems received an LL.M. degree from Columbia University School of Law in 1998 and a Doctorate in Law (Dr. iur.) from the University of Würzburg in 1995. He passed the second state examination in the State of Bavaria in 1996 and the first state examination at the University of Würzburg in 1992. He worked as a research and teaching assistant at the Institute for Public International Law, European Community Law and International Commercial Law at the University of Würzburg from 1992 through 1994.
Mr. Brems is a member of the Bars in Cologne and in New York. His native language is German, he is fluent in English and has a good knowledge of French.