Are you looking for an employment lawyer in Munich? horak. Rechtsanwälte advise and represent employees, executives and companies in Munich and Upper Bavaria – on dismissal, severance pay, termination agreements, formal warnings, employment references and all other questions relating to the employment relationship. In person on site, by telephone or by video conference.
Key points at a glance
- Personal advice in Munich, by telephone or by video – we usually respond within 24 hours.
- Representation before the Munich Labour Court (Arbeitsgericht München) and, on appeal, before the Munich Regional Labour Court (Landesarbeitsgericht München).
- An unfair dismissal claim (Kündigungsschutzklage) must be filed within three weeks of a dismissal (§ 4 KSchG).
- At first instance, each side bears its own legal fees (§ 12a ArbGG); legal expenses insurers usually cover the costs.
Employment law in Munich
Munich is home to major industrial, automotive, insurance, media and technology companies. In employment law, the focus is often on executive contracts, share programmes, employee inventions, restructurings and international assignments.
We advise both sides of the employment relationship. Whether we can accept an instruction is clarified in advance by means of a conflict check.
Our services
- Review the dismissal and file an unfair dismissal claim
- Negotiate severance pay and termination agreements
- Challenge formal warnings or issue them in a legally sound manner
- Have your employment reference reviewed and corrected
- Employment contracts, fixed-term contracts, pay and holiday
- Works constitution, restructuring and advice for employers
Competent labour courts for Munich
For employment relationships with a place of work in Munich, the Munich Labour Court generally has jurisdiction at first instance. Alternatively, a claim may also be brought at the place of the employer’s registered office (§ 48 Abs. 1a ArbGG). Appeals go to the Munich Regional Labour Court, appeals on points of law (Revision) to the Federal Labour Court (Bundesarbeitsgericht) in Erfurt.
Many labour courts allow parties to attend conciliation hearings (Güteverhandlungen) by video conference. We clarify with the court whether this is possible in the individual case.
Our office in Munich
Our Munich office is located on Landsberger Straße in the Westend district.
Please make an appointment in advance. You can send us documents securely beforehand by email or via the contact form.
Practical examples from the region
Simplified, typified scenarios for illustration purposes; each individual case must be assessed separately.
Tech group: a software engineer’s invention
Situation: A software engineer develops a new method for evaluating sensor data, which is patented. He receives no remuneration for it.
Legal assessment and approach: For service inventions claimed by the employer, there is a right to reasonable remuneration under the Employee Inventions Act (Arbeitnehmererfindergesetz). Together with the firm’s patent attorneys, the value of the invention was determined and remuneration was enforced.
Automotive industry: voluntary programme or dismissal?
Situation: As part of a job reduction, a group offers a voluntary programme with a severance formula. A 58-year-old engineer is considering whether to take part.
Legal assessment and approach: We calculated the offer with regard to severance pay, the suspension period for unemployment benefit (Sperrzeit), pension reductions and the company pension scheme, and negotiated an individual arrangement with a transition into early retirement.
Stock options on leaving
Situation: A sales director resigns. Under the plan, all restricted stock units that are not yet exercisable are forfeited.
Legal assessment and approach: Whether forfeiture clauses are valid depends on who grants the programme (the employer or a foreign parent company) and which law applies. Here, the parent company was the contracting party; the forfeiture clause stood. Nevertheless, the negotiations led to compensation in the termination agreement.
Frequently asked questions
Does my employment lawyer have to be based in Munich?
No. Lawyers can appear before all labour courts in Germany. Being close by is convenient, but many appointments can be handled by telephone or video.
How much does the initial consultation cost?
For consumers, the fee for an initial consultation is capped at €190 plus VAT, unless otherwise agreed. If you have legal expenses insurance, we will handle the coverage request.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
If deadlines are running – for example after a dismissal – at short notice, often on the same or the next working day. When making your enquiry, please tell us the date on which you received the dismissal.
Do you also advise companies?
Yes. We advise companies in Munich and Upper Bavaria on an ongoing or project basis – from employment contracts and dismissals to operational changes and negotiations with the works council.
Would you like an appointment in Munich? Call us or send us your documents – we usually respond within 24 hours.
Directions and contact
This page is a translation of the German original. It is for general information only and does not replace legal advice on your individual case. German version