The change in leadership marks a generational shift, whilst at the same time signifying continuity. Florian Schulz and Stefan Galla, two partners who have known and shaped Luther for more than two decades, are taking on this responsibility. Both have held leadership roles for many years: Stefan Galla was most recently Head of the ‘Corporate/M&A’ service line – Luther’s largest specialist division – and, prior to that, Location Head at the Essen office. Florian Schulz was Location Head in Hamburg for many years and is Co-Head of the Complex Disputes practice.
Both succeed Elisabeth Lepique and Dr Markus Sengpiel in their roles as Managing Partners; the latter two led the firm for twelve and sixteen years respectively. During their tenure, Luther has developed very successfully both financially and strategically and is now extremely well-positioned for the future and holds a strong market position.
“We are taking over a very well-positioned law firm and will consistently build on Luther’s track record of success,” say Florian Schulz and Stefan Galla. “Our aim is to combine continuity with fresh impetus: we will continue to drive the firm’s strategic development, strengthen our market position and take Luther forward in a dynamic and international market environment.”
Topics for the future: public services, legal tech and international networking
In addition to the areas of legal advice in which the firm is firmly established in the market, the aim is to expand into new areas of legal practice and business models from the legal tech sector, as well as non-legal advisory services. A further focus is on expanding the tax practice and on collaboration with the newly established subsidiary, Luther Public Services. In future, this interdisciplinary offering is intended to enable Luther to support public sector transformation projects even more effectively, going beyond traditional legal advice.
Another key focus for the new management is the field of artificial intelligence. Luther intends to restructure its AI activities and bring together its existing expertise in technology, law, IT, legal engineering and management more closely. The aim is to make targeted use of AI to improve advisory services, processes and new business models.
Internationally, the new management continues to rely on the tried-and-tested three-pillar model comprising the firm’s own overseas offices – including those in Luxembourg and Asia – as well as unyer and Best-Friends law firms. Particularly for the US and the UK, collaboration with Best-Friends law firms remains a key component of the international strategy.
Copyright photo: Roland Breitschuh
