Dr Holger Stappert | LUTHER Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH

Dr Holger Stappert has always focussed on antitrust law in his work as a lawyer, providing advice to clients during high-profile merger control, abuse of dominance and antitrust fine proceedings at German and European levels. He has for many years provided antitrust compliance advice and carried out internal investigations. As a result of further specialisation, Holger Stappert also has extensive knowledge and many years of experience in all areas of energy law and energy contract law and coordinates the Energy sector at Luther. He is an experienced advisor when it comes to providing transaction advice and representing clients before antitrust and regulatory authorities, in state courts and in arbitration proceedings.

Energy Law
Antitrust Law
Compliance & Internal Investigations

Dr Holger Stappert studied law in Bielefeld and Bonn (Germany) from 1989 to 1995. After completing an internship in the Legal Department of the German American Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta (USA), he worked as a Research Assistant for the German Parliament from 1996 to 1998. His legal training included working for the German Federal Cartel Office and renowned business law firms, amongst others.

Holger Stappert was admitted to the German Bar in 2001, working for Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer from 2001 to 2007. In 2005/2006, he spent several months advising an international energy trader as part of a secondment. Holger Stappert joined Luther as a Partner in 2007 and has since been heading Luther’s energy practice at a national level, as well as within Luther’s international network of law firms.

Holger Stappert is a frequent publisher on current issues in antitrust and energy law and a regular speaker at seminars, conferences and symposia.

Chambers Germany 2025: Ranking in "Energy: Regulatory", Band 1 (first ranking in 2010, "Holger Stappert is excellent and experienced in regulatory matters relating to traditional energy sources, including grid issues, pipeline regulation as well as commercial contracts.", "It is always a pleasure to work with Holger Stappert; he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.")
JUVE Guide 2024/2025: Award "Leading Name in Energy Law: Regulatory" (first awarded in 2013/2014, "great expertise at the interface between energy and antitrust law", "thinks economically", "very good project management", competitor) and listed under "Frequently Recommended" in "Regulated Industries - Energy Law" (first listed in 2008/2009) and "Antitrust Law" (first listed in 2008/2009, "good content work", client)
The Legal 500 Germany 2025: Award "Leading Name" (first award in 2019) in the category "Industry Focus - Energy" (first mention in 2014, "Holger Stappert: very well-versed, pragmatic, communicates to the point, always engaging; good at liaising with authorities, which can be a game changer.", "The cooperation with Holger Stappert is fantastic."), mention in the category "Antitrust Law" (first recommendation in 2022, first mention in 2014, "Holger Stappert: incredibly good overview, always stays calm even under stress.", "Very experienced, good industry knowledge and excellent tactician.") and in "City Focus Düsseldorf" (first recommendation in 2023)
Lexology Index 2025 (former WWL Who’s Who Legal): Recommendation "National Leader" in "Germany – Energy“ (first recommendation in 2015) and "Germany - Competition" (first recommendation in 2024)
Lexology Index 2024 (former WWL Who’s Who Legal): Recommendation "Global Leader" in "Energy – Oil & Gas" and "Energy – Power/Electricity" (first recommendations in 2022)
kanzleimonitor.de 2018/2019: Recommended in "Energy Law" (first recommended in 2016/2017)
Best Lawyers 2025: Recommended in "Energy Law" (first recommended in 2009), "Competition/Antitrust Law" (first recommended in 2010), "Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice" and "Regulatory Practice"
Best Lawyers 2012: Award "Lawyer of the Year" in "Energy Law"
WirtschaftsWoche 2024: Recommendation "Top Lawyer" in "Energy Law" (first recommended in 2023)
Expert Guides 2021: Recommended in "ENergy and Natural Resources" (first recommended in 2012) and "Competition and Antitrust" (first recommended in 2013)
Guide to the Wolrd"s Leading Energy Attorneys 2013: Award "Outstanding Practicioner in Germany" (first award in 2012)

Schmolz + Bickenbach - Representation in antitrust proceedings against steel producers
Carcoustics International - Representation in antitrust proceedings for acoustically effective components
Dual System - Antitrust advice on volume clearing under the dual systems
Uniper Global Commodities – Defense against allegation of market abuse pursuant REMIT
TrailStone - Sale of the direct marketer e2m Energy2market to the French EDF Group
Eneco - Acquisition of LichtBlick SE
MEAG Munich Ergo Asset Management - Participation in Steag-Fernwärme
Open Grid Europe - Acquisition of TSO jordgasTransport from Statoil in JV with Gasunie
E.ON - Post-Merger Integration of Innogy SE into the E.ON Group
E.ON – Reorganisation of Avacon, Bayernwerk, EDIS and Hanse-Werk
Vertically integrated gas wholesale company – reorganisation and strategic re-positioning
Financial investor - Indirect participation in Nord Stream 2-project and EUGAL pipeline
Avacon - Innovation project with Salzgitter and Linde on for emission-free steel production from "green" hydrogen
Statkraft - Network connection of pumped-storage power plant Erzhausen
Aurubis - Harbour City district heating project in Hamburg
E.ON Energy Projects - Industrial power plant project for DSM Nutritional Products at the Grenzach-Wyhlen site
WEMAG Netz - Application for concession agreement in Ludwigslust and Grabow
Avacon Netz - Application for concession agreement in Stuhr und Weyhe

Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht e.V.
German Arbitration Institute (Deutsche Institution für Schiedsgerichtsbarkeit)
Member of the advisory board of the Cologne Institute of Energy Law (Institut für Energiewirtschaftsrecht - EWIR)
Member of the advisory board of the Forum Contracting e.V.