Dr Maximilian Dorndorf | LUTHER Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH

Dr Maximilian Dorndorf’s practice is focused on logistics law (in particular, outsourcing/purchasing), including intra-logistics and materials handling, IT law (with an emphasis on outsourcing/purchasing, licences and data protection), as well as IP law (especially competition and trademark law), including distribution law.

In IT and logistics law, Maximilian Dorndorf primarily advises on complex outsourcing/purchasing projects. Within his industry focus areas, he further advises comprehensively on contractual matters, for example, on software licence agreements, affiliate agreements and contracts regarding content distribution. He advises both out of court and in judicial disputes.

Maximilian Dorndorf is an experienced and respected advisor in international contract negotiations, in particular in the context of IT and logistics projects. He uses this expertise to comprehensively advise his clients on all matters pertaining to digitalisation (in particular, FinTech) and Industry 4.0. However, he also provides comprehensive litigation advice (e.g. when defending advertising campaigns, or when proceeding against competitors’ campaigns or against trademark or patent infringements).

At Luther, Maximilian Dorndorf additionally coordinates the Mobility & Logistics sector.

Data Protection Law
IP & Copyright Law
IT Law
Digital Infrastructure
Data Protection, Antitrust & Compliance
Media & Entertainment

Dr Maximilian Dorndorf started his career at the international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in Cologne (Germany), where he worked from 2001 to 2005. From 2005 to 2009, he then had his own specialist one-man law firm in Münster (Germany), working at the same time as an in-house lawyer and head of legal department for the international logistics group Fiege.

He joined Luther’s Essen office as a partner in 2009 and is co-head of Luther’s Mobility & Logistics industry group.

Maximilian Dorndorf is also a visiting lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences of Münster (Germany) (Master’s degree course in “Logistics”), a lecturer at Ruhr University in Bochum (Germany), where he teaches company law as part of the “RUBlaw-active” course, as well as an arbitrator at the German Logistics Court of Arbitration.

Chambers Global 2016: Ranking in "Intellectual Property: Trade Mark & Unfair Competition" (first ranking in 2012)
Chambers Europe 2020: Ranking in "Commercial Contracts" (first ranking in 2015)
Chambers Europe 2016: Ranking in "Intellectual Property: Trade Mark & Unfair Competition" (first ranking in 2012, "For him it is about finding a practicable way with the other side. He can be assertive, too, but he always explains why and doesn't just rigidly stick to a legal aspect. He conveys a co-operative approach to find a solution.", client)
JUVE Guide 2024/2025: Listed under "Frequently Recommended" in "Trademark and Competition Law" (first listed in 2018/2019) and in " Trade, Distribution and Logistics" (first listed in 2014/2015)
JUVE Guide 2020/2021: Listed under "Frequently Recommended" in "Technology and Media - Information Technology"
The Legal 500 Germany 2025: Recommendations in the categories "Transport - advice to the transport sector" (first recommendation in 2023, first mention in 2021) and "Commercial and Distribution Law - Distribution/Trade/Logistics" (first recommendation in 2023, first mention in 2016) and mentions in the categories "IT Transactions and Outsourcing" (first mention in 2023) and "Information Technology and Digitalisation" (first recommendation in 2023, first mention in 2016, "has many years of wide-ranging experience and provides pragmatic solutions even for very complex projects around structures. ")
kanzleimonitor.de 2015/2016: Recommendation in "Intellectual Property"
Best Lawyers 2025: Recommendations in "Litigation" (first recommendation in 2020) and "Intellectual Property Law" (first recommendation in 2022)

On-going advice to the FIEGE Group on outsourcing projects, including the procurement of IT and materials handling equipment
Advice to the largest German book wholesaler on the relocation of its logistics facilities (including the development of a new concept, the ordering of equipment, and operations, three-digit million amount)
REWE digital: Advice on invitation to tender and negotiations with technology providers (materials handling equipment and IT) for nine “food fulfilment centres”
Advice to a leading European (Austria-based) provider of intra-logistics solutions (in particular, IT and materials handling equipment) in connection with various large projects and framework agreements (in particulr, fashion, trade, e-commerce, and pharmaceuticals)
Advice to a leading innovator in the field of glass in connection with technology projects
Advice to a manufacturer of agricultural machinery and semi-trailers on IT and telematics projects
Advice to a Swiss provider of intra-logistics solutions in the context of various projects (e-commerce and press)
Advice to an international cosmetics group on matters regarding logistics outsourcing
Advice to the market leader in the paper industry on matters regarding logistics outsourcing (transport and warehousing)
Advice to a listed technology group on matters regarding payroll/travel expenses outsourcing (worldwide)
Advice to a service provider on the takeover of a listed group’s global travel management
Advice to a leading international hotel reservation system, in particular on advertising issues and contractual matters, as well as on questions regarding the presentation of information on the Internet
Advice to a telecommunications service provider (telephone, Internet, TV) on competition law issues and related matters
On-going advice to the market leader in the field of video identification procedures and digital contract formation (service provider to banks and financial service providers)