Dr Michael Rath | LUTHER Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH

Dr Michael Rath is a German lawyer, a certified specialist in information technology law and coordinates the Information Tech & Telecommunications sector at Luther. He is also a Certified ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor and Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E).

The focus of his advisory services is on IT law, data protection law and the protection of intellectual property. Dr Michael Rath also advises on telecommunications law, assists with tenders and IT outsourcing / regulated outsourcing and the implementation of (IT) compliance requirements. He frequently holds seminars on these topics and publishes articles on current IT and data protection law issues.

IT Law
Data Protection Law
Data Protection, Antitrust & Compliance
Digital Infrastructure
Artificial Intelligence & Big Data
Media & Entertainment
Telecommunications Law

Dr Michael Rath studied law at the University of Saarbrücken and in Cologne (Germany), working as a research assistant at both universities. While working full time, he completed his doctorate with an emphasis on Internet search engines at the University of Würzburg. He joined Luther’s predecessor firm in 1999 and has remained with the firm since.

Chambers Europe 2024: Ranking in "TMT: Information Technology" (Band 4, first ranking in 2012, "He is expert in IT law, has great soft skills and is a very good negotiator.", "Michael Rath is a great lawyer with a good instinct for clients' needs.")
JUVE Guide 2024/2025: Listed under "Frequently Recommended" in "IT-Law and Data Protection" (first listed in 2012/2013, "precise advice", competitor)
JUVE Handbook 2020/2021: Listed under "Frequently recommended" in the category "Data protection" (first mentioned in 2018/2019, "pragmatic and business-oriented", "client; well at the interface with classic IT law"; "very thorough and proactive"; "experienced and well connected", competitor)
The Legal 500 Germany 2025: Award "Leading Name" in the category "Information Technology - IT Transactions and Outsourcing" (first award in 2021, first mention in 2016, "Dr. Michael Rath: Pragmatic, professional and comprehensive specialist knowledge. Clients benefits from extensive experience. Always available and responsive."), recommendations in "Industry Groups Artifical Intelligence", "Industry Group Telecommunications" and the categories "Media - Entertainment", "Information Technology and Digitalisation" (first mention in 2016, "Pragmatic, professional and comprehensive expertise. Extensive experience benefits the client. Always available and responsive.") and mentioned in the category "Data Protection" (first recommendation in 2023, first mention in 2016, "Dr Michael Rath is always available and, in addition to his professional expertise, is characterised by very good empathy.")
The Legal 500 Germany 2024: Mention in "City Focus - Cologne" (first recommendation in 2023)
The Legal 500 Germany 2023: Mention in the "Telecommunications" category ("Dr Michael Rath is one of the telecommunications experts on the German market.")
Lexology Index 2025: Recommendation “Global Leader” in “Data – Information Technology” (first recommendation in 2021) as well as Recommendartion "National Leader" in "Germany – Data" (first recommendation in 2022)
kanzleimonitor.de 2022/2023: Recommended in "IT-Law" (first recommended in 2016/2017)
Best Lawyers 2025: Recommended in "Information Technology Law" (first recommended in 2016), "Data Security Law" (first recommended in 2022) and "Outsourcing"
Best Lawyers 2022: Award "Lawyer of the Year" in "Information Technology Law"
WirtschaftsWoche 2024: Recommendation "Top Lawyer" in "Data Protection Law" (first recommendation in 2019)

arvato/Bertelsmann, BASF, Bayer, Deutsche Telekom, Edeka-Gruppe, Evonik, Klosterfrau, Miele, Postbank/Deutsche Bank, Procter & Gamble, Riedel-Gruppe, SwissLife, ThyssenKrupp, Unilever

Member of the "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Recht und Informatik e.V. " (DGRI)
Board member of the Arbeitskreis EDV und Recht
Accredited conciliator for IT disputes at the conciliation board of the DGRI