Volker Steimle | LUTHER Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH

Volker Steimle specialises in all matters concerning national and international distribution and sourcing of goods, product liability and product safety. He has special focus on all matters concerning supply or distribution contracts, including all sorts of purchasing contracts and ancillary agreements, such as quality assurance agreements, logistics contracts etc. His clients range from medium-sized to large companies from different industries, including automotive products, industrial or consumer products. A large part of his work is cross-border transactions or disputes. Together with his team his work comprises both contract drafting and negotiation as well as dispute resolution in state courts as well as national or international arbitration proceedings. Volker Steimle is a member of the German Institution of Arbitration (DIS).

Commercial & Distribution Law, Product Liability/Product Compliance
Complex Disputes
Digital Value Chains

Volker Steimle studied law at the University of Tübingen (Germany). After completing his traineeship in Ulm, Speyer and Hamburg, he was admitted to the Bar at the District Court of Cologne in 1995 and was later admitted to the Court of Appeals of Cologne in 2002. Volker Steimle was seconded to Arthur Andersen & Assoc., Johannesburg, RSA, in 1998. He joined Luther (or its respective predecessor) in 1995.

JUVE Guide 2023/2024: Listed under "Frequently Recommended" in "Distribution/Trade/Logistics - Distribution Systems" (first listed in 2018/2019, "Pleasant on the opposite side, I would also mandate", client)
The Legal 500 Germany 2023: Recommended in "Dispute Resolution - Product Liability" (first recommendation in 2016, "coordinates the coordination processes with the other Luther teams very quickly due to his detailed expertise. Possible risks in the course of the proceedings are identified in good time and counter-positions are built up for the defence.") and "Commercial and Distribution Law - Distribution/Trading/Logistics" (first listed in 2017, "Volker Steimle's team is extremely competent and distinguishes itself through advice that is always extremely well-founded, practice-oriented and effective."; "Volker Steimle is extremely competent and very reliable. This leads to an extremely pleasant cooperation.")
The Legal 500 Germany 2018: Listed in "Dispute Resolution - Arbitration (incl. International Arbitration)"
Best Lawyers 2024: Recommended in "Litigation" (first recommended in 2021)

Worldwide manufacturer of tractors and agricultural machinery: legal advice in all legal issues in (cross-border) supply and distribution relations, product liability and product safety
Major German supplier (Tier 1) of vehicle electronics: assistance in establishing a worldwide contract system for the purchasing of parts in over 40 countries
Internationally active supplier (Tier 1) of freight vehicle brake systems: handling of cross-border product recall and damage proceedings
Conglomerate, active worldwide in metal processing: advice on major event of damage in the utility industry, product recalls, defence against damages, insurance claims and damage proceedings.
Market leader in electronics/electricity transfer: conduct of successful international arbitration proceedings simultaneously in Germany and China against an Asian distribution partner.
Internationally active manufacturer of synthetic products for the construction industry: establishment of a worldwide distribution and licensing system

Stricter product liability – Commission Proposal for a new EU Product Liability Directive

Member of the Deutsche Institution für Schiedsgerichtbarkeit (DIS) e.V.