Volker Steimle
Areas of practice
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).
Vita
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.
Honors and distinctions
- JUVE Guide 2024/2025: Listed under "Frequently Recommended" in "Trade, Distribution and Logistics" (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 2025: Recommended in "Litigation" (first recommended in 2021) and "Product Liability Litigation"
Clients
- 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
Publications
- Bearbeitung des Kommentar §§ 343 – 382 HGB, in: Handelsgesetzbuch: HGB, herausgegeben von Prof. Dr. Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Ulrich Haas, Verlag Dr. Otto Schmidt, 6. Auflage 2023
- Coronavirus in Deutschland
- Bearbeitung des Kommentar §§ 343 – 381 HGB, in: HGB-Kommentar, herausgegeben von Prof. Dr. Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Ulrich Haas, Verlag Dr. Otto Schmidt, 5. Auflage 2019
- "Höchste Zeit" - Brexit-Studie zeigt, dass viele Untenehmen bislang eher wenig über den Brexit nachgedacht haben
- Brexit Survey
- Autonomes Fahren: Autohersteller forcieren Diskussion um neues Haftungsrecht
- Garantiebedingungen im Pkw-Vertrieb
- Bearbeitung des Kapitels Praxistipps Produkthaftung, in: Compliance in der Unternehmerpraxis, herausgegeben von Gregor Wecker & Bastian Ohl, Springer Gabler Verlag, 3. Auflage 2013
- Wenn Porsche nicht produzieren kann
- Business Law in Germany, Chapter 24, Product Liability
- Business Law in Germany, Chapter 16, Distribution Law
- Abhängigkeit der Garantiezusage von Wartungsobliegenheiten
- Biosprit – Viel Lärm um nichts?
- Schadensersatzansprüche in Dioxinskandal schwer durchsetzbar
- Der KFZ-Hersteller als privilegierter Garantiegeber?
- Compliance in der Unternehmerpraxis – Grundlagen, Organisation und Umsetzung
- Verbrauchsgüterkauf in Europa - ein Recht für alle?
- Die Rechte der Kunden
- Mitautor desWerkes Frankfurter Handbuch zum neuen Schuldrecht, herausgegeben von Roland Schimmel & Dirk Buhlmann, Hermann Luchterhand Verlag, 2002
Blog posts
Lectures
- 17.11.2022: unyer Commercial I Price Adjustments along the Supply Chain – Seller’s and Buyer’s Perspective
- 21.05.2019: Produkthaftung beim autonomen Fahren, it-symposium.ruhr
- 09.04.2019: BREXIT - Auswirkungen auf Unternehmenskäufe und gesellschaftsrechtliche Beziehungen, Netzwerke Familienunternehmen & Mittelstand und Internationaler Kreis
- 12.03.2019: Autonomes Fahren - ein neues Kapitel der Produkthaftung?, Qualität 2019 - Management Circle Konferenz
- 15.09.2014: Erzwungene Treue durch Fahrzeuggarantien?, ZDK Bundestagung
- 10.07.2014: Handelsvertreterrecht, Industrie- und Handelskammer Trier
- 18.03.2014: Customer satisfaction – chances and obstacles under law, Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) Warranty Managers Symposium
- 20.06.2012: Vertragsrecht für Nicht-Juristen, F.A.Z.-Institut Seminar
- 26.04.2012: Vertragsrecht für Nicht-Juristen, F.A.Z.-Institut Seminar
- 06.03.2012: Produkthaftung Aktuelle Rechtsgrundlage - Regress - Rückruf - Produktsicherheitsrecht, Creditreform Veranstaltung
- 22.09.2011: Vertragsrecht für Nicht-Juristen – Verträge sicher gestalten – Risiken vermeiden, F.A.Z.-Institut Seminare
- 29.03.2011: Vertragsrecht für Nicht-Juristen – Verträge sicher gestalten – Risiken vermeiden, F.A.Z.-Institut Seminare
- 17.11.2009: Vertragsrecht für Nicht-Juristen, Convent Seminare
Memberships
- Member of the Deutsche Institution für Schiedsgerichtbarkeit (DIS) e.V.
Dr Wulff-Axel Schmidt
Partner
Frankfurt a.M.
Wolfgang Liebau
Counsel
Dusseldorf
Volker Steimle
Partner
Cologne
Vanessa Meireles Schilling, LL.M. (Geneva MIDS)
Senior Associate
Hamburg
Dr Valerie Blettenberg
Associate
Munich
Dr Ulrich Philippi
Partner
Stuttgart
Timo Reckert
Associate
Hanover
Tim Rauschning
Partner
Hamburg
Thomas Weidlich, LL.M. (Hull)
Partner
Cologne
Dr Thomas Halberkamp
Partner
Hanover
Dr Thomas Hufnagel
Partner
Singapore
Dr Thomas Kuhnle
Partner
Stuttgart, London
Dr Thomas Schwieters
Associate
Hanover
Stephanie Quaß
Senior Associate
Frankfurt a.M.
Dr Stephan Bausch, D.U.
Partner
Cologne
Dr jur Stephan Götze
Partner
Berlin
Dr Steffen Gaber, LL.M. (Sydney)
Partner
Stuttgart
Sophia Meyer, Maître en Droit
Associate
Berlin
Severin Uhsler
Associate
Munich
Dr Sebastian Felix Janka, LL.M. (Stellenbosch)
Partner
Munich
Sebastian Wuschka LL.M. (Geneva MIDS)
Of Counsel
Hamburg
Dr Sandra Bausch
Senior Associate
Stuttgart
Samira Altdorf, LL.M. (Brussels School of Competition)
Senior Associate
Dusseldorf
Sabrina Aurnhammer
Associate
Munich
Dr Rut Herten-Koch, M.A.
Partner
Berlin
Dr Rolf Kobabe
Partner
Hamburg
Roberto Pirschel
Senior Associate
Leipzig
Prof. Dr Robert von Steinau-Steinrück
Partner
Berlin
Dr Robert Burkert
Senior Associate
Hamburg
Robert Schindler
Counsel
Essen
Dr Richard Happ
Partner
Hamburg
Reinhard Willemsen
Partner
Munich, Cologne
Rebecca Romig
Counsel
Frankfurt a.M.
Raphaël Schindler
Partner
Luxembourg
Quirin Wedel, LL.M. (London)
Associate
Hamburg
Paula Dresler
Associate
Berlin
Paul Schreiner
Partner
Cologne, Essen
Dr Paul Gooren, LL.M. (Chicago)
Partner
Berlin
Paul Herter
Senior Associate
Stuttgart
Patrick Vinson
Associate
Hanover
Ole-Jochen Melchior
Partner
Essen
Nina Klünker, LL.M. (KCL)
Associate
Berlin
Nicole Fröhlich
Partner
Frankfurt a.M.
Nele Wachholz
Associate
Hamburg
Mike Hillers
Associate
Hanover
Dr Michael Ebert
Counsel
Stuttgart
Michael Pfeiffer
Associate
Hamburg
Dr Melanie Verstege
Counsel
Essen
Mee Foo Moh
Of Counsel
Singapore
Dr Maximilian Dorndorf
Partner
Essen
Dr Maximilian Bahnsen
Associate
Hamburg
Maxim Oertel
Senior Associate
Berlin
Mathis Lorenzen, LL.M. (Stellenbosch)
Senior Associate
Stuttgart
Mathieu Laurent
Partner
Luxembourg
Dr Martin Kolmhuber
Counsel
Cologne
Marie Romero
Counsel
Luxembourg
Dr Maresa Hormes
Counsel
Essen
Dr Marcus Backes
Partner
Hamburg
Dr Marco Jerczynski
Counsel
Essen
Maike Böttcher
Associate
Hanover
Lutz Keller
Senior Associate
Cologne
Lukas Kirchhof, LL.M. (Hong Kong)
Senior Associate
Kuala Lumpur
Luisa Kramer
Associate
Hamburg
Ludger Gruber
Senior Associate
Dusseldorf
Luca Thönes, LL.M. (Miami)
Senior Legal Consultant
Hamburg
Liza Knecht
Associate
Leipzig
Linda Kirchhoff
Senior Associate
Munich
Lida Karra
Associate
Frankfurt a.M.
Leon Breiden
Associate
Cologne
Leif Dustin Schneider
Counsel
Ho Chi Minh City
Lasse Langfeldt, LL.M. (Uppsala), LL.M. (Brussels School of Competition)
Senior Associate
Brussels
Lars Bollensen
Partner
Hamburg
Lara Zölck
Associate
Berlin
Dr Kuuya Josef Chibanguza, LL.B.
Partner
Hanover
Klaus Thönißen, LL.M. (San Francisco)
Partner
Essen
Dr Klaus Schaffner
Partner
Leipzig
Kim Larissa Kähler, LL.B.
Associate
Hanover
Kerstin Belovitzer-Franz
Counsel
Stuttgart
Dr Kay Oelschlägel
Partner
Hamburg
Katharina Klenk-Wernitzki, Dipl. Reg.-Wiss
Partner
Berlin, Cologne
Katharina Müller-Ehrlichmann, LL.M. oec.
Partner
Cologne
Jutta Wittler
Partner
Cologne
Julie Schwarz, LL.M. (Georgetown)
Associate
Kuala Lumpur
Julian Monden
Senior Associate
Hanover
Julian Wantzen, LL.M. (Wellington)
Associate
Frankfurt a.M.
Dr Johannes Becker
Counsel
Cologne
Dr Johannes Teichmann
Partner
Frankfurt a.M.
Jette Gustafsson, LL.M. (Boston)
Partner
Hamburg
Jens-Uwe Heuer-James
Partner
Hanover
Jens Kaiser
Senior Associate
Leipzig
Dr Jannik Bel
Associate
Cologne
Jan-Christian Schmid
Senior Associate
Leipzig, Hamburg
Jan Zimmer
Senior Associate
Singapore
Jael Marquardt
Senior Associate
Frankfurt a.M.
Isabel Dorothee Ruhnke, LL.M.
Senior Associate
Berlin
Ingo Erberich
Partner
Cologne
Iman Bayrouti
Associate
Essen
Dr Helmut Janssen, LL.M. (King's College London)
Partner
Brussels, Dusseldorf
Dr Hans-Peter Hufschlag
Senior Associate
Hamburg
Prof. Dr Hans-Georg Hahn
Of Counsel
Hanover
Hannah-Laura Schütte
Senior Associate
Stuttgart, Dusseldorf
Hannah Aigner
Senior Associate
Munich
Gunnar Müller-Henneberg
Partner
Stuttgart
Guido Dornieden
Counsel
Cologne
Dr Gernot-Rüdiger Engel
Partner
Hamburg
Georg Scherpf
Partner
Hamburg
Dr Geert Johann Seelig
Partner
Hamburg
Dr Frederic Tewes
Senior Associate
Dusseldorf
Frank Gutsche
Partner
Stuttgart
Prof Dr Florian Schulz M.B.A. (Nimbas)
Partner
Hamburg
Felix Hielscher
Senior Associate
Stuttgart
Felix Imelmann
Associate
Leipzig
Fabienne Scharfe, LL.M. (Tulane, New Orleans)
Senior Associate
Hamburg
Fabien Benjamin Wehner, LL.M. (Stellenbosch)
Associate
Stuttgart
Elisabeth Kohoutek
Partner
Frankfurt a.M.
Elisa Röhr
Associate
Dusseldorf
Elena Recklin
Counsel
Frankfurt a.M.
Dr Eckart Petzold
Partner
Dusseldorf
Denis Miller
Associate
Berlin
Dr Delia Jusciak
Associate
Leipzig
David Bündgens
Senior Associate
Cologne
Dr David von Saucken, MJur (Oxon)
Partner
Berlin, London
Daniel Zintl
Partner
Leipzig
Daniel Latta
Partner
Berlin
Daniel Hilmer
Associate
Hamburg
Dr Christopher Borho
Associate
Stuttgart
Dr Christoph von Burgsdorff, LL.M. (Essex)
Partner
Hamburg
Christoph Schauenburg, LL.M. (London)
Partner
Frankfurt a.M.
Christina Göbel
Senior Associate
Hamburg
Christiane Kühn, LL.M. (Hong Kong)
Partner
Munich
Dr Christian Horn, LL.M. (Tulane)
Partner
Berlin
Christian Brauns
Counsel
Stuttgart
Prof. Dr Christian Burholt, LL.M.
Partner
Berlin
Carsten Andreas Senze
Partner
Stuttgart
Caroline Risse
Senior Associate
Berlin
Dr Boris Ober
Partner
Cologne
Dr Borbála Dux-Wenzel, LL.M.
Partner
Cologne
Dr Björn Simon
Partner
Frankfurt a.M.
Birgitta von Dresky
Partner
Singapore
Benjamin Schwenker
Counsel
Dusseldorf
Dr Benjamin Hub
Partner
Hamburg
Benedikt Stücker
Senior Associate
Hanover
Dr Barbara Schmidt
Partner
Leipzig
Axel Braun
Partner
Cologne
Dr Axel Mühl
Partner
Stuttgart
Dr Astrid Seehafer, M.Sc.
Partner
Berlin
Artur Winkler
Counsel
Hamburg
Anne Caroline Wegner, LL.M. (European University Institute)
Partner
Dusseldorf
Anna-Sophia Riebeling
Senior Associate
Frankfurt a.M.
Ann-Kristin Freiheit
Senior Associate
Dusseldorf
Dr Anika Wendelstein
Partner
Stuttgart
Dr Andreas Blunk, MLE
Partner
Hanover
Dr Andreas Kloyer
Partner
Frankfurt a.M., London
Dr Andreas Vath
Partner
Munich
Alexandra Gebauer
Associate
Munich
Alexander F. Liebing, LL.M.
Counsel
Leipzig
Achim Braner
Partner
Frankfurt a.M.