Photo, Prof. Dr. Jörg (Joerg) Risse LL.M.

Prof. Dr. Jörg (Joerg) Risse LL.M.

Partner
Baker McKenzie Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH von Rechtsanwälten und Steuerberatern

Biography

Joerg Risse is widely recognized as one of Germany's leading arbitration lawyers (Chambers Global, Juve, Legal 500, Who's Who Legal). In 2025, the German weekly “Wirtschaftswoche” considered him arbitration counsel in Germany (Legal All Stars, Rank 1). Being double-qualified as an attorney-at-law in Germany and in New York (USA), he represents his clients in international arbitration proceedings under the rules of all major institutions. Joerg Risse is one of Germany's most-in-demand arbitrators (Chambers Global, Juve); as a result, his clients also benefit from his judiciary "outlook" on a case. Joerg Risse teaches dispute resolution and advocacy skills at the University of Mannheim and at Humboldt-University, Berlin.

Practice Focus

Joerg Risse focuses on corporate law and post-merger & acquisition disputes, in particular on price adjustment claims, accounting and tax related disputes and reps & warranty claims. His second main area of practice are disputes related to large infrastructure projects such as power plants, airports, offshore wind farms and public transport projects. Most of his clients are companies form the energy, chemical, automotive and pharmaceutical industry. Joerg Risse has special expertise in ADR proceedings where he advises his clients in settlement negotiations, mediation and adjudication proceedings.

Representative Legal Matters

  • Lead counsel in a shareholder dispute about the dissolution of a joint venture in the gas industry (DIS arbitration, > EUR 100 mio.)

  • Lead counsel for a German utility company in a dispute about the construction of a power plant (DIS arbitration, > EUR 1 billion)

  • Lead counsel for a German multinational in a shareholder dispute related to the privatization of airports (ICC arbitration, > EUR 50 mio.)

  • Lead counsel in a major dispute about damage claims related to tax fraud schemes (state court litigation,> EUR 100 mio.)

  • Presiding arbitrator in a DIS arbitration about a failed German/Chinese partnership in the pharmaceutical industry

  • Presiding arbitrator in an ICC arbitration about a post-M&A dispute related to an indemnification clause for environmental damages

  • Mediator in dispute between US Multinational vs German Multinational (Automotive Industry) over long term supply agreement, amount in dispute >EUR 300 mio.; case settled

  • Mediator in a USD 70 million, post-M&A dispute between a US multinational and an Italian company, case settled

  • Mediator in an employer vs. trade union conflict resulting in major strikes, case settled

  • Mediator in a patent law dispute between two multinationals in the chemical industry, case settled

Professional Honors

  • Elite Tier 1, Arbitration Counsel and Most Demand Arbitrator (“phenomenal”, “just fantastic”, “number one arbitration counsel in Germany”), Chambers Global 2025
  • Leading Name - Counsel and Arbitrator (“Excellent Mediator”), JUVE Handbook 2025
  • Leading Partners, Legal 500 (2025)
  • Thought Leader Arbitration, Who is Who Legal (2025)
  • Top Ten Arbitrator, JUVE 2024
  • Rank 1 – Legal All Stars (Arbitration), WirtschaftsWoche 2025

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Association Suisse de l'Arbitrage - Member
  • German American Lawyers Association (DAJV) - Member
  • German Institution of Arbitration (DIS) - Member

Admissions

  • New York~United States (1999)
  • Germany (1997)

Education

  • University of Heidelberg (Dr. iur.) (1997)
  • University of California, Berkeley School of Law (LL.M.) (1997)
  • University of Heidelberg (State Exam.) (1993)
  • Certified Banking Trainee (1989)

Languages

  • English
  • German

Editor

  • “M&A and Corporate Finance von A – Z,“ 4th edition
    (editor / co-author with F. Kästle, M. Töke) Publishing House: Verlag C.H. Beck, Munich 2025

  • “The Complete but Unofficial Guide to the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot,” 8th edition
    (editor / co-author with M. Altenkirch, R. Harbst, A. Keilmann, L. Reiser) Publishing House: Verlag C.H. Beck, Munich 2025

  • “Wirtschaftsmediation,” 2nd edition
    Publishing House: Verlag C.H. Beck, Munich 2022, hardback, 678 pages

  • “Prozessrisikoanalyse”
    (editor / co-author with M. Morawietz) Publishing House: Verlag C.H. Beck, Munich 2017

  • “SchiedsVZ – Zeitschrift für Schiedsverfahren / German Arbitration Journal"
    (editor-in-chief since start in 2003 to date)