Who this review is for
This engagement is designed for managing directors, country leads and senior employees considering a German employment or service agreement. It is most useful before signature, while wording and economics can still be discussed.
What is examined
The review reads the agreement as a connected whole. It covers role and authority, place of work, fixed and variable remuneration, bonus discretion, benefits, inventions and confidentiality, notice, garden leave, release, severance language, clawbacks, post-contractual non-competes and dispute provisions.
Any separate bonus plan, equity document, side letter or existing employment restriction supplied with the agreement is considered for consistency. Tax advice, company-law due diligence, equity valuation and representation in court are not included; where those questions arise, we identify the need for a specialist.
What you receive
- A marked copy of the draft with concise comments beside the relevant clauses.
- A written issue map ranking points as essential, negotiable or informational.
- A 75-minute confidential consultation by video or at the Hamburg office.
- A short list of practical questions or wording requests to raise with the employer.
- One round of clarification by email within seven days of the meeting.
Working sequence
After an initial conflict check, you provide the complete draft and explain the role, expected start date and any points already agreed. The document review normally takes five to seven working days. Written observations arrive before the meeting so that discussion can focus on consequences and negotiation priorities.
Preparation and constraints
Please send legible, complete documents and identify any deadline. German and English contracts are accepted; the consultation and written summary are in English. Advice is based on the material supplied and the law applicable at the review date. Employer-side negotiation or correspondence can be scoped separately.
Fee
Fees start at €1,450 including VAT for one agreement of up to 35 pages plus a standard bonus plan. Complex equity arrangements, several related contracts or a turnaround under three working days require a written estimate before work begins.