OLIVER SCHNEIDER
Partner, lawyer
Specialist lawyer
Labour law
Commercial and company law
+49 751 8880–30
+49 751 8880–33
schneider@wagner-rae.de
Fields of expertise
The working environment is changing. And labour law along with it. Globalisation, digitalisation and increasingly more dynamic markets require structural changes in businesses. New employment models arise, and business processes must be organised differently. Flexibility is crucial. Thanks to extensive industry knowledge, we understand the concerns of our clients and develop practical legal solutions for all kinds of operational tasks.
Our firm supports you in your business dealings with forward-looking legal advice and clear recommendations for action alongside your business goals. We advise employers and employees in all matters related to labour law that arise from the establishment up to the termination of an employment relationship — including the drafting of employment and severance agreements, as well as warnings and dismissals. The know-how of our specialised lawyers and specialist lawyers covers the entire spectrum of individual labour law and collective labour law.
Our key services in labour law
- Drafting and reviewing of labour contracts, dismissals and severance agreements
- Setting of time limits on labour contracts
- Development of flexible working time models and remuneration systems, part-time arrangements
- Operational pension schemes
- Advice on restructuring and changes in business operations
- Reconciliation of interests and social compensation plan negotiations
- Negotiations with works councils including conciliation and decision-making procedures
- Representation in labour law proceedings, process management before labour and civil courts
Company law-related matters, such as those that arise in the founding, reorganisation and dissolution of businesses, have long played a central role in our day-to-day counselling practice. Experience makes the difference: processes in business development are complex and require special knowledge of both the legal and economic relationships.
Through specialist lawyer-related specialisation in commercial and company law, as well as further relevant legal fields, you are in good hands with us as a business owner in every respect. Our firm fully supports you in all legal matters of business development and operational day-to-day business. We represent you both extrajudicially and in judicial proceedings.
We even support you in the purchase and sale of commercial transactions, businesses and shareholdings, as well as in the procurement of capital. We are also happy to assist you in Commercial Register registration and deregistration formalities.
Our key services in company law
- Advice on choice of legal structure and company incorporation
- Advice on structuring matters related to incorporated companies (GmbH, AG) and partnerships (GbR, StGes, OHG, KG)
- Assistance in processes of transformation (restructuring and reorganisation through mergers, splitting, changes in legal form or transfer of assets)
- Amendments to bylaws
- Notarisation of shareholder resolutions
- Advice on capital measures and initial public offerings, acquisition and divestiture of company shares
- Liquidation and dissolution of the company
- Registration in the Commercial Register and Register of Associations
- Commercial Register powers of attorney
Globalisation and digitisation have immensely changed the requirements in trade. Intensified competition, worldwide movement of goods and data, as well as complicated legal frameworks require carefully designed distribution systems and contractual arrangements. We help our clients to compete on the dynamic markets, to act in compliance with the law, and to successfully further develop their business models.
From our day-to-day work, we know the processes in commercial enterprises in many different sectors and identify with the economic objectives of our clients. Our specialist lawyers in commercial and company law are experienced practitioners who are both familiar with the purchase and supply relationships between businesses at different trade levels and with those of end customers.
We support you with competent advice throughout the entire value-added chain, undertake contractual arrangements, assert your claims or defend against unjustified claims. Depending on the issue, our specialised lawyers in antitrust, trademark and competition law, as well as those in IT law and data protection, are happy to be at your disposal.
Our key services in commercial law
- Advice on the building, expansion and restructuring of distribution systems
- Drafting and settlement of distribution contracts (agency contracts, distributor agreements, franchise contracts)
- Licensing agreements, cooperation and quality assurance agreements
- Procuration and powers of attorney
- Drafting and reviewing of general terms and conditions, conditions of purchase and terms of delivery
- Advice and representation in warranty and liability issues
- Defence against and enforcement of claims (acceptance criteria, liability for defects, product liability, contractual penalties)
An agency is an independent trader that continually works for a contractor and that facilitates or concludes business on their behalf. A multitude of problems can arise both in the execution and the termination of a commercial agent relationship.
Our firm offers you advice on the entire area of commercial agency law and has the expertise to calculate claims for compensation according to § 89 b of the German Commercial Code (HGB). Where necessary, we will represent you in enforcing your claims and in defending against alleged counterclaims before the responsible courts.
Our key services in commercial agency law
- Right to issue instructions to representatives or agents
- Sales agent commissions (generation; non-execution of transactions; after termination)
- Settlement of commissions
- Book excerpts
- Initial and follow-up agreements
- Non-competition clauses
- Dismissals of agents
Several employees of our firm specialise in the collection of debts. They always look for the quickest and most cost-effective means of claiming your debts. After the successful obtaining of a title, we also undertake foreclosure proceedings for you, so that you not only possess a piece of paper (the ruling) as a result, but also receive your money.
The rapid increase in Internet commerce has heightened the importance of competition law for private individuals.
Our core advisory service lies in the area of law against unfair competition (German UWG). Numerous consumers have already made the “acquaintance” of the UWG under the key word “warning”.
We not only point out the legal options you have to protect yourself against unjustified warnings, but also explain to you when you can personally enforce an injunction.
Our key services in competition law
- Judicial enforcement of injunctions, especially enactment and defence of interim injunctions
- Reviewing of competition law-related actions such as advertising, discounts, extras or other sales promotion measures
Civil law governs the legal relationships between private individuals and businesses. Regulations on civil law are notably found in the German Civil Code (BGB). Various special regulations also exist, such as in the German Commercial Code.
We enforce your claims out of court and represent you in judicial proceedings, to obtain a so-called title (such as a ruling). In cases of foreclosure, we help you to successfully enforce legally established claims.
Our key services in civil law
- Right to impose contractual and legal obligations, especially general contract law, sales law and work and services contract law
- Right to claim for compensation in rights violations arising from unlawful action (in the case of damage by third parties)
- Right to the return of assets (unjustified enrichment, claims for surrender of ownership, etc.)
- Claims for the removal or omission of damages (such as in the case of defamation or neighbour law)
Professional background
- Studied law at the Universities of Tübingen and Freiburg
- State Examination in Law, 1992 in Freiburg
- Legal internship with a focus on studying labour and social security law at the University of Konstanz
- Second State Examination in Law, 1995 in Ravensburg
- Lawyer in Ravensburg since 1995
- Specialist lawyer in labour law since 2002
- Specialist lawyer in commercial and company law since 2012
Offices and memberships
- Long career as a visiting lecturer, lecturer and member of audit committees
- Lecturer for in-house training in companies and associations
- City Council of Ravensburg
- Member of the Administrative and Economic Committees
- Member of the foundation board of the Sonja Reischmann Foundation
- 5th honorary deputy mayor of the city of Ravensburg

OLIVER SCHNEIDER
Partner, lawyer
Specialist lawyer
Labour law
Commercial and company law
+49 751 8880–30
+49 751 8880–33
schneider@wagner-rae.de