Services
Spectre advises on all relevant areas of commercial law.
We assist our clients with legal issues relating to day-to-day business as well as transactions, financing issues and other special corporate situations. The core of our expertise is corporate start-up advice, from foundation to exit.
In all of the above-mentioned areas of law, we will of course also represent your interests assertively and consistently in court proceedings.
Corporate Law | M&A | Venture Capital
Spectre supports companies, founders and investors in all matters relating to corporate law – from formation and ongoing corporate housekeeping to restructuring and joint ventures. We also assist you with M&A and venture capital transactions, including financing – pragmatically, economically and with a view to legally compliant implementation.
Details
Formation of partnerships and corporations
We support our clients in selecting and implementing the appropriate corporate form for them. This includes both partnerships and corporations.
Corporate Housekeeping
Spectre advises on all corporate housekeeping issues. This includes, for example, support in the preparation and implementation of shareholders' and general meetings, the dismissal and appointment of managing directors, authorised signatories, board members or supervisory board members or the registration of relevant information in the commercial register.
Capital, reorganisation and structuring measures
In addition, we advise on all capital, reorganisation and structuring measures in order to adapt your company to the economic circumstances in the best possible way. This includes, in particular, changing the company form, adjusting the share capital and mergers or reorganisations in accordance with the German Reorganisation Act (UmwG).
Joint ventures
In the context of business development, it can be beneficial to join forces with other companies to achieve specific goals in order to utilise potential synergies. In this context, we support our clients in structuring, contract negotiations and subsequent implementation.
Shareholder and investment agreements
Shareholder and investment agreements are an important instrument for start-ups in particular to involve investors in their company. We support you in particular in negotiating and concluding agreements with potential investors.
Cash pooling
Cash pooling is an effective way of ensuring the distribution of financial resources within a group. We are happy to support you in establishing a cash pool and providing ongoing support.
Advising shareholders and corporate bodies
As a managing director or executive body of a company, you have special rights and obligations which may lead to liability. Spectre offers you effective, economically oriented advice to minimise your liability risks. Our advice also covers litigation.
Venture Capital
As young companies, it is particularly relevant for our clients to secure sufficient financial resources. This can be achieved through venture capital. We provide you with comprehensive advice during all financing phases (e.g. pre-seed and seed financing).
Corporate and acquisition financing
In order to secure the financing of your company or your transaction, we are happy to support you in structuring, organising and implementing national and international equity or debt financing.
Within the scope of company law, we also offer ongoing advice in the form of an external legal department/legal as a service.
Real estate law
In the real estate sector, we advise on the entire life cycle of your property.
Details
Property and share purchase agreements
We advise on all issues relating to property and share purchase agreements. This includes the structuring, negotiation and implementation of the property or share purchase agreement.
Property transactions incl. portfolio transactions
Our lawyers have in-depth knowledge of property transactions. We support our clients in approaching potential buyers/sellers, drafting a letter of intent, carrying out due diligence, negotiating and drafting the purchase agreement documents and implementing the purchase/sale. Our range of advisory services also includes transactions in the form of forward deals or sale and lease back transactions.
Residential and commercial tenancy law
We are happy to advise you on all questions of tenancy law, in particular commercial tenancy law. This includes advising commercial tenants or landlords.
Leasehold law
Advice on leasehold law includes in particular the drafting of lease agreements, the ongoing updating and enforcement of your claims arising from and in connection with lease agreements.
Private construction and architectural law
In private construction and architectural law, we advise both clients and contractors on issues relating to the drafting of contracts, in particular the drafting of general contractor agreements, during the ongoing construction project in order to minimise the risks for all parties involved or to settle disputes relating to the construction as efficiently as possible.
Within the scope of property law, we also offer ongoing advice in the form of an external legal department/legal as a service.
Data protection and artificial intelligence (AI)
Spectre provides comprehensive advice on data protection – from the practical implementation of the GDPR to the legally compliant design of data protection-related processes and documents. We also support companies in the use of AI tools, particularly with regard to obligations and classification under the EU AI Act, to ensure that innovation and compliance go hand in hand.
Details
Data protection regulations
Compliance with data protection regulations is essential for business success. We will be happy to advise you on all related issues.
Declarations of consent
In order to be able to collect and use data from your customers and business partners, it may be necessary to obtain the consent of the person concerned. We will be happy to support you in drafting the relevant documents.
Enquiries from affected parties
The statutory regulations on data protection grant data subjects far-reaching rights vis-à-vis companies. We are happy to assist our clients in answering the relevant enquiries.
Acquisition and sale of data
If you acquire or sell data as part of your business activities, we will be happy to advise you on how to do this in a legally compliant manner.
Order processing contracts
Contract data processing is also regulated under the EU GDPR. We will be happy to draw up the necessary contractual documents and implement them so that you fulfil the requirements of the EU GDPR at all times.
Assertion and defence of data protection claims
Under the EU GDPR, data subjects are entitled to information rights as well as claims for damages in the event of a breach of the legal requirements. If claims are asserted against you, we will be happy to check these for you and, if necessary, take over the necessary defence.
Advice on artificial intelligence issues; in particular in connection with the EU AI Act
The EU AI Act regulates various obligations for companies that use AI tools as part of their business activities. We are happy to support you with the categorisation or implementation of AI tools in your company.
Within the scope of data protection law, we also offer ongoing advice in the form of an external legal department/legal as a service.
Contract law | Commercial law | Dispute resolution
Spectre supports you in contract and commercial law, from strategic contract drafting and negotiations to legally compliant implementation. Whether general terms and conditions, commercial and cooperation agreements or NDAs: we create clear regulations, minimise risks and represent your interests, even in the event of a dispute.
Details
Contract drafting, incl. contract negotiations
In everyday business life, it is essential to set out agreements with your business partners in a contract in order to minimise the risks for all parties involved. We are happy to assist you in negotiating, drafting and concluding all contracts, such as purchase, works or service contracts, which you require in the course of your business activities.
Drafting of general terms and conditions
General terms and conditions form the basis of everyday business. We will be happy to support you in the creation and ongoing updating of your general terms and conditions and defend your claims in the event of disputes in connection with your general terms and conditions.
Commercial contracts
By concluding a commercial agreement, you lay the foundation for cooperation with national and international partners. Spectre will be happy to advise you on the drafting process, particularly with regard to potential disputes at a later date.
Co-operation agreements
In order to regulate cooperation with other entrepreneurs, it is essential to set out the rights and obligations of the parties involved in a contract. We are happy to assist you in negotiating and drafting the relevant agreements.
Non-Disclosure Agreements
The protection of trade secrets, business models, or other internal information is of utmost importance for the commercial success of our clients. To ensure confidentiality, it is advisable to conclude appropriate confidentiality agreements with third parties.
Within the scope of contract and commercial law, we also offer ongoing advice in the form of an external legal department / legal as a service.
labour law
Spectre advises on all matters relating to employment law. We support you in all individual and collective employment law issues, take on litigation in an assertive and professional manner, and represent your interests consistently.
individual labour law
Individual labour law poses numerous challenges for start-ups and companies, from drafting contracts and dealing with employee rights to terminating employment relationships. In particular, we support you in the following key areas of day-to-day business practice:
Details
managing director employment contract
Managing directors and board members occupy a special position within a company, as they are not generally subject to labour law. This results in significant differences from traditional employment contracts, particularly in terms of protection against dismissal, liability and remuneration structures. The employment contract plays a central role in protecting your legal and economic interests. It opens up numerous options that Spectre makes targeted use of, for example to optimally implement protection against dismissal, liability limitations and sensible severance payment arrangements.
Working hours and time recording
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG), employers are obliged to record their employees' working hours. This is becoming increasingly important, particularly due to European case law. We are happy to advise you on all questions relating to working hours and working time recording.
whistleblowing
A report can have significant personal consequences. For this reason, the Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG) aims to provide comprehensive legal protection for whistleblowers who draw attention to abuses or legal violations. Nevertheless, uncertainties remain, as reporting misconduct is often associated with social exclusion, career setbacks or other disadvantages. Spectre ensures that your interests are protected before other parties involved create facts.
non-competition clauses
Post-contractual non-competition clauses make the next career step more difficult, especially for executives and board members. Whether you are legally entitled to compensation for non-competition or not, Spectre reviews and negotiates fair terms so that you remain legally secure and professionally flexible.
protection against dismissal
In cases of unfair dismissal claims against ordinary dismissals, extraordinary dismissals, fixed-term contracts expiring, termination agreements or the fulfilment of a condition subsequent, companies usually face high costs. Spectre represents your interests in a professional and goal-oriented manner.
collective labour law
We provide focused and solution-oriented support in regulating the relationship between employers and employee representative bodies with the aim of legally organising the rights and obligations of the parties to the employment contract at a collective level, thereby ensuring fair working conditions and democratic co-determination. The following collective bargaining issues are of particular importance in this context:
Details
Remuneration Transparency Directive
„Equal pay for equal work or work of equal value“ – sounds fair in theory, but is difficult to implement in practice. Directive (EU) 2023/970 (EU Pay Transparency Directive) will set new standards for transparent and gender-neutral remuneration structures that will be mandatory for companies from January 2026. The aim is to eliminate the pay gap that still exists between women and men. Spectre provides you with expert support in implementing the directive in your company, gives you concise advice on your obligations and provides practical recommendations for action.
employee data protection
Data protection is a challenging and delicate task. In particular, employee data usually accounts for the majority of a company's data and is generally very sensitive or confidential. Employee data protection is largely defined by case law. We prepare this case law for you, explain its significance for your company and provide reliable support with implementation.
Evidence Act
The conclusion of an employment contract is subject to certain formal requirements. The German Employment Evidence Act (NachwG) describes what employers must take into account in this regard. Spectre provides you with expert advice on all legal issues relating to the NachwG.
employee participation
Are you currently setting up a business or looking to expand your team with the aim of building a motivated, committed and long-term team, or convincing them that employment is worthwhile? Especially in the early stages, when high salaries often cannot yet be paid, share ownership schemes can be an attractive option for motivating employees in the long term and retaining them in the company. Models such as ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) or VSOP (Virtual Stock Option Plan) enable financial participation in the company's success and thus promote commitment and loyalty. To help you make the best possible decision for your company and team, Spectre provides comprehensive advice on all questions relating to share ownership schemes.
Works constitution law and works council
Spectre provides effective, solution-oriented support to works councils in enforcing their comprehensive rights to influence, as well as in negotiating and drafting works agreements. Only cooperation based on partnership between employers and works councils can secure the rights of employees and contribute to conflict-free coexistence within the company.
We also provide support in all areas of employment law as an external legal department and as part of our Legal as a Service (LaaS) services.
Employment law — ContactSpectre legal
Your external legal department
Direct, effective and cost-efficient.
In order to support you even more effectively, cost-efficiently and directly in your everyday business activities, Spectre will be happy to act as your external legal department at your request. As your external legal department, we are integrated into your company and are available to assist you with all legal issues relating to your everyday business activities.
Among other things, our solicitors have gained several years of experience in the legal departments of a wide variety of companies, from start-ups to international corporations. Thanks to this experience, we can support you both in the short term when you are facing bottlenecks and in the long term when you are setting up a legal department.
Please contact us. We will provide you with a quote tailored to your needs.
Legal Department — Contact
