Driven by Excellence

Cross-Border Expertise Across Practice Areas

40+
Lawyers

across 8 Practice Groups

125+
Professionals

across 3 Offices

ABOUT SCHLUN & ELSEVEN

Lawyers for Private & Business Clients

Trusted Advice. Proven Results.

Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte is a full-service law firm with offices in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Aachen. From these offices we advise and represent businesses and private clients throughout Germany as well as in complex cross-border matters.

With more than 40 lawyers across eight specialised practice groups, we combine deep subject-matter expertise with an interdisciplinary approach. Our teams work closely together, which allows us to develop solutions even where a matter touches several areas of law at once.

Legal Precision. Strategic Thinking.

Our clients particularly value our combination of legal excellence, strategic insight, and solution-oriented advice.

Domestic and international matters are handled by experienced lawyers who explain legal challenges clearly and resolve them for the long term.

OUR LEGAL SERVICES

Specialist Advice.

Connected Approach.

Our lawyers advise businesses and private individuals on a broad range of legal matters. Through our specialised practice groups we consolidate expertise in each field and deliver well-founded, practical advice.

At the same time, our clients benefit from the close cooperation between our teams. This produces solutions that also do justice to complex matters spanning several areas of law.

Whether your matter involves commercial law, international issues, immigration, or private wealth and family affairs – our clients receive legal advice from a single source.

From out-of-court structuring and strategic advice through to determined enforcement before authorities and courts, we support clients throughout Germany and in cross-border matters.

Choose Your Area of Expertise

Specialised Legal Services for Private Individuals and Businesses

For Private Clients

Immigration &
Citizenship Law

Legal advice for matters with an international dimension – discreet, strategic, and results-oriented.

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Family, Succession &
Wealth Planning

Discreet, tailored legal advice for high-net-worth individuals and families.

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Employment Law for Executives &
Expats

Advice and representation in all employment law matters for employers, employees, executives, and expatriates.

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Criminal Defence &
Extradition Law

Strategic criminal defence and preventive compliance advice for businesses and private individuals.

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Litigation &
International Disputes

Experienced representation before state courts and arbitral tribunals worldwide.

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Real Estate Law

Legal advice throughout every stage of real estate transactions, construction projects, and tenancy disputes.

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Private Wealth &
Family Office

Comprehensive legal advice for high-net-worth individuals, families, and family offices.

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Reputation Management &
Personality Rights

Strategic legal advice on protecting reputation, privacy, and personal rights.

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For Business Clients

Employment Law &
Global Mobility

Employment law and global mobility for internationally operating businesses.

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Corporate &
Compliance

Legal support for corporate governance, compliance, and strategic development.

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Contracts &
International Business

Drafting secure contracts and business relationships – domestic and international.

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Dispute Resolution &
Litigation

Strategic representation in commercial disputes and international proceedings.

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White-Collar Crime &
Internal Investigations

Defence and advice in white-collar crime and criminal tax matters.

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Real Estate &
Commercial Lease Law

Legal advice for real estate projects, transactions, and commercial tenancies.

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International Tax
& Customs Law

Advice on tax, customs, and cross-border flows of goods and business.

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Trademarks, Competition &
Intellectual Property

Protecting and enforcing trademarks, ideas, and competitive positions.

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Choose Your Area of Expertise

Specialised Legal Services for Private Individuals and Businesses

Who are you seeking advice for?

Additional Areas of Practice

In addition, we advise clients across a wide range of specialised legal disciplines.

Samir Muratovic and Laura-Akofa Kalipé
Inside SE Cologne
Office photograph
Inside the firm
Schlun & Elseven team
INTERNATIONALLY CONNECTED

Schlun & Elseven is a Member of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms

Primerus is an international network of carefully selected independent law firms committed to the highest standards of quality, integrity, professionalism, and excellent client service.

For our clients this means that international and cross-border matters can be handled even more efficiently from a single source – with Schlun & Elseven as the central point of contact and a proven worldwide network of reliable firms.

Global Network. Local Support. One Trusted Point of Contact.

Global Network

Part of a carefully selected network of independent law firms worldwide.

Cross-Border Expertise

We combine legal expertise with local knowledge across different jurisdictions.

Trusted Point of Contact

A reliable partner who takes overall responsibility for your matter.

Legal News

Stay informed about the latest legal developments with Schlun & Elseven

Contact Us

Legal Representation Throughout Germany

Please use the form below to tell us about your legal matter. Once we receive your enquiry, we will provide a short initial assessment based on the information you give us and send you a fee quote.

24/7+49 221 93295960Available around the clock in urgent cases
LIVE - Contact Form 001 ENGL
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Legal Advice Throughout Germany

You can also reach us directly using the contact details below.

What Our Clients Say About Us

Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte4.9
Based on 1282 reviews
homa Y.
19 hours ago
I had a very positive experience with Schlun & Elseven, and especially with Mr. Christos Sotiri. I was facing a very serious issue with my student residence permit, with a short deadline and a lot of uncertainty. Mr. Christos Sotiri was both empathetic and realistic about my situation. He did not give me false hope, but explained the possibilities by considering all my documents. He was always responsive and kept me updated throughout the process. Fortunately, the case was ultimately resolved successfully, and I renewed my residence permit. I also found the whole team at Schlun & Elseven very professional and organized. I am grateful for the help during such a stressful time in my life.
Sion V.
3 days ago
My initial consultation with Mr. Christos Sotiri regarding German immigration was very insightful and helpful. I am fully confident pursuing further legal support with Mr. Sotiri and Schlun & Elseven and would highly recommend their services.
Anonymous P.
1 week ago
Schlun & Elseven have been great. I used them for my German citizenship and they were fantastic. Safa Al Hayek and Dania Höltershinken were both amazing. They are helpful, polite and always answer your questions quickly. I don’t think I would have been able to get my documents or citizenship without their help. I also got them to do an application for a family member, as I was pleased with their professionalism. They were able to get documents for me and made the process efficient and easy. I also had peace of mind that everything in my application was correct. The support staff are lovely and very helpful too. I am very pleased that I used Schlun & Elseven and would highly recommend them.
Brittany S.
2 weeks ago
Julie Schaefer was absolutely wonderful to work with! She and her team were so patient with me and walked me through everything I’d need for the application, and they put up with all my check ins and were so reassuring! Working with Schlun & Elseven was the right choice, and their guidance was invaluable. I owe my citizenship to them, and I recommend anyone getting their German citizenship to work with them.
Vivek C.
2 weeks ago
Very thankful to Schlun & Elseven Lawyers for the informative overview provided on a range of options as desired regarding relocation to Germany. Mr Christos Sotiri was excellent and very thorough in his legal advice, answering all questions clearly and comprehensively. Vielen Dank!
Bob H.
4 weeks ago
Алекс Н.
4 weeks ago
Хочу порекомендовать своего прекрасного адвоката фрау Ребекку Балтумайт.Она не просто профессионал своего дела,но и прекрасный человек, который заботится о своих клиентах.От всего сердца желаю ей карьерных высот.С уважением,Александра Мазур
arijus A.
1 month ago
Ich kann die Kanzlei Schlun & Elseven und ganz besonders Frau Rechtsanwältin Safa Al Hayek von Herzen weiterempfehlen. Mein Einbürgerungsverfahren hatte sich zuvor fast zwei Jahre hingezogen. Mit meinem vorherigen Anwalt war ich leider sehr unzufrieden, da meine E-Mails kaum beantwortet wurden und ich dadurch viel Zeit verloren habe. In dieser Zeit war ich oft unsicher und wusste nicht, wie es mit meinem Verfahren weitergehen würde. Nachdem ich mich an Schlun & Elseven gewandt hatte, hat sich Frau Al Hayek sofort persönlich und engagiert um meinen Fall gekümmert. Mein Verfahren war kompliziert, und sogar ein Ministerium war involviert. Trotzdem hat sie alle notwendigen Stellen kontaktiert, sich zuverlässig um alles gekümmert und mein Verfahren innerhalb von etwa zwei Monaten erfolgreich zum Abschluss gebracht. Am 02.09.2026 wurde ich schließlich eingebürgert. Dieser Tag bedeutet mir sehr viel, und ich bin Frau Al Hayek für ihre Unterstützung und ihren Einsatz wirklich von Herzen dankbar. Bei ihr hatte ich jederzeit das Gefühl, nicht allein zu sein und eine kompetente Anwältin an meiner Seite zu haben. Vielen herzlichen Dank an Frau Al Hayek und die gesamte Kanzlei für die großartige Unterstützung. Ich wünsche Ihnen weiterhin viel Erfolg und kann die Kanzlei uneingeschränkt weiterempfehlen!
Ayla I.
1 month ago
Excellent experience with Sabrina at Schlun & Elseven for the obtaining of my Aufenthaltskaarte. We were able to successfully obtain the visa from within Germany, without needing to return to my home country at any stage. Trusting her expertise saved us from being apart for months, as well as a huge amount in travel costs and additional expenses. We could not recommend Sabrina enough. Thank you!
Rudy M.
2 months ago
Working with Schlun & Elseven to resolve my passport issue was a pleasure. I never had a problem with immediate answers to any questions I had. Mr. Hofer was a true and cordial professional. I wish there more people like him.
Tania B.
2 months ago
We are so very grateful to Schlun & Elseven for the incredible service they've provided - navigated the arduous process of acquiring German citizenship as South Africans. Professional, attentive and very patient with us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
James John G.
2 months ago
I was keen to explore German Citizenship following Brexit. I’d seen many ads on Facebook from UK companies offering services to assist with the application process. The services were inexpensive - but I was not tempted as I reasoned it would make more sense to use a German Law Firm with experience of dealing with German Authorities. So I finally settled on Schlun & Elseven and expanded the brief by including my twin brother. S&E guided us through the application process (we were based in UK) which while time consuming was fairly straight forward. Once S&E had submitted our application they warned it would take 2 years before our application would be considered. During this time S&E chased and prodded the Authorities to keep pressure on our application. Late in the day we were asked for additional information most of which was easy to provide with on big exception - the Authorities wanted Police Certificates of Good Conduct for all the countries I had lived in for the last 20 years! My job had taken me around some of the least developed countries in the world (Libya Cambodia Indonesia included) which made this task nigh on impossible. I even believed that the application may fail because of this. However S&E reasoned with the Authorities that because of the difficulties in dealing with these countries an affidavit declaring no criminal records would suffice which the Authorities accepted. Within one month of clearing this hurdle my brother and I received our Certificates of German Citizenship. Danke Schön S&E.
mohankumar T.
2 months ago
Working with Schlun & Elseven was the best decision I could have made for my legal matter. From our very first consultation, Mr Weckenbrock demonstrated deep expertise, exceptional professionalism, and a genuine commitment to my case. He made me feel supported, protected, and heard throughout the entire process. I cannot recommend Schlun & Elseven highly enough.
Tolga I.
2 months ago
Excellent experience with Schlun & Elseven Lawyers. Professional, efficient, and highly supportive throughout my German immigration process. Special thanks to Mr. Samir Muratovic for his exceptional dedication, responsiveness, and result-oriented approach. His guidance made the whole process much easier and gave me great confidence. Highly recommended.
Sevda M.
3 months ago
Ein großes Dankeschön an Frau Winstroth von Schlun & Elseven. Danke dafür, dass Sie mir zugehört, meine Sorgen ernst genommen und sich so toll für mich eingesetzt haben. Danke dafür, dass Sie immer transparent und vor allem zuverlässig waren. Dank Ihres Einsatzes und Ihrer Erfahrung, dürfen meine Familie und ich endlich umziehen. Ich kann Sie und Ihre Kanzlei nur wärmstens empfehlen!
Ben Rejeb M.
3 months ago
Ich kann die Kanzlei Schlun & Elseven in Düsseldorf, insbesondere Herrn Rechtsanwalt Maximilian Hofer, uneingeschränkt empfehlen. Herr Hofer hat mich während meines gesamten Einbürgerungsverfahrens hervorragend begleitet. Er war jederzeit erreichbar, hat mich regelmäßig über den aktuellen Stand informiert und sich mit großem Engagement für meine Angelegenheit eingesetzt. Auch bei Rückfragen der Behörde hat er schnell und kompetent reagiert und immer eine passende Lösung gefunden. Dank seiner professionellen Unterstützung konnte mein Einbürgerungsverfahren erfolgreich abgeschlossen werden. Ich habe mich während der gesamten Zeit sehr gut betreut und beraten gefühlt. Vielen Dank an Herrn Hofer und das gesamte Team für die ausgezeichnete Zusammenarbeit. Ich empfehle die Kanzlei gerne weiter.
Tonmoy D.
3 months ago
I applied for my permanent residence permit in Germany at the end of last year, but the whole case turned out to be much more complicated than I had expected. The immigration office initially refused to properly consider my application and repeatedly asked me to withdraw it. That was when I reached out to Schlun & Elseven. Christos Sotiri helped me throughout the entire process, handled all communication with the immigration office, and prepared the legal correspondence on my behalf. After months of back and forth, the immigration office reconsidered my case, and my permanent residence permit was approved. It was a long and hectic journey, but in the end everything worked out. Thank you very much for all your support throughout the process!
B. A.
3 months ago
Ich bin mit der Kanzlei Schlun & Elseven und ganz besonders mit Frau Rechtsanwältin Römer von Herzen zufrieden. Ich habe die Kanzlei bei meinem Einbürgerungsantrag beauftragt. Frau Römer hat mich während des gesamten Verfahrens äußerst kompetent, zuverlässig und mit großem Engagement begleitet. Ihre professionelle Unterstützung, ihre freundliche Art und ihre schnelle Kommunikation haben mir viel Sicherheit gegeben. Ich kann Frau Rechtsanwältin Römer und die Kanzlei Schlun & Elseven im Bereich Ausländerrecht uneingeschränkt weiterempfehlen. Vielen herzlichen Dank für die hervorragende Arbeit und die wertvolle Unterstützung! Mit besten Grüßen Atkins
Laurie J.
3 months ago
Working with Schlun & Elseven to gain my German citizenship was a pleasure. My lawyer was patient, prompt, and clear about everything I needed to do throughout the process. I would not hesitate to recommend this company for any citizenship needs.
Raja K.
4 months ago
A big thanks to Schlun & Elseven Lawyers, I worked with Mr. Tillmann on a business immigration matter — a self-employment residence permit under §21 — and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. My case wasn’t straightforward; an earlier business-plan assessment had gone against me, so a positive result was far from guaranteed. Mr. Tillmann found the right legal route, and got my application accepted, securing a three-year permit. What stood out just as much as the result was how he worked: clear communication at every step, genuine efficiency, and complete transparency on fees. He kept everything within the hours we’d agreed, with no surprise costs. He turned a stressful, uncertain situation into a smooth process. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone facing a business or immigration law matter, and he’ll be my first call for anything similar in the future. Highly recommended.
Paul W.
4 months ago
I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with the first class service I received from Sarah Liebisch, inheritance lawyer at Schlun & Elseven. I'm pleased with this firm of lawyers. It's refreshing and helpful to have fees explained abd presented clearly at the outset.
George Kum N.
4 months ago
I want to thank Christos Sotiri of Schlun & Elseven Lawyers,you were professional and your counsel was very helpful, thank you
Ben C.
4 months ago
On two separate occasions Schlun & Elseven supported me, specifically Christos Sotiri, helped me navigate the visa process. Christos provided a reassuring presence, he answered every question promptly, helped me navigate difficult situations, and gave me a peace of mind that I will be eternally grateful for. I will certainly be recommending their services to anyone in a similar situation, and whether you contract their direct support or not, they are an invaluable resource to anyone navigating immigration in Germany. And if you have the opportunity to work with them directly, I say take it. I know it can be daunting when you first set out to look online for resources and support you can trust, but I can give them my full-fledged endorsement.
Bri
4 months ago
I am extremely satisfied with the service I received from Schlun & Elseven, especially from Samir Muratovic. For several years I was debating on whether or not to pursue dual German citizenship by descent due to my unique case. During our first meeting, Samir was very calm, friendly, responsive, knowledgeable, and answered all my questions. Years later when I decided to go through with the process, he was still more than happy to help me start and advised that my case looked good. With his legal help and communication to my local German consulate, I was able to successfully attain dual citizenship quite quickly due to the documents I had. I am beyond grateful to Samir and Schlun & Elseven for their work in advising my case and successfully managing it. I highly recommend them for pursuing dual citizenship by descent.
Igor Y.
4 months ago
I had an excellent experience with Schlun & Elseven during my Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit) application process. Christos Sotiri provided clear, professional guidance and carefully reviewed my case. He suggested several additional supporting documents that significantly strengthened my application and helped avoid unnecessary delays. Thanks to his expertise, attention to detail, and strategic advice, my application was successfully reviewed within just two weeks.
  • Tailored Legal Solutions
  • Interdisciplinary Expertise
  • Transparency & Trust
  • Digital & Innovative
  • Client-Focused Approach

One Firm. Advice Wherever You Are. Throughout Germany and Internationally.

With offices in Aachen, Cologne and Düsseldorf we have a physical presence in
North Rhine-Westphalia. We handle matters throughout Germany and internationally –
efficiently, digitally and independently of location.

Aachen

Aachen

Schloss-Rahe-Straße 15
52072 Aachen

Tel: +49 241 4757140
Fax: 0241 47571469

Cologne

Cologne

Bayenthalgürtel 23
50968 Cologne

Tel: +49 221 93295960
Fax: 0221 932959669

Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf

Düsseldorfer Straße 70
40545 Düsseldorf

Tel: +49 211 1718280
Fax: 0221 932959669

ADDITIONAL MEETING LOCATIONS

  • Berlin

    Potsdamer Platz 10
    10785 Berlin

  • Frankfurt

    Hanauer Landstrasse 291 B
    60314 Frankfurt

  • Hamburg

    Neuer Wall 63
    20354 Hamburg

  • Munich

    Theresienhöhe 28
    80339 Munich

One Team, Available Worldwide

Most of our matters are handled entirely online. Thanks to structured workflows, secure communication and extensive international experience, we advise you professionally – wherever you are.

World map showing the firm's three offices and four meeting locations in Germany, its eleven International Desks and selected partner countries within the Primerus network. The view starts on Germany and can be panned and zoomed.
  • 3 Offices
  • 11 International Desks
  • 21 Partner Countries
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