Preserving tradition. Shaping the future.

The close interaction between legal and academic work is a quality feature of our law firm. It enables us to advise our clients at the highest level in complex situations – in transactions, corporate matter, contentious disputes and more generally in the analysis of legal questions.

Our expertise extends to all areas of business law. For years, we have been advising many of the 40 companies listed on the DAX. In addition, our clients include other German and international listed companies, leading industrial and trading companies, banks, insurance companies and financial service providers, financial sponsors, large family-owned companies and wealthy private clients.

SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz has always been active both nationally and internationally. In cross-border transactions, the firm can rely on with a network of foreign firms tried and tested in many projects which, without exception, are among the leading firms in their respective jurisdictions.

The roots of our firm go back to 1900. Even in the early years, the firm's culture was decisively shaped by outstanding legal personalities such as Karl Geiler, Wilhelm Zutt, Wolfgang Schilling and Heinrich Kronstein. They were involved in spectacular mandates in the “golden twenties”, including the merger of Daimler and Benz, the establishment of IG Farben and the takeover of Opel by General Motors. They have shaped the theory and practice of modern business law in Germany like few others.

The corporate culture of SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz is characterized by the absolute quest for quality and integrity as well as mutual respect in providing our legal advice.

Our lawyers are more than experts: They are co-thinkers in partnership who know and understand economic context and entrepreneurial needs and continuously supplement their practical know-how with academic work. For their clients, they find individual and pragmatic solutions that are as well-founded as they are trend-setting.

The diverse expertise of SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz comes together in a team tailored to the respective matter at hand. An adequately lean team size and hands-on partner involvement are part of our DNA.

Without prejudice, open-minded and appreciative, we respect the story behind each of our employees. We are convinced signatories of the Diversity Charter.

For us, social responsibility is more than a business model. As a law firm, we see ourselves as having a social obligation to actively contribute to reducing the consumption of resources. We have our sights firmly set on the goal of CO_²-neutral legal advice. Our sustainability officer monitors the firm's progress in this area and continuously drives it forward:

• Paperless law firm: As a first fundamental step, we have introduced the electronic file throughout the firm and are continuing along this path.
• Decentralized working: Our employees increasingly have the opportunity to avoid unnecessary travel, which helps reduce emissions harmful to climate as well as resource consumption.
• Waste prevention: We question our need for consumables in order to reduce plastic waste and non-recyclable waste or waste that is difficult to recycle.
• Pro bono practice: We also provide pro bono advice to selected non-profit companies, foundations, associations and institutions – especially those that are active in environmental, climate-relevant and social areas.

In order to maintain Wolfgang Schilling's legacy in a prominent way, the firm has established the Wolfgang Schilling Foundation together with the University of Heidelberg. For many years, the foundation has been organizing scientific symposia on current corporate law topics with the participation of renowned university professors and practitioners. In recent years, the topics of the symposia have included issues of so-called liability for jeopardizing the existence of an undertaking and of SE transformations.