BSvH Employment Law · English-speaking lawyers in Bonn

Dismissed by your German employer? You have three weeks to act.

We are German-qualified lawyers who advise expat employees on dismissals, severance, unpaid wages, vacation, and reference letters — in clear English, under German law.

Free initial assessment Understand the 3-week deadline

Bonn · Cologne · Nationwide representation in German labor courts

What we cover

Employment law for international employees

Most of our clients are foreign professionals working in Germany on local contracts. We translate German labor law — and German labor court procedure — into a plan you can act on.

Dismissal & Severance

Challenging an ordinary or extraordinary dismissal, negotiating severance, navigating the labor court Gütetermin.

Wages & Salary

Unpaid salary, bonus disputes, expense claims, deductions, overtime compensation under German law.

Vacation & Leave

Statutory minimum, carry-over, payout on termination, parental leave, sick days.

See also: who pays the lawyer in a German employment dispute →

The 3-week deadline that catches every expat by surprise

Under § 4 of the Kündigungsschutzgesetz (Protection Against Dismissal Act), you must file your wrongful-dismissal claim with the labor court within 3 weeks of receiving a written dismissal — even if the dismissal is obviously unlawful. Miss it and the dismissal is deemed valid by force of law.

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Your lawyers

A small, focused team

You will always know who is handling your case. All three of us have practiced employment law inside major German firms and corporate legal departments before joining the partnership.

Philip Bafteh

Philip Bafteh

Rechtsanwalt · Employment & Litigation

Trained at CMS Hasche Sigle, Allen & Overy and the German Embassy in Tokyo. Completed the German specialist course in employment law (Fachanwaltslehrgang Arbeitsrecht).

Frauke Schönbrunn

Frauke Schönbrunn

Rechtsanwältin · Employment Law

Three years at a labor-law boutique in Cologne, then in-house counsel for Germany's largest DIY retail group. Completed the Fachanwaltslehrgang Arbeitsrecht.

Christian Schmidt

Christian Schmidt

Rechtsanwalt · Civil & Employment Law

Civil-litigation background with a focus on contract enforcement. Advises employees on contract review, wage claims, and unfair dismissal.

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Reference guide

Start here: the questions expats ask us most

Our reference guide answers 30 of the most common questions about being employed — and being let go — in Germany. No legalese, no fluff.

Deadlines Why three weeks is the most important number you'll hear Severance How is severance calculated in Germany? Aufhebungsvertrag Should I sign the termination agreement HR put in front of me?

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Tell us what happened — we'll tell you what your options are.

Send us the basics of your case. A lawyer will get back to you the same business day with a free initial assessment.

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