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Markulf Behrendt

Partner

Markulf’s combination of extensive experience in employment law, regular advice to leading B2C companies on complex proceedings, and his lecturing and speaking engagements on human resources issues, keeps him at the cutting edge of his field.

Markulf is former Head of the Global Employment & Benefits Group and is Germany Compliance Group Lead. Being known for his expertise in all employment law related issues, clients value his clear advice, ability to distil complex issues down to simple elements, and providing high quality, client first service. Markulf is frequently involved in advising on complex issues in relation with transactions, outsourcings, restructurings, reorganisations and post-M&A integrations, transfers of undertakings pursuant to sec. 613a German Civil Code, and related legal disputes. His long-standing client relationships include nationally as well as internationally based companies.

With nearly 20 years of professional experience as an employment lawyer and over 10 years of heading the Employment & Benefits group in Hamburg, Markulf’s clients profit of his depth of expertise. Being regarded by colleagues and clients as highly pragmatic, he helps his clients through challenges, including the difficulties of company wind-ups, negotiations and restructurings. Markulf is able to outline complex legal issues easily understandable and always delivers a clean answer. He provides his clients with the opportunity to access his wide personal network which often opens unexpected business opportunities to them.

His experience and expertise has established many long-standing client relationships, particularly with international companies where his advice deals with multiple legal jurisdictions. Markulf is also widely recognised for his lecturing on human resources issues (Wismar University) and regular publishing and speaking engagements. Clients regard him as proactive and personal.

Experience

Representative matters

Airbus in the context of insourcing logistics services of an international logistics and freight transport company.

BCS Automotive Interface Solutions / Luxshare on a worldwide restructuring with plant closures or reorganisations in Germany, USA and Poland.

SAP SE on employment law aspects in connection with the agreement for the acquisition of Emarsys, a leading cloud-based omnichannel customer engagement platform Provider.

The market-leading U.S. technology company comprehensively on employment advice, including on the preparation and implementation of works council elections, HR compliance, complex termination processes and advice in connection with flexible working arrangements due to the Covid-19 Crisis.
 

Published Work

  • BAG: Auskunftsanspruch des Betriebsrats im Bereich des Entgelts; in Betriebs-Berater, 07.03.2022 p. 576
  • Uniform employment relationships in the event of transfer of an undertaking; (published in German); in collaboration with L. Hoffmann; in Betriebs-Berater, 27.2021 pp. 1652 ff.
  • Solving crimes in the company; (published in German); in Personalführung 4/2020, pp. 70 ff.
  • Return to time clock? (published in German); in Personalführung July/August 2019, pp. 70 ff.
Recognition
'Competent, effective, pragmatic and solution-oriented', 'very well versed in dealing with business transfers'.
(clients) – JUVE Handbook 2021/2022
Known for his expertise in restructurings and all compliance issues; he is also active in litigation.
Legal 500 2021

Qualifications

Admissions

Assessor, Germany, 2005

Referendar, Germany, 2002

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.