BEITEN BURKHARDT's success story began in the early nineties. Now, as then, the firm is driven by entrepreneurial vision, highly dynamic economic momentum and the determination to survive on the market as an independent firm. 

When three renowned Munich firms merged in 1990 to form one regionally focused firm of 25 lawyers, the partners soon found themselves pursuing business opportunities further afield. In the years that followed, the firm extended its activities within Germany, opening new offices in all major economic regions and establishing a comprehensive network. At the end of this period, the firm had offices located in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Munich and Nuremberg. The firm's independence was thus assured.

However, BEITEN BURKHARDT was not just growing nationally. To establish early business ties with promising new growth markets in Eastern Europe and Asia, BEITEN BURKHARDT opened offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as in China, Poland and Ukraine. The first of these offices opened only two years after the inauguration of the firm’s Munich office. The increasing influence of EU law on national legislation and business motivated BEITEN BURKHARDT to establish an office in Brussels as well.

In only 15 years, a Munich-based firm with a regional focus has grown to become one of the leading independent German commercial law firms.  The large number of offices established abroad testifies to the firm’s international growth:

1992 Moscow
Two years after its foundation, the firm extended its activities to the Russian market and established an office in Moscow. This move made BEITEN BURKHARDT one of the first German law firms to have offices in the city.

1994 Hong Kong
In light of the importance of China's political and commercial development, Hong Kong was chosen as the location for the firm’s first Asian office. As a locally licensed law firm, BEITEN BURKHARDT is well placed to provide advice on Hong Kong law issues and to represent clients before local courts.

1995 Beijing
The proximity to the Chinese government and administration were critical factors behind the firm’s decision to establish its second Asian office in the capital city of the People's Republic.
 
1996 St. Petersburg
With the opening of its second Russian office, the firm ensured its presence in the country's two most important commercial centres. The St. Petersburg office focuses its work mainly on Russia's geographically and economically important North-western region.

1999 Warsaw
The reinforcement of our Warsaw team with colleagues from Clifford Chance Pünder made BEITEN BURKHARDT the largest German law firm in the Polish capital.

2000 Brussels
The growing influence of EU Law on national legislation and businesses led to the establishment of the Brussels office. This office provides advice on all EU-specific legal issues, and represents clients of all nationalities in matters involving the European institutions.

2003 Shanghai
When Chinese authorities issued a license for the establishment of an office in Shanghai, BEITEN BURKHARDT became the only German law firm with offices in all three of China's major commercial centres.

2004 Kyiv
Once again in the position of pioneer on a CIS market, BEITEN BURKHARDT became the first major German law firm established in Ukraine when it opened its offices in Kyiv. This was done in direct reaction to the desire expressed by numerous local clients for qualified legal advice.

Last update: 18. April 2008