Biography: Franchise

Günter Erdmann is partner in Schlarmann von Geyso, a partnership of 40 lawyers, tax advisers and auditors. Schlarmann von Geyso is located in the city centre of Hamburg at the border of the Binnenalster. The firm mainly acts for corporate clients and specialises in all aspects of national and international distribution law.

Günter was born in Hamburg and admitted to the Hamburg Bar in 1978. He runs an enterprise-related consultancy, acts as adviser and supervisor of the boards of several companies, and is partner in associated companies (real estate), auditing companies and tax consultancies. He is member of the German Franchise Association's legal committee and the legal committee of the European Franchise Federation (EFF).

Günter has specialised in franchise, distribution and agency law for more than 20 years and has vast experience in commercial, corporate and legal transactions. His areas of specialisation include commercial and business law; competition and trademark law; partnership and company law; mergers and acquisitions; licensing law; national and international franchise law; drafting and negotiation of national franchise agreements; and international master-franchise agreements, including all relevant subsidiary and accessory agreements. He has acted as a mediator in franchise-relations since 2005.

He is a frequent lecturer and author on franchise law and practice, and speaks German, English and Spanish.

Günter passed the first state examination in law (Erstes Juristisches Staatsexamen), and also economics, in 1975. Before being admitted to the bar, he was a trainee in the juridical service until 1978, working as a trainee lawyer at the Hanseatisches Oberlandesgericht Regional High Court). Mr Erdmann passed both state examinations with distinction.