Overview
Dr. Thomas Hauss advises companies and entrepreneurs for more than 30 years on the structuring, negotiation, and enforcement of commercial contracts.
He represents clients before state courts as well as in out-of-court dispute resolution in complex national and cross-border commercial disputes. Thomas also has extensive experience in international arbitration proceedings.
He is known for delivering efficient, strategically sound, and innovative negotiation solutions, which he safeguards, where necessary, through the targeted use of procedural instruments in litigation, arbitration, and mediation. He has particular expertise and a proven track record in structuring and strategically leading mediation proceedings, which he employs to achieve sustainable and commercially viable dispute resolution outcomes.
Within his broad dispute resolution practice, his key areas of focus include D&O disputes, post-M&A conflicts, insolvency-related disputes, and disputes arising from service, distribution, and real estate contractual relationships.
A particular focus of his work lies in the use of digital technologies in legal practice. Thomas has extensive experience in the design and implementation of LegalTech and AI-driven solutions. This includes, in particular, the development and deployment of proprietary tools and workflows, as well as the use of generative AI to analyze complex matters and accelerate work processes. He leverages these technologies to enhance efficiency, support risk analysis, and strategically manage complex mandates, and leads interdisciplinary teams of lawyers and technology experts, particularly in technology-driven matters and complex disputes.
His clients include companies in the capital goods industry, service providers, high-net-worth individuals and family offices, as well as board members, managing directors, and supervisory board members, whom he represents in liability disputes.
Thomas is a founding partner of the firm’s Düsseldorf office and heads the Dispute Resolution and Commercial Agreements practice groups. He is also responsible for the firm’s Legal Technology activities and the forward-looking development and implementation of innovative, technology-driven advisory approaches.
Results
Thomas advised:
- A European holding company on the defense of a post-M&A claim for damages for alleged infringement of warranties
- The chairman of the supervisory board of an international consumer goods group on the successful defense of claims for damages following an international divestment
- The CEO of an international capital goods group on the successful defense of claims for damages following a failed expansion project in Canada
- A global automotive supplier on all major international commercial contracts
- Several major European real estate investment funds on all ongoing disputes with commercial tenants and third parties
Recognitions
- Handelsblatt/Best Lawyers™, Germany: Litigation, 2020-2026
- JUVE Handbook of Commercial Law Firms, Recommended: Conflict Resolution: Processes and Product Liability (“Always on point, extremely responsive,” competitor), 2022-2026
- The Legal 500 EMEA, Recommended in Germany: Arbitration, 2016-2022
Community
- German Institution of Arbitration (DIS)
Credentials
Education
University of Cologne, Dr. jur. utr., 1993
Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf, Second State Exam, 1993
University of Bonn, Graduate School on EU and International Commercial Law, 1992
University of Cologne, First State Exam, 1990
Admissions
Germany
Languages
German
English
