Dr Stefan Bruinier

Stefan advises principals and contracts on all issues related to contract drafting, conflict resolution and process management in the field of construction law. As a former judge in a construction chamber at the Regional Court Hamburg, he has considerable litigation experience. He is also familiar with the particular perspective and working practices of the courts in construction matters. Furthermore, as a result of his activity as a former notary, he is well-versed in the legally compliant drafting of contracts of every kind, in particular in the context of property development projects and new company formations, restructurings and company acquisitions.

What others say

Recommended for real estate law
Legal 500 Deutschland 2017

One of the most frequently recommended lawyers for construction law and real estate law
Handelsblatt/Best Lawyers® 'Germany's Best Lawyers 2023'

Recent work

• Providing ongoing and comprehensive advice to a Hamburg project developer on various projects (residential construction, commercial and hotel properties) from initial property purchase through drafting and negotiation of planning and construction contracts, providing support throughout construction phase right through to exit (as share or asset deal) (value c. EUR 50 to 125 million)
• Defending client against final invoice claim by general contractor in the EUR million double digit range involving residual remuneration, supplements and construction time claims; prosecution of counterclaims due to delay and construction defects
• Enforcement proceedings to recover general planning fees in the EUR million double digit range in connection with a major property project in Hamburg
• Advising a major cosmetic group on various plant construction projects in Germany (value EUR 150 million each)
• Ongoing provision of advice to a medium-sized construction company on all issues of construction law (contract drafting, claims management, in-house seminars)

Curriculum vitae

• Studied law at the University of Trier, 1995 to 1999
• Scholarship from the German National Academic Foundation (Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes)
• Passed first state examination in law as best in class, 2000
• Research assistant and PhD at Chair of Prof. Dr. Peter O. Mülbert, University of Mainz, 2000 to 2001
• Legal clerkship in Hamburg, 2002 to 2004
• Judge at the Regional Court Hamburg, 2004 to 2011 (seconded to the judicial authority, department for public law, 2004 to 2005; Construction chamber, 2005 to 2010; seconded to Hamburg District Court, presiding over a criminal division, 2010 to 2011)
• Notary Assessor in Trier, 2011 to 2013
• Lawyer at Kapellmann since 2013

Further qualifications and memberships

• Lecturer on real estate law at the International School of Management
• Lecturer for construction law at the university of applied sciences 21, Buxtehude
• Speaker for DEUBIM / TÜV Süd Akademie as part of the “Basic BIM Course”
• Lectures and seminars on private construction law and architects’ law