Anke Saßmannshausen

My main areas of practice
With extensive experience in contract drafting, I help German and international companies establish legally compliant and efficient contractual relationships for their business in Germany, as well as optimize existing contract structures. I work across various industries, including consumer goods, medical devices, digital services and platforms, software and SaaS applications, and financial services.

A significant part of my practice involves assisting international clients with entering the German market. Drawing on my international experience, I understand the challenges companies face when expanding into new markets and can help identify and mitigate legal risks, contributing to their market success.

Focusing on sustainability and ESG, I support companies in structuring their contractual relationships for innovative and sustainable business models. My goal is to create contractual frameworks that not only meet legal requirements but also align with the growing demands for transparency and sustainability. I focus on developing legal frameworks that strengthen companies' long-term competitiveness, reduce risks, and foster sustainable partnerships.

I also advise on ESG compliance, particularly regarding the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz – LkSG) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). By integrating ESG criteria into contractual relationships, I aim at future-proofing our clients' business models and helping them to position themselves as sustainability leaders.

I advise our clients in German and English.

Publications
I have published the following articles in legal journals:

• The Exclusion of Sections 445a, 445b German Civil Code in B2B Supply Chains under German Standard Contract Terms Law (with Sara Bandehzadeh, LL.M.), in: BB 2018, p. 1738.
• The Permissibility of Provisions on Contract Durations in Franchise Agreements under German Standard Contract Terms Law (with Dr. Tom Billing), in: ZVertriebsR 2015, p. 139.

Personal engagement
I am a member of the German Society for Distribution Law (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Vertriebsrecht) and the German-American Lawyers Association (Deutsch-Amerikanische Juristen-Vereinigung).

My background
In addition to my legal training and professional experience, my career has been significantly shaped by my time abroad, which has deepened my understanding of different perspectives and helps me anticipate and meet our clients' needs. From 2021 to 2023, I lived in the United States with my family. Prior to joining Fieldfisher, from 2016 to 2017, I was part of a multinational legal team in Luxembourg. I started my legal career at a corporate law firm in Berlin in 2014. During my legal traineeship, I gained valuable insights into legal practice in Brazil while working at the German Desk of a Brazilian law firm - a country I had previously come to know during a student exchange program.

I am admitted to practice law in Germany and registered as a Foreign Law Consultant in the state of Washington, USA.