Germany is the largest EU economy with the lowest unemployment rate. The legal industry is one of the most lucrative sectors. Forecasts show the legal activities industry will hit $32 billion by 2025. That makes it a good career option to venture into.

The low unemployment rates may also be deemed lucrative for employment lawyers. With many employment opportunities, drafting employment contracts and addressing related issues demand legal services.

However, employee protection and data privacy should be a priority. So, whether you advance into solo legal practice or a large firm, you’ll need to ensure compliance with the EU’s General Data and Privacy Regulation (GDPR).

Employment Lawyer in Germany

Non-compliance can cost you a fine of 4% of annual turnover or 10 million Euros, whichever is higher. So, you must be careful when running employee performance reviews or sensitive client data. Better have GDPR-compliant performance management solutions and HR tools than pay high fines.

Besides, studying law in Germany is lengthy – so it isn’t a walk in the park. It could be more challenging for foreign lawyers to qualify and be admitted as German lawyers. However, becoming one and making a lucrative legal career is not impossible.

Let’s explore some tips to help you become an employment lawyer in Germany.

Tips to Become an Employment Lawyer in Germany

Attain Professional Qualification

As a German student, you’ll need to pass two state examinations to be an employment lawyer. The first state exam is done after completing a 4-year undergraduate program. You will then need to enroll in a two-year internship or traineeship (Rechtsreferendariat) to gain practical experience in the legal field.

After the internship, you will sit for the second state exam. A pass will get you admitted to the bar. The best part is the government pays you during this 2-year internship period.

For foreigners, admission and subsequent practice is not a straight line. As an international student, you’ll need to meet the visa and other requirements before enrolling in the German law academic program.

Plus, most undergrad classes are offered in Germany, so you must have good proficiency.

For foreign lawyers with foreign law degrees, the best option is to go for a master’s law degree program to be eligible for admittance into the bar. You can then look for vacancies with international firms operating in Germany.

However, you don’t have to sit for another state exam if you’re a recognized lawyer from EU member countries.

So, the pro tip for international students is to polish their German language proficiency. It will make the process less painful. Foreigners with law degrees outside the EU or UK should go for master’s law programs.

A master’s law program is the best option because the alternative is starting fresh with an undergraduate law program. It may take you another six years to be able to practice. So, go for the shorter and more manageable option.

Prioritize Client and Employee Protection

German labour regulations remain one of the strictest in employee protection. It touches on issues like:

Employment contracts
Work time and vacation
Sick leave and compensation
Rules of termination

This and more topics are covered under several German labour statutes:

German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch)
Federal Data Protection Act (Bundesdatenschutzgesetz)
Equal Opportunities Act (Gleichbehandlungsgesetz)
Hours of Work Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz)
Occupational Health Insurance (Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung)
Health and Safety Act (Arbeitsschutzgesetz)

As mentioned earlier, data protection is crucial in Germany and the EU. So, you must handle client and employee data carefully and securely. For starters, your legal team’s data must be secure and kept private.

Employment Lawyer in Germany

Extend the same to the firms you’re advising. Their human resource system must be secure, like performance management tools dealing with employee data. You’ll attract high fines if your compensation or performance management software system leaks critical employee data.

So, you’ll need an appraisal solution that ensures you keep up with high-quality standards in Germany, ensuring maximum safety. As such, your legal practice and clients should only invest in secure and GDPR-compliant performance management software and HR tools.

So, take attorney-client privilege and confidentiality to the next level. Prioritize data protection in your legal activities to be a reputable employment lawyer.

Adhere to the Professional Code of Ethics and Practice

Part of becoming an employment lawyer in Germany is strict adherence to its professional practice code. The code is enshrined in the Federal Lawyers Act, also known as Bundesrechtsanwaltsordnung.

Rules of Professional Practice by the Federal German Bar Association is another code that supplements the Federal Lawyers Act.

Collectively, the above regulations lay down:

Your obligations as a lawyer
Qualifications of a lawyer
Disciplinary power that bar associations have.

You can check out the English and German versions of the regulations at the Federal German Bar for more details. Make the resource your guiding bible if you wish to work as a qualified and competent employment lawyer in Germany.

Have Sufficient Insurance Coverage

Almost half the population of Germany has legal insurance. So, even a simple dispute can quickly escalate to court.

Litigation insurance will come in handy if you find yourself against a stronger competitor with a stronger financial war chest. This ensures that you don’t have to throw away your rights and clients’ rights when dealing with larger firms.

So, get legal insurance to allow you to take on any competitor regardless of their size.

Ensure You’re On the Admitted Lawyers’ Register

One way of demonstrating your credibility and competence as a lawyer is by being part of the admitted lawyers’ register. All registered and admitted lawyers are indexed by the Federal German Bar.

Clients usually verify lawyers’ credentials and competencies by checking the Federal German Bar. So, ensure you’re admitted and part of the admitted German lawyers’ register.

Employment Lawyer in Germany

The German unemployment rate is so low – presenting golden opportunities for employment lawyers. So, if you wish to take a long dive into an employment lawyer career, it is the right moment.

With so many economic opportunities and jobs, employment contracts and related issues are on the rise in Germany. We’ve highlighted some tips to help you become an employment lawyer in Germany and maximize it.

However, remember the strict GDPR requirements. Keep your clients’ data and HR systems safe with efficient performance management tools. That way, you can prevent data breaches which attract hefty fines.

Finally, ensure you have legal insurance to defend your right and your clients to the fullest, even against larger competitors.

Tips to Become an Employment Lawyer in Germany

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