Michael Plassmann

Michael Plassmann is a lawyer, certified mediator and business mediator who leads Mediationskanzlei Plassmann, a specialist mediation practice based in Berlin. Combining formal legal training with a background in banking, he helps companies, associations and private individuals resolve disputes constructively and out of court. His dedicated focus on mediation has earned the practice recognition as Mediation Law Firm of the Year in Germany at the Corporate INTL Global Awards 2026.

A specialist mediation practice

Mediationskanzlei Plassmann is built around a single idea: that many conflicts are better resolved by agreement than by litigation. As the firm puts it, mediation means finding solutions together with the help of a neutral mediator, and the practice's stated aim is to resolve conflicts quickly, constructively and confidentially without the need for court proceedings. Operating from a headquarters in Berlin, with an additional certified arbitration seat in Munster, the practice offers a genuinely specialist alternative to the adversarial route, guiding parties towards outcomes they have shaped themselves rather than had imposed upon them.

Legal, mediation and banking expertise combined

Michael Plassmann's profile is unusually well suited to commercial conflict resolution. He is qualified as a Rechtsanwalt (attorney), is a certified mediator and business mediator, and trained as a banker before studying law in Cologne and Munster, following a banking apprenticeship in Dusseldorf. He has practised for more than twenty-five years. This blend of legal, mediation and financial experience means he can grasp both the legal contours of a dispute and the commercial and financial realities that often lie beneath it, which is a considerable advantage when the matters in issue involve businesses, shareholders and money.

The practice handles conflicts that frequently arise in commercial and personal life, including:

• Internal company and shareholder disputes
• Disagreements over contracts and their performance
• Business succession and the handover of family enterprises
• Conflicts involving mid-market companies, associations and private individuals

Alongside mediation and business mediation, the practice offers legal consultation, state-certified arbitration, and training and continuing education, as well as guest lectures, reflecting Michael Plassmann's role not only as a practitioner but as an educator in the field.

Why mediation matters

Mediation has become an increasingly important part of the German dispute-resolution landscape because it offers speed, confidentiality and control. Rather than surrendering a decision to a court, the parties work with a neutral facilitator to reach a solution that meets their underlying interests, often preserving business and personal relationships that litigation would damage. For shareholder fall-outs, contractual disputes and succession questions in particular, this can protect the value of an enterprise and avoid the cost, delay and publicity of court proceedings. A mediator who is also a qualified lawyer and understands banking and business can help the parties test the realism of their positions and craft durable agreements.

Recognition for a specialist approach

Recognition in the field of mediation reflects the growing appreciation of dispute resolution that preserves relationships and avoids the cost and delay of litigation. For a practice built entirely around mediation and led by a lawyer who is also a certified mediator and former banker, an award of this kind acknowledges both technical skill and the human ability to help parties in conflict find common ground. Businesses, families and organisations increasingly value a process that is confidential, efficient and within their own control, and a mediator who understands the legal, commercial and financial dimensions of a dispute is well placed to guide them to lasting agreements. It is this combination of specialisation, experience and a genuinely constructive philosophy that distinguishes the practice and underpins the confidence clients place in it.

For companies, associations and individuals in Germany looking to resolve conflict without the strain of litigation, Michael Plassmann and Mediationskanzlei Plassmann provide a focused, experienced and confidential service rooted in Berlin. The practice's recognition as Mediation Law Firm of the Year in Germany at the Corporate INTL Global Awards 2026 underlines its standing as a leading specialist in commercial and civil mediation.