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Dr Thilo von Bodungen LLM

Partner
Explains excellently, deep economic understanding ... very competent, fast and comprehensive support.
— Clients, JUVE Handbook
Munich
About

Dr Thilo von Bodungen understands your business quickly and guides you through the legal challenges. He is a commercial law specialist and focuses on national and international trade and distribution law and the drafting and negotiating of agreements for the operating business. His main industry focus is on industrials as well as on consumer goods and retail.

Thilo advises companies on all stages of the value chain, from procurement and manufacturing to sales and distribution. His experience covers agreements for the purchase and sale, international contract and trade law, distribution law (distributor, commercial agent and franchising), standard agreements, consumer protection laws, leasing, transport and logistics, co-operation, joint venture and toll manufacturing agreements, service agreements as well as product liability.

Thilo is Global Co-Chair of DLA Piper’s Commercial Contracts Group.

Areas of FocusConsumer Goods, Food and RetailIndustrialsInfrastructure, Construction and TransportFranchiseTechnology and Commercial TransactionsTechnology
Professional QualificationsRechtsanwalt admitted with the Rechtsanwaltskammer Munich

EXPERIENCE

  • Advising various international industrial companies on supply agreements, distribution systems as well as warranty and liability claims.
  • Advising various international consumer goods and fashion companies on distribution, agency and franchising agreements, logistics agreements as well as on web-shops.
  • Advising various OEMs and mobility providers on their leasing, subscription and rental models.
Languages
  • German
  • English

Awards

  • JUVE Ranking 2025/2026: Frequently recommended for distribution, trade and logistics: distribution and trade
  • Legal 500 Germany 2026: Recommended for commercial and distribution law; “Thilo von Bodungen is the strategic legal partner we had hoped for as clients. His approach combines three rare qualities: empathy meets solution-oriented thinking – Thilo not only analyses legal problems, but also understands the human and business challenges behind them. His advice is based on practical experience, not just theory. Unsurpassed commitment – he is always fully engaged, whether dealing with routine matters or demanding challenges. Commitment at partner level – unlike law firms where partners delegate heavily, Thilo remains hands-on and ensures that clients benefit from the expertise of experts at all times.”
  • Chambers Germany 2026: Recommended for commercial contracts; “Thilo von Bodungen has good commercial understanding, offers effective communication and is thoughtful.”, “Thilo von Bodungen offers well-written presentations, good meeting management and responsiveness to questions or additional requests.”, “He is very commercial in his view, works well with us and does a great job.”, clients
  • Handelsblatt in cooperation with Best Lawyers 2022/2023: Recommended for technology law
  • Kanzleimonitor 2020/2021: Recommended for contract and public law
Education
  • Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, First State Examination, 2001, and Ph.D., 2005
  • New York University, LL.M., 2004
  • Higher Regional Court of Munich, Second State Exam, 2003

Publications

  • Co-author "Produkthaftungs- und Produktsicherheitsrecht", edited by RA Dr. Philipp Ehring, Prof. Dr. Prof. h.c. Jürgen Taeger, RA/Of Counsel, Nomos, 2022
  • „Das neue Schuldrecht 2022“, article in the special supplement Wirtschaftskanzleien, Börsenzeitung, 2021
  • Compare contract law around the world with our Global Contract Laws Guide, 1 June 2021

Prior Experience

Before joining DLA Piper in 2011 Thilo worked for another international law firm.

Memberships And Affiliations

  • German-American Lawyers Association (DAJV)
  • German Association for Distribution Law (DGRV)

My latest insights

News

DLA Piper advises VDK Groep on acquisition of leading construction equipment provider...

1 December 2025

Past event
Globe inside building

Transatlantic business perspectives: Navigating US geopolitical, regulatory, and...

14 October 2025

News

Banco Santander funds EUR1.4 billion to leading flexible payments provider Klarna

2 September 2025 .2 minute read

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Phone

+49 89 23 23 72 170
(Work, Munich)
+49 173 52 97 560
(Work)