Skip to Main Content.

Biography

Kai is a corporate and commercial lawyer and a member of our Manufacturing and Automotive industry teams. He chairs the firmโ€™s International Services Groupย and heads our German Desk.

Kaiโ€™s practice is concentrated on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and a broad range of commercial transactions. He frequently advises German Mittelstand companies in the U.S.

Before joining Frost Brown Todd in 2007, Kai practiced as a corporate attorney in the M&A teams of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Baker & McKenzie in Duesseldorf, Germany. He maintained his German license as a Rechtsanwalt until 2020. He graduated from his law school in Muenster/Germany in 2000 and holds a post-graduate degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

Kai's Relevant Experience

Legal Work Highlights

Advised UK based publicly traded company regarding its acquisition of a US battery systems manufacturer and energy solutions provider.

Advised French-owned distressed auto supplier based in the US in connection with customer accommodations, sale of business, and liquidation and dissolution.

Advised Eisenmann Corporation in connection with accommodations with several OEMs, sale of business units and subsidiaries, and liquidation and dissolution of its operations in the US and Mexico.

Advised well-known German Mittelstand company on its equity investment in its U.S.-based distributor.

Advised U.S.-based publicly traded company regarding its equity investment in Canadian startup.

Advised German Mittelstand company regarding exit from U.S.-based joint venture and dispute with U.S. OEM.

Advised U.S.-based manufacturer on an overhaul of its distribution model throughout North and South America.

Advised German-owned tier 1 on large greenfield investment in the U.S.

Advised European intralogistics company on a strategic alliance with U.S.-based integrator.

Advised European market leader on strategic alliance covering 60+ countries.

Advised German automotive components manufacturer on large greenfield investment in the U.S.

Advised German-headquartered industrial control and automation company on expansion of U.S. facility.

Advised German automotive components manufacturer on exclusive distribution arrangement with U.S./Canadian parts supplier for the European market.

Advised German intralogistics company on strategic alliance with material handling company for the U.S. market.

Advised TecDAX company regarding its acquisition of PE owned manufacturer with operations in California, Vietnam, United Kingdom and Singapore.

Advised TecDAX company regarding its acquisition of Indiana-based manufacturer.

Advised German owned manufacturer of environmental technologies on various strategic alliances for the U.S. and Asian markets.

Advised publicly traded U.S. mid-cap regarding the reorganization of its foreign subsidiaries.

Advised German high-end packaging manufacturer regarding its acquisition of manufacturing operations in California and Tennessee.

Advised publicly traded U.S. mid-cap in connection with its acquisition of German based call center operator.

Advised leading industrial education provider headquartered in Germany in connection with establishing U.S. apprenticeship program and its cooperation with technical colleges, companies and apprentices.

Advised German supplier of systems for surface finishing technology and environmental technology on large-scale OEM projects and formation of U.S. based joint venture.

Advised German market leader on possible joint venture with European competitor for U.S. market.

Advised German supplier of systems for surface finishing technology and environmental technology on large-scale OEM projects.

Advised German and Italian owned companies on entry into and expansion within U.S. market, through acquisitions and Greenfield investments.

Trained sales staff and legal department of German owned companies on key concerns in U.S. commercial contracts.

Advised on successful acquisition of Ohio-based engineering firm.

Advised U.S.-based material handling automation and software engineering company on License and Know-how Transfer Agreement with German equipment maker.

Advised German owned companies on entry into and expansion within U.S. market, through acquisitions and Greenfield investments.

Assisted publicly listed client with post-acquisition integration of subsidiaries in 24 countries.

Other Info About Kai

Education

Law School

Case Western Reserve University, LL.M., 2001, with honors

Undergraduate School

Westfรคlische Wilhelms-Universitรคt, Mรผnster/Germany, First State Exam, 2000, with honors

State Court of Darmstadt (Landgericht), Darmstadt/Germany, Second State Exam, 2004, with honors

Bar Memberships

Kai is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Ohio, 2009

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

The Best Lawyers in Americaยฎ: Corporate Law, 2024

Listed by Chambers Global as โ€œexcellent in international matters; heโ€™s engaging and supporting,โ€ย March 2015

Listed by Chambers Global as โ€œexcellent go-to choice for advising German clients in the USA,โ€ย March 2014

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Member of the Law Clerk State Assembly in the State of Hessen/Germany, 2002

Presentations

Kai was invited to speak at the following events:

“Manufacturing Forum,” Cincinnati Business Courier,ย  June 2019

“German CEO Roundtable,” Presentation on Strategic Alliances, New York, May 2019

Major Publications

Kai is an author or contributor to the following publications:

Joint Ventures 2021, Getting the Deal Through, Lexology, October 2020

Joint Ventures 2022, Getting the Deal Through, Lexology, November 2021

 

Related Insights