The limited liability company the GmbH dominates the German corporate landscape. It is particularly attractive to those who want to give their business a legal form that can be flexibly structured. This book explains the legal rules pertaining to the GmbH, covering almost every aspect from incorporation to liquidation. Particular emphasis is placed on issues that are of practical importance for GmbHs that are part of a group of companies. The book includes an outline of the law of mergers, conversions and de-mergers, and relevant types of transformations covered by the German Transformation Act (Umwandlungsgesetz). Additional chapters address the particularities of the GmbH & Co. KG and the question of whether the English Ltd is a viable alternative legal form for doing business exclusively in Germany. The book is primarily designed for the legal practitioner, whether an in-house counsel or in private practice, and whether educated in German law or not. Written in plain English, it is also suitable for the interested layman.

Klaus J. Muller is a partner in the Frankfurt office of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP.He works primarily on cross-border acquisitions, the changing of group structures, and on other corporate matters, predominantly involving GmbHs.