Stephan is counsel at Morrison Foerster’s German office in Berlin. He focuses on advising major German and international clients with regard to drafting and negotiating complex technology-related agreements and on matters concerning cloud computing, software, e/m-commerce, digital media, intellectual property rights, consumer rights, electronic communication, big data and cyber security requirements.

Stephan is specialized in drafting and negotiating complex technology-related commercial agreements such as outsourcing agreements, software and IP license agreements, cloud computing agreements, IT project agreements, R&D agreements, supply and distribution agreements, marketing and other cooperation agreements, including advice on general terms and conditions (B2B and B2C). His clients range from early-stage start-ups to large corporations.

His expertise also includes advising clients on structuring and setting up innovative data and technology-focused business models and services in accordance with legal requirements, e.g., in the areas online services, mobile applications, digital media, industry 4.0 and smart products. He also routinely provides legal counsel on IT, IP and commercial law issues to financial institutions, strategic investors and private equity funds in the context of large M&A transactions in the digital business, media, financial services, pharma, telecommunications and other tech-heavy industries.

Stephan earned his LL.M. at Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, and passed the New York Bar Exam. Furthermore, he is a certified specialist attorney in information technology law. Before joining Morrison Foerster, he worked for a well-known international law firm in Frankfurt.

Representative Experience

• Ongoing advice to a leading international cloud services provider on commercial transactions.
• Advice to a leading international financial institution regarding various acquisitions and divestments of interests in payment services and online services companies.
• Commercial law and regulatory advice to an SaaS provider regarding e-mobility and fleet tracking solutions.
• Advice to FinTech start-ups on structuring and setting up their business operation in accordance with legal requirements.
• Advice to an international manufacturer of cloud-based smartHome products regarding regulatory, licensing and consumer protection requirements in the context of expanding its sales into Europe.
• Data protection advice to a healthcare provider regarding an online portal transferring data between patients, hospitals and healthcare practitioners.