Dr. Matthias Orthwein, LL.M. (Boston)

Partner

Taking action is like wishful thinking, just more effective. Proficiency, knowledge, and creativity are my contributions.

Dr. Orthwein advises his clients in all areas of IT law, particularly in software contract law, IT outsourcing, and other IT projects. He is an experienced expert on national and international data protection issues and regularly holds lectures and seminars on these topics.

Career

2017-2022 head of the IT&Digital Business department at SKW Schwarz
Since 2014 lecturer for IT and data protection law at the Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences
Since 2011 Partner at SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte
2003-2011 Lawyer with an international law firm, Düsseldorf and Munich
2003 Doctorate at the Westphalian Wilhelms University, Münster
2000 Masters of Law (LL.M.) in American Law, Boston University (USA)
1999-2000 Boston University, School of Law, Boston (USA)
1996-1998 Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University, Bonn
1995-1996 Université de Poitiers, Poitiers (France)
1993-1995 Saarland University, Saarbrücken

Awards & Recognitions

Handelsblatt in cooperation with Best Lawyers: Germany's best lawyers 2018–2022
Recommended lawyer in the category "IT Law" (2018–2022)
Recommended lawyer in the category "Data Security and Privacy Law" (2019–2022)
Recommended lawyer in the category "Technology Law" (2021, 2022)
Recommended lawyer in the category "Intellectual Property Law" (2021, 2022)

JUVE Handbook: German Commercial Law Firms 2019/2020–2022/2023
Frequently recommended lawyer in the categories "Technology and Media: Information Technology (Contracts/Litigation)" and "Technology and Media: Data Protection"
Client about him: “personally and professionally very good, knows the business world, works quickly and meticulously, could not be better,” “partnership-based collaboration in advising on GDPR implementation projects in Germany and Austria” (2019/2020)

The Legal 500: Germany 2017–2022
Recommended Lawyer in the category “Data protection” (2020-2022)
"Matthias Orthwein has the highest degree of integrity, competence and reliability. At the same time, he is convincing, even when dealing with difficult and conflicting issues. Valued contact person for discussions beyond his own nose." (2022)
Recommended Lawyer in the category “Information Technology and Digitalization“ (2020-2022)
"Matthias Orthwein is a very experienced IT lawyer who relates well to the client and has a pleasant negotiation style when it comes to contracts." (2022)
Recommended lawyer in the category “IT und Outsourcing” (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022)
“Matthias Orthwein provides advice at a very high technical level and with great professionalism.” (2021)
“Matthias Orthwein is a team player in cooperation and result-oriented in the interest of the client.” (2021)
“The widely diversified data protection law team at SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte led by Matthias Orthwein, whose ‘reliability and sure instinct’ are highly praised, is characterized by ‘a high level of professional expertise and explanations of the issues with a practical orientation’.” (2020)
“Practice Head Matthias Orthwein is recognized for his ‘pragmatic and solution-oriented approach’.” (2020)
“Matthias Orthwein impresses with his ‘sound industry knowledge and product understanding’” (2018)
“Sound expertise and negotiating skills in IT litigation” (2017)

Who’s Who Legal Thought Leaders in Data 2022
Recommended lawyer in the category "Information Technology"
Recommended lawyer in the category "Data Privacy & Protection"

Who’s Who Legal: Germany 2021-2022
Recommended lawyer in the category “Data” (2021-2022)

Who’s Who Legal: Data 2020, 2022
Recommended lawyer in the category "Information Technology" (2020, 2022)
Recommended lawyer in the category "Data Privacy & Protection" (2022)
"Matthias Orthwein earns plaudits for his skilful practice, encompassing IT outsourcing and international data protection law" (2022)
“Matthias Orthwein has extensive experience acting in IT matters, ranging from software contracting to major outsourcing projects.” (2020)

WirtschaftsWoche in cooperation with Handelsblatt Research Institute; Issue 32/2022
TOP lawyer 2022 in the category "Data Protection Law"

WirtschaftsWoche in cooperation with Handelsblatt Research Institute; Issue 32/2021
TOP lawyer 2021 in the category "IT Law"

WirtschaftsWoche in cooperation with Handelsblatt Research Institute; Issue 34/2020
TOP lawyer 2020 in the category "IT Law"

WirtschaftsWoche: Top law firms 2019
Among the 50 most renowned lawyers for IT law in Germany

WirtschaftsWoche: Top Kanzleien 2018
Recommended as one of “Germany’s Top Lawyers“ in the category IT Law

Memberships

Dr. Matthias Orthwein is member of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Recht und Informatik e.V. (DGRI), International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), International Bar Association (IBA), Technology Law Committee, Deutscher Outsourcing Verband e.V., IHK-Arbeitskreis „Digitalisierung und IKT“ der IHK für München und Oberbayern and the German-American Lawyers' Association (DAJV).

Miscellaneous activities

Dr. Matthias Orthwein is a lecturer for IT and data protection law at Rosenheim Technical University and Senior Vice Chairman of the Technology Law Committee of the International Bar Association (IBA).

Lawyer

Office

Munich