Dr. Michael Holzhäuser joins antitrust and competition law practice at SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz

As of 1 August 2025, SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz is expanding its antitrust and competition law practice in Frankfurt and Munich with the addition of experienced partner Dr. Michael Holzhäuser.

Dr. Michael Holzhäuser advises national and international companies on all aspects of European and German antitrust and competition law. He has more than 20 years of experience in defending companies in antitrust proceedings and regularly represents clients before European competition authorities and in court. A further focus of his practice is advice on merger control proceedings in cross-border transactions, including foreign investment control (FDI) and foreign subsidy regulation (FSR) matters. He also has extensive expertise in advising on proactive and reactive compliance as well as on regulatory and internal investigations.

The 52-year-old joins as a partner from Ashurst, where he led the German Antitrust, Trade & Regulation practice for over seven years and contributed significantly to the development of the automotive sector group. He will be based both in Frankfurt and Munich. The combined antitrust and competition law team led by Hans-Joachim Hellmann (Mannheim), Dr. Stephanie Birmanns (Brussels) and Dr. Michael Holzhäuser (Frankfurt, Munich) will collaborate closely across locations and focus on large, complex cases involving all areas of European and German antitrust law.

With a total of eight lawyers to date, the team advises on all types of antitrust and competition law issues and industry-specific developments, especially in the automotive and mobility, manufacturing, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and energy sectors, including ESG-related matters. The practice represents national and international clients from a wide range of industries, including numerous DAX40 companies, and is traditionally deeply rooted in the German Mittelstand as well. Dr. Holzhäuser, who also has a strong focus on international industrial clients, particularly in the automotive and mobility, pharmaceutical, chemical and technology sectors, further strengthens the team's capabilities.

“Dr. Holzhäuser will be a significant addition to our antitrust and competition law practice. We are delighted to be able to offer antitrust expertise at all SZA locations in the future. This is an important step for the strategic development of our firm,” says SZA partner Prof. Dr. Jochem Reichert.

“Dr. Holzhäuser is a valuable addition to the continued development and long-term success of our practice. With many years of experience, he will not only add to our antitrust litigation capabilities, but also play a key role in further expanding our transactional antitrust advisory services - an essential pillar in the dynamic growth of our highly successful M&A practice,” emphasizes SZA partner Hans-Joachim Hellmann.

Dr. Michael Holzhäuser comments on his move: "I am delighted to be joining SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz, one of Germany's most respected business law firms, and to work with my new colleagues to expand the firm's renowned European and German antitrust and competition law practice. With a large and highly experienced team and a genuine full-service approach, we can offer our clients an ideal platform for advising them on their complex challenges. I look forward to taking the next step together."