About the firm
Specialised since 1995. Focused since 2003.
What began in 1995 with the founding by attorney-at-law Marcus Schäfer is today one of the few law firms in Germany that has fully specialised in energy trading and its legal challenges. We advise companies, insurers and corporate groups – with the in-depth knowledge that can only come from decades of focus.
Our Story
From mineral oil trading to a specialized commercial law firm
The firm was founded on March 1, 1995 by attorney Marcus Schäfer in Mannheim. From the very beginning, a significant part of its work was rooted in mineral oil trading – a connection that arose from his father’s many years of work as Managing Director of the Mineral Oil Trade Association.
Close cooperation with the associations was an important point from the outset. Whether the regional associations spread across Germany at the time or the national associations – after many mergers, the association work is now almost exclusively limited to UNITI e.V. The firm has been a member there for decades, and Mr. Schäfer regularly holds seminars for its members. This proximity to the industry led to an understanding of its challenges that cannot be learned from books.
In 2003, a pioneering decision was made: Attorney Schäfer focused the firm entirely on energy trading. All other areas of practice were handed over to colleagues who were spinning off. Since then, for us there has been almost only this one industry – with all its legal, tax, and commercial particularities.
Milestones
30 years of development – the key milestones
1995
Founding of the law firmOn 1 March 1995, attorney Marcus Schäfer founded the law firm in Mannheim. From the very beginning, a key focus was advising the mineral oil trade.
M 1
Energy tax relief
Specialisation in energy tax lawEnergy tax relief in the event of non-payment is recognised early on as an issue and addressed consistently. To this day, it is a central pillar of the firm’s work.
M 2
2003
Complete focus on the energy trading sectorThe firm discontinues all other areas of law and concentrates exclusively on the issues of the energy trading sector. This decision continues to shape the firm to this day.
M 3
Cooperations from 2004
Partnerships with trade credit insurersCooperations are established with Atradius Trade Credit Insurance and R+V Trade Credit Insurance. These partnerships continue to this day and enable clients to benefit from special terms.
M 4
From 2008
Insolvency clawback becomes a focus areaThe economic crisis triggers a wave of challenges by insolvency administrators. Haulage companies and construction firms go bankrupt one after another – and their creditors are challenged. The firm develops expertise in this area that extends far beyond the energy trading sector.
M 5
2014
Resumption of the M&A process for companies in the energy trading sectorCooperations with the Schäfer Unternehmensberatung GmbH founded for this purpose.
M 6
2026
Employment law as an additional focusWith the return of attorney Tanja Christofzik, who in the meantime has completed specialist lawyer training in employment law, employment law is established as an additional focus.
M 7
Our philosophy
Depth instead of breadth
We are not a law firm that offers everything. We are a law firm that knows almost everything in its fields. This focus has consequences: We don’t just know the case law – in many areas, we have helped shape it. Numerous relevant judgments in energy tax law, THG quota trading, overfilling damage, and insolvency clawback actions stem from proceedings we have conducted.
We understand not only the law, but also our clients’ business. We know how energy trading works, what risks arise in day-to-day operations, and which solutions are practical. At our firm, for example, the rule is: every lawyer rides along for at least one day on deliveries with a mineral oil trader. Because you can only argue sensibly about what you have seen and had in your hands.
Our clients are companies, insurers, and corporate groups that expect the highest quality and transparency. We meet that expectation – through expertise, clear processes, and a way of working that is focused on results, not hours.
The Team
The people behind the law firm
The people behind the law firm:
Position: Attorney-at-law and owner of the firm
Marcus Schäfer founded the firm in 1995 and has made it what it is today: one of Germany’s leading specialist law firms for energy trading. His expertise covers the entire spectrum – from energy tax law and overfilling damage to insolvency clawback. He has won numerous landmark judgments, contributed to TRwS 791, and is a regular speaker for associations, insurers and specialist conferences.
Position: Attorney-at-law, focus on employment law
Tanja Christofzik worked at the firm from 2004 to 2023 and is familiar with all energy-law matters. After working at another firm, where she specialised intensively in employment law and completed the specialist lawyer training, she returned in early 2026. She is responsible for the new employment law focus, combining her many years of experience in energy trading with her employment law expertise.
The Team
The people behind the firm
The people behind the firm:
Position: Attorney and firm owner
Marcus Schäfer founded the firm in 1995 and has made it what it is today: one of the leading specialist law firms for energy trading in Germany. His expertise covers the entire spectrum—from energy tax law and overfilling losses to insolvency clawback. He has won numerous landmark judgments, contributed to TRwS 791, and is a regular speaker for associations, insurers, and specialist conferences.
Marcus Schäfer gründete die Kanzlei 1995 und hat sie zu dem gemacht, was sie heute ist: eine der führenden Spezialkanzleien für den Energiehandel in Deutschland. Seine Expertise umfasst das gesamte Spektrum – vom Energiesteuerrecht über Überfüllschäden bis zur Insolvenzanfechtung. Er hat zahlreiche wegweisende Urteile erstritten, an der TRwS 791 mitgewirkt und ist regelmäßiger Referent bei Verbänden, Versicherungen und Fachtagungen.
Position: Attorney, focus on employment law
Tanja Christofzik worked at the firm from 2004 to 2023 and is familiar with all energy-law matters. After working at another law firm, where she specialized intensively in employment law and completed the specialist lawyer training, she returned in early 2026. She is responsible for the new focus area of employment law and combines her many years of experience in energy trading with her employment-law expertise.
Tanja Christofzik war bereits von 2004 bis 2023 in der Kanzlei tätig und mit allen energierechtlichen Themen vertraut. Nach einer Tätigkeit in einer anderen Kanzlei, in der sie sich intensiv auf das Arbeitsrecht spezialisierte und die Fachanwaltsausbildung absolvierte, ist sie Anfang 2026 zurückgekehrt. Sie verantwortet den neuen Schwerpunkt Arbeitsrecht und verbindet dabei ihre langjährige Erfahrung im Energiehandel mit ihrer arbeitsrechtlichen Expertise.
Position: Attorney at law and firm owner
Marcus Schäfer founded the firm in 1995 and has shaped it into what it is today: one of Germany’s leading specialist law firms for energy trading. His expertise covers the full spectrum – from energy tax law and overfilling damage to insolvency clawback. He has successfully obtained numerous landmark judgments, contributed to TRwS 791, and is a regular speaker at associations, insurers, and specialist conferences.
Marcus Schäfer gründete die Kanzlei 1995 und hat sie zu dem gemacht, was sie heute ist: eine der führenden Spezialkanzleien für den Energiehandel in Deutschland. Seine Expertise umfasst das gesamte Spektrum – vom Energiesteuerrecht über Überfüllschäden bis zur Insolvenzanfechtung. Er hat zahlreiche wegweisende Urteile erstritten, an der TRwS 791 mitgewirkt und ist regelmäßiger Referent bei Verbänden, Versicherungen und Fachtagungen.
Position: Attorney at law, focus on employment law
Tanja Christofzik worked at the firm from 2004 to 2023 and is familiar with all energy law matters. After working at another firm, where she specialized intensively in employment law and completed her specialist lawyer training, she returned in early 2026. She is responsible for the new employment law focus and combines her many years of experience in energy trading with her employment law expertise.
Tanja Christofzik war bereits von 2004 bis 2023 in der Kanzlei tätig und mit allen energierechtlichen Themen vertraut. Nach einer Tätigkeit in einer anderen Kanzlei, in der sie sich intensiv auf das Arbeitsrecht spezialisierte und die Fachanwaltsausbildung absolvierte, ist sie Anfang 2026 zurückgekehrt. Sie verantwortet den neuen Schwerpunkt Arbeitsrecht und verbindet dabei ihre langjährige Erfahrung im Energiehandel mit ihrer arbeitsrechtlichen Expertise.
Position: Attorney-at-law and firm owner
Marcus Schäfer gründete die Kanzlei 1995 und hat sie zu dem gemacht, was sie heute ist: eine der führenden Spezialkanzleien für den Energiehandel in Deutschland. Seine Expertise umfasst das gesamte Spektrum – vom Energiesteuerrecht über Überfüllschäden bis zur Insolvenzanfechtung. Er hat zahlreiche wegweisende Urteile erstritten, an der TRwS 791 mitgewirkt und ist regelmäßiger Referent bei Verbänden, Versicherungen und Fachtagungen.
Marcus Schäfer founded the firm in 1995 and has made it what it is today: one of Germany’s leading specialist firms for energy trading. His expertise covers the entire spectrum – from energy tax law and overfilling damage to insolvency clawback actions. He has won numerous landmark judgments, contributed to TRwS 791, and is a regular speaker for associations, insurers, and specialist conferences.
Position: Attorney-at-law, focus on employment law
Tanja Christofzik war bereits von 2004 bis 2023 in der Kanzlei tätig und mit allen energierechtlichen Themen vertraut. Nach einer Tätigkeit in einer anderen Kanzlei, in der sie sich intensiv auf das Arbeitsrecht spezialisierte und die Fachanwaltsausbildung absolvierte, ist sie Anfang 2026 zurückgekehrt. Sie verantwortet den neuen Schwerpunkt Arbeitsrecht und verbindet dabei ihre langjährige Erfahrung im Energiehandel mit ihrer arbeitsrechtlichen Expertise.
Tanja Christofzik worked at the firm from 2004 to 2023 and is familiar with all energy-law topics. After working at another firm, where she specialized intensively in employment law and completed the specialist lawyer training, she returned at the beginning of 2026. She is responsible for the new employment law focus and combines her many years of experience in energy trading with her employment-law expertise.
Position: Attorney-at-law
Diana Sauhoboo-Bleahu ist seit Mai 2023 Teil des Teams. Sie erweitert das Kanzleiportfolio um die Betreuung rumänischer und rumänischsprachiger Mandanten. Aktuell befindet sich die Kollegin in Elternzeit.
Diana Sauhoboo-Bleahu has been part of the team since May 2023. She expands the firm’s portfolio by providing support to Romanian and Romanian-speaking clients. She is currently on parental leave.
Position: Attorney
Diana Sauhoboo-Bleahu ist seit Mai 2023 Teil des Teams. Sie erweitert das Kanzleiportfolio um die Betreuung rumänischer und rumänischsprachiger Mandanten. Aktuell befindet sich die Kollegin in Elternzeit.
Diana Sauhoboo-Bleahu has been part of the team since May 2023. She expands the firm’s portfolio by advising Romanian and Romanian-speaking clients. The colleague is currently on parental leave.
Position: Attorney, focus on employment law
Tanja Christofzik worked at the firm from 2004 to 2023 and is familiar with all energy law topics. After working at another firm, where she specialized intensively in employment law and completed her specialist lawyer training, she returned in early 2026. She is responsible for the new focus area of employment law, combining her many years of experience in energy trading with her employment law expertise.
Tanja Christofzik war bereits von 2004 bis 2023 in der Kanzlei tätig und mit allen energierechtlichen Themen vertraut. Nach einer Tätigkeit in einer anderen Kanzlei, in der sie sich intensiv auf das Arbeitsrecht spezialisierte und die Fachanwaltsausbildung absolvierte, ist sie Anfang 2026 zurückgekehrt. Sie verantwortet den neuen Schwerpunkt Arbeitsrecht und verbindet dabei ihre langjährige Erfahrung im Energiehandel mit ihrer arbeitsrechtlichen Expertise.
Position: Attorney and owner of the firm
Marcus Schäfer founded the firm in 1995 and has made it what it is today: one of the leading specialist law firms for energy trading in Germany. His expertise covers the entire spectrum – from energy tax law to overfilling damage and insolvency clawback. He has won numerous landmark judgments, contributed to TRwS 791, and is a regular speaker for associations, insurers, and specialist conferences.
Marcus Schäfer gründete die Kanzlei 1995 und hat sie zu dem gemacht, was sie heute ist: eine der führenden Spezialkanzleien für den Energiehandel in Deutschland. Seine Expertise umfasst das gesamte Spektrum – vom Energiesteuerrecht über Überfüllschäden bis zur Insolvenzanfechtung. Er hat zahlreiche wegweisende Urteile erstritten, an der TRwS 791 mitgewirkt und ist regelmäßiger Referent bei Verbänden, Versicherungen und Fachtagungen.
Position: Attorney and owner of the firm
Marcus Schäfer founded the firm in 1995 and has made it what it is today: one of the leading specialist law firms for energy trading in Germany. His expertise covers the entire spectrum – from energy tax law to overfilling damage and insolvency clawback. He has won numerous landmark judgments, contributed to TRwS 791, and is a regular speaker for associations, insurers, and specialist conferences.
Marcus Schäfer gründete die Kanzlei 1995 und hat sie zu dem gemacht, was sie heute ist: eine der führenden Spezialkanzleien für den Energiehandel in Deutschland. Seine Expertise umfasst das gesamte Spektrum – vom Energiesteuerrecht über Überfüllschäden bis zur Insolvenzanfechtung. Er hat zahlreiche wegweisende Urteile erstritten, an der TRwS 791 mitgewirkt und ist regelmäßiger Referent bei Verbänden, Versicherungen und Fachtagungen.
Position: Attorney-at-law and firm owner
Marcus Schäfer founded the firm in 1995 and has turned it into what it is today: one of the leading specialist firms for energy trading in Germany. His expertise covers the entire spectrum—from energy tax law and overfill damage to insolvency clawback. He has won numerous landmark judgments, contributed to TRwS 791, and is a regular speaker for associations, insurers, and specialist conferences.
Marcus Schäfer gründete die Kanzlei 1995 und hat sie zu dem gemacht, was sie heute ist: eine der führenden Spezialkanzleien für den Energiehandel in Deutschland. Seine Expertise umfasst das gesamte Spektrum – vom Energiesteuerrecht über Überfüllschäden bis zur Insolvenzanfechtung. Er hat zahlreiche wegweisende Urteile erstritten, an der TRwS 791 mitgewirkt und ist regelmäßiger Referent bei Verbänden, Versicherungen und Fachtagungen.
Location
Mannheim – in the heart of the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region
The firm is based at Q 4, 18 in Mannheim city center. From here, we advise clients throughout Germany. Because good advice is not tied to a place. In-person appointments are just as possible as telephone and video conferences.
Address:
Kanzlei Schäfer Rechtsanwälte
Q 4, 18
68161 Mannheim
Get to know us
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