SOH75 – History and future of a German corporate law firm
Both stations are 75 years, but only a few streets apart: it was a long way from the two-man law firm in a provisionally converted basement in post-war Essen to today's full-service corporate law firm with a nationwide reputation and more than 40 lawyers in a modern office complex on Rüttenscheider Strasse.
From start-ups to well-known family businesses and international corporations.
“AN ESSEN JEWEL.”
Market observer JUVE about SOH
A law firm founded from nothing and in post-war ruins, in the heart of Germany's industrial Rhine-Ruhr region. A law firm that, from its beginnings, has accompanied aspiring and innovative entrepreneurs from start-up to the top of the market - that is the story of SOH and the clients it has served to this day.
For some clients who, like SOH, grew up in the German “Wirtschaftswunder” (economic miracle), SOH has developed into an outsourced legal department. Thanks to close relationships, it is a deeply internalized fundamental virtue of the firm to be there for clients comprehensively. With advisors who belong to the client in the best sense of the word - because they can provide precise and clear advice with business knowledge and entrepreneurial understanding.
The foundation stone for this distinctive service mentality of a large corporate law firm was laid in 1950 by two young lawyers from Essen, Karl Ronkel and Gerhard Schmidt, with their law firm start-up in provisionally furnished basement rooms. Their very different characters and qualities combined entrepreneurial spirit with a will to succeed, openness to new challenges, a pronounced service mentality, great personal modesty - and an extraordinary talent for networking and winning people over.
The two extraordinary founding personalities are still living history at SOH today. In close collaboration with its exceptional clients, the firm has written its own history over 75 years by developing and reinventing itself time and again. This willingness to constantly modernize has extended the classic entrepreneurial support to forward-looking fields of advice such as M&A and private equity, medical and healthcare law, IT law and real estate. The will to modernize is also reflected in today's name - simple and clear: SOH.
Milestones
When Karl Ronkel (born 1912 in Buer near Gelsenkirchen) is looking for a partner for his new law firm, the president of the Essen Regional Court recommends Gerhard Schmidt. The young law firm's first office is in temporary basement premises near the Regional Court in Essen at Zweigertstraße 11.
From the very beginning, Ronkel and Schmidt advised the Albrecht brothers from Essen, whom they got to know while supervising the Essen wholesale market. They soon became important clients of the law firm. The lawyers support the Albrechts in the expansion of their parents' grocery business. This exemplary success story of the German “Wirtschaftswunder” (economic miracle) begins with the establishment of a network of self-service markets in the Ruhr area. This is followed by rapid expansion and further development throughout Germany and internationally.
The law firm moves to larger premises at Rüttenscheider Stern.
The firm, which has permanently grown to around five lawyers, moves to Hans-Luther-Allee 5 (now Haumannplatz 28-32). As a result, the firm is able to grow continuously and expand the office accordingly. For almost 60 years, "Haumannplatz" becomes home to several SOH generations.
Dinnies von der Osten, who later becomes a partner, joins the firm as a lawyer.
With the computer pioneer Heinz Nixdorf, SOH is supporting another pathbreaking SOH client in the transformation of his business into Nixdorf Computer AG and its subsequent internationalization.
Gerhard Schmidt supports the economist Klaus Schwab in founding the World Economic Forum (WEF). The Forum, which takes place annually in Geneva and later Davos, becomes the most important networking meeting for the global business and political elite.
Jochen Schmidt, son of the founder, and Emil Huber join the firm as lawyers. Both become lead counsel for ALDI SÜD and ALDI Nord for more than 30 years.
Gerhard Schmidt becomes Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the well-known SOH client Karmann AG.
Franz-Josef Dahm joins the firm as a lawyer. Under his professional leadership, health care is expanded as an important focus of the firm.
Karl Ronkel receives the badge of honor (“Ehrenzeichen”) of the German Medical Association for his services to the medical profession.
Founder Karl Ronkel leaves the partnership. The firm changes its name to Schmidt, von der Osten & Huber.
Gerhard Schmidt receives the Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany from Federal President Horst Köhler.
SOH is providing comprehensive advice on all legal issues relating to the Ruhr metropolis Essen being European Capital of Culture 2010.
SOH awards the SOH doctoral scholarship for the first time, consisting of a printing costs grant and a mentoring program for doctoral students. The scholarship, which is awarded annually, has enjoyed great popularity ever since.
SOH achieves first place in the rankings of industry observer JUVE for the North Rhine-Westphalia region and is recognized as a top employer in the western region. This is followed by further awards and nominations, including Law Firm of the Year for SMEs in 2020 and 2022.
SOH moves up in JUVE's list of the 50 German mid-market consultants with high turnover.
SOH moves from its long-standing domicile at Haumannplatz to the modern, significantly larger office building at Rüttenscheider Straße 26.
The coronavirus pandemic is changing the economy and society at a rapid pace. Due to a determined recruitment policy, SOH continues to grow in the midst of its clients' high demands.
The volume of M&A transactions advised by SOH exceeds EUR 400 million for the first time, thereof EUR 100 million in health care and life sciences.
SOH is advising the ALDI Nord Group on its comprehensive transformation.
SOH becomes a member of the multidisciplinary, international network MSI Global Alliance. In addition to lawyers, the network also includes tax advisory and auditing firms.
SOH is growing to over 40 professionals and a total of around 100 people. The team of lawyers includes all age groups and young talents from within the firm - in particular former trainee lawyers and winners of the doctoral scholarship - as well as external reinforcement from large international law firms.