Dr Dorothee Ruckteschler

Independent arbitrator and lawyer

Dr Dorothee Ruckteschler has more than 30 years of experience as a lawyer and arbitrator in complex high-volume German and international arbitration proceedings. She acquired her expertise over the many years during which she was a partner and head of the dispute resolution practice group at one of the world’s leading commercial law firms.

Leading companies rely on her comprehensive commercial knowledge, her intercultural acumen and her proven legal expertise.

It is not always possible to avoid disputes in our complex and collaborative business world. Particularly in international business relations, arbitration offers great value for companies as it allows them to resolve their disputes outside of state courts in internationally-recognised proceedings using rules which can be tailored to their needs.

Companies and colleagues value Dr Dorothee Ruckteschler’s ability to help the parties in such situations to build new bridges despite the dispute, to overcome cultural misunderstandings and to maintain ongoing business relationships whenever possible.

Experienced

Many years of extensive and international experience with arbitration proceedings on the basis of the rules of numerous arbitration institutions, such as ICC, SCAI, VIAC, DIS, LCIA, HKIAC.

Focussed

Key focus areas: corporate law disputes, post M&A disputes, D&O liability, disputes in the field of plant engineering and general commercial disputes.

Independent

Completely independent, no ongoing advice to companies, no connection to other law firms.
What others say about her
Chambers Germany Guide 2025

Category 1 of arbitrators;
Dorothee Ruckteschler is a very good arbitrator in Germany — I regard her extremely highly.

Who’s Who Arbitration 2025

Dorothee is the go-to arbitrator for large-scale disputes. She is always well prepared and well balanced.

JUVE 2024

She has a fantastic way of interacting with the parties; always remains completely calm; she creates an atmosphere of trust and develops amazing ideas.

Who’s Who Arbitration 2022

Dorothee Ruckteschler is a
„truly great arbitrator“ who is renowned for her „reasoned and well-balanced“ approach to
difficult disputes.

Who’s Who Legal Germany 2021

Dorothee Ruckteschler is touted as “the perfect choice” for arbitration proceedings that arise from M&A proceedings, energy project, D&O liability claims and shareholder disputes.

Chambers 2021

Dorothee Ruckteschler is held in particularly high esteem for her expertise in post-M&A arbitration, where she both represents clients and presides over arbitration. One source highlights her as “calm, relaxed and extremely competent.”

Handelsblatt 2019 to 2024

Named in the Handelsblatt & Best Lawyer surveys as „Lawyer of the Year“ in Germany in the fields of international arbitration and dispute resolution.

AcritasStars 2021

She works at an explicitly high level of quality in analyzing complex matters and is certainly capable to lead in complex matters with a structure involving many different parties and interests. She’s very goal-orientated.

Vita

Partner at CMS Hasche Sigle between 2000 and 2020
Founder and head of the dispute resolution practice group of CMS Germany
Head of the worldwide CMS International Arbitration Group
2018-2024 alternate German member of the ICC Court of International Arbitration
Since October 2020 own law firm focussing on arbitration

Curriculum Vitae

Publications & Lectures (Selection)

„Efficient Arb-Med-Arb Proceedings: Should the Arbitrator also be the Mediator?”
Journal of International Arbitration, 38, no. 6 (2021): 761-774 (with Dr Anika Wendelstein)
„Die vorzeitige Beendigung der Schiedsrichtertätigkeit“
(„Premature Termination of the Mandate by the Arbitrator“),
Festschrift zum 70.Geburtstag von Prof. Dr. Herbert Kronke, 2020 (withTanja Stooß)
„International Commercial Courts: A Superior Alternative to Arbitration?”,
Journal of International Arbitration 36, no. 4 (2019): 431-450 (with Tanja Stooß)

Publications & Lectures

Selected references

Presiding Arbitrator in a DIS arbitration in the field of construction / energy (EUR 362 million)

Presiding arbitrator in a DIS arbitration between two German companies regarding the construction of a nuclear power plant
(EUR 130 million)

Presiding arbitrator in an ICC arbitration between an American licensor and a Turkish licensee in the food sector (USD 53 million)

Co-arbitrator in an ICC administered energy dispute (EUR 413 million)

Co-arbitrator in an ICC arbitration seated in the United States in a complex construction dispute (USD 399 million)

Presiding arbitrator and co-arbitrator in complex national and international arbitration proceedings under the rules of various arbitration institutions (ICC, SCC, SIAC, HKIAC, Swiss Rules, VIAC, DIS)

Co-arbitrator in a DIS arbitration (international Post M&A dispute and attorney liability) (EUR 119 million)

Co-arbitrator in a commercial dispute (ICC) between a German and a Chinese party (USD 170 million)
Team

Caroline Hess