Wilhelm J. Ziegler

Of Counsel

Direct: 404.873.8180
Fax: 404.873.8181
Atlanta
171 17th Street NW
Suite 2100
Atlanta, Georgia 30363

Biography

Admitted to practice law in the United States and Germany, Wilhelm focuses on delivering efficient solutions to his multinational corporate clients’ needs in all aspects of their U.S. operations, from start-up subsidiaries to large scale operating companies.

Wilhelm counsels clients in all aspects of U.S. investments, strategic partnerships and cross- border acquisitions. He advises on all types of business matters, such as sales, agency, distribution, licensing, software, employment, and other business agreements; terms and conditions; intellectual property protection; products liability advice; website compliance; litigation; and visa matters and green cards. His clients hail from many industries including automotive, manufacturing, technology and business services. He has significant experience assisting companies in securing incentives and grants from various state agencies.

Wilhelm is a past Chair of the Europe Committee of the American Bar Association, Section of International Law, serving as a speaker with the Section, the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (“IHK”), and the Association of Corporate Counsel. He advises the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeastern U.S. and the German-American Cultural Foundation in Atlanta in corporate governance matters.

Experience

  • Representing Companies and Development Authorities in investment transactions totaling over $2 Billion to achieve and structure available incentives based on capex and employment creation (data centers, manufacturing, distribution).
  • Representing leading European timber company in joint venture for the manufacture of wood products and the acquisition of sawmill operations in the Southern U.S.
  • Representing German/Austrian steel manufacturer during site selection, incentive negotiation and corporate matters in $900 million investment in a steel manufacturing facility, creating 675 direct and 1,500 indirect jobs.
  • Representing US/Germany-based manufacturer of high-precision dies for the digital printing industry in merger with US-manufacturer of precision converting products, which resulted in a worldwide leading precision rotary tooling company with manufacturing and support services on 5 continents.
  • Managing solar developers’ bids to provide 525 MW of electrical power to the Georgia Power Company, to be generated by large photovoltaic solar farms, at a total investment volume of $600 million, including negotiation of investment incentives.
  • Advising a publicly traded (NASDAQ and German Stock Exchange) multinational software company in U.S. legal matters.
  • Representing a German flooring manufacturer during incentive negotiations, bond-for-title transaction and corporate matters for a $45 million manufacturing facility in the US, creating 100 direct jobs.
  • Representing a German/Austrian automotive supply company in the buy-out of a US joint venture partner in US and Mexican manufacturing and sales facilities.
  • Advising on the acquisition of Brazilian and U.S. trade show portfolios by Germany-based trade show company.

    Credentials

    • Emory University School of Law, Juris Doctor
    • Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany, Juris Doctor
    • German Bar Examination II, (Zweites Bayrisches Juristische Staatsexamen), Munich, Germany
    • German Bar Examination I, (Erstes Bayrisches Juristische Staatsexamen), Munich, Germany
    • State of Georgia 2003
    • Country of Germany 1999
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
    • Supreme Court of Georgia
    • Superior Courts of Georgia
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • Landgericht I and II, Munich, Germany
      • American Bar Association, Section of International Law, Europe Committee
      • German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeastern United States
      • German-American Cultural Foundation, Inc.
      • German Bar Association
      • German School of Atlanta, Board of Directors
      • State Bar of Georgia
    • German ( Fluent )
    • English

    Recognition

    • Best Lawyers in America®, Immigration Law, 2023-24
    • American Bar Association — Section of International Law, Outstanding Stand-Alone Program Award

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