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 in both the United States and Germany, Wilhelm is a go‑to legal strategist for multinational corporations navigating U.S. operations. From launching subsidiaries to scaling complex enterprises, he delivers practical solutions that drive growth and minimize risk.

Wilhelm empowers clients to succeed in the U.S. market by guiding investments, cross‑border transactions, and strategic partnerships. His counsel covers the full spectrum of business needs — commercial agreements, intellectual property, product liability, compliance, real estate, employment, and immigration — ensuring companies stay competitive and protected.

With deep experience across automotive, manufacturing, technology, and business services, Wilhelm has a proven track record in economic development, advising on and securing state incentives and grants that fuel expansion.

He leverages AI‑driven insights to streamline complex legal and business processes, helping clients make informed decisions and stay ahead in competitive industries.

A recognized thought leader, he has chaired the Europe Committee of the American Bar Association’s Section of International Law and frequently speaks at global business forums. He also advises the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeastern U.S. and the German‑American Cultural Foundation in Atlanta on corporate governance, further underscoring his commitment to strengthening transatlantic business ties.

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, 2023-26
    • American Bar Association — Section of International Law, Outstanding Stand-Alone Program Award

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