Die Kanzlei Küttner

Thomas
Niklas

Lawyer | Employment Law Specialist | Partner

Thomas Niklas Rechtsanwalt | Fachanwalt für Arbeitsrecht | Partner niklas[at]kuettner-rechtsanwaelte.de +49 221 22286-333 Richmodstraße 8, 50667 Köln, Deutschland Küttner Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaftsgesellschaft mbB

Vita

Thomas Niklas has been advising our clients as a lawyer since his move to the firm in 2012. He advises national and international companies on all aspects of individual employment law and collective labour law.

Key areas of focus include the planning and implementation of outsourcing and restructuring projects, the deployment of temporary worker staffing, employee data protection, and matters relating to works constitution law. Thomas Niklas is a trusted source for matters involving changes to organizational structures (reorganization / restructuring) and transfer of undertakings, remuneration structures, working time arrangements, and personnel development. Regular contributions as an author and speaker reflect his ongoing commitment to current employment law topics.

Advisory and Key Practice Areas

+ Outsourcing and Transformations + Works Constitution Law + Use of External Personnel + Employee Data Protection

Memberships

+ German Bar Association e.V. + Cologne Bar Association e.V. + Employment Law Working Group at the German Bar Association e.V. + European Employment Lawyers Association (EELA) + IFA Employment Law Specialist Forum

Professional Background

+ Elevation to Partner + Joined Küttner Rechtsanwälte + Employment Law Specialist + Specialised as an employment law lawyer at a major international law firm in Cologne + Served as a research associate in the employment law practice of a major international law firm + Legal internship at the Regional Court of Koblenz, with placements at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Labour in Bonn, the employment law department of an international law firm in + Cologne, and the employment law practice of a commercial law firm in Edinburgh, UK + Position at the Law Faculty of the Rhine Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn + Studied law at the Rhine Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn

Distinctions

+ Best Lawyers/Handelsblatt: Best Lawyers in Employment Law 2025, 2024, 2023, 2020, 2019 & 2018 + Who's Who Legal: National Leader Labour & Employment Law 2021 + JUVE Handbook 2020/2021: Top-ranked employment law adviser (“strong advocate”; “personable, dependable, and capable”) + WirtschaftsWoche: The most reputable employment law firms and lawyers – 2020 + The Legal 500 2020 Noted for excellence in employment law “Thomas Niklas’s expertise lies in outsourcing and restructuring initiatives, and the introduction of new remuneration models and working time systems”) + JUVE Handbook 2019/2020: Recognised as a top employment law adviser (“legally astute, personable, and seasoned”) + WirtschaftsWoche: The Best Employment Law Lawyers 2019 + JUVE Handbook 2018/2019: Recognised as a rising star in employment law (“brings valuable perspective beyond narrow legal confines”) + JUVE Handbook 2017/2018: Rising star in employment law (“assertive”) + The Legal 500 2017 Widely regarded in employment law for (“strategic thinker”) + WirtschaftsWoche: The Best Employment Law Lawyers 2017 + JUVE Handbook 2016/2017: Up-and-coming in employment law (“thinks beyond legal boundaries”; “technically strong, personable, and experienced”) + The Legal 500 2016 Highly recommended in employment law (“an exceptionally adept negotiator”) + JUVE Handbook 2015/2016: “Up and comer in employment law (“competent”) + The Legal 500 2015 Highly recommended in employment law (“remarkably accomplished in the field”) + JUVE Handbook 2014/2015: Frequently recommended (“competent and practical”; “offers thoughtful, tactful, and effective negotiation support”)

Publications

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