Famous German Lawyers & Judges

Max Weber was a German historian, political economist, jurist, and sociologist. Widely regarded as one of the most influential and important theorists, Weber's ideas had a profound influence on social research and social theory. Although he did not see himself as a sociologist, Weber is often counted among the fathers of sociology alongside Émile Durkheim, Auguste Comte, and Karl Marx.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the current president of Germany, has also been his nation’s Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs. A Social Democratic Party of Germany member, he went from being a factory worker’s son to studying law and politics and then eventually stepping into politics. He has also worked for the German military.

Kurt Georg Kiesinger was a German politician. Nicknamed Silver Tongue, Kiesinger is best remembered for his outstanding skills as a mediator and orator. While serving as Baden-Württemberg's Minister President, Kiesinger founded the universities of Ulm and Konstanz. He is also credited with writing several books and poetry.

Gerhard Schröder is a German retired lawyer, politician, lobbyist, and consultant. From 1998 to 2005, Schröder served as the chancellor of Germany. He is currently serving as chairman of the popular energy company Rosneft. An influential figure, Gerhard Schröder has represented Germany on a couple of occasions, including the funeral services for Fidel Castro and Boris Yeltsin. 

Roland Freisler was a German Nazi judge, jurist, and politician. From 1942 to 1945, he served as the president of the People's Court. As a jurist, Freisler had a major influence on the Nazification of Germany's legal system. He also played an influential role in the Wannsee Conference, which brought about the Holocaust.

Part of the legendary folklorist duo known as the Brothers Grimm, Jacob Grimm gave to the world Grimm’s Fairy Tales, along with his younger brother, Wilhelm Grimm. The son of a lawyer, he, too, had initially studied law. He also contributed immensely to Germanic linguistics, with his Grimm's law.

German socialist radical Karl Liebknecht is best remembered for co-founding the Spartacus League, an underground group that was declared illegal but later led to the formation of the Communist Party of Germany. He was shot to death on the orders of German commander Waldemar Pabst in the 1919 Spartacus Revolt.

German-born American political scientist and historian Hans Morgenthau, a leading twentieth-century figure in the study of international relations, is noted for his contributions in international relations theory and the study of international law. His book Politics Among Nations introduced the concept of political realism that played an instrumental role in the foreign policy of the US.

Christian Wulff is a German retired lawyer and politician. After serving as Minister-President of Lower Saxony from 2003 to 2010, Wulff went on to serve as President of Germany. During his presidency, which lasted from 2010 to 2012, Wulff faced accusations of corruption pertaining to his former service as minister-president. The accusations, which were later invalidated, led to his resignation.

Enamoured by the ideas of French and German philosophers, Ferdinand Lassalle initially aspired to be a lecturer. He later joined the socialist cause and spearheaded Germany’s social democratic movement. He also introduced terms such as the iron law of wages and concepts such as Lassallism, or achieving socialist ideals through the state.

A doctorate in law, Roman Herzog had initially been a teaching assistant and then a political science professor. Stepping into politics later, he was elected as the first German president following the reunification of Germany. Apart from an honorary knighthood, he also won the Charlemagne Prize.

Roman Catholic Centre Party leader and two-time German chancellor Wilhelm Marx was a jurist and the founder of the Catholic Schools Organization. Best known for accepting the Dawes Plan for World War I reparations, he was charged with the Volksvereinsprozeß during the Nazi regime.

Gustav Heinemann was the first Social Democrat to serve as the head of state in West Germany following World War II. Known widely as the ordinary man's President, he was knighted, too.  A lecturer of law, too, his reluctance to support the Nazis probably ended his teaching career.