Bundesrechtsanwaltskammer

The German Federal Bar Association (BRAK) is the national organisation that represents the legal profession in Germany. It provides a range of services to its members, including professional representation before legislative bodies, continuing legal education programmes, and the dissemination of legal information. BRAK works to uphold professional standards and ethics among lawyers across the country. It also offers support services such as legal practice management advice and assistance with professional liability matters. Through these activities, the association seeks to strengthen the quality and integrity of legal services in Germany.

BRAK operates throughout the Federal Republic of Germany, coordinating with the sixteen state bar associations that constitute the mandatory membership of lawyers. Its headquarters are located in Germany, and it maintains an office in Brussels to engage with European Union institutions on matters affecting the legal profession. The Brussels office enables the association to monitor EU legislative developments and to advocate for the interests of German lawyers in a supranational context. This dual national and European focus distinguishes BRAK from purely domestic legal organisations.

A key distinguishing attribute of BRAK is its statutory role as the federal umbrella organisation for the legal profession, which gives it a formal voice in the shaping of laws and regulations that affect lawyers. The association participates in federal legislative processes, provides expert opinions on draft legislation, and contributes to the development of professional codes of conduct. BRAK also organises continuing education events and publishes professional journals to promote ongoing competence among its members. Its involvement in both national and EU policy arenas underscores its specialised position within the legal sector.

Structurally, BRAK is a public‑law corporation established under German federal law, serving as the overarching body for the state bar associations. It is governed by a president and an executive board elected from among its member associations. The association’s recent experience with a ransomware attack on its Brussels office in August 2023 highlighted the importance of cybersecurity resilience for professional organisations. The incident led to the encryption of systems and the exfiltration of approximately 160 GB of data, prompting a forensic analysis and warnings about possible phishing attempts using stolen correspondence. BRAK continues to restore normal operations while reinforcing its information security measures.