“new generation at Zenk, very competent especially in architectural law”, JUVE
Profile
Carolin J. Klüpfel is a partner at ZENK in Hamburg and a member of the Construction and Real Estate Law practice group. With her many years of experience, in-depth expertise, and strategic advisory skills, she supports clients in the legally sound and successful implementation of complex construction projects—from planning through contracting to completion.
Her practice focuses in particular on drafting and reviewing construction and architectural contracts, designing and overseeing procurement procedures, and representing clients in post-award review proceedings. She places special emphasis on collaborative and forward-looking forms of contract execution—such as integrated project alliances and multi-party agreements—that reflect the fundamental idea of construction as a collaborative endeavor.
As a conciliator and construction and real estate mediator, Carolin Klüpfel assists clients in the out-of-court resolution of construction disputes. Her mediative approach aims for efficient, equitable, and sustainable solutions that secure business relationships and project success in the long term.
In addition to her work as an attorney, Ms. Klüpfel has been a lecturer in construction law at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg since 2019. Since November 2024, she has also been a member of the Executive Committee of the Construction and Real Estate Law Working Group within the German Bar Association (DAV) e. V.
Skills
Architectural and Engineering Law,
Construction Law,
IPA / Integrated Project Delivery,
Project Development,
Public Procurement Law,
Arbitration,
Plant Engineering,
Renewable Energies,
Mediation
About
Carolin J. Klüpfel, born in Bamberg in 1986, is an attorney, a certified specialist in construction and architectural law, a conciliator for construction disputes, and a construction and real estate mediator.
She studied law in Munich, Leuven (Belgium), and Göttingen. Study-related stays abroad took her to Geneva, Brussels, Moscow, and Washington, D.C., among other places. She completed her legal clerkship at the Berlin Court of Appeal (Kammergericht), with placements in the Department of EU Affairs, the Berlin Senate Chancellery, and the Bar Association’s Conciliation Office.
Languages
German, English
Awards
Recognized by Best Lawyers 2027 / Handelsblatt Ranking 2026 „Ones to Watch“ in the field of Construction Law
TOP Lawyer in Construction Law for the year 2025, WirtschaftsWoche
TOP Lawyer 2026, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (F.A.Z.)
“Proven expert, especially in architectural law, new generation of partners at Zenk” (competitor), JUVE handbook 2023/2024
Publications
Florian Herbst/Carolin Klüpfel | Ein Plädoyer für die Schlichtung, Nachbericht zur Schlichterausbildung SoBau 2020 der ARGE Baurecht, 06/2022
Zum Begriff des Rechtsverhältnisses (§ 256 ZPO) und zu den Voraussetzungen der Inbetriebnahme von Windkraftanlagen | jurisPR-PrivBauR 08/2021 | Anmerkung zu OLG Brandenburg, Urteil vom 05.01.2021 – 6 U 129/19“
Keine doppelte Vergütungspflicht trotz doppelter Beauftragung | jurisPR-PrivBauR 12/2020 | Anmerkung zu OLG Naumburg, Urteil vom 16.12.2019 – 12 U 114/19
Konzessionsvertrag: Kein Anspruch auf Mehrvergütung aufgrund einer Finanz-und Wirtschafskrise | jurisPR-PrivBauR 6/2020 | Anmerkung zu OLG Celle, Urteil v. 26.11.2019 – 13 U 127/18 Link:
https://www.arge-baurecht.com/aktuelles/artikel/ein-plaedoyer-fuer-die-schlichtung
Anforderungen an einen Tiefgaragenstellplatz | jurisPR-PrivBauR 1/2020 | Anmerkung zu OLG Braunschweig, Urteil v. 20.06.2019 – 8 U 62/18
Aufhebung Architektenvertrag: Abrechnung und Haftung | jurisPR-PrivBauR 11/2019 | Anmerkung zu KG Berlin, Urteil v. 11.06.2019 – 21 U 142/18
Memberships
ARGE Baurecht, Institut für Baurecht in Freiburg e. V., MKBauImm Mediation und Konfliktmanagement in der Bau- und Immobilienwirtschaft e.V., Hamburger Anwaltsverein