Nicolas Nohlen

Dr Nicolas Nohlen is a partner in our dispute resolution practice group and heads the European and German dispute resolution group. Nicolas's practice covers a broad spectrum of commercial litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, in particular, in relation to disputes in the fields of corporate law, M&A, capital market law, commercial law, banking and product liability. Nicolas has broad experience in international arbitration proceedings, both as arbitration counsel and as arbitrator (inter alia under the rules of the ICC, SCC, DIS, Swiss Rules and in ad-hoc arbitrations). Another focus of his practice is advising on internal investigations. Nicolas's recent work includes advising clients across a broad range of industry sectors including banks/financial institutions, telecommunications, energy, the automotive industry, health care and sport.

Nicolas studied law at the University of Heidelberg (Dr. iur.) and at Yale Law School (LL.M.). He was admitted to the German bar in 2011. He is the author of various publications in German and international legal journals on topics in the area of dispute resolution, arbitration, internal investigations and corporate law. Nicolas is a guest lecturer in international arbitration at the University of Heidelberg. He is a member of several professional associations, such as the German Institution of Arbitration (DIS), the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), the German-American Lawyers Association (DAJV) and the Association for Company and Corporate Law (VGR). Nicolas founded the firm's Diversity Committee in Germany.

According to the JUVE Handbook 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, 2024/2025 and 2025/2026, Nicolas is "frequently recommended" in the field of dispute resolution and described as "aspiring, flexible, diligent". (2020/2021), "super, does not let anyone get the better of him" (2021/2022), "convincing counsel, successfully built-up practice group – simply good" (2022/2023) respectively "very smart, commercially minded, tactically clever" (2023/2024) and "confident, clever, easy to get on with" (2024/2025) and “strategically strong, keeps all threads in hand” (2025/2026). JUVE also highlights the impressive development of the team under his leadership (“The team is clearly on the rise”, “impressive build-up”). Led by Nicolas, the Dispute Resolution team won the JUVE Award for 'Law Firm of the Year for Dispute Resolution' in 2025. 

Nicolas is ranked by Chambers Global and Germany as a leading individual since 2024 for Litigation in Germany. In Chambers Global 2026 (Litigation) he is highlighted for his "outstanding representation in damages actions, shareholder disputes, antitrust matters and insolvency disputes". It is added that his "expertise also extends to disputes in the financial sector". Feedback from clients and peers highlights his qualities: "Nicolas Nohlen is a brilliant guy who is very pragmatic and has smart ideas. He's an outstanding lawyer." "He has strong communication skills and is always very accurate in his work." "He is a very responsive, proactive and business-minded lawyer." "He is very calm and technically very good. Nicolas is on top of things and knows the mandates well." "He is very analytical, creative and highly professional." "Nicolas Nohlen is very good at giving us sound strategic advice". Nicolas has also been recognized by Handelsblatt and Best Lawyers™ as one of the best lawyers in Germany for Litigation as part of the Germany's Best Lawyers 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and for International Arbitration in Germany's Best Lawyers 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 ranking.
 
Prior to joining Ashurst in 2018, Nicolas worked as a lawyer in the Frankfurt office of the German law firm Hengeler Mueller.