Startups, founders and shareholders in Germany should consult a lawyer at the latest (!) when expert advice is required:
For contracts which, due to their complexity, cannot simply be "read down",
When it comes to particularly serious decisions, e.g. when shareholders, new shareholders and investors join or leave the german company
When agreements, contracts are used several times, e.g. employment contracts, employee participation or data protection declarations
When the gut feeling says so
Our experience shows that often the way to a lawyer is shied away due to cost reasons. However, experience also shows that this usually becomes even more expensive.