The Berlin Football Association has appointed Dirk Zimmermann as its new Vice President of Legal Affairs. The experienced lawyer will take up his honorary position for the BFV on July 1, 2025 and succeeds Jan Schlüschen-Hesterberg, who resigned from his position in May for personal reasons(read article).
Dirk Zimmermann is co-founder and partner of the law firm Zimmermann Kaliner Kugler Rechtsanwälte, which is based in Berlin. He has many years of experience in various areas of law. In addition to foreign trade law, Dirk Zimmermann's main areas of practice include criminal law, transport law and employment law. He has been working as an independent lawyer since 1999, first in Cologne and then in Berlin. In addition to his wide-ranging professional expertise, the Neuss native also brings his existing network in German professional and amateur soccer to the BFV Presidium. As a partner in the FC Magnet Bar in Mitte, Dirk Zimmermann is also committed to Berlin's soccer and fan culture. At weekends, the father of football-loving sons can be found on Berlin's soccer pitches with his father-in-law, former Iranian national coach Bahman Foroutan.
BFV President Bernd Schultz said: "In Dirk Zimmermann, we are gaining a personality who not only has excellent legal credentials, but also has a great affinity for Berlin soccer and a large network. I am very much looking forward to working with him and am convinced that he will provide important impetus for the further development of our association and our member clubs."
Dirk Zimmermann himself looks forward to his new role with great motivation: "I would like to thank the Executive Board for their trust and I am very much looking forward to the tasks ahead. I have always had a great passion for soccer and am delighted to be able to contribute my expertise in this area in the future. I would like to use my experience to further strengthen the area of law in the association and in the clubs."
With the appointment of Dirk Zimmermann, the BFV Presidium is once again fully staffed and well positioned for the tasks ahead, especially in preparation for the BFV Association Congress, which will take place on November 22, 2025.
