Mike Wienbracke

Mike Wienbracke is a Professor of Public Law, specializing in Constitutional and Administrative Law as well as European Law at the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences. He has been serving in this position since February 1, 2010, and previously held roles as Examination Board Chairman and Dean of the School of Business Law.

His educational background includes:

• Law studies at Ruhr-University Bochum (1996-2000)
• Economics studies at FernUniversität in Hagen (1996-2000, intermediate diploma)
• First legal state examination in 2001
• Ph.D. in Law (Dr. iur.)
• LL.M. from University of Edinburgh (2003-2004)
• Second legal state examination in 2006

Professor Wienbracke's research interests focus on Public Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law, European Law, Tax Law, and Legal Methodology, with particular attention to the economic analysis of law. His work often examines the intersection of legal principles with practical governance issues, including fiscal policy, electoral systems, and regulatory frameworks for public safety. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on constitutional limitations, legal methodology, and the application of European fundamental freedoms. Recent work has addressed voting rights as civic duties, non-tax levies in the tax state, and constitutional restrictions on retroactive tax legislation.

Professor Wienbracke has received multiple research awards from the university presidency. Notably, his 2019 publication on police fees for high-risk football matches was cited by both the Federal Administrative Court (2019) and the Federal Constitutional Court (2025) in their rulings that Bremen's police fee for high-risk professional football matches does not violate the German Constitution.

As a former practicing attorney at Flick Gocke Schaumburg in Bonn and a visiting research scholar at the Levin College of Law, University of Florida (2013/14), Professor Wienbracke brings practical legal experience to his academic work. He also serves as a contact lecturer for the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and has been involved in significant research projects referenced by the German Bundestag.