The son of a Hamburg merchant, he obtained a doctorate in law in Leipzig in 1876, and worked as a barrister until 1893.

His political career ended in 1919, following the constitutional changes that abolished the legal privileges of the grand burghers.

[2] Predöhl with the complete Senate of Hamburg, since 18 November 1918 as administration acting only, resigned on 27 March 1919.

His wife's family connections greatly advanced his social position.

[3][4] He was the father of the economist Andreas Predöhl, who became Rector of the University of Kiel.