Gleiss Lutz is a popular address for banks, financial institutions and private equity companies, thanks to the international orientation and experience in cross-border investigations and high-profile matters. The team is well versed in cum-ex and financial fraud-related matters and also focuses on issues pertaining to allegations of corruption, cybercrime, sexual harassment as well as bullying and misconduct. Practice head Eike Bicker is experienced in internal investigations, he is supported by Marcus Reischl, who frequently cooperates with the relevant authorities as well as parliamentary investigative committees. Christoph Skoupil offers expertise in criminal law and made partner in January 2023. Of counsel Dirk Scherp (criminal law and fine proceedings) retired in March 2023.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP‘s expertise is based on the close cooperation of the litigation, compliance and US-based teams, where the practice advises international companies and corporations on so-called bet-the-company mandates in connection with investigations and regulatory matters; this offering includes clients' representation in civil and criminal proceedings. Core competencies include the assistance with allegations in connection with sanctions and export controls, cyber attacks, cum-ex, AML, crypto regulation and ESG matters. Practice head Benno Schwarz has longstanding experience in FCPA, anti-corruption as well as corporate and compliance issues in high-risk countries such as Russia; Finn Zeidler is renowned for his expertise in anti-money laundering and crypto matters, while Ferdinand Fromholzer focuses on D&O liability and Kai Gesing advises on issues pertaining to antitrust, technology and data protection. Katharina Humphrey, who made partner in January 2023, regularly assists with cross-border internal investigations pertaining to CMS, ESG and sanctions.

Hengeler Mueller‘s renowned compliance practice is experienced in the finance sector and regularly offers support in internal investigations. Recent focus areas include alleged violations of the Russian sanctions regime, greenwashing allegations, contentious ESG matters as well as allegations of money laundering, data protection and tax fraud. The firm’s eDiscovery tool Nuix is particularly noteworthy in this context. Among the key contact are Vera Jungkind (data protection and AML compliance), Fabian Quast (regulated industries and IT forensics), Wolfgang Spoerr (corporate investigations) and Daniel Weiß (banking and finance, official investigations).

Allen & Overy LLP follows an interdisciplinary and cross-border approach and focuses on supporting companies from the finance, life sciences and technology sectors. The practice frequently assists with comprehensive investigations into allegations of accounting fraud, tax evasion as well as external staff issues, misconduct by management personnel and embezzlement. The team also draws on the expertise of the eDiscovery team as well as the international network. Wolf Bussian (financial sector investigations) and Jan Erik Windthorst (compliance violations) jointly head the team and are supported by criminal lawyer Tim Nikolas Müller (tax, capital markets and corruption law).

Baker McKenzie is experienced in internal investigations with cross-border aspects and advises DAX40 companies and international corporations across all industries. The team focuses on the support in connection with money laundering allegations, antitrust law, data protection and criminal tax law as well as integrity issues (discrimination, bullying, harassment, retaliation). The practice is jointly led by Andreas Lohner (anti-corruption investigations) and Nicolai Behr (corruption, fraud and #MeToo investigations). ESG and sanctions advice is covered by Anahita Thoms, while Annika Schürmann assists with antitrust and criminal proceedings.

Linklaters is experienced in supporting companies from the energy, aviation, automotive, manufacturing and consumer goods sectors in internal investigations; international matters are covered thanks to the frequent cooperation with the firm’s network. This cross-border expertise is regularly called upon in connection with allegations pertaining to #MeToo, compliance violations, EU and Russia-related sanctions, antitrust law, criminal law and cum-ex. Hans-Ulrich Wilsing (corporate law, governing bodies) and Kerstin Wilhelm (clients' representation and investigations) jointly head the team. Jens Blumenberg and Christian Hundeshagen assist with alleged tax fraud matters, while Daniela Seeliger is well versed in  antitrust law. Associate Jacqueline Kusserow (in addition to internal investigations, dispute resolution and risk assessment regarding sanctions) is another key contact.

Noerr primarily assists DAX companies in the financial services, manufacturing and technology sectors with internal investigations and advises on allegations in connection with regulatory and tax law, sanctions, ESG, data protection and HR compliance. Torsten Fett is well versed in stock corporation and capital markets law and jointly heads the team with Sophia Habbe, who regularly supports cross-border investigations in connection with diversity and inclusion. Christian Pelz is experienced in corruption, fraud and embezzlement-related investigations, while Alida Gölz, who was appointed to associate partner in January 2023, covers regulatory issues and internal investigations. Senior associate Jana Hanke handles the criminal law interface. Stefanie Bischof (regulatory investigations) left the firm in June 2023 for an in-house position.

CMS is experienced in preventive matters, such as management systems, and also offers forensic support to clients in the technology, construction, manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries. The practice assists with internal investigations into allegations pertaining to employment law and sanctions violations, money laundering and fraud. Clients also benefit from the forensic legal tech tool CMS Evidence. Harald Potinecke heads the practice and is experienced in criminal and corruption law as well as official investigations. He is supported by Joachim Kaetzler (money laundering and anti-corruption) and Daniel Kaiser (criminal law and clients' representation). Till Komma (compliance violations and cross-border investigations) was appointed to counsel in January 2023.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s compliance team assists with investigations into national and cross-border allegations of corruption, fraud, embezzlement and money laundering; this expertise is regularly called upon by companies from the automotive, finance, manufacturing, aviation and infrastructure sectors. Practice head Dirk Seiler is well versed in criminal law, clients’ representation and asset tracing. Counsel Enno Appel (financial services regulation) left the firm in December 2022 for an in-house position.

Criminal law and compliance boutique CCI-LEGAL is based in Munich and active since March 2023. The firm strengthened its capacities in both preventive and forensic compliance with the arrival of the renowned compliance and criminal law expert Karl-Jörg Xylander from White & Case LLP. The team focuses on assisting international companies with internal investigations, AFC compliance and supply chain due diligence.

Pohlmann & Company‘s team complements its traditional focus on preventive compliance with experience in internal investigations, crisis management and liability matters; this expertise is regularly called upon by governing bodies. Practice head Andreas Pohlmann advises on corporate governance issues, while Nicole Willms is experienced in whistleblower systems, internal investigations and the enforcement of disciplinary measures. Julia Kahlenberg focuses on Asia-related compliance and investigations and Martin Schorn advises on criminal investigations and fine proceedings. Counsel Isabelle Plath is well versed in D&O matters.