The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Germany > Insurance litigation

As the clear market leader in contentious insurance law, BACH LANGHEID DALLMAYR pays special attention to international mandates and consequently has made a name for itself beyond the border of Germany. With its broad bench strength, the team regularly advises insurance companies and financial services providers and represents clients from the manufacturing, trade and commerce sectors as well as company directors, freelancers and private individuals in their defence against liability. Joachim Grote acts in the life and health insurance sector, where he has recently been primarily involved in litigation pertaining to trustee issues. The property insurance team co-led by Dirk-Carsten Günther and Stefan Spielmann is increasingly taking on disputes arising from natural disasters and business interruptions resulting from the violation of fire regulations. Motor vehicle matters are usually handled by Heinz Otto Höher and Sibille Bucka. Major liability proceedings are another key area of expertise and are frequently led by Rainer Büsken. Other key individuals in this segment include Martin Alexander and Carsten Hösker, who specialise in product liability and recalls, while Björn Seitz and Bastian Finkel have a focus on D&O and investment advisor liability.

The 'very strong litigators' at Clyde & Co LLP handle claims of all sizes and in all areas of the insurance and reinsurance business and have established themselves in the German market with the opening of the firm's first German office in 2016. At the beginning of 2019, the Ince maritime team led by Volker Lücke joined the firm and provides advice to the shipping industry on insurance law matters and transport law claims. Henning Schaloske heads the growing team, which acts as monitoring, coverage and defence counsel and plays a leading role in the financial lines segment. As a result, Schaloske has a particular focus on D&O, while also handling product liability and property insurance work. Special risks, fidelity insurance and international insurance matters, especially E&O mass claims, constitute Tanja Schramm's key area of expertise. Daniel Kassing, who made partner in May 2019, has extensive experience as monitoring and coverage counsel.

The insurance law practice at Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner excels in disputes pertaining to manager liability and D&O insurance. Tobias Lenz and Carsten Laschet jointly head the team, which works closely with the firm's corporate and insolvency law practices in order to provide a wide range of services. Laschet focuses on product liability and D&O liability insurance, while Lenz regularly handles major loss liability and worldwide recalls.

Monitoring and representing companies in complex cross-border claims form the focus of Noerr's practice. Co-lead by Oliver Sieg and Thomas Heitzer, the team has particular experience in D&O, E&O and financial lines. Other work pertains to product liability, property insurance and reinsurance-related claims. Sieg is also well versed in arbitration proceedings and acts as arbitrator. Heitzer frequently deals with liability and coverage litigation.

Wilhelm Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB predominately represents insurance companies and policyholders in enforcing claims for damages and insurance claims in major loss incidents. The team's main areas of expertise include liability, D&O insurance, business interruption and property insurance with niche expertise in power plant claims. Lars Winkler heads the practice and has a focus on liability litigation, while name partner Mark Wilhelm has a fine reputation in manager liability.

Working in close conjunction with its market-leading insurance law practice, Allen & Overy LLP also provides assistance with large-scale proceedings. Jan Schröder heads the overall insurance law practice, with Marc Zimmerling being the main contact for contentious work. Matters pertaining to D&O insurance are at the forefront of the practice, with the team primarily advising insurance companies on possible liability claims.

Dr. Eick & Partner Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft mbB provides insurance law assistance from seven German offices, representing public corporations, renowned municipal and private insurers, companies and freelancers. A particular strength lies in liability law. Michael Burmann and Rainer Heß are the main contacts for the offices in Erfurt and Bochum respectively.

Taylor Wessing regularly handles coverage matters alongside recourse proceedings as part of major claims with a focus on property and fire damages as well as losses from technical insurance and cyber attacks. Gunbritt Kammerer-Galahn heads the practice, which includes main contact for contentious work Franz Janssen. Due to his background in construction law, he regularly advises on the defence and enforcement of construction damages. Claus Peter Knufinke is recommended for industrial insurance matters.

In recent years, Graf von Westphalen has managed to strengthen its insurance sector offering. As a complement to its traditional strength in insurance distribution law, the team jointly led by Raimond Emde and Wolfram Desch has also been increasingly involved in D&O and insolvency liability matters alongside insurance law dispute resolution. Johan van der Veer predominately advises medium-sized companies on the settlement of major claims.

Loschelder provides medium-sized and large companies with a wide range of commercial services, including insurance law matters. As well as handling financial loss, liability insurance and, most notably D&O insurance mandates, the team is also well versed in construction insurance-related work. The practice is led by Wilfried Rüffer, who specialises in property insurance and inheritance law. Counsel Sandra Orlikowski-Wolf frequently handles mandates at the intersection with corporate law.

Representing professionals, such as tax advisors and auditors, in liability proceedings counts as PATZINA LOTZ Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaft mbB's core field of expertise. As part of a firm specialised in litigation and conflict management, the 'highly experienced' practice prepares expert opinions in pre-litigation scenarios and provides assistance with recourse proceedings. Key figures René Matz and Thorsten Lotz handle a number of long-term instructions and, while based in Frankfurt, are also regularly involved in nationwide mandates. As well as advising individuals in the liberal professions, Reinhard Patzina also acts for medium-sized companies and large insurers.