Renowned Damm & Mann is a popular address in the press and publishing sector and represents both large publishers such as Penguin Random House and leading press organisations, including Neue Zürcher Zeitung and Handelsblatt. Practice head Roger Mann regularly takes the lead in advising and representing the latter, as was demonstrated in disputes with the Frauenhofer-Gesellschaft für angewandte Wissenschaften. In addition to his experience in press law and freedom of speech, clients benefit from Holger Nieland‘s expertise in copyright law.
Press and publishing in Germany
Damm & Mann
Practice head(s):
Roger Mann
Other key lawyers:
Holger Nieland
Testimonials
‘Extremely knowledgeable and dedicated team.’
‘Damm & Mann is a highly specialized media law boutique.’
‘Prof. Dr Mann is a luminary of press law. His briefs are brilliant and his presentations are capable of turning even views of a press chamber believed to be deadlocked.’
Key clients
Stiftung Warentest
Handelsblatt GmbH
Penguin Random House
Hessischer Rundfunk
Gruner + Jahr
Sixt AG
Aida Cruises
Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ)
Nordwest-Zeitung
WestCom Medien GmbH
DLA Piper
DLA Piper 's versatile team comprehensively covers media, competition and advertising law issues. The team is regularly instructed by DAX40 companies and clients from the TV, broadcasting and publishing industries. Most recently, and led by Stefan Engels, Axel Springer, WeltN24 and BILD were represented in copyright and competition law proceedings against ARD (including affiliated broadcasters) and ZDF due to the integration of elements of the other party’s election programs on the evening of the 2021 federal election into the election program of the clients. This advisory offer is complemented by expertise in reputation management.
Practice head(s):
Stefan Engels
Other key lawyers:
Michael Stulz-Herrnstadt; Beatrice Brunn
Testimonials
‘Excellent broad coverage and thus also good interlocking in the area of commercial legal protection and media law, so that advice and support “from a single source” is guaranteed.’
‘Stefan Engels’ team is responsive, thorough and easy to work with. They are also open to transparent and fair billing discussions, which is very customer-friendly.’
‘Stefan Engels is a pleasant conversationalist who thinks creatively and gives practical advice.’
‘Dr. Engels is particularly valued by us as an excellent lawyer and very good strategist and tactician, who is excellently networked and has very deep knowledge of the media industry and the media business. His commitment and ability to “think outside the box” of the specific mandate and to fully support the client deserve special mention.’
Key clients
Axel Springer SE, WeltN24 GmbH, BILD GmbH
Bauer Media Group
compamedia GmbH
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH / Picture Alliance
Seven One Entertainment Group / ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE
Society Relations & Communications
Ströer Digital Publishing GmbH (Ströer)
Wort & Bild Verlag GmbH & Co. KG
Inger Verlag
Sailer Verlag
Work highlights
- Advising and representing Axel Springer SE, WeltN24 GmbH and BILD GmbH against copyright and competition law claims from the broadcasters affiliated to ARD and ZDF due to the integration of elements of the other side’s election programs on the evening of the 2021 federal election into the client’s election program.
- Advising the dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH on copyright issues and representation in various court proceedings.
- Representing SPIEGEL-Verlag as publisher of the news magazine DER SPIEGEL in two proceedings before the Federal Administrative Court (BVerwG). The background to this is pending lawsuits before the BVerwG, in which the SPIEGEL publishing house is requesting information from the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) on the so-called SPIEGEL affair in 1962.
NESSELHAUF Rechtsanwälte
NESSELHAUF Rechtsanwälte is particularly well-known in German press and publishing law for representing affected parties. Thus, the firm’s clients include prominent individuals as well as household names from various sectors. The team is led by Michael Nesselhauf, who, in addition to his legal expertise, also offers his experience as former managing director of Spiegel-Verlag; press law and freedom of speech specialist Stephanie Vendt and Till Dunckel, who is particularly known for his expertise in strategic press law advice and representation in criminal proceedings, are other key contacts.
Practice head(s):
Till Dunckel; Michael Nesselhauf; Stephanie Vendt
Testimonials
‘It’s very pleasant to work with a professional team that works in a solution-oriented manner and doesn’t push itself into the foreground or even the public. Short reaction times, fast support, great.’
‘The Hamburg practice of NESSELHAUF is one of the market leaders in the representation of those affected. The lawyers work at the highest level and are characterized by an outstanding, unwavering commitment to the interests of their clients. The law firm regularly acts in the background and does not attract public attention. We can wholeheartedly recommend the team.’
‘We can particularly recommend Dr. Stephanie Vendt. She is technically excellent, enjoys the unrestricted trust of her clients, is an excellent negotiator and has excellent contacts in the market and a great deal of experience.’
Raue
Led by Robert Heine and Jan Hegemann, Raue‘s team advises and represents large press organisations such as Bloomberg and Axel Springer, including affiliated companies, in matters pertaining to free speech and personal rights as well as related contentious proceedings. This is complemented by expertise in interfacing art law and copyright issues. Felix Laurin Stang and Anna-Sophie Hollenders also cover this intersection and are supported by senior associate Lisa Schopp.
Practice head(s):
Jan Hegemann; Robert Heine
Other key lawyers:
Felix Laurin Stang; Anna-Sophie Hollenders; Lisa Schopp
Testimonials
‘Outstanding expertise, independent advice, excellent reputation.’
‘Very high level of expertise and very good service level.’
‘Very good, client-oriented communication, also towards non-lawyers.’
‘Good nerves of steel and a relaxed approach to critical situations, including those that attract public attention.’
‘Mr Hegemann is not only very smart and well-read and an excellent lawyer, he also always remains cool and level-headed. His forecasts are of almost clairvoyant quality and always came true. He is simply the best.’
Key clients
Zeitsprung Pictures GmbH
Axel Springer SE
BILD GmbH
B.Z. Ullstein GmbH
WeltN24 GmbH
Bloomberg
Ufa Fiction
Work highlights
- Ongoing advice and legal representation of Axel Springer SE and affiliated companies (BILD GmbH, BZ Ullstein GmbH, WeltN24 GmbH) in legal proceedings and constitutional complaints.
- Ongoing advice on copyright and personal rights to Zeitsprung Pictures GmbH in the filming of contemporary historical material.
- Advising Bloomberg on the script development and film adaptation of A Thousand Lines of Lies.
Schertz Bergmann Rechtsanwälte
In addition to advising celebrities, Schertz Bergmann Rechtsanwälte recently expanded its support for companies, particularly in the context of preventing planned critical reporting. Clients also benfit from this expertise in matters pertaining to reputation protection, such as the targeted dissemination of business-damaging content via dubious online press services. Here, the two founding partners Christian Schertz and Simon Bergmann are well versed. They are supported, among others, by Helge Reich, who, in addition to press and freedom of speech law, also covers related copyright and competition law issues, and Sophie Heuchemer, who is experienced in supporting media-related matters in criminal proceedings.
Other key lawyers:
Christian Schertz; Helge Reich; Simon Bergamnn; Sophie Heuchemer
Testimonials
‘Availability and commitment very high, extreme agility and flexibility on the mandates, cooperation is very efficient.’
‘Law firm for strategic media consulting.’
‘Mr Reich is always available, always pragmatic, always courteous and adapts perfectly to the group of participants/recipients. He’s excellently connected.’
Key clients
DFB Deutscher Fußball Bund
Mercedes-Benz Group AG
DOSB Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund
Tönnies Holding
UFA Fiction GmbH
DPD Deutschland GmbH
Zalando SE
Ziegler Film GmbH & Co. KG
Deutsches Rotes Kreuz e.V.
MÄHREN AG
Bündnis 90/Die Grünen
RB Leipzig
SPD (Sozial Demokratische Partei Deutschland)
SIGNA Holding
Universal Music GmbH
FC Union Berlin
Akelius GmbH
Artnet AG
BMG
Boston Consulting Group
CSU (Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern e.V.)
GALERIA Karstadt Kaufhof GmbH
HELIOS Kliniken
VfB Stuttgart 1893 AG
Plant for the Planet Foundation
HÖCKER
In media law, HÖCKER focuses on the cornerstones reputation management and the right to freedom of speech under public law, where the team exclusively acts for the affected parties. The latter is a key strength of Christian Conrad; he is part of the team led by Ralf Höcker. Höcker comprehensively covers press law and freedom of speech as well as reputation management and crisis communication and is supported by Carsten Brennecke, whose client base includes the Archdiocese of Cologne and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Other key contacts include Marcel Leeser, who represented rapper SAMRA, and associate Christoph Schmischke, who focuses on preventive press law matters.
Testimonials
‘The law firm Höcker Rechtsanwälte stands for a high level of legal competence and absolute commitment to its clients. They are available 24/7 and react professionally and quickly to current developments.’
‘Strong industry-specific focus, large network and focus on diversity issues and technology. Due to the large number of prominent cases, the law firm has rightly established itself on the market.’
‘There is a refreshing self-irony that ensures that you don’t exaggerate yourself, which is not uncommon in the legal field, but focuses on the case and topic. The open cooperation with other disciplines and the ability to work in a team are also gratifying.’
Key clients
Rapper SAMRA
Cataleya Edition GmbH
Cannamedical Pharma GmbH
CDU Kreisverband Köln
Bernd Petelkau
DPolG Bundespolizeigewerkschaft
Eismann Beteiligungen S.a.r.l.
elumeo SE
Erzbistum Köln
Flexx Fitness GmbH
Heidekreis-Klinikum GmbH
Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW
JAB Holding
Anno August Jagdfeld
Kardinal Rainer Maria Woelki
Kölner Verkehrsbetriebe AG
Kurscheid, Prof. Dr. med. Thomas
Landgard e.G.
Lottoland Holdings Ltd
culture4life GmbH
Niederländisches Königshaus
Papst Benedikt XVI.
Securitas Holding GmbH
Simon Desue
SKR Reisen GmbH
Spark Networks SE
Steinmetz, Beny
Sunshine Smile GmbH
Susanne Laugwitz-Aulbach
Tagesklinik am Friesenplatz GmbH
Stay Safe GmbH
Theater Der Keller e.V.
Dr. Ralph Elster
UMCH-Universität
Michael Winterhoff
Flirtcafe Online GmbH
Flirtcafe.de
D.I.E. GmbH
Frontline Digital GmbH
Work highlights
- Advice on press law to the Archdiocese of Cologne and Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki in relation to the termination of the commission for the first abuse report and reporting after the publication of the Gercke report.
- Representing Pope Benedict under press law in answering inquiries about his role in clarifying suspected cases of abuse during his time as Archbishop of Munich.
- Representation of Crown Princess Amalia against Axel Springer SE under press law.
Redeker Sellner Dahs
Led by press law expert Gernot Lehr, Redeker Sellner Dahs advises a client base consisting of companies, broadcasters, celebrities and public bodies on various media and freedom of speech issues, including legal representation in administrative court proceedings, fundamental proceedings and proceedings in connection with criminal investigations. Here, Lehr is supported, among others, by Christian Mensching (press and freedom of speech law, broadcasting law, new media law).
ADVANT Beiten
ADVANT Beiten frequently represents the SPIEGEL Group and has a strong focus on the publishing industry, thus supporting various local and regional newspapers and trade journals. Co-practice head Holger Weimann advises media and technology companies on copyright and personal rights as well as interfacing competition law matters and also supports clients in sector-specific transactions. He jointly heads the practice with Andreas Lober, who focuses on the areas of technology, digitsation and electronic entertainment. Oliver Srocke is another key contact for press and freedom of speech-related representation, who also acts on behalf of the SPIEGEL Group.
Practice head(s):
Andreas Lober; Holger Weimann
Other key lawyers:
Matthias Stecher; Oliver Srocke; Katharina Mayerbacher
Testimonials
‘We are always advised competently, friendly, quickly and safely.’
‘The law firm gave us very good advice in a wide variety of situations.’
‘Consultation is possible at any time and also at short notice. We always have reliable partners for daily “small inquiries”, when drafting contracts, in court and in the area of data protection.’
‘Ms. Mayerbacher is always at our side competently. She has familiarized herself with us in the most complicated technical processes. She was and is a great support for us in dealing with contractual partners and in the processing of contracts, but also in the last few years in the area of data protection.’
‘Dr. Oliver Srocke and Dr. Holger Weimann are highly qualified and exemplary in terms of cooperation and processing.’
Key clients
Abendzeitung München
SPIEGEL-Gruppe
BPV GmbH & Co. KG
Mediengruppe RTL
Bildungshaus Schulbuchverlage Westermann Schroedel Diesterweg Schöningh Winklers GmbH
Roularta GmbH & Co. KG
Work highlights
- Representation of SPIEGEL before the LG and the OLG Hamburg in the press law dispute with the former BILD editor-in-chief.
- Ongoing advice and representation of the companies of the SPIEGEL Group in matters of freedom of speech and press law. Permanent Germany-wide representation, in particular before all press chambers and press senates of the regional courts and higher regional courts.
- Representation in numerous fundamental proceedings for the companies of the SPIEGEL Group before the Federal Constitutional Court and the Federal Court of Justice on important issues of freedom of the press and freedom of speech.
BUSE
BUSE assists DAX30 corporations as well as celebrities with reputation protection, including preventive measures as well as reactionary measures for reputation restoration. Practice head duo Nina Lüssmann and Volker Perten also specialise in reputation protection-related issues, including litigation. Interfacing copyright and press law topics are covered by IP practice head Jasper Hagenberg, who is admitted to the bar in Germany and New York, and acts from Berlin and New York.
Practice head(s):
Volker Perten; Nina Lüssmann
Other key lawyers:
Jasper Hagenberg; Christine Nitschke
Testimonials
‘Quick response, fair billing.’
‘Known for their experience and expertise in press law.’
‘Working in the team was an impressive experience. The attorneys we engaged were competent, knowledgeable and efficient.’
Key clients
Sandra Bullock
Network Movie Film- und Fernsehproduktion GmbH
Jörg Pilawa
Work highlights
- Advising an international sports federation on defamatory reporting during a major sports tournament.
- Advising an airline on improper reporting after email hacking.
- Advising a board of directors of an insurance company because of untrue reporting when leaving the group.
CMS
CMS fields practice heads Michael Fricke and Martin Gerecke, who advise publishers, broadcasters, companies and individuals on press, freedom of speech and copyright law. In addition to ongoing advice, the team also handles relevant litigation. Gerecke complements this with specialist expertise in new media and e-commerce.
Practice head(s):
Michael Fricke; Martin Gerecke
Testimonials
‘Great wealth of experience in press law disputes.’
‘For us, the excellent expertise, which meets the requirements of pragmatic implementation in everyday business, as well as the price-performance ratio and service orientation are of crucial importance.’
‘CMS Hasche Sigle is our absolute first choice.’
Key clients
Alles Gute Verlag GmbH
Gruner + Jahr GmbH
Melitta Europa GmbH & Co. KG
Morgenpost Verlag GmbH
Norddeutscher Rundfunk
Südwestrundfunk
The Financial Times Limited
August Storck AG
Bayerischer Rundfunk
Getty Images Deutschland GmbH
MDR Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk
Saarländischer Rundfunk
21Dx GmbH
Work highlights
- Ongoing advice to Alles Gute Verlag GmbH on press, copyright and competition law; Support for contentious proceedings in these areas of law.
- Ongoing advice and representation in all matters relating to free speech and copyright.
- Comprehensive press law advice to the Financial Times in cases of reporting with a connection to Germany.
DÜNNWALD LEGAL
DÜNNWALD LEGAL specialises in representing affected parties and is well versed in investigative matters and the enforcement of personal rights in the social media arena. Accordingly, practice head and founder Dirk Dünnwald supports national and international clients in media-related proceedings, in the defence against investigative reporting and the enforcement of personal rights claims. Daniela Thurner (interfacing data protection matters) left for an in-house position at the end of 2022.
Practice head(s):
Dirk Dünnwald
Testimonials
‘Very personal and sound advice. Flexible approach. No confrontational approach.’
‘Very good strategic advice on media law issues – free from personal acquisition interests. Very good media law briefs, eg for program complaints against public broadcasters.’
‘Outstanding address in media law. Known and established above all in the area of advising companies on the side of those affected, often in advance and to avert negative media reporting. Practice-oriented, technically very good, fast.’
Key clients
SAP SE
SIGNAL IDUNA Versicherungsgruppe
Roland Berger Unternehmensberatung
Ferring Arzneimittel GmbH
NASCO Energie und Rohstoff AG
Verband der Privaten Krankenversicherung e.V.
Deutsches Aktieninstitut e.V.
HSV Fußball AG
Hasso Plattner Institut für Digital Engineering gGmbH
Hauck Aufhäuser Lampe Privatbank AG
Work highlights
- Ongoing free speech advice and representation of SAP SE.
- Ongoing advice on freedom of speech and representation of SIGNAL IDUNA.
- Ongoing legal advice to Verband der Privaten Krankenversicherung e.V. on how to deal with reporting on private health insurance issues.
Lausen Rechtsanwälte
Lausen Rechtsanwälte specialises in advising media and entertainment companies on press and media law, including interfacing copyright, trademark and competition law matters. Recent growth areas include the advice on live entertainment, such as festivals, theater and musicals, as well as film and television productions, while non-media companies have also increasingly instructed the team. Noteworthy is the team's experience in model proceedings before the Federal Court of Justice and the European Court of Justice, where Martin Schippan , Kerstin Bäcker and Ursula Feindor-Schmidt frequently take the lead.
Other key lawyers:
Martin Schippan; Kerstin Bäcker; Ursula Feindor-Schmidt; Matthias Lausen; Thomas Glückstein
Testimonials
‘Very responsive to inquiries, great social skills in negotiations, excellent selection of junior staff, clear language when advising.’
‘Quick availability, quick basis for decision-making for the greatest possible chance of success in contentious matters, unequivocal advice against low chances of success.’
‘The expertise of Ursula Feindor-Schmidt’s team is top class, the reliability and speed are exemplary. We have been extremely satisfied customers for years and appreciate the cooperation very much.’
Key clients
Boxine GmbH (Tonies)
Bookwire GmbH
Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels
Coalition for Responsible Sharing
Constantin Film AG
Elsevier B.V.
Fraktion BÜNDNIS 90 / DIE GRÜNEN im bayerischen Landtag
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH
Koalition Zukunft des Verlegens
MINT Digital, Zürich
Verlagsgruppe Random House GmbH
RTL Disney Fernsehen GmbH & Co. KG
SESAC New York
Stage Entertainment GmbH
SUISA Digital, Lichtenstein
Süddeutsche Zeitung GmbH
SWMH (Südwestdeutsche Medienholding GmbH)
Thinxpool TV GmbH / MyTeam TV
Work highlights
- Representation of the Coalition for Responsible Sharing in model proceedings against the world’s largest social science network in Germany and advice on multinational action in international, mass and systematic copyright infringements.
- Initiation of model proceedings for a cross-media group of rights holders to clarify the liability of online platforms.
- Model proceedings for the Süddeutsche Zeitung GmbH on the question of using excerpts from a confiscated diary in press reporting.
Media Kanzlei Frankfurt I Hamburg
Led by Severin Riemenschneider, the team at Media Kanzlei Frankfurt I Hamburg regularly supports private individuals, including well-known personalities from politics and the entertainment industry, as well as companies in proceedings relating to hate speech, illegal or false reporting and violations of personal rights and covers various related topics such as crisis communication and reputation management.
Practice head(s):
Severin Riemenschneider
Key clients
HateAid gGmbH
Bundestagsfraktion der Grünen
AstraDirect SCHLIESSFÄCHER GmbH
Charles Barker Corporate Communications GmbH
aamundo Asset Management GmbH & Co. KG
Berger Med GmbH
Editorial Hub Verlag KG
Staatstheater Darmstadt
KDDM Kreis der Düsseldorfer Muslime
Stadt Eschborn
Zentralrat der Muslime
DIG Deutsche Israelische Gesellschaft
DSB-DeutschAkademie Sprachschule
Capital Bra
Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Kreisverband Fulda e.V.
Jugendamt Frankfurt
Glamira GmbH
BTC Echo Gmbh
Pfando GmbH
Podimo ApS
Prinz Rechtsanwälte
Affected parties of large international corporations as well as celebrities are represented by Prinz Rechtsanwälte's team, which acts in an advisory and forensic capacity. Practice head Matthias Prinz also represents clients before national and supranational courts, while Diana Grun, who is admitted to the bar in New York as foreign counsel, is also experienced in reputation protection in addition to traditional press and freedom of speech law matters. The capacities in copyright and media law as well as mediation were strengthened with the addition of Stephan Mathé at the beginning of 2022 from Poppe, Rechtsanwälte, Steuerberater, Notare.
Practice head(s):
Matthias Prinz
Other key lawyers:
Diana Grün; Stephan Mathé
Key clients
Volkswagen AG
Porsche SE
Knorr Bremse AG
Kempinski AG
Bonafair AG
A&O Holding GmbH & Co. KG
Juice Plus
Deutsches Rotes Kreuz
VFB Stuttgart
Deserted Fear
Monegassisches Fürstenhaus
Corinna Prinzessin zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn
Carla Prinzessin von Hessen
Galerie Roschlaub
Munich Models
Schwedisches Königshaus
Bermel von Luxburg
Work highlights
- Advice on press law to Volkswagen AG regarding the diesel crisis; Process monitoring of all high-publicity processes.
- Advice on press law and legal representation of Kempinski AG in connection with the change of a CEO.
- Advice on press law to a Monegasque princely house.
SKW Schwarz
SKW Schwarz demonstrates its expertise in press and publishing law by supporting large publishers, such as Piper and Penguin Random House, which recently instructed the team on copyright amendments. Johann Heyde heads the media and entertainment division since January 2022, replacing Konstantin Wegner, who remains a key contact and is particularly well versed in court representation. Counsel Pia Sökeland is another key contact, she is experienced in in and out-of-court proceedings in connection with personality rights and the right to freedom of speech as well as contractual matters pertaining to copyright.
Practice head(s):
Johann Heyde
Other key lawyers:
Pia Sökeland; Konstantin Wegner
Testimonials
‘Strong practice and solution orientation. Short reaction times. Inspirational exchange.’
‘Konstantin Wegner is a good media lawyer.’
‘The SKW-Schwarz team is characterized by structured clarity, expertise and experience as well as an open attitude towards us clients.’
Key clients
Wort&Bild Verlag
PAL Verlagsgesellschaft mbH
von dem Knesebeck GmbH & Co. Verlag KG
Deutscher Landwirtschaftsverlag GmbH
DDV Mediengruppe GmbH & Co. KG
Münchner Verlagsgruppe GmbH
Piper Verlag GmbH
Penguin Random House Verlagsgruppe GmbH
Work highlights
- Advising Wort&Bild Verlag on the litigation before the LG Bonn against the Federal Ministry of Health because of the digital cooperation between Google and the Federal Ministry of Health.
- Comprehensive media law advice to Piper Verlag GmbH, including freedom of speech, copyright, pricing law, competition law and title law.
- Comprehensive advice to Knesebeck GmbH & Co. Verlag KG on copyright, KUG, title law, contract law, labor law and data protection law.