The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Germany > Foreign trade law

Graf von Westphalen's foreign trade law practice focuses on export control and sanction law matters alongside classic customs and excise law issues. The 'responsive' team led by Lothar Harings also provides extensive advice on matters at the intersection with US sanction law and acts for a number of textile sector clients. Harings is best known for his expertise in EU law, while Marian Niestedt, who assists several clients from the technology sector, is experienced in public procurement law. In January 2019, Katja Göcke made non-equity partner. Alongside her focus on customs and foreign trade law, she also advises on state aid and subsidy law.

With Bärbel Sachs in the lead, Noerr covers a wide range of international and European foreign trade law. Customs and export law advice is just as much part of its offering as embargo and sanctions law. Its client portfolio includes leading global companies from various industries, such as plant construction, aviation and medical technology. Sachs also has special expertise in WTO law and Christian Pelz frequently acts at the interface with criminal investigations and proceedings. Senior associate Johannes Schäffer is noted for his expertise in advising on financial services in embargoed countries.

BLOMSTEIN Rechtsanwälte covers a broad field of foreign trade law and provides global assistance with complex matters. In export control law in particular, the team also deals with criminal investigations and represents clients in fiscal disputes with the customs administration. It also has substantial expertise in assisting energy providers and mineral oil players with electricity and energy tax matters. Key contact Pascal Friton is an expert in EU economic sanctions and German anti-boycott law, while the 'well-connected and responsive' Roland Stein has been increasingly active for clients from the energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, IT and technology sectors. The practice also has a strong bench of senior associates: Sarah Jaus is noted for her detailed sanction assessments and Florian Wolf puts his focus on trade compliance.

Oppenhoff & Partner's clients, including companies engaged in foreign trade, logistics services providers and financial institutions, benefit from the team's strength in compliance and contentious matters. Its expertise also extends to economic sanctions and embargoes, international economic agreements and customs law. Practice head Stephan Müller has particular expertise in compliance matters pertaining to anti-corruption, money laundering and internal investigations. Associate Mareike Heesing frequently takes on the lead in investment audits under foreign trade law alongside export control matters and sanctions with particular emphasis on high-tech companies.

Working in close conjunction with its antitrust law, commercial and IP practices is a key feature of CMS' foreign trade law team. Brussels-based Kai Neuhaus and Hamburg-based Hermann Müller regularly take the lead in investment controls and anti-dumping proceedings alongside matters pertaining to export control and corresponding compliance systems. Müller is particularly well versed in dealing with dual-use goods under commercial law, while Neuhaus is the main contact for transactions alongside court proceedings and proceedings before the European Commission.

Gleiss Lutz combines its activities in the foreign trade law arena with matters at the intersection with the firm's full-service offering, which is reflected in its transactional work and other issues. Andreas Neun heads the team, which continues to expand its range of services in the areas of export control and financial sanctions. As another key contact, Burghard Hildebrandt is particularly active in compliance and M&A transactions involving foreign trade and customs law.

Hengeler Mueller's particular areas of expertise include foreign trade investment audits alongside M&A transactions, where the team assists with due diligence and associated compliance measures. Advising on German anti-boycott regulations is another key strength of the team jointly led by Dirk Uwer, Vera Jungkind, Jan Bonhage and Wolfgang Spoerr. The firm also demonstrates particular expertise in matters at the intersection between German and US law.

As a firm with a strong digital footprint, Osborne Clarke assists clients from the TMT sector with export control matters pertaining to digital transformation, while handling customs and sanction law matters are also part of its offering. Team head  Christoph Torwegge specialises in energy sector work and provides assistance with associated M&A projects. Associate Theresa Gutsche advises national and international clients on foreign trade issues and import regulations.

Integrated into the firm's Competition, EU & Trade team, the strength of Taylor Wessing's foreign trade law practice lies in assisting manufacturing and service companies with investment reviews and trade compliance. Following Andreas Haak's move to Dentons at the beginning of 2019, Michael Brüggemann, who made partner in April 2019, took over as team head. His key area of expertise ranges from import and export transactions to embargoes and dual-use goods. He is supported by associate Frank Marek, who regularly handles trade compliance reviews and internal trainings.

Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH's foreign trade law activities focus on three main areas: EU market regulation, international arbitration and various matters pertaining to export control and embargoes. Ole-Jochen Melchior, who jointly heads the team with antitrust lawyer Helmut Janssen, is the main contact in Essen and predominantly advises on Russia and Iran embargoes. He also conducts regular trainings for clients and handles export control issues.