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

Baker McKenzie's practice provides combined customs and foreign trade law expertise and focuses on advising US companies. The team led by Anahita Thoms and the 'very pragmatic' Nicole Looks advises international market leaders as well as several DAX 30 companies on export control and sanction law but its offering also includes trade compliance, Brexit-related restructurings and, in particular, investment audits. Looks, who also heads the firm's German tax law practice, puts her focus on the optimisation of inbound transactions from a VAT and customs perspective, while Thoms' core competencies include global investigations and complex issues at the interface with trade and data protection between the US and the EU.

Dentons' foreign trade law practice is on course for growth: With the arrival of trade compliance specialist Andreas Haak from Taylor Wessing and Florian Wiesner, previously at Clifford Chance, the firm opened a new office in Düsseldorf in 2019, which complements its offices in Berlin and Frankfurt. In the interest of organic growth, team head Julia Pfeil, who is particularly experienced in advising banks on the financing of large-scale export projects, was elevated to the partnership in March 2019. The team's broad offering includes the whole spectrum of foreign trade and export law and, thanks to the firm's global network, has impressive international reach with a particular geographical focus on Russia and Iran. Clemens Maschke handles matters at the intersection with M&A transactions and joint ventures and counsel Maria Brakalova is rated for her expertise in export control and embargo measures against countries and individuals.

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.

Deloitte Legal Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH prides itself for being able to handle all elements of foreign trade law, both in a national and international context. With Bettina Mertgen in the lead, the practice focuses on providing combined and integrated advice on foreign trade law matters involving customs law elements. Its client portfolio predominately includes export-oriented companies such as automobile manufacturers and component suppliers. Mertgen also has extensive experience in compliance management system audits and other related advisory matters as well as in customs valuation and tariff law. Associate Philipp Weber-Lortsch is another key contact for trade compliance.

Due to the close cooperation with its M&A practice, DLA Piper puts significant emphasis on investment control work. The team led by Ludger Giesberts, who predominantly advises on export control, also has a niche in insurance law-related sanction compliance. Counsel Thilo Streit assists several companies from the automotive, mechanical engineering, IT, chemical and insurance sectors with foreign trade law compliance. The team also handles issues pertaining to Iran and Russia sanctions.

Bird & Bird's trade and customs law team covers all key areas of export control, export licences, technology transfers, product safety, trade barriers, customs classifications and sanctions compliance. The team including René Voigtländer also puts significant emphasis on matters pertaining to US regulations. Associate Patricia Bendlin Spür also advises on foreign trade law and has particular expertise in the energy and utilities sectors. The team works in close cooperation with the firm's international M&A department.

SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte is particularly active in embargo matters and also focuses on issues at the intersection with the logistics sector. Handling customs law and anti-dumping duties constitutes another key area of expertise for the team and is one of team head Jürgen Sparr's key strengths, while he also deals with customs audits. Associate Sven Pohl represents clients before customs authorities and frequently provides assistance with the establishment and optimisation of customs procedures within companies with a focus on internal control systems.