Clifford Chance combines 'strategic and pragmatic thinking' with impressive expertise and experience across the entire spectrum of white collar crime. The practice has a traditional focus on representing banks and international industrial companies in criminal and offence proceedings, including stock exchange sanction proceedings, as well on advising damaged companies. While its case load is in line with current market developments and therefore continues to be increasingly characterised by cum-ex matters, the practice has recently also been entrusted with complex instructions relating to allegations of trust breaches, money laundering, data protection violations, tax evasion and the emissions scandal. In addition to its criminal law expertise, the firm is also renowned for its capacities in national and international investigations, in the context of which clients can rely on the expertise of the firm's internal IT forensic team, among others. Occasionally, the practice also assists with foreign trade, medical and environmental criminal law issues. The internationally renowned Heiner Hugger heads the team, which also includes David Pasewaldt and counsel Julia Baedorff, both of whom advise extensively on white collar crime matters and compliance.
Advice to companies in Germany
Clifford Chance
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Testimonials
‘Top advice and support. Are always there for the client.’
‘Julia Baedorff and David Pasewaldt: Lots of experience, excellent service.’
DLA Piper
DLA Piper impresses with its practice's internationality, which is reflected not only in extensive capacities in cross-border investigations and criminal proceedings, but also in a client base consisting of financial institutions and industrial heavyweights from the US, Asia and Europe. The highly regarded team represents both defendants and claimants and is regularly instructed to assist with corruption, fraud, embezzlement and money laundering issues. The practice's legal expertise also includes representation in proceedings related to accounting fraud, insolvency, customs and foreign trade crimes as well as advice on banking and capital markets criminal law, environmental crime and cybercrime. The last two areas represent Christian Schoop's main focus, who also assists with traditional commercial criminal law issues, while Emanuel Ballo frequently assists companies in Europe and Asia.
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‘ Excellent accessibility of the team. ‘
‘ dr Christian Schoop is a personable and always solution-oriented contact person .’
‘ dr Emanuel Ballo is a solid criminal lawyer who is pleasant to work with. ‘
Feigen · Graf Rechtsanwälte
For Feigen · Graf Rechtsanwälte's renowned team, the representation of companies and financial institutions, both damaged and in crisis, is just as significant as its individual defence practice. Most recently, the group's activity was mainly dominated by criminal tax law issues, especially cum-ex, and the aftermath of the diesel scandal, while embezzlement, accounting fraud and environmental offences also significantly contribute to its consistently high case load. The team, which frequently advises within an international context, is led by Walther Graf in Cologne and Hanns Feigen in Frankfurt and - in line with the firm's ethos that frames court proceedings as the last resort - also stands out for its in-depth expertise in preventive white-collar crime advice and investigations. Bernd Groß, who is particularly visible in cum-ex proceedings, and criminal lawyers Tilman Reichling and Matthias Sartorius are other key contacts.
Practice head(s):
Hanns Feigen; Walther Graf; Bernd Groß; Tilman Reichling; Matthias Sartorius
Wessing & Partner
Wessing & Partner's excellent reputation in the field of white-collar crime advice to companies foots on multifaceted expertise in traditional white-collar crime and criminal tax law matters such as embezzlement, corruption, antitrust offences and tax evasion; the contemporary, comprehensive integration of formerly peripheral criminal law topics such as criminal data protection law; as well as wide-ranging experience on preventive and reactive level. The team, which is active in a wide range of national and cross-border cases, regularly attracts instructions from blue-chip industrial companies, financial institutions as well as law and auditing firms on both the damaged and accused side, and also experienced a particular increase in instructions related to data protection fine proceedings. Eren Basar and Katharina Schomm, who made partner in 2021, are particularly active in the latter area. The practice also regularly advises clinic operators and hospitals on criminal medical law matters. Heiko Ahlbrecht, who not only defends companies but also individuals in corruption and criminal tax proceedings, and founding partner Jürgen Wessing, an experienced defence lawyer in criminal proceedings with a focus on avoiding trials, are other key contacts.
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Jürgen Wessing; Matthias Dann; Rainer Biesgen; Eren Basar; Andreas Pfister; Katharina Schomm
Testimonials
‘ Very pleasant cooperation – friendly and competent appearance of the law firm. The client is excellently integrated and informed at all times and without being asked. You can tell that there is a good team spirit in the law firm, which creates a very positive atmosphere and promotes cooperation. It is not an anonymous law firm, but a law firm of a manageable size, where you feel that you are in good hands and which is very easy to reach. ‘
‘Eren Basar and Matthias Dann: Very personable demeanor, very competent, proceed in a very structured and analytical manner. Inform the client excellently and involve him well. Can create a very constructive atmosphere when interviewing employees as part of internal investigations and gain their trust. Hit the right note in communicating with the authorities involved. ‘
VBB Rechtsanwälte
Alongside numerous individuals, VBB Rechtsanwälte's wide-ranging expertise also benefits prestigious national and international companies accused of commercial and tax crimes. The team is particularly experienced in matters pertaining to corruption, subsidy fraud and capital markets offences and further stands out for its frequent representation in employment, environmental, foreign trade and criminal tax matters. Moreover, the practice assists with compliance, especially with regards to implementation and audits and primarily to larger medium-sized companies, as well as with internal investigations. The highly regarded Renate Verjans is particularly experienced in the latter area, while Matthias Brockhaus is the key contact for criminal medical and pharmaceutical law issues.
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White & Case LLP
White & Case LLP‘s team frequently demonstrates its extensive white-collar crime and criminal tax expertise in cross-border instructions, which stem from the firm’s extensive international network – with its cooperation with offices in the US as well as in Paris and London being particularly notable -, as well as its highly international, cross-industry client base. The practice often represents corporations from the automotive, media and manufacturing industries in administrative offence proceedings, internal investigations and advises on compliance matters, while recently also receiving numerous instructions from clients in the real estate sector; the firm also has a particularly excellent reputation in the financial services industry. Alongside market-domineering criminal tax and cum-ex matters, the practice recently regularly assisted with issues relating to money laundering, foreign trade controls and sanctions and is further well versed in embezzlement and corruption matters as well as insider trading. Thomas Helck (white collar crime and administrative proceedings), Tine Schauenburg (focus on internal investigations) and Nils Clemm (particularly well versed in dealing with investigative and prosecuting authorities) are part of the team led by the renowned Karl-Jörg Xylander.
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‘ The team around Dr. Helck and Mr. Xylander is technically well versed and experienced .’
‘ dr Helck has profound experience, also due to his past as a prosecutor .’
Dr. Dörr & Kollegen (GbR)
Dr. Dörr & Kollegen (GbR)'s excellent reputation in individual criminal matters is also reflected at company level: the team, which is now led by three equity partners, not only advises financial market players, including regional banks, and industrial companies on the whole array of white-collar crime and criminal tax issues, but also medium-sized companies and healthcare sector clients. With a focus on investigations and administrative offence proceedings, the practice is experienced in classic white-collar crime matters such as embezzlement, corruption and money laundering, but also provides in-depth expertise in criminal medical law; with Christian Schubert, the team also fields an experienced key contact for technology and construction companies, which he also advises on industrial accidents among other matters. Felix Dörr and Christian Graßie also have extensive criminal tax law expertise.
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Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
In the white-collar crime sphere, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP offers 'excellent and very cooperative' advice, which the group applies in multi-faceted proceedings across borders and industries. Headed by Dirk Seiler, the corporate crime and investigations practice recently acted in numerous cases involving fraud and money laundering, corruption as well as the betrayal of trade and business secrets and the diesel affair, for both damaged clients and companies in crisis. The team also has longstanding experience as well as national and international capacities in internal investigations and can also rely on compliance expertise of the firm's internal experts. Enno Appel (white-collar crime, compliance and regulation of financial services providers) made counsel in May 2021.
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‘ Dirk Seiler and Enno Appel’s team is extremely experienced in dealing with criminal law corporate mandates. They are “real” criminal lawyers. ‘
‘ Dirk Seiler: Tried and tested in crises, keeps calm even in hectic mandates, very collegial.’
‘ Enno Appel: Legally excellent, strategically clever, very pleasant to deal with, strong in dealing with clients. ‘
‘They have a large network of law offices around the world; they are very professional and always deliver a high level of quality; they are very responsive. ‘
‘I have with Dr. worked together with Seiler, who is an excellent lawyer. He is very experienced in the area of commercial criminal law and general criminal law. ‘
‘ The team led by Dr. Seiler is able to summarize complicated criminal matters with great calm and clarity, even in an international context. The advice is excellent and very cooperative .’
‘ dr Seiler manages to uniquely combine the personal basis that is necessary in commercial criminal proceedings with his clients and his excellent expertise .’
Key clients
Microsoft Deutschland GmbH, Microsoft Corporation (USA)
Ford-Werke GmbH
Pfizer Inc. (USA)
Pfizer Products Inc. (USA)
Pfizer GmbH (Deutschland)
Fritz Winter Eisengießerei GmbH & Co. KG
Work highlights
- Advising an international car manufacturer in the so-called diesel emissions scandal.
- Representing a large German corporation in corruption proceedings.
- Representing a car manufacturer in a complex corruption and breach of trust case.
Knierim & Kollegen Rechtsanwälte
With extensive expertise across the entire spectrum of white-collar crime and criminal tax law, Knierim & Kollegen Rechtsanwälte acts for corporations, hospitals and financial institutions in crisis as well as for those companies that have been damaged by white-collar crime offences. The practice, which is also well versed in criminal foreign trade, environmental and data protection matters, most recently assisted with matters pertaining to breach of trust, accounting fraud and trade secret betrayal. In addition to representation in criminal and administrative offence proceedings, the five-partner team complements its white-collar crime advice to companies with capacities in internal investigations and compliance. Anna Oehmichen is frequently instructed to advise on cross-border matters and Thomas Knierim heads the team.
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Krause & Kollegen
In the white-collar crime sphere, Krause & Kollegen's advice to companies foots on a comprehensive approach, which, in addition to its expertise in internal investigations and compliance issues, primarily finds expression in the defence and coordination of criminal proceedings. Frequently involved in cross-border matters, the team acts for companies of public interest as well as medical and pharmaceutical corporations and is also regularly consulted by federal authorities and ministries in the context of parliamentary inquiry committees. The practice around the renowned Daniel Krause is further well versed in representing issuers in BaFin supervisory and fine proceedings and most recently also assisted foreign financial services providers with investigative proceedings pertaining to derivatives and crypto trading.
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Noerr
As part of its dispute resolution and compliance practice and embedded within the full-service firm's structure, Noerr's white collar crime team easily advises a diverse client base on white-collar crime matters as well as on interdisciplinary issues. The practice acts on both the defendant and damaged side and was recently particularly active in matters pertaining to breach of trust, fraud and especially the diesel scandal. The team's expertise further encompasses corruption, environmental and capital markets crimes, criminal foreign trade, customs and tax law as well as chemical law offences. Christian Pelz frequently applies his 'excellent expertise' across the entire spectrum of white-collar crime and criminal tax law to enforce damages claims for damaged companies, while Martin Schorn focuses on the IT and health sector. Karolin Fitzer (white-collar crime and corporate criminal law including compliance and internal investigations) made associate partner in 2021.
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Testimonials
‘Quick availability, well-staffed, legal approach, interdisciplinary advice possible.’
‘The team is experienced and can draw on extensive in-house expertise on all legal interface issues. This qualifies them particularly in proceedings in which further expertise is required in addition to commercial criminal law. ‘
‘Dr. Martin Schorn has excellent legal skills and is also very experienced in forensics. Highly recommended.’
‘Prof. dr Christian Pelz: Committed, reliable and collegial. Very professional cooperation within the framework of base defenses by individuals as well as representing companies. dr Martin Schorn: Very good team player and reliable person to talk to.’
‘ Prof. Dr. Pelz has many years of experience in representing and advising companies in criminal and administrative offenses and therefore has outstanding professional competence. He’s a team player.’
‘ dr Schorn is characterized by high professional qualifications and practical advice. Working with him is extremely pleasant and he is highly valued as a team player among colleagues.‘
Work highlights
- Advising a company, including group companies, on the allegation of possible exhaust gas manipulation in the case of supplied diesel engine controls, including cross-border factual clarification and legal analysis as well as coordination of cooperation with the investigating authorities.
- Internal investigation at a leading national IT service provider into hidden benefits to employees and employment of bogus self-employed and representation in proceedings before financial and social security and law enforcement authorities.
Rosinus Partner
Rosinus Partner
advises an increasingly international, cross-industry client base on a variety of white-collar crime matters: in addition to numerous fraud proceedings, criminal tax matters as well as insolvency delay and insider trading offences, the practice is also active in criminal data protection and employment law matters and supports companies in crisis as well as damaged ones. Christian Rosinus not only has broad white-collar crime and criminal tax law competences, but also expertise in compliance issues, which, in addition to an increasing number of instructions, is also reflected in the firm's criminal compliance podcast. He jointly heads the practice with Michelle Wiesner-Lameth, who is additionally qualified as a certified fraud examiner. Mathias Grzesiek joined from Tsambikakis & Partner Rechtsanwälte in April 2021 and complements the firm's capacities with criminal IT and medical law expertise.
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‘ Dr. Rosinus has been supporting our group of companies for around 9 years with great success in all compliance/criminal law and OWi issues. Ms. Wiesner-Lameth has also been working very successfully for us for years. The management bodies of our subsidiaries are now familiar with the first-class support and representation in the event of an emergency, so that their confidence in being able to do their work to the best of their knowledge and belief without fear of potential liability issues has been significantly strengthened. It’s a good feeling to have Rosinu’s partner at our side .’
‘ dr Rosinus: An extremely sympathetic, humorous and brilliant mind, who may well be underestimated by his counterpart. Analytical, clear, fast, efficient and successful! ‘
‘ dr Wiesner-Lameth: Personally always very engaging, analytical and always convincing .’
‘ Motivated, goal-oriented young team with excellent knowledge and a lot of experience – also international – which they bring to the advice in an extremely client-oriented and unpretentious manner. ‘
‘ The law firm is broadly positioned in commercial criminal law and compliance, including internal investigations. She convinces with outstanding legal quality, paired with a pragmatic approach with a deep economic understanding. The quality of work in the law firm is at least as good as that of large international law firms. In doing so, it successfully exploits the special advantages of a boutique. The practice advises very successfully on international, large-volume mandates and the national and international network has proven itself several times from my observation. When things get really critical, there is no alternative for me besides Rosinus Partner on the German market. I find it particularly innovative that the law firm publishes a weekly criminal compliance podcast, which is a lot of fun to listen to .’
‘ dr Christian Rosinus is certainly one of the best criminal and compliance attorneys I have ever worked with. In every critical situation, he gives his clients the good feeling of having everything under control. He is highly intelligent, pragmatic and creative. Christian Rosinus is unbeatable when it comes to defending companies under criminal law and in international mandates. In the best sense of the word, he is a commercial lawyer specializing in criminal law, very approachable and quick. ‘
‘ Extremely creative, very goal-oriented, very focused .’
‘ Very competent and technically focused team with the ability to react quickly. Rosinus Partner develops a strategy for dealing with the usually criminal issue in the shortest possible time; special expertise in dealing with law enforcement agencies and the public prosecutor ‘s office.’
Work highlights
- Representation of an internationally known logistics group in preliminary investigations into allegations of aiding and abetting social security fraud at subcontractors.
FS-PP Berlin Part mbB
In recent years, FS-PP Berlin Part mbB's team has continuously expanded its company-oriented advice and defence in the white-collar crime sphere and represents numerous industrial companies across a wide variety of industries, the public sector, clinics and healthcare sector players. In addition to various cum-ex and diesel proceedings as well as investigations and criminal proceedings resulting from allegations of breach of trust, fraud and corruption, the practice is particularly visible in criminal medical law matters and also advises on money laundering prevention and criminal environmental law. Rainer Frank is well versed in white-collar crime as well as compliance, while Niklas Auffermann focuses on preventive and reactive advice related to money laundering offences. David Albrecht, who is particularly experienced in criminal employment law, heads the white-collar crime practice, while Sebastian Vogel is the key contact for criminal medical law; both made partners in 2021.
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Testimonials
‘ FS-PP is my regular point of reference when criminal assistance is required. The law firm enjoys an excellent reputation both in the market and, most importantly, with the investigating authorities and the criminal courts. ‘
‘ The collaboration with Dr. Frank is very pleasant. He can also be reached at short notice or will get back to you quickly. He quickly familiarizes himself with complex technical issues and has always provided excellent advice and representation for both the company and individual employees. ‘
‘ In particular, Dr. David Albrecht shines in the mandates with a razor-sharp mind and is a real asset to the team .’
‘ A wealth of experience, calm and professional advice, quick feedback, very good and goal-oriented dealings with authorities. Niklas Auffermann and Sebastian Vogel both fully stand for these outstanding characteristics – absolute enrichment for the company. ‘
Work highlights
- Representation of Stadtwerke Leipzig GmbH under criminal law in preliminary proceedings on suspicion of breach of trust in connection with a large-scale plant order.
- Advising and representing Labor Berlin as a victim in preliminary investigations into fraud in connection with false PCR tests.
Hengeler Mueller
Hengeler Mueller supports medium-sized and large companies as well as national and international financial market players in preventive, investigative and defensive capacity. The team's original white-collar crime expertise is complemented by easy access to specialist knowledge of related practice groups such as capital markets and tax as well as by its extensive compliance experience. In a recent highlight, the group represented various international financial services providers and banks in cum-ex proceedings and international companies on other criminal tax matters as well as corruption and fraud issues. Constantin Lauterwein further advises on international financial sanctions, among other matters, while Wolfgang Spoerr has extensive experience in transatlantic advice to clients in proceedings before the DoJ. Dirk Uwer is the key contact for white-collar crime cases in the environmental, energy and health sectors.
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‘ Outstanding Partner: Dr. Constantine Lauterwein. ‘
Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH
Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH‘s wide range of expertise in white-collar and criminal tax law comes into play both in the context of criminal proceedings and internal investigations as well as in compliance matters. Led by the highly regarded André Große Vorholt, the practice advises national and international companies and financial market players on cum-ex proceedings, criminal foreign trade law as well as breach of trust, fraud, tax evasion and corruption and is also very experienced in the management of collaborative defences. Robert Ratay, previously chief compliance officer at BMW, joined the team as of counsel in October 2021, and focuses on preventive advice and representation in compliance-related investigation and supervisory proceedings.
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PARK Wirtschaftsstrafrecht
PARK Wirtschaftsstrafrecht assists national and international industry heavyweights as well as financial market players with white-collar crime matters across a wide range of matters, but stands out for its regular advisory activity in criminal capital markets, employment and tax proceedings as well as in the context of money laundering allegations. Expertise also exists in international criminal law and compliance. Ulf Reuker is particularly well versed in criminal tax matters and is part of the team led by Tido Park.
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Redeker Sellner Dahs
Redeker Sellner Dahs' clients benefit from the close cooperation of its white-collar crime, compliance and press law practice, which enables the group to not only render preventive advice, but also comprehensive support in crisis situations. Alongside various large and DAX companies, financial institutions and medium-sized companies also rely on the experience of practice heads Heiko Lesch and Bernd Müssig's team, which assists with allegations of embezzlement, fraud, money laundering and corruption, as well as with insolvency crimes, industrial accidents and criminal foreign trade matters. Furthermore, the team has a good reputation in revision proceedings and in political cases.
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Thomas, Deckers, Wehnert & Elsner
In the white-collar crime sphere, Thomas, Deckers, Wehnert & Elsner acts for national and international financial institutions as well as for insurance companies, DAX companies and auditing companies on both the accused and the damaged side. In addition to classic white-collar crime issues such as embezzlement, fraud and corruption, the team's expertise also covers embargo violations, environmental crimes and antitrust crimes. Anne Wehnert, who is not only experienced in white-collar crime advice to companies but also in individual defence, is a key contact.
Other key lawyers:
Anne Wehnert; Marcus Mosieck; Thomas Elsner; Rüdiger Deckers
Tsambikakis & Partner Rechtsanwälte
Tsambikakis & Partner Rechtsanwälte has gained a particularly good reputation for its white-collar crime and criminal tax and medical law advice to the healthcare sector, but also advises industrial companies and financial institutions on white-collar crime allegations and compliance issues; Diana Nadeborn, who specialises in criminal IT and data protection law, joined the firm in January 2022 and thus substantially expanded its advice portfolio. In addition to various cum-ex proceedings, the practice recently represented clients with regard to breaches of trust and criminal foreign trade law as well as accounting fraud. Michael Tsambikakis focuses on the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
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