SKW Schwarz > Hamburg, Germany > Firm Profile

SKW Schwarz > The Legal 500 Rankings

Media > Entertainment

Through the creation of strong links between its IP, IT and digitisation teams, SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte's media and entertainment department is able to act across several key markets as well as globally. For instance, the new esports focus group around senior associate Moritz Mehner was able to assist with the establishment of a world league in esports and thus with the development of new regulations and models. Furthermore, the firm offers strategic advice on the new media state treaty and in negotiations, for example related to short-time work collective agreements. In the latter area, Mathias Schwarz, an expert in film and television production as well as copyright and personal rights, excels in particular. Martin Diesbach focuses on national and international digital business models. Norbert Klingner heads the practice.

Information technology > Data protection Tier 2

SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte's data protection practice assists with digital transformation and cloud strategies as well as issues pertaining to the commercial and industrial use of artificial intelligence among others. Due to its close cooperation with other practice groups such as media, publishing and IP, as well as with the sector group automotive, these competencies represent a crucial part of the firm's advice offering, whereby the practice also advises clients on cyber security, data protection impact assessments and risk assessments for the development of new business models. At contentious level, Matthias Orthwein's group recently excelled in representing Schufa in a GDPR court case, with Oliver Hornung and Franziska Ladiges taking the lead. Elisabeth Noltenius made partner in January 2021.

Information technology > Information technology and digitalisation Tier 2

SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte successfully assists medium-sized companies as well as large international corporations such as Adidas, Apple and LinkedIn with digitization issues; notably, the group recently particularly often advised on digital business model development. In addition, the practice frequently acts in the mobility sector and advises, for instance, automotive companies on the procurement of vehicle software and on development cooperations, and in close cooperation with the firm's IP department also covers matters related to discontinued components of internet infrastructures. The group is also experienced in relevant regulatory matters. Matthias Orthwein heads the team, which also includes Elisabeth Noltenius, who made partner in January 2021, and Daniel Meßmer; the latter is particularly experienced in IT infrastructure and network protection.

Information technology > IT transactions and outsourcing Tier 2

As part of the firm's full digital business offering, SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte's team led by Matthias Orthwein advises medium-sized companies and corporations on the development and expansion of digital business models and the execution of IT projects and outsourcing projects. Through close cooperation with other practice groups, the team offers a 360-degree service which also includes representation in outsourcing disputes and advice on the commercial and industrial use of AI and virtual reality. The client base encompasses numerous clients from regulated sectors such as  banking and automotive. Elisabeth Noltenius made partner in January 2021.

Intellectual property > Unfair competition Tier 2

SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte is a particularly good choice for competition law matters in the areas IT, digital business and media. With an advisory focus on branded content, influencer marketing and eSports, practice head Sascha Pres and his team clearly stand out among competitors. Growth was noticeable in the medicinal cannabis, sports goods and FMCG fields. In addition to its activity in the development of protection strategies for goods and services, the group also handles disputes, increasingly in cross-border proceedings. The in-house legal tech initiative offers clients tailor-made solutions to increase the efficiency of advice. Ulrich Hildebrandt moved to Hildebrandt in January 2021, while in January 2022, Oliver Stöckel from von BOETTICHER Rechtsanwälte Partnerschaftsgesellschaft mbB, who is particularly well versed in trade mark and competition law in the pharmaceutical industry, joined the team.

Intellectual property > Trade marks Tier 3

SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte‘s advice on trade mark law mirrors the firm’s industry focus on the IT, digital economy, media and technology sectors. Among the key topics are e-sports, branded content, including influencer marketing, as well as medicinal cannabis and the growth area FMCG, especially pertaining to the food and cosmetics industries. The service offering also includes strategic portfolio advice and licensing agreements, including distribution matters, and the increasingly busy litigation practice. The latter primarily expanded with cross-border mandates, with additional expertise from the TerraLex network, among others. The importance of legal tech was emphasised with the founding of the SKW@Tech GmbH. Led by practice head Sascha Pres in Berlin, the group also includes Margret Knitter and Dorothee Altenburg in Munich, who have longstanding expertise in IP, Berlin-based Sandra Sophia Redeker , Markus Brock as well as  Markus von Fuchs and Magnus Hirsch in Frankfurt. Ulrich Hildebrandt joined Hildebrandt in January 2021.

Media > Press and publishing Tier 3

SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte's media team, headed by Konstantin Wegner, also fields an established press and publishing law practice whose expertise further covers the interface to IP and digital business; Johann Heyde regularly represents publishers on consent declarations for digital content, while counsel Pia Sökeland frequently assists with judicial and extrajudicial disputes pertaining to freedom of speech and privacy. The group recently advised a publisher on a high-volume matter in the pharmaceutical publishing sector, which related to the digital cooperation between Google and the Federal Ministry of Health.

Trade and distribution > Foreign trade law Tier 4

In foreign trade law, SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte primarily advises on customs and export control law as well as excise law. Clients are also represented before financial courts and the ECJ, which often involve fines and criminal proceedings. Jürgen Sparr heads the practice and advises on the entire spectrum of foreign trade law with a particular focus on anti-dumping law and customs audits. Counsel Sven Pohl is well versed in customs law and excise tax law, he also conducts internal compliance reviews.

Trade and distribution > Trade, distribution and logistics Tier 4

SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte ‘s expertise in commercial, distribution and logistics law includes advising on contracts, commercial agency and antitrust law as well as merger control and clients’ representation in court. Innovative topics, such as trade 4.0 are also becoming increasingly more important, for example in the development of a legal tech tool for distribution companies. The practice is headed by Oliver Korte and Niels Witt, with the former being responsible for commercial and distribution law matters and the latter handling logistics. Retail companies and departments are mainly advised by Jürgen Sparr on project and contract-related matters and antitrust issues.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation Tier 5

SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte is experienced in corporate, commercial, finance and liability law issues and has most recently been entrusted with contentious supply chain matters and cross-border trade disputes. The firm has a longstanding focus on technology and media and thus also covers related IT and data protection disputes. Arndt Tetzlaff, who is experienced in mediation and arbitration, heads the group, which also includes counsel Kerstin Aust, who acts before state and arbitration courts, and Oliver Korte, who specialises in commercial and distribution law disputes. Andreas Seidel joined Schalast & Partner Rechtsanwälte in late summer 2020.

Public sector > Public procurement Tier 5

SKW Schwarz Rechtsanwälte's 'always very committed and very constructive' procurement law practice has expertise across all procurement matters in relation to emergency services and civil protection. René Kieselmann in Berlin heads the practice and has particularly made a name for himself with two successful ECJ cases. The team often cooperates across practices and also assists with procurement in the healthcare sector, in relation to planning and construction projects and in the IT sector.

Germany > Employment

Germany > Private clients and non-profits