Herbert Smith Freehills LLP > Frankfurt, Germany > Firm Profile

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP Offices

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
BUROHAUS AN DER ALTEN OPER
NEUE MAINZER SRASSE 75
60311 FRANKFURT AM MAIN
Germany
Visit website 49 69 222 282 400 49 69 222 282 499

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

White-collar crime > Advice to companies Tier 2

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP acts integrated into the international network and advises well known domestic and foreign clients on key areas of white-collar criminal law, including the representation in criminal and administrative proceedings. The team is experienced in allegations of corruption, embezzlement, fraud and cyber crime as well as insolvency crimes, trade secret violations and the market-dominating topics cum-ex and the emissions scandal. Dirk Seiler heads the team and has longstanding experience in both defending companies against criminal allegations and representing damaged parties. Counsel Enno Appel left the firm in November 2022 for an in-house position.

Practice head(s):

Dirk Seiler

Testimonials

‘This is a powerful team in all areas of white-collar criminal law and specializes in representing injured parties, particularly at the interface with civil law. One focus is the enforcement of claims for damages and liability in cases of white-collar crime.’

‘Dirk Seiler: Very experienced, pragmatic and strategically strong.’

‘Dirk Seiler impresses with his very good management of the mandate, always keeps an overview and never loses sight of the goal. Working with him is excellent.’

‘Particularly high level of competence and above-average handling of diversity.’

‘The team is very professional, responsive and business-oriented. We have only had great experiences with HSF LLP Frankfurt, especially with the team around Dirk Seiler.’

‘Dirk Seiler: Both commercially and a great collaboration. He understands the customer’s needs very well.’

‘Dirk Seiler: Extremely business-like and approaches the matter with an innovative approach.’

‘Dirk Seiler: A good strategist and assertive.’

Key clients

Microsoft Deutschland GmbH, Microsoft Corporation (USA)

Ford-Werke GmbH

Pfizer Inc. (USA), Pfizer Products Inc. (USA), Pfizer GmbH (Deutschland)

Work highlights

  • Criminal law advice and defense of an international bank in criminal cum-ex proceedings.
  • Advising an international chemical company on criminal law in a cross-border breach of trust/embezzlement case.
  • Advising and defending an international automobile manufacturer in the diesel emissions scandal against allegations of alleged illegal defeat devices (including allegations of fraud).

Dispute resolution > Arbitration (including international arbitration) Tier 3

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP's internationally well-connected team has extensive experience in post-M&A and commercial arbitration particularly in the energy, TMT, infrastructure and construction sectors; practice head Patricia Nacimiento is one of the key contacts here. Arbitrator Catrice Gayer, who made partner in May 2023, primarily dedicates herself to disputes relating to major projects in the infrastructure, automotive and energy sectors, while senior associate Alessandro Covi is one of the key contacts for investment and commercial arbitration proceedings. Mathias Wittinghofer (capital markets and post-M&A disputes) joined Gowling WLG in November 2023.

Practice head(s):

Patricia Nacimiento

Other key lawyers:

Catrice Gayer; Alessandro Covi

Testimonials

‘We particularly appreciated how the team managed the complexity of the case, how they directed and channeled the work of the almost 30 witnesses, experts and local lawyers involved, how they always anticipated the challenges and difficulties that would arise and how it always had an eye for the details without losing sight of the bigger picture.’

‘The legal work was also impeccable, both written and orally. It was clear at all times that they were extremely experienced, that they had seen it all and were not easily impressed by anything the opposition or the arbitrator would come up with.’

‘We always felt that we were securely guided and that we received very good advice, even though – or perhaps precisely because – the team never avoided difficult and complex questions. When decisions had to be made, we always received a specific and concrete suggestion for how to proceed.’

Key clients

QazaqGaz National Company JSC

Republic of Kazakhstan, Ministry of Justice

Compliance > Internal investigations Tier 4

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s compliance team assists with investigations into national and cross-border allegations of corruption, fraud, embezzlement and money laundering; this expertise is regularly called upon by companies from the automotive, finance, manufacturing, aviation and infrastructure sectors. Practice head Dirk Seiler is well versed in criminal law, clients’ representation and asset tracing. Counsel Enno Appel (financial services regulation) left the firm in December 2022 for an in-house position.

Practice head(s):

Dirk Seiler

Testimonials

‘Dirk Seiler: Meticulous and careful.’

‘Many years of experience in this field. High competence.’

‘They have a very experienced team dedicated to internal investigations.”

‘The team from HSF/Dr. Seiler rightly enjoys an excellent reputation. The advice was excellent and helped us a lot in a difficult situation. We recommend Mr. Seiler and his team for white-collar criminal law matters and internal investigations at any time .’

‘Dirk Seiler: Technically simply good; well-thought-out concept for internal investigation; strategically very clever; Surveys of particular quality .’

‘Many years of experience in this field, high level of competence.‘

‘The team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP stands out from other law firms thanks to its comprehensive know-how and professionalism in the compliance area. Their strengths lie not only in the legal expertise, but also in the ability to present complex issues in an understandable and practical way. This makes collaborations much easier and ensures trusting cooperation. They have impressive expertise and are always proactive when it comes to protecting us from potential legal risks or informing us of important legal developments.’

‘Their pragmatic and solution-oriented approach makes collaboration efficient and goal-oriented. Particularly noteworthy is the practice’s willingness to try a new approach. Advanced technologies have been used, making information sharing and coordination much easier. Additionally, I really appreciate their efforts on diversity and inclusion, which is crucial in the modern world of work. Overall, I would describe the practice of Herbert Smith Freehills LLP as groundbreaking in its industry. They set standards in terms of specialist knowledge, customer orientation and innovation. ‘

Key clients

Microsoft Deutschland GmbH, Microsoft Corporation (USA)

Ford-Werke GmbH

Pfizer Inc. (USA), Pfizer Products Inc. (USA), Pfizer GmbH (Deutschland)

Work highlights

  • Advising a leading battery manufacturer in connection with raw material purchase agreements with a South American raw material producer; Examination of relevant risks related to anti-corruption, money laundering and sanctions.
  • Providing criminal law advice to an international manufacturer of security systems regarding allegations of betrayal of trade secrets against former employees; filing a criminal complaint; Supervision of criminal proceedings; internal investigation.
  • Internal investigation and advice to a major German corporation in the field of medical technology and health in connection with a cyber attack.

Intellectual property > Patent litigation: solicitors Tier 4

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP specialises in patent infringement proceedings in the life sciences, chemicals, TMT, electronics and mechanical sectors, which often entail cross-border components. Practice head Ina vom Feld is particularly dedicated to forensic work in the technology and life sciences sectors and, in addition to infringement proceedings, is also active in nullity proceedings before the DPMA, EPO and Federal Patent Court.

Practice head(s):

Ina vom Feld

Other key lawyers:

Janusz Dziegielewski

Key clients

Contemporary Amperex Technology

Dyson

Johnson Matthey

Millennium Pharmaceuticals

Sanofi

SD BioSensor

Thales

Real estate and construction > Real estate Tier 4

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP's team is led by Sven Wortberg, who focuses on transactions and also covers various related financing, structuring and regulatory issues. Wortberg took over practice management in May 2023 after former practice head Hans Thomas Kessler joined PwC Legal (PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal AG Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft). Among the team's key strengths are transactions and financing support, the latter was strengthened in May 2023 with the internal transfer of real estate financing specialist Stefanie Herkert from the finance practice to the real estate team; here, the team frequently acts on behalf of borrowers. This is complemented by expertise in asset management and leasing matters. The client roster includes project developers, investment companies, investment funds as well as institutional investors.

Practice head(s):

Sven Wortberg

Other key lawyers:

Stefanie Herkert

Testimonials

‘The collaboration is very efficient and solution-oriented. What particularly sets the firm apart is the combination of legal expertise with an insight into current market practice and an understanding of ESG issues.’

‘Good knowledge of real estate and careful structuring of transactions. The team had sufficient staff to help at lower levels and across departments (e.g. tax). This enabled efficient work within tight deadlines.’

‘Sven Wortberg is clear and communicates well. He delegates effectively to capable team members and intervenes when necessary to resolve more difficult issues with creative and thoughtful solutions.’

‘Excellent post-transaction support – Sven Wortberg takes responsibility and he and the HSF team care about delivering the best customer outcome.’

Work highlights

Compliance Tier 5

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP acts in close cooperation with the international network and comprehensively supports numerous domestic and foreign companies from the the financial, automotive and chemical sectors in the prevention of corruption and money laundering, sanctions and export controls as well as the implementation of compliance management and whistleblower systems. Practice head Dirk Seiler is an expert in white-collar criminal law and compliance and well versed in litigation. Counsel Enno Appel left the firm in December 2022 for an in-house position at Deutsche Bank.

Practice head(s):

Dirk Seiler

Other key lawyers:

Jin-Bum Yoon; Nathalie Thorhauer

Testimonials

‘Great experience in compliance.’

‘The compliance team is very experienced and business-oriented. They also have offices (all with a very high level of service) in various jurisdictions, which is always very helpful when we need to cover multi-jurisdictional projects.’

‘We usually work with Dirk Seiler and his team and have excellent experiences with them. He is a brilliant lawyer and we can always rely on him.’

‘Dirk Seiler: Working with him is great. Great understanding of the legal area of ​​compliance and various industries.’

‘Dirk Seiler: Incredibly experienced and pragmatic compliance expert; technically very good.’

‘The technically excellent HSF team covers all areas of compliance necessary in the company in the full range. For example, this applies to money laundering, corruption, policy creation and improvement of compliance systems, asset tracing, antitrust law or data protection.’

‘The team has a broad range of expertise and provides clients with truly full-service support in both preventive and reactive compliance. ‘

‘Because of violations, it was good for us that the HSF team is experienced at the interface between criminal and civil law and also handled civil law enforcement and claims enforcement very successfully.’

Key clients

Microsoft Deutschland GmbH, Microsoft Corporation (USA)

Ford-Werke GmbH

Pfizer Inc. (USA), Pfizer Products Inc. (USA), Pfizer GmbH (Deutschland)

Work highlights

  • Providing criminal and compliance prevention advice to a leading airline on corruption law issues and applicable corruption laws in several jurisdictions, including Singapore, China, USA, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia.
  • Preparation of various compliance reports (including Business Judgment Rule, reports on compatibility with the German Supply Chain Act) in connection with the signing of a long-term raw material supply contract for a German DAX company.
  • Ongoing criminal and compliance law advice to a global hardware and software manufacturer.

Corporate and M&A > M&A Tier 6

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP advises national and international blue chips, major German corporations and private equity companies, primarily from the insurance, industrial, infrastructure and energy sectors, on mid-cap transactions and joint ventures. This also reflects the focus of practice head Sönke Becker, while Christian Johnen, who made partner in May 2023, focuses on advising financial investors and family-run companies. Nico Abel (M&A in the financial, technology and energy sectors) joined Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in September 2022.

Practice head(s):

Sönke Becker

Other key lawyers:

Christian Johnen

Testimonials

‘Christian Johnen and Sönke Becker impressively represented the client’s interests and ensured the high quality of the documentation.’

‘Sönke Becker: One of the best negotiators there is on the market. Always on task, even in the final stages of a deal. He knows when to pass the ball to others and is strategically and rhetorically brilliant.’

‘The team has distinguished itself through its enormous competence, willingness to perform, availability and sympathy.’

Work highlights

  • Advising Lufthansa Group on the sale of its global catering division LSG Group to private equity company Aurelius Group.
  • Advising APEX Group, a leading developer and operator of green hydrogen electrolysis plants, on the sale of all shares in the company to Prime Standard-listed investment holding company exceet Group SCA.
  • Advising Rheinmetall AG on concluding a purchase agreement with MaxamCorp. Holding SL, Madrid, to acquire all shares in Expal Systems SA.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP > Firm Profile

Herbert Smith Freehills is a leading global law firm with over 5,000 people, including 2,600 lawyers, in 24 offices across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and the US.

As one of the world’s leading law firms, we advise many of the biggest and most ambitious organisations across all major regions of the globe. Our clients trust us with their most important transactions, disputes and projects because of our ability to cut through complexity and mitigate risk. We offer local insight and seamless cross-border service in all major regions. Positioned to support the major trade flows, we help the world’s top companies thrive in the global economy.

Seven of our 24 global offices are located in Europe including offices in Belfast, Brussels, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan and Paris. A pre-eminent and recognised firm in litigation, arbitration, contentious regulatory work, public and private M&A, private equity, capital markets, infrastructure, dispute resolution, real estate, restructuring and insolvency, PPP, energy, ESG and banking and finance; we have advised on European transactions for over 50 years and today our multidisciplinary teams act for international clients conducting business across Europe and the rest of the world. Herbert Smith Freehills is now a top 20 firm in Continental Europe by lawyer headcount.

We work with domestic and international investors, governments, financial institutions and asset managers as well as IBEX 35 companies and a large number of CAC 40 and SBF 120 companies. With a major focus on cross-border work we operate seamlessly within our global network partnering with our clients to gain an in-depth understanding of their environment to provide our clients with the highest level of service.

Our EU law experts have handled a large number of cases in the EU courts and guide clients through the EU’s legislative and administrative processes. Our teams have an excellent understanding of the workings of the EU, drawing on the experience of former secondees, officials and judges at the European Commission and EU courts. Our Brussels office is also the hub of our global International Trade/WTO practice, acting on disputes under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism and advising on market access strategies, sanctions, export controls and trade remedy matters.

Herbert Smith Freehills is the largest fully integrated law firm in Asia Pacific and is one of the world’s top ranked and most experienced energy & resources firms; a globally pre-eminent and recognised firm in litigation, arbitration and contentious regulatory work; and an international leader in M&A, private equity, capital markets, infrastructure and banking and finance.

Visit our website to read more about our vision, our determination to drive diversity, inclusion and responsible business, and our ambition to redefine legal services for the digital-first age.