Dispute Resolution: White-Collar Crime: Germany

The white-collar crime unit at this high-end firm offers clients regulatory, compliance and criminal law advice related to corporate defence, fraud litigation and preventative measures against dawn raids and internal investigations. The team is especially strong in the healthcare, banking and real estate sectors. During the past year it represented a range of clients including private individuals, banks and financial services providers in both criminal and civil proceedings. As well as enjoying an exceptional position in the domestic market, the firm works in close co-operation with its network of worldwide offices. Practice head and former defence counsel Heiner Hugger enjoys extensive endorsement from peers, who say: "He's a fine lawyer with a great reputation."

This full-service firm handles a catalogue of white-collar crime and compliance needs for national and international clients, covering both preventative and reactionary strategy. The team recently advised a number of DAX 30 corporations on suspected corruption and tax evasion, with some instances of alleged malpractice in Africa and the USA. The firm also offers a 'Rapid Response' service - a 24-hour hotline aimed at handling major raids and related incidents. Jürgen Taschke sits as co-chair of the firm's white-collar, corporate crime and investigations practice and is a key member of the German team. His practice encompasses both risk management and corporate defence and sources hail him as "one of the most knowledgeable lawyers in this sector."

This criminal defence boutique remains an undisputed leader in the German market and also offers advice on internal investigations. Lead partner Felix Dörr maintains a fantastic reputation in the Frankfurt scene and is deeply revered by peers for his work in white-collar crime litigation. His practice also covers tax and environmental criminal law.

This specialist boutique has an undisputed reputation as a top-tier firm for criminal defence and is increasingly recognised for its corporate and compliance work in this sector. The team has acted for clients such as Deutsche Bahn and RWE in the past, as well as representing private individuals in the much-publicised Siemens and Porsche investigations. Walther Graf is a specialised criminal lawyer but comes recommended as much for corporate white-collar advice as for defence counsel. Fellow co-founder Hanns Feigen is heralded as "one of the best lawyers in Germany for representing private individuals." His practice includes banking, tax, corruption, and environmental law violations. Bernd Gross is an acclaimed lawyer in the market and is frequently involved in criminal proceedings at an international level.

The white-collar defence and investigations arm of this US law firm is increasing its profile in the German market. The Munich-based team's expertise includes labour law, antitrust, corporate and regulatory advice, and it serves as ongoing counsel to Siemens in respect of its compliance monitoring needs. Clients value the team's "strong and customer-oriented advice." Michael Walther is the relevant contact for the firm's practice in this area.

This criminal defence boutique offers services in compliance and investigation as well as representation in legal proceedings. Its industry expertise includes data protection, insolvency, environmental and pharmaceutical and medical law. Founding partner Volker Hoffmann is an experienced defence counsel who is especially known for his work as an ombudsman.

This global firm has a sizeable white-collar crime practice which comes particularly recommended for its strengths in compliance. The German team advises companies on fraud and bribery allegations, staff liability and internal investigations. Clients value the team's business acumen, saying: "It has shown a very high degree of commercial awareness and correctly understands white-collar crime and its prevention." Practice head Wendelin Acker is singled out for his compliance knowledge, earning praise as a "brilliant negotiator who is able to mentally anticipate the implications of a situation and find a solution that is acceptable to all."

This compact firm specialises in criminal defence and handles all aspects of white-collar crime concerns, representing individuals and businesses that have suffered loss and damage as a result of professional violations. Peers hold the firm in high esteem, deeming it to be a top-tier German practice in this sector. "Undoubtedly a market-leading lawyer," Eberhard Kempf has long-standing experience in criminal matters.

Peers perceive this well-known local firm as "one of the most prominent criminal law boutiques in Germany." The team advises on white-collar crime and tax fraud across a range of industries such as banking, insurance and medical. Its expertise and high-profile international clients earn it a great reputation in the market. Founding partner Daniel Krause has a particular focus on financial litigation and has represented clients such as Sal Oppenheim and LBBW in the past. He is lauded as "an extremely talented defence lawyer - definitely the go-to person for white-collar crime matters in Berlin."

The German arm of this international firm continues to bolster its white-collar crime capacities and works in close conjunction with the firm's Washington, DC office. In addition to regulatory advice, such as the design and implementation of compliance systems, the team also handles white-collar crime arising from capital markets and data law protection matters. The firm is particularly known for its strength in competition compliance and handled several market manipulation cases during the past year. It is also developing its accounting practice. Peers regard Finn Zeidler as a "very clever and ambitious lawyer." He has advised national and international companies on regulatory and internal investigations, and on establishing compliance and reporting systems.

This compact firm is widely seen as one of Munich's strongest outfits for white-collar crime. The team handles a wealth of white-collar concerns for private individuals and offers forensic advice relating to tax and corporate criminal proceedings. Founding partner Werner Leitner currently serves as president of the Criminal Law Section of the German Bar Association and is involved in many of the country's most prominent proceedings.

This pan-European firm boasts a strong white-collar crime practice focusing on compliance and preventative commercial criminal law. Clients highlight the team's valuable connections in the local market. Lead partner Christian Pelz specialises in criminal and tax law and earns extensive client recommendations.

This highly specialised firm focuses solely on questions of criminal law, advising on business, fiscal and environmental offences, amongst others. The team represents clients throughout Germany in all criminal courts and is given a top-tier status by its white-collar crime peers. Name partner Rainer Hamm is described as "a brilliant defence counsel" and many sources name him as their first port of call. He regularly publishes material on the sector. Regina Michalke is widely acclaimed by peers, and centres her practice on environmental infractions and business crime. Wolfgang Köberer has a focus on tax and business crimes, whilst Stefan Kirsch often acts on appeals cases, having appeared before the International Criminal Tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda in the past.

This up-and-coming firm recently opened additional offices in Düsseldorf and Zürich and is rapidly building its position in this area. Peers confirm the team's growing profile, saying: "This is a young but highly regarded firm." The group offers defence counsel but has a particular focus on project business and corruption reviews. It boasts a large number of forensics and technical experts with a view to eliminating the need to subcontract when conducting an investigation. Name partner Imme Roxin is the principal contact.

This international firm is gaining a strong presence in the German market for its compliance and white-collar crime work. During the past year the team has been active conducting internal investigations and establishing whistle-blower hotlines. Clients to date include Standard Life, Hitachi and SanDisk. Hans-Hermann Aldenhoff is the practice contact.

This Düsseldorf-based boutique is one of the few firms in the German white-collar crime market to be strongly endorsed for its corporate compliance advice as well as its criminal defence work. The team represents clients from a range of industries, advising on insolvency, tax, labour and capital markets issues, amongst others. Leading defence counsel Sven Thomas is lauded as "a real fighter in the courtroom." The highly regarded Anne Wehnert centres her practice on both defence and corporate advisory issues.

Peers view this German practice as a strong competitor for white-collar crime. The team advises clients on a range of criminal issues arising from corporate, competition and tax law, as well as offering services in compliance and preventative measures. Lead partner Renate Verjans is hailed as an important figure in the market, especially for fraud and corruption matters.

This compact firm serves small and medium-sized companies with a focus on prevention, compliance and tax defence. It is regarded as a relevant player for corporate advisory work as well as representation in court, and acts on both a national and international level. Founding partner Jürgen Wessing is an authority on corporate compliance and comes equally recommended for handling criminal proceedings. Heiko Ahlbrecht is highly active on international criminal cases and was appointed to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in 2002.

Compliance advice, criminal investigations and trials and appeals are all areas of expertise for this full-service firm. The white-collar crime unit focuses on advising clients from the health, banking and energy sectors, and co-operates closely with the firm's US and UK offices in respect of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act. Recently, it represented Landesbank in relation to investigative proceedings taken against current and former managers of a real estate subsidiary as well as former members of the management board for suspected malpractice. Practice head Nils Clemm is acclaimed for his "great work in this field" and is known for representing prominent Berlin-based clients in criminal investigations. Sources single out Jürgen Detlef Klengel as a highly active figure in white-collar crime and tax fraud.