“Seasoned practitioner” Christian Duve maintains an excellent reputation for banking litigation. Over the past twelve months he has represented a range of prominent international banks in litigation and arbitration relating to issues such as the tax treatment of closed-end funds and the termination of hedge fund certificates.

Christian Borris is a recognised figure in the dispute resolution arena. He is currently acting for several leading German energy providers on multiple high-value arbitration proceedings against gas producers.

The talented Wilhelm Danelzik is best known for insurance disputes, but also has a strong focus on corporate law and professional negligence matters.

Peers rate Rolf Trittmann as an outstanding arbitration counsel and litigator, praising his extensive expertise, long-standing experience, and international outlook. He is currently defending a leading domestic industrial enterprise in a EUR2 billion dispute with the German government, and representing a German automotive manufacturer in US patent cases and consumer class actions.

Düsseldorf-based litigator Thomas Kreifels attracts plaudits for his “proactive, client-oriented and responsive” service.

Highly regarded up-and-comer Boris Kasolowsky is “very hands-on and good at communicating with clients,” according to interviewees. 

Interviewees describe the “superb” Peter Heckel as “number one for disputes.” A versatile practitioner, he is active as arbitration counsel, arbitrator and litigator. Clients appreciate his strategic approach and ability to take the big picture into account when planning strategy. “He is extremely professional, very much into the details, and always has a grip of the facts of the case,” say clients.

Markus Meier has an excellent reputation for litigation. Clients say “he did a really great job in a very technical and complex case,” whilst peers view him as a “safe pair of hands.” He is currently defending several fund companies against investor claims.

Interviewees highlight arbitrator and litigator Guenter Pickrahn as a star performer. He is “very sharp in the smart sense of the word,” says a client; “he knew our case inside-out and the preparation was outstanding.” Clients appreciate Pickrahn's “thorough, diligent” preparation and formidable legal expertise.

Clients believe head of dispute resolution Jörg Risse's ability to see cases from the perspective of the arbitrator is key to his continued success as arbitration counsel. As a result of his long-standing experience, he has developed an excellent sense of judgement, and “knows exactly what to write in a brief and what to leave out.” Interviewees also value his excellent connections within the arbitration community.

Ricardo Truppel is based in Buenos Aires, where he is a prominent member of the German-Argentine Lawyers Association. He frequently advises German companies operating in Argentina on corporate/M&A and litigation matters.

Practice head and experienced litigator Uwe Hornung is consistently recommended by clients, who say he “has great judgement based on wide experience. He combines outstanding legal and personal insights for a very balanced and practical approach of the case inside and outside of the courtroom. Great authenticity.”

Fabian von Schlabrendorff remains a well-known arbitrator within the German market.

Frankfurt partner Burkhard Schneider impresses sources with his experience of working for the defendant in litigation matters.

Observers deem Klaus Michael Sachs to be “one of the most active and visible arbitrators” in the German market. He is acting as party-nominated arbitrator for Volkswagen in two prominent, high-value ICC cases, and sources repeatedly describe him as “impressive, outstanding, charismatic and internationally credible.”

Torsten Lörcher is an experienced arbitration counsel and regularly acts as arbitrator. He is also well versed in alternative dispute resolution matters. He handles disputes in the M&A, engineering, technology and general commercial sectors, and is lauded as “one of the best arbitrators and counsel.”

Dorothee Ruckteschler heads the German dispute resolution practice at the firm. She defends important listed companies in high-value damage claims disputes, and also acts on behalf of significant private investors on arbitrations under DIS regulation.

Dispute resolution practice head Stefan Rützel is a well-recognised and highly active arbitration counsel and litigator. Peers admire his considerable expertise and long-standing experience in the dispute resolution arena.

Industry insiders appreciate arbitrator Gerhard Wegen's dedicated focus on corporate/M&A law.

Peers commend Stephan Wilske's performance as counsel in arbitration matters. Clients value his approach to dealing with the counterparty.

Andreas Rittstieg regularly arbitrates in M&A transactions and corporate litigation cases.

Department head Detlef Hass remains a highly regarded market player. He is based in Munich, and focuses on the firm's insolvency-related and post-M&A disputes. He led the group's recent work with Eurex Clearing.

Karl Pörnbacher is highly regarded for his arbitration practice. He also acts as president of the arbitration court of the German-Polish Chamber of Commerce.

Practice head Rupert Bellinghausen advises major companies on D&O liability issues and handles multiple top litigations and arbitrations, especially post-M&A disputes, corporate litigation, commercial and capital markets disputes and product liability. Sources commend him for his thorough approach and effective decision making.

Sources recognise Alexandros Chatzinerantzis for his keen litigation and arbitration skills. Market commentators highlight him as being “case-oriented, fast and logical.” He is lead adviser to the Independent Petroleum Group with regards to the enforceability of an ICC arbitration against the State of Eritrea.

Commentators praise Klaus Saffenreuther's zeal for complex banking and finance and capital markets litigation, as well as internal investigations. He advises top banks and government bodies on corporate and commercial litigation.

Sources recommend Laurenz Schmitt for his skills in corporate litigation and as an excellent negotiator who thinks strategically. He advised Telekomunikacja Polska on a multi-jurisdictional dispute settlement, which amounted to EUR550 million. Market observers deem him to be “extremely bright.”

Daniel Busse is a key contact for dispute resolution in the Frankfurt office. He has received numerous nominations to act as both party-appointed arbitrator and chairman in high-profile ICC and DIS arbitrations. Market sources confirm that he is “precise, detailed and thoroughly committed.”

Hamburg partner and global chair of the international arbitration practice group, Sebastian Seelmann-Eggebert impresses clients with his experience and legal intuition: “He is a very experienced guy and has great judgement; he can walk into a room and in ten minutes he understands what's going on and not just what is being said. It's a rare skill.”

Frankfurt-based Finn Zeidler is currently representing plaintiff Helmut von Finck in Germany’s largest estate-related law suit. He also wins praise for his experience in US and UK dispute resolution.

Joint head of Noerr's litigation practice, Michael Molitoris is “a name in product liability.” He is adept in several key fields, including insurance and reinsurance, banking and financial litigation, white-collar crime and private international law.

Philip Smitka of Noerr in Prague is noted for his German expertise. He is "extremely involved," says a client.

Prominent in both arbitration and litigation matters, head of department Richard Kreindler is appreciated by clients for his good standing within the market and for his expertise in US matters: "He is particularly well suited to representing an American client in a German proceeding. Coupled with his knowledge of German law he provides a good service."

"Terrific" up-and-coming practitioner Amy Kläsener has worked together with Richard Kreindler on a number of the practice's most significant recent mandates.

Department head Christian Wirth has a strong focus on banking and insurance litigation.

Philipp Beckers leads the Ashurst dispute resolution practice from his base in Munich. His areas of expertise include disputes relating to domestic and international M&A transactions.

Frank Roth is a key contact at the practice. He handles general commercial litigation and arbitration, and has a particular focus on the banking and energy sectors. Dr Thomas Gädtke is involved in D&O liability, corporate and insurance-related cases.

Daniel Sharma heads the firm's India group in continental Europe and advises clients on international disputes and EU and German competition law. He is president of the Indo-German Lawyers Association.

At Mayer Brown, group head Mark Hilgard recently represented UBS in a litigation proceeding before the Regional Court of Leipzig as well as the High Court in London, against Kommunale Wasserwerk Leipzig (KWL).

Highly respected as a senior figure and an in-demand arbitrator, Düsseldorf partner Wolfgang Kühn advises many of the main players within the energy sector.

Ulrike Gantenberg is acknowledged by peers in the market for her strength in arbitration proceedings, and continues to gain recognition within this field.

Peers commend practice head Thomas Mahlich for his depth of expertise in commercial litigation. He is also active in securities, shareholder, product liability and post-M&A disputes.

Department head Michael Weigel recently represented Bernd F. Lunkewitz in claiming damages against the former Treuhandanstalt (now BvS).

Co-head of the department Klaus Eyber continues to be a recognised presence within dispute resolution.

Market commentators deem department head Ulrich Theune to be “eloquent and an extremely strategic thinker.” He handles complex domestic and international arbitration proceedings with a particular focus on heavy industries, construction and energy. He is noted for his "profound business experience.”

Sources regard arbitration co-head Richard Happ as being “very accomplished.” He represents clients such as the Inmaris Group and Dr. Undritz in substantial ICSID arbitration proceedings. He is skilled in national and international arbitration proceedings for major clients in the banking energy sectors.

Acknowledged in the market for his excellent pharmaceutical litigation expertise, head of department Peter Klappich remains busy advising national and multinational organisations within this industry sector. One appreciative client describes him as “very strong on technical matters and also very commercial – he always gives sound advice.”

Georg Maier-Reimer recently advised KfW and the Federal Government regarding an action brought by Deutsche Telekom.

Silvanne Helle  co-heads the firm's India desk and has vast experience in advising Indian clients on investment and trade relations in Germany. 

Clients prize Karl Wach's considerable experience in M&A follow-on disputes and professional liability claims: “He has a vast pool of experience we can draw on, which is invaluable because he knows what the result of the case should be.” Interviewees are convinced that his meticulous preparation and solid legal knowledge are the key to his success, saying: “We feel well equipped to tackle a complex case when he is on our side.”

Highly regarded co-founding partner Frank Meckes has extensive experience of domestic and international arbitration, and regularly handles a variety of disputes relating to M&A transactions, D&O, and professional and product liability, amongst other areas.

This firm's sizeable German desk has extensive experience advising on cross-border disputes and transactions. The group advises Swiss, German and Austrian clients with interests in the Iberian Peninsula, as well as assisting Spanish and Latin American entities with their business in German-speaking jurisdictions. Kai Christian Fischer is the key contact for the desk.