A&O Shearman has a heavyweight offering in financial services litigation, where it handles the gamut of matters, with an increased workload that is driven by emerging technologies. Wolf Bussian has a strong track record acting for banks, asset managers, insurers, funds, and accounting companies, as well as governments and public institutions. Jan Erik Windthorst has is noted for his expertise in M&A disputes and compliance violations, while at a more junior level, Julia Becker is building a practice focused on banking and finance disputes. Nicolas Gillen assists with court proceedings relating to securities transactions, loan contracts, and banking restructuring measures.
Financial services: litigation in Germany
A&O Shearman
Praxisleiter:
Marc Zimmerling
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Wolf Bussian; Jan Erik Windthorst; Julia Becker; Nicolas Gillen
Hengeler Mueller
Routinely handling a large volume of international cases, Hengeler Mueller is reliable counsel to international banks, finance companies, and investment houses on some of their most complex and high-value litigation. The team is equipped to handle defendant-side damages claims, tax liability matters related to cum-ex transactions, and capital markets disputes. Maximilian Bülau and Mathäus Mogendorf oversee this area as the joint practice heads of the dispute resolution group. Philipp Hanfland, who works from the Frankfurt office as well as frequently spending time at the London office, is a key contact for finance clients.
Praxisleiter:
Maximilian Bülau; Mathäus Mogendorf
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Philipp Hanfland
Linklaters
Linklaters‘ litigators are well versed in the financial services sector’s most complex cases and assist a client base of multinational financial institutions. Christian Schmitt is the lead contact in this area and has specialised experience in insolvency, banking and capital markets-related litigation. Banking and capital markets litigation are also a focus for Kerstin Wilhelm, who also handles mass litigation. Tobias Bastian is an additional contact to note.
Praxisleiter:
Christian Schmitt
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Kerstin Wilhelm; Tobias Bastian
Referenzen
‘Linklaters Frankfurt has very experienced senior partners in this area and a long track record.’
‚Extremely approachable. Very structured in analysing complex matters. Responsive.‘
‚Christian Schmitt offers excellent strategic thinking and is a great communicator. He has a pragmatic, business-oriented approach.‘
Kernmandanten
Visa
Highlight-Mandate
- Assisted a bank with an investigation of the facts, a legal assessment and defence against claims for damages in connection with the sale of securities below value.
- Represented a tech company in the defence against claims for damages from a large number of investors.
- Represented a broker in defence of damages claims due to alleged unsecured sales orders of a broker client following a system error.
Gleiss Lutz
Gleiss Lutz encourages close collaboration between its teams in banking and finance, insolvency and restructuring, and compliance, benefitting clients that require advice on complex litigation in the financial services area. Andrea Leufgen heads the dispute resolution group and has broad experience, including in mass and collective proceedings. For financial services clients specifically, Stefan Rützel is a key contact, having represented clients in state court litigation throughout Germany. Florian Wagner is building a strong practice in financial litigation.
Praxisleiter:
Andrea Leufgen
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Stefan Rützel; Florian Wagner
Referenzen
‘Excellent lawyers.‘
‘We want to highlight Andrea Leufgen and Florian Wagner. We love working with them.’
‘Andrea Leufgen is at the top of her game – an excellent technician, commercial and user friendly. I could not recommend her enough.’
‚Very profound legal expertise. Great diligence in assessing the procedural options with a clear view to define the appropriate strategy.‘
‚Very diligent team, quick to grasp difficult facts and complex circumstances as well, deducing litigation strategy and legal advice.‘
‚Always highly concentrated, always relevant.‘
‚Solution-oriented litigator with a clear understanding of the underlying case and the ability to reflect commercial needs in defining the process strategy.‘
Kernmandanten
Bondholders of the Adler Group
Wirecard insolvency administrator
GANÉ AG
Deutsche Bank AG
Hypo Real Estate Holding GmbH
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised the insolvency administrator of Wirecard AG on the enforcement of civil claims in Germany and abroad following an internal investigation into the allegations.
- Advised a pool of bondholders of Adler Group on court proceedings in the UK, Luxembourg and Germany to enforce their rights in respect of a bond restructuring.
- Advised GANÉ AG in court proceedings concerning contractual claims against the fund administrator in connection with an open mixed fund with almost €10bn in assets under management.
Noerr
Noerr‘s coverage of banking litigation, insolvency litigation and capital market-related disputes make it a reliable choice in contentious matters for banks and financial institutions. Defence of domestic banks in particular has been a longstanding strength, while more recently that practice has been active in the representation of international banks and their local subsidiaries in matters relating to sanctions. The cross-practice team most often involved in notable financial services litigation includes Oliver Sieg, head of corporate litigation; Henner Schläfke, who co-leads the wider dispute resolution team, as well as leading class action and mass claims defences; and Anke Meier, litigation co-lead and arbitration specialist. Christine Volohonsky has a focus on international and domestic disputes stemming from financial transactions, as well as corporate and insolvency-related disputes. Kolja Dörrscheidt specialises in banking and capital markets law, as well as insolvency and insolvency-related company law, and both Tobias Lühmann and Christian Pelz are additional key figures to note.
Praxisleiter:
Henner Schläfke; Oliver Sieg
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Anke Meier; Christine Volohonsky; Kolja Dörrscheidt; Tobias Lühmann; Christian Pelz
Referenzen
‚Very responsive, good judgement, experienced in the financial industry and are able to advise on complex litigation matters concerning the UK, Germany and Russia. They also have a very good sanctions law practice, which is of great value given recent developments.‘
‚Kolja Dörrscheidt is a skilled litigator and hands-on, he understands client needs.‘
‚Very strong team with good oversight over complex matters.‘
Highlight-Mandate
- Representing OWH SE i.L. in disputes pertaining to sanctions against Russia.
Wendelstein Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB
Contentious matters in the banking, capital markets and tax law arenas all regularly feature in the workload of Wendelstein Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB‘s litigation group for its financial services clients. A trio of lawyers oversee the area: Frank Fischer, who is well versed across complex financial and tax-related matters; Karl Thomas Koenen, who has a diverse range of domestic and international clients; and Moritz Meister, a strong tax and finance litigator.
Praxisleiter:
Frank Fischer; Karl Thomas Koenen; Moritz Meister
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Mirco Schmutzler
Referenzen
‘Wendelstein’s litigation department has not only established itself as one of the leading litigation departments in Germany, but its visibility has increased over the last year. Its sizable team of litigation practitioners handles even the most complex large-scale proceedings.’
‚Frank Fischer is an excellent lawyer, strategist and communicator. He is very assertive and convincing in and out of court. He obviously loves his work and goes to great lengths fighting for his clients. He is highly responsive and has a deep understanding of his client’s business. He has a deep interest in and understanding of other legal systems, which explains his success with international clients.‘
‚Mirco Schmutzler is an excellent lawyer, very responsive and one to watch.‘
Highlight-Mandate
- Represented a German credit institution in litigation with foreign companies from the shipping industry.
- Represented a foreign investment fund and subsidiaries in several court proceedings in connection with post-M&A disputes.
- Represented a German credit institution in litigation concerning securities loans and cum-cum trades.