Compliance | Europe

Freshfields boasts outstanding in-depth expertise in the full range of compliance law, advising prestigious clients from sectors including automotive, auditing, defence and manufacturing. The team is especially strong in internal investigations relating to emissions irregularities, bribery and fraud, and also assists with investigations regarding cybersecurity, data protection and employment issues, including harassment allegations. The practice additionally comprises expertise in sanctions regimes, whistle-blowing, anti-corruption measures and anti-money laundering, and advises clients on international supply chain compliance and distribution models.

Gleiss Lutz has a highly reputed practice, known for its activity on prominent compliance investigations. It houses a strong team handling large and complex compliance cases for domestic and international clients from the banking, automotive and manufacturing sectors. The department offers particular strength in cross-border investigations concerning financial misconduct and money laundering as well as fraud allegations and insolvencies. It also assists with internal investigations relating to cum/ex transactions and is known for advising management and supervisory boards on emissions compliance matters. The law firm has further expertise in D&O liability claims.

Hogan Lovells ascends to the top band in the rankings thanks to excellent market feedback and its handling of sophisticated matters. Its well-recognised practice showcases a focus on advising DAX-30 and international clients on complex compliance issues. It comprises particular expertise in internal and external investigations regarding money laundering, tax evasion, corruption and data protection violations. The team also assists with ESG compliance and is well versed in product compliance matters including product liability, recalls and safety. It has further expertise in compliance management systems for leading companies, with particular strength in global whistle-blowing structures, anti-corruption and dawn raid programmes as well as risk assessments. Hogan Lovells is well positioned to handle large, cross-border cases due to its strong international network.

Clifford Chance is a highly regarded international law firm with a large team covering the full breadth of compliance law, advising clients from the healthcare and life sciences, TMT and finance sectors. The team is known for assisting clients with complex investigations on topics such as tax evasion, employment law and data privacy. Its expertise additionally encompasses advice on company-wide compliance systems and compliance issues regarding money laundering prevention, ESG, products and antitrust. The law firm also advises on US and EU sanctions compliance. Clifford Chance is regularly mandated by clients for cross-border cases facilitated by its strong interdisciplinary approach and international network.

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher advises clients on cross-border internal and external investigations and monitorships. The team often assists with preventative compliance, including risk assessments and cross-border compliance systems. Additional expertise at the law firm includes compliance and risks connected to tax law, sanctions, anti-money laundering, anti-corruption and emissions regulation. Gibson Dunn represents clients from a variety of sectors, including financial services, technology, energy and manufacturing.

Hengeler Mueller rises in the rankings thanks to very strong market feedback and impressive mandates. Its established department is known for its activity on internal investigations and compliance systems. Its lawyers demonstrate expertise on issues surrounding cum/ex and tax fraud as well as a range of other matters, including product safety, accounting and social security law. The team also advises clients on whistle-blowing complaints. Hengeler Mueller acts for clients from the financial, automotive and engineering sectors on fraud and data protection as well as advising on capital markets, breaches of confidentiality and embezzlement questions.

Baker McKenzie has a respected practice group with a strong focus on cross-border investigations relating to bribery, tax evasion and fraud issues. It assists international clients with global corporate compliance programmes and whistle-blowing systems, as well as export control and sanctions law. The team also advises on product compliance and safety. Its client roster includes companies from the pharmaceutical, media, manufacturing and technology sectors.

CMS comprises a solid practice that regularly advises clients from the healthcare, energy, finance and defence sectors on compliance issues, with a particular strength in large internal investigations and compliance management programmes. The team additionally assists with money laundering issues, product liability, employment compliance and whistle-blower incidents, and represents clients in damages claims and D&O liability proceedings. Its strong international network enables the law firm to handle complex cross-border cases.

DLA Piper is well regarded for setting up compliance programmes and for assisting clients with internal investigations, utilising its comprehensive international network for cross-border matters. The team provides assessments on expansions into new markets and supply chains as well as offering a focus on regulatory compliance, including in financial services and data protection. It also assists with bribery investigations and antitrust compliance. Its expertise further includes reviews of whistle-blower complaints. The law firm often works for international clients as well as DAX 30 companies from the automotive, engineering and defence sectors as well as healthcare and life sciences.

Noerr offers a strong team covering a breadth of compliance issues, with a particular focus on investigations and compliance management systems. It is recognised for advising on diesel emissions manipulation matters and conducting internal investigations into breach of duty and corruption. The law firm further assists clients with questions on the supply chain due diligence act, and on employment-related issues including deployment of external personnel, as well as misconduct by board members and tax, ESG and anti-money laundering compliance. Its clientele spans across sectors such as logistics, consumer goods and energy.

White & Case has a notable compliance team advising on a broad variety of advisory matters as well as cross-border internal and external investigations. The law firm assists with compliance management systems, including anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and whistle-blowing programmes. It also offers expertise in fraud risk assessments and cum/ex issues as well as foreign trade and sanctions violations. The law firm's client roster serves as a testament to its breadth of work and competence, with German and international companies from the manufacturing, financial services, technology and media sectors seeking its advice.

Latham & Watkins offers a robust team advising on internal investigations relating to antitrust, money laundering, corruption and embezzlement allegations. It displays notable strength in data protection and privacy matters. Further compliance expertise at the law firm includes insider dealing, crypto-currency regulations, employment and tax matters. It also assists clients with preventive measures, such as compliance programmes and due diligence as well as whistle-blowing systems.

Linklaters advises clients on domestic and international investigations and assists with the creation of compliance structures and training. The team handles employment and antitrust compliance as well as allegations of corruption, professional misconduct and D&O claims. It has significant strength in data protection and cybersecurity. Further areas of expertise include matters connected to tax crimes, including cum/ex investigations and sanctions. The law firm's clientele comprises entities from the financial, automotive and pharmaceutical sectors.

Pohlmann & Company is a compliance and corporate governance boutique known for its US monitorship work. The team's expertise covers compliance risk analyses, setting up global compliance management systems and internal investigations. Support with compliance audits and whistle-blower cases further complements the law firm's offering. It focuses on areas such as environmental regulatory, supply chain due diligence, anti-money laundering and health and safety compliance.

Skadden boasts an experienced practice covering a significant breadth of compliance law for domestic and international clients. The team is particularly strong advising on financial and foreign trade sanctions as well as corporate governance questions. The law firm is further capable of handling investigations into corruption as well as emissions reporting. The law firm assists with D&O claims and M&A compliance. Its clientele includes banks as well as automotive, energy and pharmaceutical companies.