Corporate Investigations | Europe

Clifford Chance has a standout pan-European practice with key teams in Germany, France and the UK. The law firm assists high-profile clients with criminal and regulatory investigations into financial misconduct, corruption and competition violations. It is additionally active in bribery and international money laundering matters, as well as sanctions breaches. Clifford Chance further utilises its impressive offering to assist with implementing compliance procedures. Clients include financial institutions, commercial goods and transportation companies.

Freshfields boasts an excellent team providing regulatory and compliance advice supported by the firm's exceptionally strong antitrust and corporate crime practices. The law firm has well-reputed offerings in the UK and Germany, advising clients on multi-jurisdictional European investigations spanning the UK and central Europe. It has notable strength handling investigations into bribery, money laundering and whistle-blowing. Freshfields also handles matters concerning foreign trade law and sanctions compliance.

The firm has broad coverage across key European jurisdictions including offices in the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. It acts on a range of proceedings relating to bribery and money laundering. The law firm is also involved in assisting financial institutions with investigations and advising on whistle-blowing mandates, as well as establishing compliance programmes. The team also handles instances of alleged fraud and tax evasion spanning multiple jurisdictions and international sanctions issues. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Herbert Smith Freehills has strong London and French practices. The law firm assists clients with criminal investigations, as well as cross-border civil proceedings. Its multi-jurisdictional expertise covers anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, fraud and sanctions. The law firm also acts on mandates concerning breaches of fiduciary duty and alleged regulatory breaches.

Hogan Lovells' well-reputed offering spans multiple offices in Europe with particularly notable practices in the UK, Italy and Germany. Its expertise covers cross-border bribery and corruption investigations. The law firm also advises on matters involving fraud and money laundering. Hogan Lovells has further strength handling data privacy and antitrust compliance, with further capabilities in sanctions matters.

White & Case has noteworthy offices in France, Germany and the UK, acting alongside its prominent US offering. The law firm acts on investigations brought by the SFO, ECJ and DOJ into sanctions compliance, bribery and money laundering. It demonstrates further strength in matters concerning tax fraud and misappropriation of assets, as well as establishing compliance management systems. White & Case's clients include executives, global financial institutions and international corporates.

Joining the rankings, Baker McKenzie has a broad offering across Europe, with key teams in Germany, Italy and Spain, and in the CEE region. Its lawyers are experienced handling investigations into bribery, tax evasion and fraud. The firm also utilises its expansive European offering to assist with establishing whistle-blowing systems and corporate compliance programmes. Baker McKenzie's clients include international companies in the pharma, media and tech sectors.

DLA Piper has particularly reputable branches in Germany and Italy. The law firm is noted for its handling of white-collar crime cases, including bribery and fraud. It is further active in multi-jurisdictional investigations relating to corruption, tax evasion and regulatory breaches. DLA Piper acts for a range of clients, including leading energy and pharmaceutical corporates, as well as sovereign governments.