Numerous financial services providers and banks regularly rely on SERNETZ • SCHÄFER to fend off complex lawsuits, including mass proceedings, which are often handled by Jens von Rüden and Manfred Wolf, as well as in KapMuG proceedings, damages claims and cum-ex and cum-cum cases; Ferdinand Kruis is particularly experienced in the latter area. Helge Großerichter, who is extremely adept in banking law disputes, and Peter Balzer, whose expertise includes banking and capital markets law as well as banking regulatory issues, jointly lead the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The Munich team is outstanding in banking disputes, especially our colleagues Kruis and Großerichter.'
- 'Overall, an outstanding practice that stands out from the competition: a legally excellent team with unusually broad litigation experience, lean structures and correspondingly fair prices. In my opinion, the first address for complex financial litigation in Germany.'
- 'Strong client orientation. Very high level of legal expertise. Very pragmatic, creative and innovative conflict solutions. Very high level of initiative in the interests of the clients.'
- 'Ferdinand Kruis and Helge Großerichter: Extremely smart, experienced, fast and think economically and pragmatically. Pleadings and court appearance are of highest quality. Reports provide clear and helpful statements. 11 out of 10 points.'
- 'Helge Großerichter: Is particularly characterised by an outstanding strategically oriented focus in advising clients and designing solutions; broad expertise and experience in banking law issues; very sound, precise and convincing arguments; extraordinarily addressee-oriented communication and negotiation, which can quickly win over even demanding conversation partners.'
- 'Ferdinand Kruis: particularly characterised by broad expertise and experience in banking law issues; very practice-oriented advice on banking law topics that can quickly be implemented into concrete solutions within your own company; very sound and addressee-oriented argumentation and negotiation; very high flexibility for time-critical processes.'
Key clients
- Bayern LB
- Bundesverband der Banken
- UniCredit Bank AG
- Hamburg Commercial Bank AG (früher: HSH Nordbank AG)
- Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG, pbb
- Hypo Real Estate
- Wirecard Bank
- Volkswagen Bank
- WealthCap Fonds Gruppe
- LBS Bausparkasse
Work highlights
- Comprehensive advice to Wirecard Bank as a result of the Wirecard scandal, including legal representation.
- Representation of several major banks pertaining to the challenge of contribution decisions issued to the credit institutions for the European Single Resolution Fund through annulment actions before the European Court (amount in the double-digit million range).
- Representation of Hypo Real Estate in an investor model case due to allegedly false ad hoc reports before the financial crisis.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Helge Großerichter, Peter Balzer