Baker McKenzie's team is led by senior counsel Caroline Heinickel, who is a key contact for clients from the IT/C industry and assists with over-the-top regulation and machine-to-machine communication. Former co-head Joachim Scherer (regulatory law) retired in June 2023. The team primarily supports telecommunications companies, IT service providers, app developers and manufacturers of communications hardware in the planning, development and introduction of new business models. Among the core competencies are regulatory and contract law, including cross-border matters, as well as the implementation of machine-to-machine business models; recent instructions pertain to connected cars as well as frequency regulatory advice on 5G-related matters and broadband expansion. This is complemented by regulatory expertise in the satellite-based telecommunications industry. Holger Lutz (IT and data protection) joined Clifford Chance in June 2023.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Baker McKenzie supports complex telecommunications policy and licensing matters in Germany and Europe. Innovation and efficiency is the best description of Baker's approach to solving problems.'
- 'Caroline Heinickel offers excellent support in telecommunications licensing issues. She is very knowledgeable not only in German but also in international affairs.'
'We have been working together in a trusting manner for many years and can always rely on the expertise and good networking of the team, who not only provide up-to-date information on a daily basis as well as in the long term.'
'Caroline Heinickel is a proven expert and we can always rely on her expertise in the telecommunications sector. We really appreciate the collaboration.'
Key clients
- Bandwidth Inc.
- Telefónica
Work highlights
- Advising Bandwidth Inc. on the acquisition of Voxbone SA. Advice on conducting telecommunications law and regulatory due diligence in more than 40 countries.
- Advising Rakuten on a long-term partnership with 1&1 to build its own mobile network. Together with 1&1, Rakuten will build the first fully virtualized mobile network in Europe based on the innovative OpenRAN technology.
- Ongoing compliance advice to Telefónica with regard to telecommunications regulatory requirements at EU and national level.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Caroline Heinickel