Herbert Smith Freehills LLP acts integrated into the international network and advises well known domestic and foreign clients on key areas of white-collar criminal law, including the representation in criminal and administrative proceedings. The team is experienced in allegations of corruption, embezzlement, fraud and cyber crime as well as insolvency crimes, trade secret violations and the market-dominating topics cum-ex and the emissions scandal. Dirk Seiler heads the team and has longstanding experience in both defending companies against criminal allegations and representing damaged parties. Counsel Enno Appel left the firm in November 2022 for an in-house position.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'This is a powerful team in all areas of white-collar criminal law and specializes in representing injured parties, particularly at the interface with civil law. One focus is the enforcement of claims for damages and liability in cases of white-collar crime.'
- 'Dirk Seiler: Very experienced, pragmatic and strategically strong.'
- 'Dirk Seiler impresses with his very good management of the mandate, always keeps an overview and never loses sight of the goal. Working with him is excellent.'
- 'Particularly high level of competence and above-average handling of diversity.'
- 'The team is very professional, responsive and business-oriented. We have only had great experiences with HSF LLP Frankfurt, especially with the team around Dirk Seiler.'
- 'Dirk Seiler: Both commercially and a great collaboration. He understands the customer's needs very well.'
- 'Dirk Seiler: Extremely business-like and approaches the matter with an innovative approach.'
- 'Dirk Seiler: A good strategist and assertive.'
Key clients
- Microsoft Deutschland GmbH, Microsoft Corporation (USA)
- Ford-Werke GmbH
- Pfizer Inc. (USA), Pfizer Products Inc. (USA), Pfizer GmbH (Deutschland)
Work highlights
- Criminal law advice and defense of an international bank in criminal cum-ex proceedings.
- Advising an international chemical company on criminal law in a cross-border breach of trust/embezzlement case.
- Advising and defending an international automobile manufacturer in the diesel emissions scandal against allegations of alleged illegal defeat devices (including allegations of fraud).
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Dirk Seiler