White Collar Law
Criminal law risks are playing an increasing role in all areas of economic life. We advise on all aspects of business-related criminal and administrative offences law. We help to act appropriately and purposefully. Charges regarding embezzlement and fraud, corruption and competition criminal law as well as insolvency, medical and pharmaceutical criminal law are our daily practice. We help offended persons and companies to recover their assets. We accompany and coordinate internal investigations to detect legal infringements. A selected network enables us to immediately involve experts from other fields or jurisdictions, if required.
Compliance und Criminal Due Diligence
We are specialists in the planning, development and implementation of compliance systems. We know the company perspective from our own experience – including the challenges. We focus on the development of rules and regulations (e.g. Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics) and the training of employees to avoid criminal law risks.
In connection with the sale or acquisition of companies (corporate transactions), we help to identify, realistically assess and avoid criminal risks at an early stage (criminal due diligence). We eliminate existing criminal law risks discreetly and always in the interest of our clients.
Environmental Criminal Law
Our advice on environmental criminal law includes preventive advice to avoid environmental misconduct (compliance) and the defence of individuals and companies in connection with infringements of environmental laws or standards. A major focus in this area is the defence of companies against allegations of administrative offences.
Internal Investigations (esp. Sport)
In case of suspicion of violations of rules or laws in companies or associations, we plan, guide and support those responsible in the neutral investigation of the facts. Our aim is to provide an independent and comprehensive investigation with full consideration of the rights of those involved. One focus of our activities is the clarification of facts in the field of sports.
Ombudsman
We act as ombudsman for companies within the framework of their compliance systems, so that employees or outsiders (suppliers, customers, etc.) have competent contacts who are bound to secrecy vis-à-vis the company in the event of suspected criminal offences. Attorney Rettenmaier acts as ombudsman for Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, RSAG, the German Olympic Sports Confederation and the German Olympic team. We support companies as a reporting office in fulfilling the requirements of Whistleblower Protection and Supply Chain Due Diligence.
Tax Criminal Law
Misconduct in dealing with taxes, duties, levies and subsidies is under special observation of the authorities and is increasingly critically assessed. The tax offices are required to inform the tax investigation or the public prosecutor’s office as soon as they suspect an administrative or criminal offence. For this reason, tax audits, for example, often lead to the initiation of criminal tax proceedings. The increased motivation to investigate, closer international cooperation between authorities in Europe and strict rules on sentencing have led to specifically high personal risks in criminal tax law. We defend individuals, executives and tax advisors in proceedings regarding tax evasion, tax reduction, customs offences and subsidy fraud. We provide support in the legally compliant correction of tax errors and in the filing of voluntary disclosures.
Anti-Corruption Law
In addition to advising on individual cases, one focus of our advice in the area of corruption criminal law is to provide training and to develop rules and regulations for the prevention of corruption (compliance guidelines). We also have extensive experience in defending against corruption allegations of all kinds, particularly in matters relating to foreign affairs. In addition, we regularly provide expert legal opinions in the area of corruption law on the relevance of economic facts under corruption law.
Sports Criminal Law
The economic importance of sport has led to an increased exposure of those responsible to criminal risks. Accordingly, law enforcement authorities are investigating sports-specific offences such as illegal betting, fraud, doping and the manipulation of sporting competitions. We advise clubs, sport associations and defend athletes at all stages of proceedings before state institutions and courts of arbitration in sports. We also have wide experience in conducting internal investigations related to competitive sports.
Medical and pharmaceutical criminal law
Doctors, pharmacists, medical personnel, as well as manufacturers and wholesalers of pharmaceuticals are exposed to criminal law risks. We are aware of these risks and develop solutions to deal with them. We advise our clients preventively and defend their interests in crisis situations. We regularly provide legal opinions on criminal law risks in the health care sector. Based on our expertise, we are consultants in legislative procedures and act as criminal law experts in associations.
Corporate Criminal Law
We advise and defend companies in regulatory proceedings. With the introduction of a Corporate Criminal Liability, effective corporate representation will become even more important. Our expertise in this area includes the fields of criminal compliance and internal investigations as well as defending companies in official proceedings.
Banking and Capital Markets Criminal Law
Our experience in advising banks, credit institutions and their executives is longstanding and comprehensive. It is based on our extensive knowledge of the sector. We represent supervisory boards, management boards, executives and employees of financial institutions in connection with allegations under banking and capital markets criminal law. We have particular experience in connection with investigations against banks and their executives concerning market manipulation, insider trading, embezzlement and tax offences.
Criminal labour law
Criminal labor law covers all employment related offences. It is therefore particularly characterized by its close connection to labor, social, administrative and tax law regulations. In this area we are comprehensively active - in the defense of individuals and in the representation of companies at the interface with labor court proceedings.
IT Criminal Law & Data Protection
With digital change, new forms of crime have emerged. This is a threat to company assets and the data of customers and employees. With our network we support companies implementing legal requirements with regard to IT and data security. In addition, we advise and represent with technical understanding in IT and data protection related criminal and administrative proceedings.