Damm & Mann impresses with experience in representing both the reporting as well as affected parties and the support to newspapers and publishers in the defense against third-party claims pertaining to false reporting of an economic nature as well as assisting commercial clients in the enforcement of claims; among the recent growth areas is the support in claims in connection with social media reporting. Practice head Roger Mann comprehensively covers free speech issues, including the representation of major newspapers in related disputes, and is also renowned for his competition law advice to publishers. Holger Nieland focuses on copyright and media law and is additionally well versed in personal rights.
Press and publishing in Germany
Damm & Mann
Referenzen
‘Absolute reliability at the highest level in the matter, attention to small things without getting lost in the details and thus always one step ahead of the other side. Exchanging data without email works.’
‘Roger Mann: careful, precise in the matter and legally at his best. Thinks quickly – therefore always knows what he is doing.’
‘Roger Mann is one of Germany’s leading press lawyers.’
Kernmandanten
Stiftung Warentest
Handelsblatt GmbH
Penguin Random House
Hessischer Rundfunk
Gruner + Jahr
Susanne Klatten
Aida Cruises
Asklepios Kliniken GmbH & Co. KGaA
Trägergesellschaft Kliniken Aurich-Emden-Norden GmbH
Axel Springer SE
Brandeins Medien AG
Fielmann Group AG
NESSELHAUF Rechtsanwälte
Reputation management is at the core of NESSELHAUF Rechtsanwälte‘s press and free speech practice, where the team represents individuals and international corporations in court proceedings against false or critical reporting and also offers crisis management. Name partner Michael Nesselhauf is renowned for his press law expertise and jointly heads the practice with Till Dunckel, who represents clients in media landmark proceedings, and free speech expert Stephanie Vendt.
Referenzen
‘Ability to think politically beyond legal expertise and translate social complexity into legal strategy.’
‘Clear, fast, consistent and strong in processing and execution.’
‘Till Dunckel is an extremely competent lawyer who has assisted us for almost a decade.’
Highlight-Mandate
Raue
Raue advises newspapers as well as press and media companies on freedom of speech and personal rights, including in proceedings against injunctions and complaint procedures regarding their reporting. The practice is led by Jan Hegemann, who is is well versed in press litigation, and Robert Heine, who covers matters at the interface between press and IP law. At associate level, Lisa Schopp and Aron Heidtke are experienced in advising on publishers’ digital rights as well as publishing and copyright issues.
Referenzen
‘Quick accessibility, extensive knowledge, solution-oriented.’
‘Jan Hegeman and his team have extensive knowledge, but are also able to quickly get to grips with new topics. One gets the feeling to be working with the best in the country.’
Kernmandanten
Axel Springer SE (BILD GmbH, B.Z. Ullstein GmbH, WeltN24GmbH)
Hachette Book Group
LOOKS Film & TV Produktionen GmbH
Zeitsprung Pictures GmbH
Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands
Club of Rome
Bloomberg
Highlight-Mandate
- Free speech advice to and representation of the Hachette Book Group in the defense against SLAPP proceedings before the Hamburg Regional Court and the Hamburg Higher Regional Court.
- Enforcement of injunctions under free speech law regarding false reporting pertaining to Ahmad Mansour’s career in an online article by the medium Hyphen.
- Advising LOOKS Film & TV Produktionen GmbH on copyright and personal rights in connection with script development and film adaptation.
Schertz Bergmann Rechtsanwälte
Schertz Bergmann Rechtsanwälte focuses on the representation of affected parties, including individuals and large corporations, in proceedings regarding false and suspicious reporting. Name partners Christian Schertz and Simon Bergmann are well versed in press and personal rights disputes. Helge Reich advises on copyright and competition law, while Anna Sophie Heuchemer is experienced in press law matters in the course of criminal proceedings.
Referenzen
‘Leading law firm for press and freedom of speech law; very good initial assessment of facts.’
‘Helge Reich – pragmatic, superb expertise and always available when things get tough.’
‘In the area of personal rights and filming of real events: extremely competent expertise. Very good support during the development, production and promotion of the film productions.’
Kernmandanten
DFB Deutscher Fußball Bund
Mercedes-Benz Group AG
Tönnies Holding
UFA Fiction GmbH
Zalando SE
Ziegler Film GmbH & Co. KG
diverse DRK Organisationen
RB Leipzig
Universal Music GmbH
FC Union Berlin
Artnet AG
BMG
CMS
Boasting longstanding expertise in the digital sector, CMS advises publishers and broadcasters on press and copyright law and supports digital service providers in regulatory matters. Led by media lawyer Pietro Graf Fringuelli, the practice is well versed in crisis management. Michael Fricke regularly acts in proceedings in connection with press and free speech law, where both affected and reporting parties are represented. Martin Gerecke offers expertise in digitised matters and is well versed in personal rights and internet law issues.
Referenzen
‘What is special about the firm is its personalities. Especially in direct comparison with others – in negotiation situations or contentious proceedings – the personality of the consultant is of inestimable value, in addition to the pronounced expertise to be expected at this level.’
‘Michael Fricke. Probably the best one can get in the field of media law; very effective, astute and always to the point. Competence and efficiency come together in a way that is rarely seen in one person; has an invaluable ability to judge in this field.’
DLA Piper
DLA Piper supports large media companies and commercial clients in all aspects of copyright law, including in proceedings and damages procedures in connection with publishing and free speech law, where the team represents both the affected as well as reporting parties. Practice head Stefan Engels primarily advises media and communications companies (including broadcasters, agencies and advertising groups) on free speech, press and broadcasting law issues as well as on copyright, competition and IP law.
Referenzen
‘In media law matters, we continue to work primarily with Stefan Engels and his IP team. The reason for the ongoing collaboration is in particular the excellent broad coverage and thus also the good integration in the area of intellectual property rights and media law.’
‘We particularly value Stefan Engels as an excellent lawyer and very good strategist and tactician who is extremely well connected and has very deep knowledge of the media industry and the media business. His commitment and ability to think outside the box of the specific mandate and to work comprehensively for the client are particularly noteworthy.’
‘The team is very good and competent, everything I need is processed very quickly.’
Kernmandanten
Axel Springer Deutschland GmbH
WeltN24 GmbH
Seven.One Entertainment (ProSieben, Sat.1)
Ströer Digital Publishing (t-online.de,watson.de)
dpa Deutsche Presseagentur
Wort & Bild Verlag Konradshöhe GmbH & Co. KG
Highlight-Mandate
- Advice to and representation of WeltN24 GmbH and BILD GmbH against copyright and competition law claims from the broadcasting companies affiliated with ARD.
- Advising dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH on copyright issues as well as representation in various proceedings.
- Representation of Ströer Digital Publishing against members of the group who sang right-wing radical songs and imitated the Hitler salute in Pony on Sylt.
HÖCKER
HÖCKER advises affected companies and individuals on press law and free speech matters. The team regularly assists clients with crisis management and represents them in proceedings in connection with suspicious and false reporting. Name partner Ralf Höcker represents journalists and politicians in reputation protection proceedings; here, Carsten Brennecke is another key contact and primarily supports companies. Marcel Leeser regularly advises on press law and free speech matters across the finance and healthcare sectors.
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Ralf Höcker; Carsten Brennecke; Marcel Leeser; Christian Conrad; Johannes Gräbig
Referenzen
‘Ralf Höcker: very creative, the best for offensive media work. Carsten Brennecke: very reliable and careful.’
‘This practice stands out for its exceptional expertise and client-focused approach. In-house colleagues should know that the team is not only technically brilliant, but also has a remarkable ability to communicate complex legal issues in an understandable way.’
‘Ralf Höcker and Marcel Leeser stand out from competitors through their proactive approach and commitment to clients. I particularly value their accessibility, their deep understanding of their clients’ business goals and their ability to seamlessly integrate legal strategies into the business context.’
Kernmandanten
Banijay Germany GmbH
Erzbistum Köln
Helmut Kohl (p.m.) u. Maike Kohl-Richter
Kardinal R.M.Woelki
HTB Hanseatische Fondshaus GmbH
Patricia Schlesinger
Roger Waters
Highlight-Mandate
- Press law advice and representation of Kardinal Woelki in over 50 press inquiries in the course of suspicious reporting on allegations of cover-up in the investigation of abuse.
- Comprehensive press law advice to Patricia Schlesinger in connection with the rbb case.
ADVANT Beiten
ADVANT Beiten supports publishers and digital service providers in free speech and press law proceedings and is regularly instructed on copyright and competition law matters. The practice is jointly led by Andreas Lober and Holger Weimann; Lober acts at the interface between IT and media law, while Weimann primarily advises radio stations in connection with free speech. Marc-Oliver Srocke is renowned for his experience in press litigation and is also well versed in copyright law.
Referenzen
‘Longstanding expertise in our field, very good cooperation, transparent and attentive communication.’
‘The communication is extremely reliable, fast and binding.’
‘Very trusting and routine cooperation.’
Kernmandanten
SPIEGEL-Gruppe
RTL-Gruppe
Gruner+Jahr Medien GmbH
Westermann Bildungsmedien Verlag GmbH
Highlight-Mandate
- Ongoing advice and representation of the SPIEGEL Group companies regarding free speech and press law as well as copyright and publishing law matters.
- Advising the RTL Group on matters pertaining to free speech, press and copyright law as well as representation before relevant German chambers and senates.
- Advice and representation of Gruner+Jahr Medien GmbH regarding free speech and press law matters.
LAUSEN
LAUSEN focuses on representing newspapers and publishers in press and publishing law disputes; another mainstay is the advice on strategic media and copyright issues. Martin Schippan routinely acts in model free speech and press law proceedings, where Ursula Feindor-Schmidt frequently acts om behalf of publishers. Kerstin Bäcker is well versed in the music sector and advises on AI-related issues.
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Matthias Lausen; Martin Schippan; Kerstin Bäcker; Richard Hahn; Ursula Feindor-Schmidt; Bernhard Buchner; Florian Sperling; Thomas Glückstein; Tim Kraft
Referenzen
‘Speed, diligence, comprehensive advice, friendliness.’
‘We are very satisfied with all the advisors at the Lausen law firm.’
‘The entire team reacts very quickly, very competently and very pragmatically to our inquiries and supports us excellently in all matters. The individual lawyers are always very good and professional in our internal discussions and in the external discussions with our partners!’
Kernmandanten
Bookwire GmbH
Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels
Coalition for responsible sharing
Elsevier B.V.
Ernst Klett Verlag GmbH
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung GmbH
Georg Thieme Verlag GmbH
John Wiley & Sons GmbH
John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Koalition Zukunft des Verlegens
PMG Presse-Monitor GmbH
Springer Nature
Highlight-Mandate
- Representation of Süddeutsche Zeitung in various proceedings, including in the nationwide reporting on the practices of the band Rammstein and frontman Till Lindemann.
- Representation of Süddeutsche Zeitung in model proceedings regarding the standing of a foreign state in asserting injunctive relief claims against a press publication in Germany, currently pending before the Federal Court of Justice.
BROST CLAßEN
BROST CLAßEN offers longstanding expertise in reputation protection to companies as well as private individuals. The firm supports clients in personal rights proceedings and also assists with crisis management, where the team regularly conducts disputes of an economic nature. Founding partners Lucas Brost and Jörn Claßen jointly lead the practice and routinely represent clients in public and commercial proceedings as well as in free speech and media law proceedings.
Referenzen
‘A very friendly and approachable team that is quick to offer advice and assistance when it comes to questions of dealing with the media. Top in crisis communication, top in dealing with the press, very focused on the client’s wishes, but at the same time clear in communicating the limits of what is feasible to the client.’
‘Lucas Brost is a highly competent, extremely reliable, always available lawyer who makes the impossible possible.’
‘Jörn Claßen is always available and has the right touch for tricky matters. He is good at assessing chances of success and has extensive procedural experience in defending companies and individuals in suspicions reporting scenarios!’
Kernmandanten
C&A Mode GmbH & Co. KG
Edeka
CDU (Verbände und Politiker)
Stiftung Matthias Spital
Klinikum Bielefeld gem. GmbH
Westpfalz-Klinikum
Spezialisierte Ambulante Palliativversorgung
Deutscher Eishockey-Bund e.V.
Mitsubishi Power Europe GmbH
Dominikaner-Provinz Teutonia
Stromio GmbH
gas.de Versorgungsgesellschaft mbH
BUSE
BUSE is well versed in representing prominent individuals and large companies in court proceedings against false reporting as well as the advice on strategic communications. The practice is jointly led by Nina Lüssmann and Volker Perten, who are experienced in reputation protection as well as free speech and press law proceedings. Lüssmann also covers copyright issues, while Perten boasts expertise in public media law.
Referenzen
‘Nina Lüssmann maintains the necessary calm even in emotionally charged situations surrounding the media law support of high-profile criminal proceedings.’
‘So far we have only used the media team and have been very impressed.’
‘Nina Lüssmann is incredibly responsive and committed to achieving the best results for her clients. She understands the situation and the goals and gives clear advice on how best to achieve them, without being afraid to say when something should not be done. She works very collaboratively with lawyers in other jurisdictions.’
Kernmandanten
Sandra Bullock
Lufthansa AG
Network Movie Film- und Fernsehproduktion GmbH
Jörg Pilawa
Restitution Study Group
DÜNNWALD LEGAL
DÜNNWALD LEGAL advises affected companies and associations on investigative reporting and also represents clients in injunctions and damages proceedings pertaining to false reporting. Founding partner Dirk Dünnwald has longstanding litigation expertise in connection with economic reporting; he is also well versed in media law.
Referenzen
‘Excellent personal advice from the owner personally, high degree of openness and integrity.’
‘Always think of the client first and not of their own advantages.’
‘High level of expertise and experience. Sensitive to market mechanisms, which creates efficient solutions and avoids costly and time-consuming mistakes.’
Irle Moser
Irle Moser regularly acts on behalf of politicians, authorities and companies in disputes over critical and sexual misconduct reporting. In addition to litigation, the practice also assists with crisis management. Co-head and press lawyer Christian-Oliver Moser is a key contact here as well as co-head Ben Irle, the latter also covers IP issues.
Referenzen
‘Ben Irle – leading media/press lawyer; fast, always personally available.’
‘A practice specializing in media law that convinces with outstanding skills in the field, cost avoidance and speed in dealing with cases. The firm’s specialization in German media law makes it an excellent fit for us.’
‘Ben Irle is an outstanding expert in media law – always available, fast and extremely competent. His talent also lies in avoiding costs wherever possible.’
Kernmandanten
Adler Group
ADO Properties S.A.
AML Ship Management
Amnesty International Deutschland e.V.
Bhakti Marga
Bundeverband der Mittelständischen Wirtschaft
Comline GmbH
Consus Real Estate AG
dennree GmbH
Deutsche Landentwicklung GmbH & Co. KG
DJ Digitale Medien GmbH, Wien
Ernst & Young GmbH
Highlight-Mandate
- Advice and representation of Julian Reichelt (former Bild editor-in-chief) against allegations of sexual harassment in media reporting.
- Advice and representation of a major foreign industrialist against a black PR campaign conducted from abroad and the resulting false reporting in a dispute against third parties and against Google.
- Advice and representation of Ernst & Young GmbH in connection with media coverage of the Wirecard case.
Prinz Rechtsanwälte
Prinz Rechtsanwälte advises international companies and prominent individuals, including members of royal families, on reputation protection and regularly conducts free speech and personal rights proceedings before German and European courts. Practice head Matthias Prinz routinely acts in press and media landmark proceedings and also has expertise in out-of-court crisis management. Jan Felix Dein is experienced in disputes in connection with free speech.
Referenzen
‘Fast and very good hands-on mentality. Uncomplicated communication.’
‘Jan Felix Dein: helpful even outside of normal working hours. Good suggestions for solutions for all parties.’
Kernmandanten
Volkswagen AG
Monegassisches Fürstenhaus
Porsche SE
Online Marketing Rockstars Ramp106 GmbH
Schwedisches Königshaus
Meyer Burger Technology AG