Professional notice
Germany
Oppenländer has competition practices in Stuttgart and Munich. The four-partner group is led by Stuttgart-based Who’s Who Legal nominee Albrecht Bach, alongside partner Andreas Hahn. The firm has a reputation for being well-versed in handling competition litigation work. Hahn acted for EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg before the ECJ in a precedent-setting case regarding access to documents. EnBW sought information from members of the gas insulated switchgear cartel in order to bring follow-on damages but the court said there was a “general presumption” that documents should remain confidential.
In Germany Oppenländer is preparing claims for damages arising from the rail manufacturers’ cartel on behalf of more than 30 transport operators including BVG, Berlin’s main public transport provider. It is also helping incumbent gas company GASAG in its bid to continue using Berlin’s public infrastructure to deliver gas to households. The Association of German Savings Banks is a longstanding client. The firm acted for it in an FCO investigation of fees for debit card payments, eventually agreeing on a settlement.
OPPENLÄNDER is the independent alternative in Germany for all antitrust matters. A boutique-style personal hands-on approach is combined with the strength of a team enjoying highest professional reputation among peers.
OPPENLÄNDER offers the entire range of antitrust advice.
Merger Control: We are regularly involved in complex cases in which transaction work is handled by other firms. OPPENLÄNDER has gained a reputation of reliable advice, grasp of complex market details and solutions off the beaten track. We are regularly retained to litigate merger decisions by the FCO. We have particular expertise in industries relating to energy, media, life sciences and automotive. OPPENLÄNDER has proven a reliable and straightforward partner for the German aspects of multinational filings.
Actions for Damages: No other German firm has been more actively involved in developing private enforcement in Germany. Or experience includes landmark litigation cases and highly confidential settlements. Clients range from international blue chip companies to state owned businesses and medium sized enterprises.
Cartel investigations and compliance: OPPENLÄNDER is an experienced partner for trans-border investigations in cartel cases building on our extensive experience in both national and EU cartel cases. We help to structure compliance programs and to implement them successfully. OPPENLÄNDER has successfully litigated cartel cases against the FCO, helped to mitigate fines and advised in settlement proceedings.
Vertical restrictions, distribution: The German FCO pursues a strict enforcement concept regarding possible vertical restrictions of competition. Price related restrictions are regularly fined. OPPENLÄNDER helps to steer distribution concepts through this specific German regulatory environment.
Dominance, regulated industries: OPPENLÄNDER has successfully handled numerous cases of purportedly abusive pricing by firms held to be dominant. Regulated industries, in particular energy, water and communications, are an area of particular expertise.
OPPENLÄNDER is an independent law firm offering services in competition, corporate, IP, life sciences, public and administrative and labor law. OPPENLÄNDER does not participate in any formal alliances.
Contact details:
Prof. Dr. Albrecht Bach
[email protected]
+49 711 60187-150
Dr. Mathias Ulshöfer
[email protected]
+49 711 60187-290
Dr. Andreas Hahn
[email protected]
+49 711 60187-120
Dr. Ulrich Klumpp
[email protected]
+49 711 60187-172
Börsenplatz 1
70174 Stuttgart
Germany