Corporate Defence for Corporations, Mid-sized Companies, SMEs and Executives
White-collar criminal proceedings can threaten the substance of a company within a matter of weeks. GLADICA Lawyers assumes corporate defence with a structure built precisely for these situations.
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Strategic Corporate Defence You Can Trust
Immediate Support During Investigative Measures
White-collar criminal proceedings affect the company, its officers and its employees simultaneously. From the very first moment we secure the interests of all parties and prevent avoidable mistakes that could burden the entire proceedings.
Coordinated Defence for Companies and Executives
Every search, every interview of an accused person or every notice under § 30 OWiG affects the company, its officers and its employees simultaneously. We assemble specialised legal teams that represent all parties independently while acting in strategic coordination.
Focused on the Best Possible Outcome for the Company
Case dismissal, minimised corporate fine or acquittal: GLADICA Lawyers assumes corporate defence with the clear objective of protecting the company's reputation, operations and future to the greatest extent possible.
Forensic Precision and Consistent Representation of Interests
We develop coordinated defence strategies, work with forensic precision and represent your interests consistently before public prosecutor's offices and regulatory authorities. The objective is to manage legal risks and to protect the economic and reputational position of your company to the greatest extent possible.
Corporate Defence in Detail
Our Services at a Glance
We accompany all phases of white-collar criminal proceedings, from the first investigative measures to the final legally binding conclusion:
Crisis management during searches under §§ 102 ff. StPO, seizures and witness interviews
Immediate representation of managing directors and board members in their capacity as accused persons or witnesses
Defence of the company in proceedings under § 30 OWiG (corporate fines)
Defence against allegations under § 130 OWiG for breach of supervisory duties
Conducting and managing internal corporate investigations
Coordination of parallel defence mandates for officers and employees
Negotiations with public prosecutor's offices regarding case dismissals under §§ 153, 153a StPO
Representation in administrative fine proceedings and competition law proceedings under § 81 GWB
Accompanying proceedings before BaFin, the Federal Cartel Office and customs authorities
Establishment and review of compliance management systems pursuant to IDW PS 980
Defence in cross-border investigations and mutual legal assistance proceedings
Strategic reputation management in coordination with communications advisors
Coordinated Defence for Multiple Accused Persons
White-collar criminal proceedings frequently involve multiple accused persons simultaneously, including the company itself, its officers and employees. § 146 StPO prohibits a single defence lawyer from simultaneously defending multiple accused persons in the same offence.
In such constellations, GLADICA Lawyers assembles specialised legal teams that represent individual accused persons independently while acting in strategic coordination. This avoids conflicts of interest and utilises synergies in a legally compliant manner, without crossing professional boundaries.
Internal Investigations and Compliance as a Defence Strategy
Where criminal offences within the company are suspected, swift and legally sound self-investigation is a central instrument. We structure internal investigations according to recognised standards, in compliance with employment and data protection law requirements. Employee interviews are conducted in a legally secure manner and results are documented so that they are admissible in regulatory and court proceedings. In parallel, we review disclosure obligations under the WpHG, GwG, US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or UK Bribery Act.
An effective compliance management system serves not only as a preventive tool but can also carry considerable weight in proceedings. According to the case law of the Federal Court of Justice (judgment of 9 May 2017, 1 StR 265/16), functioning compliance structures can be taken into account as a mitigating factor in the imposition of fines. GLADICA Lawyers analyses existing systems, identifies structural gaps and implements structures pursuant to IDW PS 980 and sector-specific standards.
Defence against allegations under §§ 299 ff. StGB and §§ 331 ff. StGB domestically and internationally, including complex group structures.
Defence against allegations under § 266 StGB, which frequently arise from business decisions or transactions.
Defence under §§ 263, 264 StGB in connection with sales, grant funding and procurement allegations.
Defence in cases of incorrect financial reporting under § 331 HGB as well as market manipulation and insider trading under the WpHG.
Defence against allegations under § 370 AO, accompanying voluntary disclosures under § 371 AO and tax audits.
Defence under § 261 StGB in accordance with the requirements of the GwG.
Why Clients Trust GLADICA Lawyers
Our work follows three principles: discretion, personal supervision by experienced criminal defence lawyers and consistent focus on results. We are available around the clock, work closely with auditors, IT forensic specialists and communications advisors, and conduct every case with the objective of preserving the substance and reputation of the company. No mandate is delegated to junior associates.
Highly Specialised Criminal Defence Lawyers
Specialists in white-collar criminal law with extensive experience in complex corporate proceedings.
500+ Five-Star Reviews
Your personal and case information remains strictly protected at all times.
30+ Years of Experience
Urgent legal help whenever you need it, including nights and weekends.
Multilingual Team
Legal representation available in German, English, and additional languages.
Nationwide Representation
Legal representation before all German courts, from local courts to the Federal Court of Justice.
As soon as criminal proceedings are foreseeable, enquiries from authorities are received or internal indications of possible criminal offences arise. Announced tax audits can also provide sufficient reason. The earlier a defence strategy is developed, the greater the room for manoeuvre.
Searches under §§ 102, 103 StPO are carried out on the basis of a judicial order. Management should request the order, make no substantive statements and immediately request legal support. Our emergency team accompanies proceedings on site, documents the sequence of events and secures the rights of the company and its employees.
Under § 30 OWiG, a fine can be imposed on a company if a person in a management position has committed a criminal offence or regulatory violation that breached the company's duties or enriched the company. The fine ceiling reaches ten million euros for criminal offences, combined with the recovery of economic benefits under § 17 (4) OWiG. The amount can be significantly influenced by compliance evidence and cooperative conduct.
Yes. In addition to criminal liability, civil law claims under § 43 GmbHG and § 93 AktG may arise. D&O insurance does not cover all risks, particularly not in cases of intentional breaches of duty. We coordinate criminal defence and officer liability matters to avoid dual burdens and contradictory strategies.
§ 130 OWiG sanctions breach of supervisory duties where criminal offences within the company are facilitated by a lack of oversight. The fine ceiling reaches one million euros and can be higher in cases of intentional conduct. Demonstrable compliance structures are often the decisive factor in the assessment of such allegations.
A robust investigation begins with defining the subject matter of the review, securing digital and physical evidence and conducting legally sound employee interviews. Results are documented in an admissible report that forms the basis for employment law, criminal law or civil law consequences. Decisive factors are legal leadership, documented processes and protection of confidentiality.
Yes. The Federal Court of Justice expressly confirmed in its decision of 9 May 2017 (ref. 1 StR 265/16) that effective compliance management must be taken into account as a mitigating factor in the imposition of fines. Public prosecutor's offices are also increasingly evaluating the quality of compliance structures when making dismissal decisions and determining sanctions. We assert these structures demonstrably in proceedings.
In appropriate cases, yes. Case dismissals under §§ 153, 153a StPO subject to conditions and fine notices under § 30 OWiG without a main hearing are often the strategically preferred solution. Particularly in white-collar criminal law, negotiating these pathways is one of the most important tasks of the defence and avoids the reputational damage of public proceedings.
The Whistleblower Protection Act (HinSchG) requires companies with fifty or more employees to operate an internal reporting system and protects whistleblowers from retaliation. We implement legally compliant reporting channels, train responsible persons and accompany the processing of incoming reports. At the same time, we protect the rights of affected persons to prevent unlawful interference in either direction.
In international matters, we coordinate the defence with partner law firms abroad and take into account frameworks such as the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act and the French Sapin II legislation. Mutual legal assistance requests under §§ 59 ff. IRG, European investigation orders and parallel proceedings in multiple jurisdictions are consolidated within a unified strategy. This prevents contradictory statements or disclosures in one jurisdiction from having an adverse effect in another.
