Moritz is a partner and co-head of Freshfields Continental European Strategic Risk & Corporate Governance group. Operating from our Frankfurt and Berlin offices, he is recognized as a trusted advisor in complex investigations and crisis management. Moritz specializes in guiding major international corporations and financial institutions through intricate incident scenarios, with a particular focus on cross-border investigations. His expertise also extends to strategic risk management, especially in the aftermath of compliance incidents, where he ensures effective corporate governance responses.
With a strong track record in high-profile investigations, Moritz brings unparalleled experience to his clients. He played a pivotal role in the landmark investigations into the diesel emissions issue starting in 2015 and led investigations into a wide range of corporate crime matters, such as alleged tax offences, accounting fraud and insider trading.
Most recently, Moritz spearheaded a highly complex cross-border regulatory investigation for a global industrial client on behalf of the supervisory board, examining allegations of regulatory non-compliance related to various industrials products. He not only conducted the investigation but also advised his client vis-à-vis the relevant regulators. In another recent major case, Moritz led an internal investigation for a DAX40 company into possible misconduct and poor decision-making at the board and top management level of a foreign subsidiary, focusing on deficiencies in compliance, risk management, and escalation structures. This also included providing strategic risk and corporate governance advice.
Having worked across Europe and the US, including a secondment with the Global
Head of Litigation & Investigations at a leading international financial institution,
Moritz’s extensive international experience complements his investigative expertise. His two years in M&A at a top-tier US law firm enhanced his commercial acumen, allowing him to approach investigations with a deep understanding of business realities and strategic challenges.
Regarded as one of Germany’s leading advisors in high-stakes “bet-the-company” matters, Moritz is known for his analytical precision and alignment with clients' strategic objectives. His clients value his analytical approach and deep understanding of their business and strategic objectives, which is why they trust him to guide them through their most complex challenges.
- Conducting a highly complex cross-border investigation for a global industrial client on behalf of the supervisory board into allegations of potential non-compliance with regulatory requirements for various industrials products and representing the client vis-á-vis regulators and other authorities in various countries.
- Providing comprehensive compliance and investigations advice as well as overall strategic guidance for a multinational accounting firm in connection with the insolvency of a German DAX-listed company.
- Advising Europe’s largest automobile manufacturer in relation to the diesel emissions issue, particularly leading various investigations and the reappraisal of the facts required for the defence in civil, criminal, employment and regulatory proceedings worldwide.
- Conducting a major internal investigation for one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers regarding the development, homologation and sale of diesel vehicles subject to an official recall due to the installation of an illegal defeat device as well as subsequent crisis management.
- Advising a multinational retail company regarding whistle-blower complaints of alleged compliance infringements by members of the management board of one of its Asian entities.
- Conducting a multi-jurisdictional investigation into potential tax offences for a global financial institution in connection with its US cross-border business involving undeclared US accounts abroad.
- Advising a global financial institution in a major regulatory investigation to clarify the background and responsibility for alleged accounting fraud.
- Advising a global financial institution on its current group guidelines on whistle-blowing and whistle-blower protection in light of new the EU whistle-blower protection directive (Directive (EU) 2019/1937) and advising on necessary revisions both at group level and in various jurisdictions across Europe.
- Conducting an internal investigation for a global financial institution regarding several whistleblower complaints relating to alleged irregularities and compliance violations in connection with the granting of loans.
- Conducting an internal investigation for a global financial investor regarding insider trading allegations.
- Advising a FinTech following a data breach in Germany and the UK, in particular conducting an internal investigation regarding the background and causes of the incident.
- Conducting an internal investigation regarding the tender for, and financing of, the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany for the German Football Association.
- Advising and representing a major German bank in civil litigation proceedings against institutional investors in the aftermath of the financial crisis.
