Christoph specialises in data and technology law, helping clients navigate digital transformation and emerging tech regulations with strategic vision, such as digital markets and AI regulation.
As global co-head of our data and technology practice and a member of our information security committee, he provides the insights clients need to turn technological challenges into competitive advantages.
Christoph has helped design and implement numerous transformational technology projects, working across jurisdictions and at the intersection of our antitrust, transactions, regulatory and employment practices. His deep expertise in the telecoms sector, particularly in next-generation access and innovative business models, enables clients to pioneer new technological frontiers while maintaining compliance.
Drawing on extensive experience in handling disputes before regulators and courts, as well as internal investigations, Christoph anticipates risks and provides pragmatic solutions that protect clients’ interests. He has advised on some of the highest-profile data and cyber cases, as well as GDPR (fine) proceedings, and data-related (mass) litigation, enhancing his ability to craft strategic approaches to complex digital challenges.
Christoph also helps clients manage their data and IT governance, advising on new and emerging laws that have an impact on digital businesses and supporting global M&A transactions, particularly those involving data- or technology-heavy targets.
Working with the Freshfields Lab, leading consulting firms and technical advisors, Christoph helps clients leverage legal tech solutions to manage large-scale projects and implement standardised approaches to (and software solutions for) privacy compliance and data governance. His technical expertise and forward-thinking approach keeps clients ahead of regulatory developments while empowering them to seize opportunities for strategic transformation.
A recognised thought leader, Christoph contributes to the legal discourse on digitalisation through his publications and co-authorship of standard commentaries on the GDPR and telecoms regulation. He also teaches AI and data law at Dusseldorf and Bonn universities, keeping him at the sector’s cutting edge.
Christoph is considered as one of the most influential TMT lawyers in Germany and globally. Having appeared in Global Data Review’s 40 under 40, Christoph is recognised as among the best in the upcoming generation of data lawyers. He was also named by JUVE as a rising star in telecoms law and as a leading individual by GDR.
Christoph has vast experience representing clients in regulatory proceedings in Germany and – together with local experts – in other EU Member States and the rest of the world. In the field of Data and Technology, he litigates in front of German civil, criminal and administrative courts, including escalating matters to the European Court of Justice. The majority of his matters involve the coordination of multijurisdictional disputes together with our Data and Technology teams in Europe, the US and Asia.
AI
- Advising a global technology company on preparing for the EU AI Act and assessing the impact of the new law on various of its services and the interplay with other EU Digital Strategy regulation.
- Advising a global data analytics platform provider on its project to get ready for EU AI Act compliance.
- Advising a global remote computing software provider on EU AI Act compliance and the interplay with other EU Digital Strategy regulation.
Data incidents
- Advising on more than 10 of the ‘Big Ones’ (i.e. data incidents with more than 1 Terabyte of affected data), including dealing with regulators across the globe and related (mass) litigation.
- Advising Marriott in the global (excluding the USA) coordination of its response to the recent data breach, one of the largest incidents worldwide, including cooperation with multiple data protection authorities around the world and litigation, particularly with the UK ICO.
- Advising Motel One on a data protection incident with repercussions in Germany, the UK and Switzerland (around 6 terabytes of the client's data, approx. 26 million data records, were published on the Dark Net), including advising on the analysis of the affected data and the communication to affected customers and the press.
- Advising a leading US tech company in connection with data scraping that has resulted in both litigation and regulatory action in the UK and various countries across the EU in thousands of individual and collective claims.
Automotive
- Advising leading automotive companies on their global data strategy, various data-driven use cases, the implementation of self-driving car technology in various jurisdictions, international data transfers, data protection contracts and the data protection aspects of connected vehicles and digital services.
- Representing companies in various GDPR fine and administrative proceedings and coordinating with authorities on codes of conduct and other official guidance for auto companies.
Healthcare
- Advising various healthcare companies on the business impact of the EU European Health Data Space regulation.
- Advising a multinational molecular diagnostics company on business critical data protection issues, the implementation of a data transfer project and sector-specific health data protection.
- Advising a leading biotech company on GDPR compliance in the context of clinical trials.
Financial institutions
- Advising a business services company in day-to-day compliance and strategic matters relating to data legislation, including DORA, AI Act, and GDPR.
- Advising a business services company in a defence strategy vis-à-vis authorities and possible class actions by consumers regarding data breach resulting into fine proceedings.
- Representing various insurance companies in GDPR fine proceedings and corresponding administrative proceedings.
- Advising Allianz on the worldwide digitalisation of its HR processes, and global data centralisation and outsourcing projects.
Telecoms
- Representing United Internet in major regulatory proceedings regarding wholesale internet access, and related civil and public law litigation.
- Advising United Internet and various investors on fibre buildout and 5G projects and collaborations, including dealing with regulators and representing the clients in subsequent litigation.
- Advising various automakers on their cooperations with mobile network providers regarding in-car communication services.
- Advising a global provider of network solutions on EU AI Act compliance.
Online and digital
- Advising a Gatekeeper on DMA compliance, related engagement with the European Commission and in litigation proceedings.
- Advising various IoT companies on the implementation of the EU Data Act.
- Advising online platforms on DSA compliance.
- Advising various of the world’s largest technology companies on on product-related data, ePrivacy and telecoms regulatory issues, including mass litigation and proceedings before regulators.
- Advising some of the largest technology companies on high-profile GDPR proceedings, including in front the the Irish DPC and on related litigation in Germany and other EU Member States.
