Entrepreneurial activity is increasingly determined by „compliance“ and the numerous pitfalls associated with it. In this context, WSW is regularly entrusted with the task

• to clarify possible criminal offences and breaches of regulations within the scope of internal investigations,
• to identify weaknesses in the respective company’s internal control and preventive systems,
• to review and optimize already established compliance management systems, critically and individually
• to develop and implement new comprehensive compliance management systems, and
• to train employees in a practical and problem-oriented manner.

A number of our clients are companies and institutions in the public eye, which not only appreciate our professionalism, but also the special discretion of WSW.

Our work as lawyers in the area of directors‘ and officers‘ liability, in which we have already conducted several sensational large-scale proceedings, includes in particular

• the early development of a lasting and efficient defense strategy in the run-up to a possible liability claim, mostly on behalf of medium-sized and larger auditing and tax consulting companies,
• Advising and representing members of corporate bodies, auditors, tax consultants and attorneys-at-law regarding the defense against claims for damages directed against them, as well as in relation to the pecuniary loss liability insurer,
• advising and representing institutional investors and companies regarding the assertion and enforcement of claims for damages not only against the damaging company, but also against its executive bodies, advisors and auditors in Germany and abroad,

In addition to our expertise in criminal law, our profound knowledge and experience in the areas of banking and capital market law as well as corporate and accounting law, in other words, the interdisciplinary character of WSW, prove to be extremely helpful and round off our service profile in these cases.

For non-profit organizations, a high degree of transparency and professionalism in legal and economic matters is becoming increasingly important for these institutions, which are particularly dependent on credibility.

Our activities in this area include in particular:

• the consultation in all foundation- and association-legal matters,
• The preparation of investment guidelines for a recognized professional standards, and in particular sustainable asset management,
• conducting internal investigations to uncover possible breaches of rules and misconduct on the part of those responsible for the organization,
• providing legal support for structural reforms, and
• the preparation of comprehensive internal regulations.

In the areas of corporate, banking and capital market law we are mainly involved with

• the drafting of individual and complex articles of association,
• the optimization of existing corporate law structures,
• the representation in conflict-ridden and complex corporate law disputes,
• defense against liability claims directed against credit and financial services institutions and their governing bodies,
• the preparation of expert opinions, e.g., on banking and capital market law issues, which serve as a basis for decision-making by corporate officers,
• developing and auditing governance systems, and
• advising and representing institutional investors in all areas of their business activities, in particular in connection with investment decisions and the sale of investments.

In this context, our lawyers are distinguished by their special ability to grasp complex, cross-legal issues and legal questions, including in particular the often-neglected area of (capital market) criminal law, which is associated with sensitive risks in this context.