

Our Profile
Legal Excellence & Decades of experience
Since 1992, we, the attorneys of the law firm Westpfahl Spilker Wastl (WSW), have been representing and advising our clients primarily in matters that are complex from both a factual and legal point of view, that are as conflict-laden as they are high-profile, and that are of fundamental importance to them. The range of our legal services also includes preventive management of legal risks and comprehensive legal support. In doing so, we are active in all important areas of commercial and white-collar criminal law. In addition to legal excellence, decades of experience and the ability to look beyond the legal horizon, our clients appreciate our courageous and steadfast advocacy of their interests and concerns and, therefore, place particular trust in us. The stable foundation required for this has been formed by the long-standing, in some cases decade-long, trusting and successful cooperation of the attorneys, in particular the partners at Westpfahl Spilker Wastl, and efficient, persuasive lawyers who devote themselves to their task with great dedication and passion.
In accordance with our self-image as lawyers and in awareness of the special social responsibility, not least of the legal professions, we, the lawyers of WSW, also work pro bono. We are not only involved in non-profit organizations, but also offer our legal know-how in selected cases to persons and institutions for which adequate legal support would otherwise be difficult to obtain at the usual conditions.
Areas of activity
Courageous and imaginative
for our clients
Our Team
Lawyers

Practice-oriented and problem-solving
Compliance and internal investigations
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.
National and international
Business and Tax Criminal Law
Since the foundation of our law firm WSW, we have held a special reputation among clients and law enforcement authorities, which has been one of our core competencies; it includes in particular:
- the comprehensive national and/or international representation and counseling of companies with regard to proper conduct vis-à-vis the law enforcement authorities,
- the (classic) criminal defense of (often exposed) individuals,
- advice and representation in connection with voluntary disclosures under tax law, especially in cross-border cases, with recourse to a network of proven domestic and foreign tax law experts.
We are particularly distinguished by our further professional specializations and sound practical experience in other typically affected areas of law – such as banking and capital market law as well as corporate and accounting law. These not only guarantee comprehensive and effective interdisciplinary legal advice and criminal defense from a single source. They also include a consideration of regularly occurring civil, corporate and labor law implications, in particular with regard to the defense or assertion of often simultaneously virulent claims for damages.


Pioneering and much respected
Directors' and Officers' Liability
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.
Experienced and diligent
Litigation (national/international)
Since the foundation of WSW, the (legal) assertion and enforcement, as well as the defense of claims, have been one of our core competencies and outstanding areas of practice, in which we enjoy a high reputation not only among our clients, but also with the courts. We have extensive forensic experience and networks at both the national and international level. We are primarily active in cases that are characterized by
- above-average complexity in factual and/or legal terms,
- legal situation that has not been conclusively clarified or is subject to critical scrutiny,
- international references,
- often interdisciplinary problems.
Characteristic for our forensic work is above all a careful processing and a clear presentation of the factual and legal background of the facts. In addition, we attach great importance to a litigation strategy that does not lose sight of the relationship between the necessary effort and the desired benefit.


Transparent and professional
Non-Profit Organizations
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.
Public and private
Legal advice in connection with construction projects, including public procurement law
For decades, our attorneys have been assisting public and private developers and construction companies in connection with the realization of primarily large construction projects, from the initial project idea to completion, in both private and public construction law. In this context, WSW’s range of activities includes in particular:
- the support of the building owner in the preparation of the building law,
- the preparation of all contracts necessary for the construction project with project managers, object and specialist planners, as well as construction-executing companies, and the support of the client in the context of construction financing
- the comprehensive support of clients in asserting and enforcing the construction contract claims to which they are entitled in the areas of contract and supplement management as well as the defense against unjustified claims,
- the support of clients bound by state procurement regulations in the preparation of tender documents, tenders and awards and, if necessary, in the context of review proceedings before the Public Procurement Tribunal, as well as
- supporting construction companies during review proceedings concerning an award decision.
In this context, we are distinguished by our ability to penetrate in depth the problems of construction technology and construction organization that are often at the center of construction law disputes.


Corporate, Banking and Capital Markets Law
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.
See publications in the area of banking and capital market law
See publications in the area of corporate and stock corporation law
News
Latest announcements
- Announcements
- Expert report
- Press releases
Wastl / Pusch, Panelists at the World Law Congress, New York
Ulrich Wastl and Martin Pusch will present their experiences regarding the investigation and reappraisal of sexual abuse and the lessons to be learned from as part of the panel “Legal response to sexual violence against children” on July 20th/21st. Ulrich Wastl will focus on the general importance of compliance and internal investigations for Non-profi-organizations (NPO) and the consequences that should be drawn hereof from the NPO´s point of view. In the centre of Martin Pusch´s presentation there will be the main results of an interdisciplinary research project dealing with the position of victims of sexual abuse and their rights in the context of the investigation of the crime, especially in court trails.
Litzka / Gladstein, Das CEO-Seminar, Deutsches Recht
Seminar am 18./19.10.2023
Link zu diesem Seminar öffnen
Westpfahl Spilker Wastl ist Gründungsmitglied im Bundesverband der Wirtschaftskanzleien in Deutschland
Zum Bundesverband der Wirtschaftskanzleien
Gutachten „Sexueller Missbrauch Minderjähriger und erwachsener Schutzbefohlener durch Kleriker sowie hauptamtlich Bediensteter im Bereich der Erzdiözese München und Freising von 1945 – 2019“ vom 20.01.2022. PDF Download
Zugang zur Aufzeichnung der Video- und Pressekonferenz vom 20.01.2022, 11 Uhr, erhalten Sie hier.
Vorstellung des im Auftrag der Erzdiözese München und Freising erstellten Gutachtens „Sexuelle und sonstige körperliche Übergriffe durch Priester, Diakone und sonstige pastorale Mitarbeiter im Verantwortungsbereich der Erzdiözese München und Freising in der Zeit von 1945 bis 2009. Bestandsaufnahme – Bewertung – Konsequenz“ Link zur Homepage der Erzdiözese München und Freising
Gutachten „Sexueller Missbrauch Minderjähriger und erwachsener Schutzbefohlener durch Kleriker im Bereich des Bistums Aachen im Zeitraum 1965 bis 2019“ vom 12.11.2020. PDF Download
Zugang zur Aufzeichnung der Video- und Pressekonferenz vom 12.11.2020, 10 Uhr erhalten Sie hier.
Beachten Sie auch unsere Pressemitteilungen.
13.01.2022 Zweite Pressemitteilung zur Erstattung und Veröffentlichung unseres Gutachtens zu sexuellem Missbrauch Minderjähriger und erwachsener Schutzbefohlener durch Kleriker sowie hauptamtlich Bediensteter im Bereich der Erzdiözese München und Freising von 1945 – 2019. PDF Download
03.11.2021 Erste Pressemitteilung zur Erstattung und Veröffentlichung unseres Gutachtens zu sexuellem Missbrauch Minderjähriger und erwachsener Schutzbefohlener durch Kleriker sowie hauptamtlich Bediensteter im Bereich der Erzdiözese München und Freising von 1945 – 2019. PDF Download
24.03.2021 Vierte Pressemitteilung zum Verhalten der Verantwortlichen des Erzbistums Köln im Zusammenhang mit unserem Gutachten zu sexuellem Missbrauch im Erzbistum. PDF Download
22.01.2021 Dritte Pressemitteilung betreffend das Verhalten der Verantwortlichen des Erzbistums Köln im Zusammenhang mit unserem Gutachten zu sexuellem Missbrauch im Erzbistum. PDF Download
02.11.2020 Zweite Pressemitteilung zur Pressemitteilung des Erzbistums Köln vom 30.10.2020 zu unserer unabhängigen Untersuchung zu sexuellem Missbrauch. PDF Download
30.10.2020 / ergänzte Fassung vom 09.11.2020 Erste Pressemitteilung zur Pressemitteilung des Erzbistums Köln vom 30.10.2020 zu unserer unabhängigen Untersuchung zu sexuellem Missbrauch. PDF Download
27.10.2020 Pressemitteilung zur Erstattung und Veröffentlichung unseres Gutachtens „Sexueller Missbrauch Minderjähriger und erwachsener Schutzbefohlener durch Kleriker im Bereich des Bistums Aachen im Zeitraum 1965 bis 2019“. PDF Download
Insights
Publications & more
Aufsatz / essay
Wastl, Vademecum: LkSG und Konzerncompliance
Deutscher Anwaltsspiegel, Ausgabe 05/2023, S.3 (Diesen Artikel als PDF lesen)
Litzka / Braun / Block / Engelhoven, Hinweisgeberschutz in Deutschland und Europa,
Deutscher Anwaltsspiegel, Ausgabe 21, 12.10.2022, Seite 22 (Diesen Artikel im PDF-Format laden) bzw. in Fourword, Das Magazin des Bundesverbands der Wirtschaftskanzleien in Deutschland (BWD), Ausgabe 2, 17.10.2022 S. 12 (Diesen Artikel im PDF-Format laden)
Pusch / Zollner, Observations from Safeguarding Work for the Evaluation and Revision of Canonical Penal Law
in: The Canonist, Journal of the Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand, Band 13, 2022, Seite 77
Pusch, Die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen kirchlicher Missbrauchsaufklärung – Ein erfahrungsbasiertes und kritisches (Zwischen-)Resümee
im Rahmen der Tagung „Religion.Macht.Strukturen.Missbrauch“ des Forschungszentrums Synagoge und Kirche der Universität Innsbruck am 17./18.10.2022, Innsbruck
Pusch / Wastl, The Munich Abuse Report 2022 – a cursory overview of methodology, results and implications for further reappraisals efforts
Vortrag anlässlich des von der Unabhängigen Kommission zur Aufarbeitung sexuellen Missbrauchs in der portugiesischen Kirche unter dem Titel „ABUSO SEXUAL DE CRIANCAS: CONHECER O PASSADO, CUIDAR DO FUTURO“ am 10.05.2022 in Lissabon veranstalteten Kongresses
Wastl / Pusch, Missbrauchsgutachten für die Erzdiözese München und Freising vom 20.01.2022 – Gedankenskizze: Methodik sowie rechtliche und weitere Problemfelder
Vortrag anlässlich des 8. Tages der Rechtspsychologie vom 01.04.2022, in Berlin. (Download der deutschen Fassung des überarbeiteten, erweiterten und mit Fußnoten versehenen Manuskriptes) (Download der englischen Fassung des überarbeiteten, erweiterten und mit Fußnoten...
Sonstiges / other
Pusch, Die Regelungen des sexuellen Missbrauchs Minderjähriger im universalen und partikularen Recht – Überlegungen de lege late und de lege ferenda
Universität Wien, Master Thesis
Litzka, Rezension: Nadine Borutta: Der Pflichtverletzungstatbestand des § 299 StGB
Duncker & Humblot, Kölner Kriminalwissenschaftliche Schriften (KKS), Berlin 2019, WisteV-Journal (WiJ) 2020, S. 197
Wastl, Rezension: Moosmayer/Hartwig, Interne Untersuchungen – Praxisleitfaden für Unternehmen
2. Aufl. – 2018, Deutsches Steuerrecht (DStR) – Rezensionen, Heft-Nr. 20/2018, S. XV.
Contact
How to reach us
Phone +49 (89) 29 03 75 0
Fax +49 (89) 29 03 75 21
E-Mail: info@westpfahl-spilker.de
Westpfahl Spilker Wastl
Rechtsanwälte
LEHELCARRE
Thierschplatz 6
80538 Munich, Germany