Dieter Merkens

Dr. Anna Cryns-Moll studied law at Cologne University and Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne within the framework of completion of the German-French masters degree (LL.M./maîtrise en droit). After having accomplished the first state exam in law she worked as a research associate at the Institute for tax law at Cologne University, completing her doctorate with honors in 2010. While performing her legal clerkship she also stayed abroad, in Singapore and New York. After finishing the legal c...

Jörn Manhart is Partner at DLA Piper's Dusseldorf office and member of the Labour & Employment Law practice group. His area of activity comprises in particular the advising of national and international clients with regard to the structuring, the reorganisation and the modification of occupational pension schemes and systems. In this context Jörn Manhart assists both employers and product providers with labour and insurance supervisory law-related issues concerning the occupatio...

Jörn Zons is a lawyer and partner at Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner in Cologne. Jörn’s main focus lies on German and international construction and engineering projects as well as domestic and international dispute resolution in litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. He is also a regular referee on German and international construction and engineering projects and dispute resolution at seminars, associations and in-house for compan...

Kai Tumbrägel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Media Law. Kai, who practices law in Cologne, Germany, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kai is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Astrid Luedtke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Information Technology Law and Intellectual Property Law. Astrid, who practices law in Düsseldorf, Germany, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Astrid is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Wolfram Meven is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Tax Practice. Wolfram, who practices law in Düsseldorf, Germany, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Wolfram is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

André-M. Szesny is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense and Criminal Tax Practice. André-M., who practices law in Düsseldorf, Germany, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which André-M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Born in 1976 Legal studies at the University of Münster First Exam ("1. Staatsexamen") in 2002 Doctoral studies at the University of Münster Research consultant at the University of Münster's Freiherr-vom-Stein Institute, the academic research center of the Association of North-Rhine Westphalian Districts, 2002 - 2004 Doctor of Laws (Dr. jur.) 2005 Legal clerkship ("Referendariat") at the Paderborn District Court Second (Bar) Exam ("2. Staatsexamen"), bar admission 2006, with t...

Christoph Barth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Competition / Antitrust Law and Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice. Christoph, who practices law in Düsseldorf, Germany, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christoph is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Helmut Balthasar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Restructuring and Insolvency Law. Helmut, who practices law in Cologne, Germany, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Helmut is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.