Dr Dirk Seiler
Dr Dirk Seiler is partner in our practice group Corporate Crime & Investigations based in Frankfurt.
Since 2003, Dirk has been advising injured companies on investigating and handling complex cases of economic crime. A focal point of his work, which is at the interface of civil law and criminal law, revolves around cases concerning corruption, breaches of trust, embezzlement and fraud.In recent years, Dirk has been involved in several major cases, investigating facts and enforcing claims for damages running into tens of millions at a time. Among those cases that attracted considerable media attention were, for example, the criminal and civil law representation of injured companies in the waste scandal in Cologne and Bonn, in the case of the money transport company Heros, and also in the IKEA and FORD cases. In the area of preventive compliance consultancy Dirk has been representing well-known companies from various sectors for many years.
Accolades
- "Recognized expert", "Highly impactful", Competitor, JUVE 2025, Compliance Investigations
- "Highly experienced, a strong negotiator." Competitor, JUVE 2025, Dispute Resolution
- ‘The team around Dirk Seiler possesses exceptional expertise in compliance matters and is both service-oriented and highly experienced. ’‘Dirk Seiler is a walking encyclopaedia when it comes to compliance issues. With his experience, advanced expertise, and approachable demeanor, he is our top choice when collaborating with colleagues on compliance matters.’ – Legal 500, Compliance – Germany 2025
- ‘The team around the experienced compliance lawyer Dirk Seiler possesses exceptional expertise.’ ‘The HSF team led by Dirk Seiler has an outstanding reputation and extensive experience in compliance and internal investigations – it is always a pleasure to work with them on projects. They are competent, responsive, and efficient.’ – Legal 500, Internal Investigations – Germany 2025
- Ranked in Legal 500 EMEA – Germany 2025 for Compliance, Internal Investigations, White-Collar Crime and commercial law
- Recognised as a leading lawyer for Compliance in the German market – "Top-Anwalt für Compliance", Business Magazine WirtschaftsWoche, 2019 – 2024
- Clients describe him as "competent and precise even in complex cases, high success rate" and competitors as "strategically versed", "highly competent, structured and always with a practicable approach", "assertive and confident" - JUVE, Compliance - Internal investigations 2022/2023
Experience & capabilities
Selected matters
- a leading automobile manufacturer on internal investigations and the enforcement of claims in the multi-digit million euro range in relation to systematic economic crimes by employees, suppliers and subcontractors (national and international); on the arresting of the offenders' properties and the coordination of the termination proceedings; on lodging and enforcing the claims in the insolvency proceedings
- a large municipal waste management company on multi-million claims against several debtors and the legal insolvency consultation
- a multinational technology company on judicial and extrajudicial representation and preventive counseling
- a Scandinavian home furnishings retailer on cases of fraud and breach of trust in complex, large-scale projects
- a public television broadcaster on enforcing claims amounting to millions against external service providers and employees
- a leading pharmaceutical group in cases of fraud and combating counterfeiting of pharmaceutic products
- a leading company in the tourism industry on an extensive case of breach of trust; advising with regard to insurance-related questions, especially concerning the fidelity insurance and the directors and officers liability insurance*
*Experience prior to joining the firm
Background
After completing his doctorate and working as a research assistant at the Chair of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure of Professor Dr. Friedrich-Christian Schroeder, Dr Seiler initially worked as a criminal defence lawyer in the criminal law firm of Professor Dr. Hammerstein Dr. Gillmeister und Kollegen in the field of commercial criminal law. Dr Seiler has been a specialist lawyer in criminal law since 2007. Before joining the firm, Dr Seiler worked for a leading German compliance law firm for more than 10 years.
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