Crisis Consulting for Your Company in Germany
In the face of ever-changing regulatory requirements, companies are experiencing constant change at an unprecedented rate. Alongside this, liability risks are escalating, accompanied by increased transparency and control requirements for shareholders, regulatory authorities, and society. In this challenging environment, adherence to regulations and the identification, evaluation, and management of risks are critical.
When is a company considered to be in crisis?
A crisis is deemed to have occurred when a violation of applicable laws or (internal) guidelines is detected within your company. It’s not always immediately clear whether, or to what extent, the breach will cause damage to the company, particularly whether the ‘compliance breach’ will inflict lasting (reputational) damage or even lead to criminal prosecution if it becomes public knowledge.
We’re here to help
WINHELLER’s experienced compliance team is here to assist you during these crises:
- (High-profile) compliance violations
- Corporate law disputes
- Criminal investigations
- Self-disclosures/corrections
- (Internal/external) investigations/searches
A snapshot of our crisis counseling services:
Crisis prevention consulting
Compliance violations can negatively impact the entire company: they can cause reputational and financial damage and often permanently damage relationships with business partners. This makes it all the more important to implement preventative risk management processes that are tailored to the company.
We provide guidance on identifying company-specific compliance compliance risks beyond classic white-collar criminal offenses, and assist you in implementing adequate risk management that remains effective even in the face of increasingly stringent requirements.
Ad hoc consulting in crisis situations
In addition to potential criminal prosecution, severe sanctions in the form of fines or order suspensions are often imposed for compliance violations that have occurred. To minimize the impact of these sanctions on business operations, immediate action is necessary.
With our crisis-oriented ad hoc advice, we act as a go-between for you and the competent authorities, providing immediate and comprehensive support. Additionally, we offer strategic advice on, among other things, the possible defense against claims for damages and the necessary public relations work to manage the crisis - even if fines have already been imposed or government bodies have begun their investigative activities.
Self-disclosures/corrections
If your company faces criminal investigations, voluntary disclosure can help return to legality and tax honesty.
We offer comprehensive and implementation-oriented advice related to the submission of a voluntary disclosure and/or in the context of criminal tax proceedings: In addition to detailed counseling sessions, key components of our consulting practice include coordination with other involved parties and correspondence with the responsible state authorities.
Support during investigations/searches
If the acute case has already occurred, i.e. the state investigative bodies are already at the company’s door, there is a risk of hasty actions that may be detrimental to the further proceedings. The first few hours of an official search are crucial for the further investigation or criminal proceedings and are particularly prone to errors.
In addition to prevention and possible, resource-saving process planning, our experts can also advise you on the correct behavior in connection with government searches and seizures to minimize the possible adverse effects of government investigations and prosecutions.
Regaining trust/processing
If your company has suffered a high-profile compliance breach that has damaged its reputation, and consequently, the public’s trust, it’s crucial to repair this damage and restore your company’s image post-crisis.
Three key factors should be considered:
- Firstly, it’s crucial to issue a clear apology to the public for the compliance breach. This step is often overlooked by companies.
- Secondly, it’s vital to address the crisis sustainably. It’s not just about managing the symptoms of the crisis, but also pinpointing the actual causes. The company needs to investigate how and why the breach occurred.
- Lastly, particularly for significant compliance breaches that have attracted media attention, there should be an externally visible change within the company. For instance, are credible third parties introduced as ‘cleaners’ and ‘faces of the new beginning’, or is it just an internal employee who might have been involved? As demonstrated by Volkswagen, a slightly revised company logo can also aid in signaling a fresh start.
Your attorney for crisis management in Germany
Is your company on the brink of a crisis or already in the midst of one? Our experienced team of attorneys is ready to assist and support you.
Don’t hesitate to contact us directly! The quickest way to reach your experienced point of contact is through +49 69 76 75 77 85 30 or via e-mail at (info@winheller.com).
Do you need support?
Do you have questions about our services or would you like to arrange a personal consultation? We look forward to hearing from you! Please fill in the following information.
Or give us a call: +49 69 76 75 77 85 30