Levelling the playing field

We are delighted to be nominated for the JUVE Award 2025 in the "Startup" category.

Further details can be found here.

Nominated JUVE AWARDS 2025 Startup Award

DIETRICH | GRAF ZEDTWITZ

We are specialists in antitrust proceedings and the resolution of commercial disputes.

We have successfully supported our clients for many years in critical situations, before courts and authorities, in transformation procedures and in defending their business models.
We have longstanding practical experience in dealing with antitrust authorities and in shaping civil law disputes. The combination of cutting-edge expertise and a single-source offer in antitrust and litigation makes us an effective partner by your side in these proceedings.

Excellence validated: Awards for our Law Firm and Attorneys

Handelsblatt - Beste Kanzleien Deutschlands / Kartell- und Wettbewerbsrecht 2025
Handelsblatt - Beste Kanzleien 2024 Kartell- und Wettbewerbsrecht Dietrich | Graf Zedtwitz
Handelsblatt - Beste Anwälte 2024 Kartell- und Wettbewerbsrecht Dr. Michael Dietrich
Handelsblatt - Anwalt des Jahres 2024 Europarecht - Dr. Michael Dietrich

firm

We are independent business lawyers. We offer first-rate advice at the intersection of antitrust law and litigation.

A clear stance. We fight for fair competitive conditions and equal entrepreneurial opportunities. We defend the interests of our clients resolutely, fairly and in a target-oriented manner. To authorities, in court and in negotiations with third parties.

Clear focus. We specialise in complex civil law disputes relating to antitrust law. We are a well-coordinated team and advise on all issues from a single source: We are creative, strategic and solution-oriented. Nationally and internationally.

Powerful platform. We have been advising at the forefront of the market at the highest professional level for decades. We have successfully conducted groundbreaking proceedings before the higher regional courts and the Federal Court of Justice in various major international law firms.. We understand the industry, the economic environment and the challenges our clients are facing.

We are independent. We advise companies, associations and individuals from a wide range of industries who are confronted with regulatory investigations, commercial disputes and abuse of market power. We represent the interests of our clients, especially against the largest largest tech companies in the world.

Your concerns are our focus. We work precisely and efficiently. Our aim is always the best possible result. To achieve this, we explore new paths together with you, we think holistically and develop solutions that we defend resolutely if necessary.

CAPABILITIES

Competition determines the playing field on which companies operate in the market. But not everyone follows the rules.

Competition disputes are becoming more important and are increasingly being settled in court: complaints against official measures are just as as important as the filing of appeals against court decisions or the independent assertion of claims. Whatever your starting point, we will help you to represent your case with the greatest possible chance of success.

We understand the complexity of antitrust law and the challenges that come with asserting rights with authorities and in court. With our expertise and experience, we will fight at your side for your right to fair competition and equal entrepreneurial opportunities.

We have been successfully advising companies in all areas of antitrust law for many years. In Germany, in Europe and internationally.
We support companies in developing business strategies that comply with antitrust law and offer individual solutions for complex antitrust issues. We ensure that your contracts and behaviour comply with competition law. We represent you before the German Federal Cartel Office, the European Commission and before German and European courts. We coordinate proceedings and projects worldwide through our international network.

Our main areas of expertise are:

We defend companies in antitrust proceedings before the German Federal Cartel Office and the European Commission.
We support company bodies and employees during searches and in the strategic decisions that follow.

We know the rules of the game and use them. This enables us to achieve tangible results for our clients. Tough defence is just as important as cooperation with the authorities.

We help our clients to use existing legal leeway and defend them before authorities and courts against attacks and complaints from third parties.

We also advice competitors or customers strategically on how to protect their interests against companies with considerable market power and inform the relevant authorities with the aim of achieving remedial measures.

We support our clients in the planning, design and implementation of strategic alliances, joint ventures and other cooperations with competitors, especially in the areas of purchasing, (platform-supported) sales, marketing and research and development.

We support transactions from the initial merger control assessment to the drafting of contracts and to clearance by the relevant competition authorities.

We support third parties in responding to information requests and as parties in merger control proceedings.

We advise on the legally compliant planning and implementation of internal investigations to uncover and stop compliance violations (internal investigations).

Successfully conducting antitrust disputes before the ordinary courts is a specialised matter that requires special expertise. There is a lot at stake and the legal issues that determine the outcome of the dispute are often complex. In order to be able to present them convincingly to the court, you need specialists with experience and in-depth knowledge of the antitrust law tools.
Our team of experienced antitrust and litigation lawyers will be at your side every step of the way, from out-of-court dispute resolution to the trial in the courtroom. We will help you in define and implementing the conditions for successful litigation. We advise, represent and defend with foresight, courage and commitment, with a clear understanding of our clients‘ strategic goals. With our approach, we have been able to achieve landmark decisions in numerous proceedings.

Our main areas of expertise are:

We support our clients in challenging cartel fines and administrative decisions from regulators in complaint and appeal proceedings before German and European courts.

We represent companies in the assertion or defence of claims for damages.

Judicial and extrajudicial representation of companies and their managers in connection with recourse claims following cartel and abuse cases.

Judicial and extrajudicial representation in the enforcement of rights against market dominant and powerful companies before the ordinary courts (including interim legal protection).

Safeguarding business models against abusive exercise of market power, in particular in the event of discrimination, obstruction or denial of access by companies with market dominance or powerful companies (including interim legal protection).

The high level of dynamism and concentration on digital markets has prompted legislators to introduce numerous legislative proposals to regulate tech companies. They are generally summarised under the term „Digital Regulation“. These include in particular, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the Data Act, the AI Act and the Digital Services Act.

We provide comprehensive advice in the area of application of digital regulation. We understand the special features of digital markets and are familiar with the economic and legal challenges that competitors and customers of Big Tech face when establishing their business models. At our clients‘ side, we firmly advocate free competition and equal business opportunities.

If the conduct obligations stipulated therein are violated, we take action against them before the relevant authorities and courts. The DMA in particular provides business partners and competitors of Big Tech with potentially powerful options for enforcing fair competitive conditions.

References in the area of digital regulation/DMA/§ 19a ARC:

  • Participation in the opinion of the Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht of September 8, 2020 on the New Competition Tool of the European Commission.
  • Representation of Oracle as co-respondent in the leading decision of the German Federal Cartel Office on the determination of the relationship between Section 19a ARC and the DMA [link to the reference mandate page and, if applicable, from there to the JUVE announcement].
  • We advise app developers (e.g. for mobility, finance and games), search engines, IT service providers, online retailers and other companies on digital regulatory issues (especially on the DMA).

Litigation and dispute resolution in commercial disputes:

We advise and represent clients in commercial disputes involving complex civil law issues. We act for our clients in both arbitration and court proceedings. We also stand firmly at your side in the run-up to court proceedings in the enforcement of claims and defending you.

Our focus is on a settlement of the dispute in line with your economic interests. We actively guide you through the process. Strategic planning, coordination and communication are just as important to us as conducting the proceedings in a timely and cost-efficient procedural management.

Key areas of expertise:

Representation in court proceedings including enforcement of and defence of claims in interim legal protection

  • Advice on out-of-court dispute resolution
  • Representation in arbitration proceedings
  • Assessment of the prospects of success of legal disputes

TEAM

An experienced and well-established team.

We know each other for a long time. Our expertise is complementary. We work as a team. Together with our clients.
Dietrich | Graf Zedtwitz Rechtsanwälte
Dr. Michael Dietrich LL.M / Partner / Rechtsanwalt

TEAM

Dr. Michael Dietrich LL.M.

Partner | Lawyer

Michael Dietrich is a partner and co-founder of the law firm Dietrich | Graf Zedtwitz in Duesseldorf. He has been advising companies on all aspects of German and European antitrust law for around 25 years. The focus of his work is proceedings before German and European authorities and courts. He has conducted numerous important antitrust and market abuse proceedings (e.g. beer, food retail, automotive, TV advertising, silo and mobility apps).

In the area of cartel damages, all claims so far have been successfully settled out of court. He has also coordinated various interim injunction proceedings, including cross-border ones, and has extensive experience with internal investigations and compliance systems.

Michael Dietrich advises clients on the antitrust and merger control aspects of joint ventures. Over the years, he has advised on and notified a large number of transactions with the German Federal Cartel Office and the European Commission.

Michael Dietrich advises in German and English.

  • 1991-1997 Studies in Bonn and Philadelphia (LL.M.)
  • 1999 Admitted to the bar
  • 1999-2007 Associate, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Cologne
  • 2007-2014 Partner, Taylor Wessing, Duesseldorf
  • 2014-2018 Partner and Managing Partner Germany, Herbert Smith Freehills, Frankfurt/M and Duesseldorf
  • 2018-2023 Partner, Clifford Chance, Duesseldorf
  • Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht e.V.(Association for the Study of Antitrust Law)
  • Advisory Board of the Research Institute for Economics and Competition
  • Delegate in the Competition Committee of the Federal Association of Building Materials of the Federation of German Industries
  • Deutsch-Amerikanische Juristenvereinigung
  • Frankfurt Antitrust Law Forum
Dr. Michael Dietrich LL.M / Partner / Rechtsanwalt

TEAM

Dr. Michael Dietrich LL.M.

Partner | Lawyer

Michael Dietrich is a partner and co-founder of the law firm Dietrich | Graf Zedtwitz in Duesseldorf. He has been advising companies on all aspects of German and European antitrust law for around 25 years. The focus of his work is proceedings before German and European authorities and courts. He has conducted numerous important antitrust and market abuse proceedings (e.g. beer, food retail, automotive, TV advertising, silo and mobility apps).

In the area of cartel damages, all claims so far have been successfully settled out of court. He has also coordinated various interim injunction proceedings, including cross-border ones, and has extensive experience with internal investigations and compliance systems.

Michael Dietrich advises clients on the antitrust and merger control aspects of joint ventures. Over the years, he has advised on and notified a large number of transactions with the German Federal Cartel Office and the European Commission.

Michael Dietrich advises in German and English.

  • 1991-1997 Studies in Bonn and Philadelphia (LL.M.)
  • 1999 Admitted to the bar
  • 1999-2007 Associate, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Cologne
  • 2007-2014 Partner, Taylor Wessing, Duesseldorf
  • 2014-2018 Partner and Managing Partner Germany, Herbert Smith Freehills, Frankfurt/M and Duesseldorf
  • 2018-2023 Partner, Clifford Chance, Duesseldorf
  • Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht e.V.(Association for the Study of Antitrust Law)
  • Advisory Board of the Research Institute for Economics and Competition
  • Delegate in the Competition Committee of the Federal Association of Building Materials of the Federation of German Industries
  • Deutsch-Amerikanische Juristenvereinigung
  • Frankfurt Antitrust Law Forum

TEAM

MAXIMILIAN GRAF ZEDTWITZ VON ARNIM

Partner | Lawyer

Maximilian Zedtwitz is a partner and co-founder of the law firm Dietrich | Graf Zedtwitz. He has been advising clients on all aspects of German and European antitrust law for over 12 years.

He specialises in representing companies in antitrust and abuse proceedings before authorities and in court. He has many years of experience in providing strategic advice on day-to-day antitrust issues, internal investigations and digital transformation projects.

Maximilian Zedtwitz has in-depth industry knowledge in the retail, consumer goods, telecommunications and digital economy sectors.

Maximilian Zedtwitz advises in German and English.

  • 2002-2008 Studies, in Hamburg and Lisbon
  • 2009-2011 Legal clerkship, Higher Regional Court Hamburg
  • 2012-2014 Associate, Taylor Wessing, Duesseldorf
  • 2014-2018 Senior Associate, Herbert Smith Freehills, Frankfurt/M and Duesseldorf
  • 2019-2023 Counsel, Clifford Chance, Duesseldorf

Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht e.V. (Association for the Study of Antitrust Law)

Maximilian Graf Zedtwitz von Arnim, Partner und Rechtsanwalt

TEAM

MAXIMILIAN GRAF ZEDTWITZ VON ARNIM

Partner | lawyer

Maximilian Zedtwitz is a partner and co-founder of the law firm Dietrich | Graf Zedtwitz. He has been advising clients on all aspects of German and European antitrust law for over 12 years.

He specialises in representing companies in antitrust and abuse proceedings before authorities and in court. He has many years of experience in providing strategic advice on day-to-day antitrust issues, internal investigations and digital transformation projects.

Maximilian Zedtwitz has in-depth industry knowledge in the retail, consumer goods, telecommunications and digital economy sectors.

Maximilian Zedtwitz advises in German and English.

  • 2002-2008 Studies, in Hamburg and Lisbon
  • 2009-2011 Legal clerkship, Higher Regional Court Hamburg
  • 2012-2014 Associate, Taylor Wessing, Duesseldorf
  • 2014-2018 Senior Associate, Herbert Smith Freehills, Frankfurt/M and Duesseldorf
  • 2019-2023 Counsel, Clifford Chance, Duesseldorf

Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht e.V. (Association for the Study of Antitrust Law)

Maximilian Graf Zedtwitz von Arnim, Partner und Rechtsanwalt
Anna-Maria Quinke / Rechtsanwältin

TEAM

Anna-Maria Quinke

lawyer

Anna-Maria Quinke has many years of experience in advising and representing clients in complex commercial disputes. This includes representing clients in and out of court as well as developing and consistently implementing customised litigation strategies.

The focus of her expertise is on civil antitrust disputes. This includes the enforcement of and defence against cartel damages claims, as well as the enforcement of claims against market-dominant companies for damages, supply and access.

Anna-Maria Quinke advises in German and English.

  • 2001-2007 Studies in Trier, Salamanca and Bonn
  • 2007-2009 Legal clerkship, OLG Cologne
  • 2010-2020 Lawyer, Clifford Chance, Düsseldorf
  • 2021-2024 Investment Manager Antitrust Litigation, OmniBridgeway, Cologne

Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht e.V. (Association for the Study of Antitrust Law)

Anna-Maria Quinke / Rechtsanwältin

TEAM

Anna-Maria Quinke

lawyer

Anna-Maria Quinke has many years of experience in advising and representing clients in complex commercial disputes. This includes representing clients in and out of court as well as developing and consistently implementing customised litigation strategies.

The focus of her expertise is on civil antitrust disputes. This includes the enforcement of and defence against cartel damages claims, as well as the enforcement of claims against market-dominant companies for damages, supply and access.

Anna-Maria Quinke advises in German and English.

  • 2001-2007 Studies in Trier, Salamanca and Bonn
  • 2007-2009 Legal clerkship, OLG Cologne
  • 2010-2020 Lawyer, Clifford Chance, Düsseldorf
  • 2021-2024 Investment Manager Antitrust Litigation, OmniBridgeway, Cologne

Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht e.V. (Association for the Study of Antitrust Law)

TEAM

MARIUS DESELAERS-HAHLEN

lawyer

Marius Deselaers-Hahlen specialises in German and European antitrust law and advises on all aspects of general antitrust law and compliance issues.

He has particular industry expertise in the areas of consumer goods, digital economy and traditional industries.

Marius Deselaers-Hahlen advises in German, English and French.

  • 2014-2021 Studies at the Universities of Constance and Montpellier
  • 2022-2024 Legal clerkship in Wuppertal, Düsseldorf and Berlin
  • 2024 Admitted to the bar

Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht e.V. (Association for the Study of Antitrust Law)

Marius Deselaer-Hahlen

TEAM

MARIUS DESELAERS-HAHLEN

lawyer

Marius Deselaers-Hahlen specialises in German and European antitrust law and advises on all aspects of general antitrust law and compliance issues.

He has particular industry expertise in the areas of consumer goods, digital economy and traditional industries.

Marius Deselaers-Hahlen advises in German, English and French.

  • 2014-2021 Studies at the Universities of Constance and Montpellier
  • 2022-2024 Legal clerkship in Wuppertal, Düsseldorf and Berlin
  • 2024 Zulassung als Rechtsanwalt

Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht e.V. (Association for the Study of Antitrust Law)

Marius Deselaer-Hahlen
Rechtsanwalt / LawyerMoritz Meidrodt

TEAM

Moritz Meidrodt

lawyer

Moritz Meidrodt is a member of the Dispute Resolution department. He is specialized in litigation and advises clients on all aspects of German and international procedural law, in particular in complex commercial disputes.

Moritz Meidrodt also has experience in the area of directors‘ and officers‘ liability, particularly with regard to D&O insurance. He has in-depth industry knowledge in the areas of telecommunications, e-commerce and traditional industries.

Moritz Meidrodt advises in German and English.

  • 2012 – 2020 Law studies, Cologne
  • 2020 – 2022 Legal clerkship, Higher Regional Court Düsseldorf
  • 2023 – 2025 Associate Clyde & Co, Duesseldorf

TEAM

Moritz Meidrodt

lawyer

Moritz Meidrodt is a member of the Dispute Resolution department. He is specialized in litigation and advises clients on all aspects of German and international procedural law, in particular in complex commercial disputes.

Moritz Meidrodt also has experience in the area of directors‘ and officers‘ liability, particularly with regard to D&O insurance. He has in-depth industry knowledge in the areas of telecommunications, e-commerce and traditional industries.

Moritz Meidrodt advises in German and English.

  • 2012 – 2020 Law studies, Cologne
  • 2020 – 2022 Legal clerkship, Higher Regional Court Düsseldorf
  • 2023 – 2025 Associate Clyde & Co, Duesseldorf
Rechtsanwalt / LawyerMoritz Meidrodt

TEAM

Mirjana Cvijetic

office-manager

Mirjana Cvijetic is responsible for office management at Dietrich Graf Zedtwitz. She handles all administrative and organizational tasks in the areas of HR, finance, and office organization. 

Mirjana Cvijetic has over 10 years of experience in the assistance field and project management. Her expertise is essential for the establishment and smooth operation of the firm.

DGZ-RAe_Mirjana_Cvijetic_Office-Managerin
DGZ-RAe_Mirjana_Cvijetic_Office-Managerin

TEAM

Mirjana Cvijetic

office-manager

Mirjana Cvijetic is responsible for office management at Dietrich Graf Zedtwitz. She handles all administrative and organizational tasks in the areas of HR, finance, and office organization. 

Mirjana Cvijetic has over 10 years of experience in the assistance field and project management. Her expertise is essential for the establishment and smooth operation of the firm.

References

Reference mandates* of the members of our team (partly from work for former law firms)

Früh in the “beer” cartel proceedings
First first-class acquittal in a cartel fine procedure by the Federal Cartel Office by the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court. Confirmed by the Federal Court of Justice.
Oracle as co-respondent in the “Google data processing conditions” procedure
First decision on co-submission and prohibited conduct by the Federal Cartel Office under Section 19a GWB.
Mobility start-up against market-leading mobility platform
Defense of a business model by asserting data access claims in court pursuant to Sections 19 Para. 2 No. 4, 20 Para. 1 a GWB in interim legal protection.
Search engine against Gatekeeper for actions in the digital sector
Advice on access to digital advance services, on transparent billing of advertising services and the design of the Choice Screen.
REWE Group as co-respondent in the “EDEKA wedding discounts” abuse procedure
Leading decision by the Federal Court of Justice on the applicability of the antitrust “tapping ban”.
Hermann Bach in the medical wholesale cartel procedure
80% reduction in the fine imposed by the Federal Cartel Office in the appeal procedure by the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court.
Representation of a company in the stainless steel cartel proceedings and against cartel damages claims
Representation of a cooperating company in the stainless steel cartel proceedings before the Federal Cartel Office and in the defence against follow-on damages claims.
Compagnie de Saint-Gobain in the “silo placement fees” cartel proceedings before the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court
Fine reduction despite the expanded interpretation of the concept of company by the Federal Court of Justice.
REWE Group in various cartel proceedings
First bonus application in a vertical case, leading decision on price recommendations and hub & spoke cartels, discontinuation of all proceedings against international trade alliances.
TM-TV in the assertion of claims for damages against Pro7Sat1 and RTL
Claims for damages due to abusive discounts for TV advertising timeslots before the Higher Regional Court of Munich.
Cargolux after damages claims in the air cargo cartel
Defence of Cargolux against follow-on cartel damages claims in the air cargo cartel.

REWE Group as co-respondent in the “EDEKA wedding discounts” abuse procedure

Leading decision by the Federal Court of Justice on the applicability of the antitrust “tapping ban”.

Search engine against Gatekeeper for actions in the digital sector

Advice on access to digital advance services, on transparent billing of advertising services and the design of the Choice Screen.

Oracle as co-respondent in the “Google data processing conditions” procedure

First decision on co-submission and prohibited conduct by the Federal Cartel Office under Section 19a GWB.

Mobility start-up against market-leading mobility platform

Defense of a business model by asserting data access claims in court pursuant to Sections 19 Para. 2 No. 4, 20 Para. 1 a GWB in interim legal protection.

TM-TV in the assertion of claims for damages against Pro7Sat1 and RTL

Claims for damages due to abusive discounts for TV advertising timeslots before the Higher Regional Court of Munich.

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain in the “silo placement fees” cartel proceedings before the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court

Fine reduction despite the expanded interpretation of the concept of company by the Federal Court of Justice.

REWE Group in various cartel proceedings

First bonus application in a vertical case, leading decision on price recommendations and hub & spoke cartels, discontinuation of all proceedings against international trade alliances.

Früh in the “beer” cartel proceedings

First first-class acquittal in a cartel fine procedure by the Federal Cartel Office by the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court. Confirmed by the Federal Court of Justice.

Cargolux after damages claims in the air cargo cartel

Defence of Cargolux against follow-on cartel damages claims in the air cargo cartel.

Hermann Bach in the medical wholesale cartel procedure

80% reduction in the fine imposed by the Federal Cartel Office in the appeal procedure by the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court.

Representation of a company in the stainless steel cartel proceedings and against cartel damages claims

Representation of a cooperating company in the stainless steel cartel proceedings before the Federal Cartel Office and in the defence against follow-on damages claims.

.

*Partly from work for former law firm

Contact

We look forward to hearing from you.

Dietrich | Graf zedtwitz
Kasernenstrasse 1
40213 DüSseldorf

T +49 211 561597-00
F +49 211 561597-50

Exzellenz bestätigt: Auszeichnungen für unsere Kanzlei und Anwälte

Handelsblatt - Beste Kanzleien 2024 Kartell- und Wettbewerbsrecht Dietrich | Graf Zedtwitz
Handelsblatt - Beste Anwälte 2024 Kartell- und Wettbewerbsrecht Dr. Michael Dietrich
Handelsblatt - Anwalt des Jahres 2024 Europarecht - Dr. Michael Dietrich
Logo white

We look forward to hearing from you.

Logo white

Wir freuen uns über Ihre Nachricht.