Dr. Gerd Schwendinger is head of the customs & foreign trade practice group and heads the firm's state aid and subsidy law department. He has been advising companies and authorities comprehensively in these areas of law for many years. As a lawyer and former judge, Dr. Schwendinger has extensive forensic experience and represents clients in proceedings before German and European courts as well as before the European Commission. He is co-head of the USA Desk and head of the firm's Diversity Committee.
Judge at the Verwaltungsgericht [Administrative Court] and Amtsgericht [Local Court] Hamburg, Rechtsanwalt (lawyer) in international law firm
Studied in Gießen, Bordeaux and Florence
Hamburg; Lecturer at Bucerius Law School in European Law (State Aid and Subsidies, Foreign Trade and Customs); Lecturer at Hamburger Zollakademie [Hamburg Customs Academy]; Lecturer (State Aid and Subsidies) at IREBS International Real Estate Business School
Europäisches Forum für Außenwirtschaft e.V. (EFA); Außenwirtschaftsrunde e.V.; Berliner Gesprächskreis zum Europäischen Beihilfenrecht e.V.; Arbeitskreis Exportkontrolle & Sanktionen des DICO – Deutsches Institut für Compliance e.V.; International Trade and Customs Law Committee der International Bar Association
German, English, French, Italian
Often recommended lawyer for State Aid, Foreign Trade and in the Transport Sector
“Competent and fast”, Client
“Very present”; “The total professional”; “Extremely deep expertise and great practical experience, pleasant and uncomplicated”, Competitor
“Knows his field and acts with confidence”, Competitor
“His support in interpreting sanctions is invaluable”, Client
Leading name in State Aid Law; “Specialist in the EU State Aid Law area”
Recommended lawyer in Foreign Trade Law and State Aid Law
"Gerd Schwendinger offers fast and efficient expert support in various export control matters"
“Gerd Schwendinger is known for his comprehensive expertise in the areas of export control, sanctions, and customs and excise law”
"Gerd Schwendinger covers a wide range of topics, has in-depth specialist knowledge, and provides clear recommendations"
“The practice is known for its expertise in foreign trade dispute resolution, which rests particularly on the shoulders of Gerd Schwendinger”
“I appreciate the expertise, the pleasant cooperation, the patience in lengthy processes”
"Not only a very approachable and personable contact, but also an exceptional professional"; "Provided us with excellent and targeted advice"
"Often appears for clients before European and German courts and authorities in foreign trade disputes"
"An absolute support of argumentation in complex state aid issues"
"Pleasant cooperation”; "High expertise and good mandates"
Thought Leaders – Germany 2022 Award
Recommended lawyer in State Aid, Trade and Customs Law
"Gerd Schwendinger receives notable commendations for his first-rate state aid acumen and international trade practice"
Leading name; 1st place among the most respected German lawyers; “Leading practitioner in the field of foreign trade, sanctions, state aid and competition”; "Outstanding analytical skills"
“Brilliant strategic thinking, sound legal understanding of the entire spectrum of foreign trade and customs law”; Specialist colleagues are "impressed by his expertise and competence in serving clients"
“Possesses extensive expert insight”; “Excellent legal skills, an international approach and a pragmatic work style”; "Client-oriented, solutions-driven approach" to export control, subsidies and customs management issues
Listed in "Best Lawyers Germany" for (Foreign) Trade Law, Arbitration and Mediation
Listed as a ‘leading lawyer’ in Foreign Trade and Export Controls