Freshfields wins mandate to advise Volkswagen on emissions rigging scandal outside the US
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer called up by Volkswagen for non-US diesel emissions test rigging scandal work
October 22, 2015 at 06:18 AM
2 minute read
Freshfields has won the mandate from German car giant Volkwagen (VW) to work on a raft of legal cases in the UK and Europe stemming from the emissions test rigging scandal that the company is currently embroiled in.
The magic circle firm has been appointed to handle civil claims in connection with the carmaker's emissions test rigging scandal outsdie the US.
Freshfields team includes Frankfurt dispute resolution partner Rolf Trittmann, Hamburg corporate partner Michael Haidinger, Frankfurt intellectual property (IP) partner Thomas Tschentscher, Frankfurt dispute resolution partner Martina de Lind van Wijngaarden and Düsseldorf IP partner Andrea Lensing-Kramer.
The team also includes Berlin regulatory partners Benedikt Wolfers and Marcel Kaufmann, Cologne IP partner Klaus Beucher and Cologne compliance and investigations partner Norbert Nolte.
Legal Week understands that VW has brought in US firm White & Case to handle criminal cases in Germany stemming from the scandal.
Kirkland & Ellis is acting for VW in the US where the carmaker is facing action from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and may be liable for a fine of up to $18bn (£11.8bn).
Jones Day has been appointed to handle an internal investigation into the scandal.
In addition to government investigations, VW is also facing lawsuits from disgruntled consumers and shareholders.
Litigation funder Bentham Europe has selected Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan to launch a claim against the company on behalf of some of its largest shareholders.
In the UK, claimant firms Leigh Day and Slater and Gordon are planning lawsuits against VW.
Product liability partner Bozena Michalowska Howells is leading for Leigh Day, while group litigation head Jacqueline Young is heading up Slater and Gordon's team.
Freshfields and White & Case declined to comment.
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