Christoph Pies

Full Profile

Christoph co-leads our Düsseldorf litigation team, representing international and domestic clients in complex commercial, liability and corporate litigation and arbitration matters. He also co-leads our German ESG and Climate Change practice.

Christoph advises clients across a wide range of disputes, particularly in the areas of international trade, ESG-related litigation, product liability, professional indemnity, directors’ and officers’ liability, as well as post-M&A and shareholder disputes. In addition, he provides strategic risk advice – especially in high-stakes commercial contexts involving liability exposure, corporate governance and evolving regulatory frameworks. In arbitration proceedings – both institutional and ad hoc – Christoph acts as counsel and serves as arbitrator.

Prior to joining Clyde & Co, Christoph was a salaried partner in the Dispute Resolution practice of a renowned German law firm in Berlin. He began his career in 2013 in the Corporate/M&A practice of a leading US law firm in Düsseldorf. Christoph studied law at the University of Münster and completed his legal traineeship at the Berlin Court of Appeal.

Christoph is regularly recognised in Best Lawyers® in Germany for Litigation and was named a “2022 Top Lawyer” for Litigation by WirtschaftsWoche.

He speaks German and English and has a very good level of French.

Experience

• Representing a board member in a complex high-volume compensation dispute in connection with a construction project in the U.S.
• Representing a real estate entrepreneur in a high-volume compensation dispute regarding a bank loan
• Representing an aviation company in connection with a shareholder dispute
• Representing an international investment company in a large compensation dispute
• Advising a Canadian technology group in connection with a large compensatory damage claim
• Advising a UK-based law firm on the consequences of Brexit
• Advising a German automotive enterprise in numerous compensation disputes
• Representing wealthy family foundations in corporate and regulatory law disputes

Publications

• “Abtretung des Freistellungsanspruchs in der Produkthaftpflichtversicherung” in: PHi - Haftpflicht international, 3/2025, with Dr. Henning Schaloske and Anna Goddon
• “Primer on Climate Change: Directors’ Duties and Disclosure Obligations” in: Climate Governance Initiative, 2023, with Dr. Henning Schaloske
• “Klimaklagen und Managerhaftung” in: Versicherungspraxis, 2/2022, pp. 12
• “ESG und Prospekthaftungsrisiken” in: PHi - Haftpflicht international, 10/2022, with Dr. Daniel Kreienkamp