Prof. Dr. Thomas Höppner
OVERVIEW
Prof. Dr. Thomas Höppner is a partner at Hausfeld, where he leads a team of competition lawyers focused on complex litigation and digital regulation.
He has assisted clients in numerous high-stake investigations, including some of the most complex abuse of dominance cases involving major tech companies. His recent work includes matters related to Alphabet (e.g. Google Search, Android, AdTech, Privacy Sandbox, News Showcase), Apple (ATT, App Store), Amazon (Buy-Box, MFNs), Meta (Consent-or-Pay), and Microsoft (Teams I, II).
Thomas also plays a prominent role in private enforcement before German courts. He represents individual companies and plaintiff groups in high-value antitrust damages claims (e.g. for idealo, Heureka, AdClaim) and has a strong track record of securing preliminary injunctions in competition disputes. Notable cases include NetDoktor, ImmoWelt, AdBlock, and several injunctions against the blocking or suspension of business users’ accounts by Google, Meta, and Amazon. Thomas also advises businesses on the competition implications of the Digital Markets Act, the AI Act, the Data Act and the Media Freedom Act.
In 2024, legal directory JUVE named Thomas as one of the top 10 advisors in antitrust law and the platform economy. He is also recognized as one of the top 10 lawyers in media competition law and as a Thought Leader in competition law and competition plaintiff work in Germany by Lexology/Who’s Who Legal. In 2021, he won the exclusive ILO Client Choice Award for excellent client service. His academic work has been nominated for the Concurrences Antitrust Writing Award seven times, winning on three occasions.
Thomas holds a Ph.D. (summa cum laude) and an LL.M in competition law. He was appointed as Professor of Law in 2016 and taught Business, IP, and Marketing Law at Technical University Wildau until 2023. Previously, he served as a Visiting Professor for telecoms law at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.
He has co-authored over 100 articles and six books, and frequently speaks on contemporary issues in competition and technology. His latest book, Self-Preferencing in Online Search, can be downloaded here. The second edition of his book Digital Advertising and the Google Ecosystem (in German) is set for publication in 2026. His previous book, Google's (Non-) Compliance with the EU Shopping Decision, is available for free download here.
EDUCATION
Dr. iur, Humboldt University, Berlin – Summa Cum Laude and Karlheinz-Quack Prize
LL.M, University of Dundee
Bar Exam / 2. State Exam, Berlin – Distinction
LL.B / 1. State Exam, Berlin – Distinction and Graduation Prize
AFFILIATIONS
Who's Who Legal Thought Leader – Competition Plaintiffs (since 2022); Global Leader (since 2021) & National Leader Germany (since 2021 - Competition Plaintiffs and Competition Law (since 2024))
Best Lawyers Germany since 2017 - Competition/Antitrust, Information Technology Law, Media Law, Technology Law
Legal 500 Germany, recommended for competition law since 2018
Juve, recommended since 2013, listed as leading media competition lawyer (since 2022) and Top 10 advisors for competition law in the platform economy (2024)
Leaders in Law since 2019 - Media & Entertainment Law
NEWS
EVENTS
- The EU Digital Markets Competition Litigation & Compliance Forum 2025, Co-Chairman and moderator of three panels, Brussels, 2025
- Competition in Europe’s Digital Markets: Trends 12 Months ON From DMA Implementation, Thought4Competition, webinar, co-speaker, 2025
- Generative KI: Was kommt und wann sehen wir Kompensation?, Raum für Vision, Bundesverband der Regisseure, Berlin, 2025
- AI, Media and Platforms: Who Controls the Information?, Schweizer Dreikönigstagung, Zurich, 2025
- KI und die Macht von Big Tech – Wettbewerb, Kontrolle und Herausforderungen für private Medien, Panel, AI eats Content?, Berlin, 2024
- Competition in Digital Markets: A Look at the US AdTech trial, Panel, Centre for Competition Law and Economics, 2024
- Remedies in private enforcement of sector regulation of digital platforms: DMA v. Sec. 19(a) GWB, Panel, EUI/NER Conference on Effective Remedies: EU competition law v. sector regulation of digital platforms, Berlin 2024
- Digitalwirtschaft zwischen einseitiger Regelsetzungsmacht digitaler Gatekeeper und ausufernder politischer Datenschutzagenda, Impulsvortrag, ZAW, Vortragsreihe Datenschutz durch Wettbewerb, 12.11.2024
- Transformation in digital advertising – business, competition, privacy, Panel, Mediaspace Global Changemakers’ Summit, London 2024
- Taming the Titans: Regulatory Impact on European Media & Advertising, Keynote und Panel, VideoWeek Cologne, 2024
- "Artificial Intelligence – Revolution for Society and Media" (German), BDZV – Der Kongress, 2024, Keynote, Berlin
- "AI and Regulatory & Digital Ethics” (German), 78. Deutscher Betriebswirtschafter-Tag, 2024, Panel, Dusseldorf
- "20 Years Platform Economy – 20 Years Battle for Truth“, VG Media, Don’t Disrupt Democracy, 2024, Berlin
- "From risk to resilience: understanding and effectively countering the AI revolution“ (German), #beBETA 2024, Keynote, Berlin
- “Digital Regulation in Europe & North America: Rapid Changes & Music Industry Implications”, ICMP AGM 2024, Panel, Brussels
- “How Does Competition in Generative AI Work?”, ThoughtLeaders4Competition, Panel, 2024
- “The protection of media services in times of generative AI“ (German), Corint Media, Annual Conference, 2024, Berlin
- Claim your rAIghts: Options for the legal handling of generative AI“, German Creative Economy Summit, Panel, 2024 https://german-creative-economy-summit.de/speaker-innen/thomas-hoeppner/
- "Copyright and the AI Act: an introduction“ (German), 11th Urheberrechtskonferenz der Initiative Urheberrecht, Berlin 2023, Speech
- “Digital Challenges for Media Funding”,12th MaCCI Law & Economics Conference on Media Funding, Mannheim 2023, Panelist
- “DMA – Enforcement Revolution or Victory of Regulatory Measures over Antitrust?” and “The Early Verdict on the effect of the DMA”, Conference on Antitrust in the Digital Age, Warsaw 2023, Panelist
- “Challenges of Generative AI When Dealing with Big Tech”, efl Annual Conference 2023, Opportunities and Challenges of Generative AI, Frankfurt 2023pdf (eflab.de), Keynote
- “ChatGPT, Bard & Co: Challenges for Media and Possible Solutions” (German), MVFP Future Media Now 2023, Berlin 2023MVFP-Future Media Now_Prof. Dr. Thomas Höppner_ChatGPT, Bard & Co - YouTube, Keynote
- "Meta CJEU Judgment – When Competition Meets Privacy”, Digital Markets Research Hub, October 2023, Panel
- "Artificial Intelligence and Plattform Economy: Update AI national and international developments", BDZV Konferenz Chefredaktionen 2023, Berlin 2023 BDZV | Konferenz Chefredaktionen, Keynote
- “Antitrust & AI: Distortion of Competition or Disruption?”, New York State Bar Association, Monopolization & Big Tech Committee of the Antitrust Law Section of the NSBA, 2023 , Speech
- “Economics of AI and Resulting Antitrust Frontiers Ahead” (in German), 2ndDusseldorf Economists’ Summit, Dusseldorf 2023, Keynote
- "Business models under threat!?! Challenges and solutions for ChatGPT & Co.“#beBETA – Journalism in Progress, Berlin 2023 BDZV | BDZV-Digitalkongress #beBETA 2023: Künstliche Intelligenz, Paid Content und Vermarktung im Fokus, Speech
- "Which legal borderlines does artificial intelligence require?“ (in German), Initiative Urheberrecht IU Spot #3
- “Competition and Data in the Media Sector”, Annual Conference on European Media Law 2023, Trier 2023, Speech
- "The impact of ChatGPT & Co on journalism“ (in German) Parlamentarischer Abend, Schweizer Medien, Bern 2023, Keynote
- “Apple ATT: App Tracking Transparency between Data Protection and Competition Restriction”, Heroes of Data & Privacy, 2. Conference, Vienna, 24.5.2023 , Speech
- “Artificial Intelligence: An Introduction From An Antitrust Perspective”, New York State Bar Association, 2023 Antitrust Executive Committee Meeting 2023, Speech
- "AI, Journalism and Regulation“ (in German) SwissMediaForum, Luzern 2023SwissMediaForum, Panelist
- "Artificial Intelligence and the Media: a wakeup call“ (in German) SwissMediaForum, Luzern 2023, Keynote
- "AI?Act Now! – Why authors and artists call for protection against generative AI“ (in German), Parlamentarischer Abend der Initiative Urheberrecht, Berlin 2023, Speech
- "Generative AI: Challenges for the business model of newspapers and possible solutions“ BDZV Executive Masterclass 2023, Speech
- "Generative AI: Challenges for authors and possible solutions“, Initiative Urheberrecht, Berlin 2023, Speech
- “Private Enforcement of the DMA”, Competition Litigation Forum, 2023, Speech & Panel
- “Monopolization and Abuse of Dominance: Is Big Tech Bad?”, Antitrust and 21st Century Bigness: Dealing with Tech Platforms in a Globalized World, New York University, 2023, Speech & Panel
- “The Digital Markets Act“, OMG Webseminar, 2023, Speech
- "In the event of disruption of competition, the necessary measures shall be taken` - Evaluation of the general competition clause proposed in the draft Competition Enforcement Act (§ 32f GWB-E)“ (in German), Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht e.V., 2022, Panel
- “Defending Workers and Professionals from Concentrated Power”, How Monopoly Threatens Democracy and Security, OpenMarkets/LobbyControl/SOMO, Brussels, 2022, Speech & Panel
- “Platforms Data and Innovation”, Jean Monnet RETEL and PlatformLaw 2022 conference, 2022, Panel
- “Democratization of Corporations – Amazon: a Case for Antitrust & Labor Fights”, Corporate Power Conference, Berlin 2022, Panel
- “The Digital Markets Act from the perspective of the media and advertising industry”, 2. DACH Antitrust Conference, Göttingen 2022, Speech
- “Digital Markets Acts: Which Obligations Apply to Gatekeepers?”, 20. @kit-Congress, Berlin 2022, Speech
- “Google Search (Shopping) Judgment: Implications for Tech Antitrust & Regulation”, Lexology webinar 29/11/2021, Speech & Panel
- “Australia’s Media Bargaining Code for Tech Platforms: Will the EU Consider a Similar Code?”, Competition Law & Regulation in the TMT Sector 2021 organized by Informa, 9/11/2021, Panel
- “DMA – The Digital Markets Act”, Annual Conference on European Media Law, Institute of EU Media Law (EMR), 2021 The impact of the proposed DSA & DMA on commercial broadcasting - Bing video, Speech
- "Monopolization and Abuse: Application to Platforms and Digital Markets", Antitrust and 21st Century Bigness: Dealing with Tech Platforms in a Globalized World, New York 2020, Panelist
- “Abuse of Dominance in Digital Markets in the 10. Reform of the German Competition Act” (in German), L&A Wettbewerbstag 2020, Hamburg 2020, Panelist
- “Amazon’s monopoly power: threats to a fair marketplace”, UNI Europe Amazon Symposium, Brussels 2019, Panelist
- “Do We Have the Tools to Regulate? Reviewing Recent Reports and Proposals”, 28th Advanced EU Competition Law Conference, Brussels 2019, Moderator & Panelist
- “Das Leistungsschutzrecht für Presseverleger” (the ancillary copyright for press publishers), DAV AGEM Herbsttagung, Berlin 2019, Panelist
- "Antitrust Investigations Against Amazon - Current State of Affairs", EIBF Annual Conference, Frankfurt 2019, Speech
- "The Future of Competition Law", Big Data & Competition Law Conference, Brussels 2019, Moderator
- “Damages Claims in E-commerce Cases”, UIA’s 10th Annual Business Law Forum, Vienna 2019, Panelist
- “Tech Platforms and Antitrust – Different approaches on both sides of the Atlantic?”, DAJV annual conference, Berlin 2019, Speaker
- "Effective Competition Law Remedies", Lexxion Symposium on Online Platforms & Competition Law, Brussels 2019, Panelist
- "Competition (law) in the internet” (in German), Juristische Gesellschaft zu Berlin, 2019, Speaker
- "Online Platforms: Competition Law & Regulation", Podcast, 2019, Panelist
- "EU Regulation on Online Intermediaries: Limitation of Digital Power or Bureaucracy Paper Tiger?" (in German), 18th @kit-Congress, Berlin 2019, Speaker
- "Expansion of Dominance in the Digital Sphere“, Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht, Berlin 2019, Speaker
- “Opportunities for Damages Actions Beyond Cartels”, Private Enforcement of Competition Law Conference, Brussels 2019, Panelist
- "Abuse of Dominance on Multi-Sided Markets: Current Cases at EU and national level", 2. Berliner Kartellrechtstag, 2019, Speaker
- "Ensuring Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Sphere", PolicyExchange Forum, Brussels 2019, Chair
- "Private Enforcement of Competition Law in the Digital Sphere", 27th Advanced EU Competition Law, Brussels 2018, Speaker
- "Regulating the Digital Economy: Are the Old Tools Fit for the New World?", 27th Advanced EU Competition Law, Brussels 2018, Moderator
- “Update Internet Competition Law”, 7th @kit conference, Berlin 2018, Speaker
- "EU-wide Level Playing Field for Platforms", Münchner Medientage 2017, Panelist
- “Indirekte Netzwerkeffekte“ (indirect network effects), L&A-Wettbewerbstag 2017, Hamburg 2017, Panelist
- "Neutrality, Equal Treatment and Fairness – New ‘Gold Standards’ under Article 102 TFEU?", CoRe/CCIA Conference, 2017, Brussels 2017, Panelist
- "Private Enforcement in the Digital Sphere", 26th Advanced EU Competition Law 2017, Brussels, Speaker
- “Better Regulation for Copyright”, European Parliament, Brussels 2017, Panelist
- ”Licensing for News Intermediaries”, European Copyright – Quo Vadis?, EUI Florence, 2017, Speaker
- “Streitgespräch zum Presseverleger-Leistungsschutzrecht für Europa," re:publica Berlin 2017, Panelist
- "Internet Giants and their Impact on the Online Market" and "Google in the EU and the US: Search, Complaints and Licensing", CEPIC World Conference, Berlin 2017, Panelist
- “The Link is Safe: Publisher’s Rights in the Digital Age”, Future Media Lounge, European Parliament, Brussels 2017, Panelist
- “Algorithms and Search Engines”, Algorithm Workshop, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow 2017, Speaker
- “Publishers’ Rights”, Hearing on Copyright, European Parliament, Brussels 2017, Speaker
- "Briefing on the Proposed Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market", Workshop for Legal Affairs Committee, European Parliament, Brussels, 2017, Speaker
- “Legal Aspects of the Internet of Things”, 10. Forschungskolloquium, TH Wildau, 2017, Speaker
- “New EU-Directive for an Ancillary Copyright for Press Publishers?", 45th FIW Informationstagung, Brussels, 2016, Speaker
- "Internetökonomie und Recht" (internet economy and law), Technical University Wildau, 2016, Speaker
- "Press Freedom in a Digital World: The Value of Copyright", ENPA event, Brussels 2016, Panelist
- “Law and Economics of Behavioural & Targeted Advertising” and “Regulatory Approaches to Intermediation Platforms”, Florence School of Regulation, Annual Training, EUI, Florence 2016, Speaker
- “One size fits all? Getting Europe’s tech policy right”, ICOMP Debate, Brussels, 2015, Speaker
- “Abuse of Dominance in Digital Markets: The Case against Google”, 6th GRUR/JIPLP Joint Seminar, Munich 2015 , Speaker
- “The EU Commission`s Investigation of Internet Search”, ICOMP Brussels, 2014, Speaker
- “Regulating Search: Competition Law, Copyright and Sector-Specific Approaches”, CILP, Glasgow, 2014, Speaker
- “Economics of E-Commerce Platforms”, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, 2014, Speaker
- “Press Publishers’ View on Google’s Commitment Proposals”, FairSearch Press Conference, Brussels, 2013, Speaker
PUBLICATIONS
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Article 102 and the Rise and Fall of the “AEC Principle”, WuW 2025
Media Freedom in Times of AI-Powered Manipulation Platforms (German), Kommunikation & Recht 2/2025
Digital Ecosystems And The Not (Yet) As Efficient Competitor Principle, CPI Antitrust Chronicle, March 2025 (with Philipp Westerhoff)
Weaponized Opacity: Self-Preferencing in Digital Audience Measurement, CPI Antitrust Chronicle, Feb. 2025 (with Philipp Westerhoff)
Algorithmic Enforcement of Price Parity, 10 Hausfeld Competition Bulletin (co-author)
On the Antitrust Implications of Embedding Generative AI in Core Platform Services, Competition Policy International (CPI), Antitrust Chronicle, Spring 2024, Volume (1), 12 pages (co-author)
Self-Preferencing in Online Search Under Article 6(5) DMA, book
The Role of Data for Competition in Online Advertising, Competition Policy International (CPI), Antitrust Chronicle, Spring 2023 (co-author)
"The new Big Tech AI-Press” (in German) PRINT&more 1/2023, p. 44-45.
“Collective copyright licensing and the ban of anti-competitive agreements for the solo self-employed“, Zeitschrift für das gesamte Medienrecht AfP 1/2023, pp. 1 – 11 (Part 1) and AfP 2/2023 (Part 2).
“ChatGPT, Bard & Co.: an introduction to AI for competition and regulatory lawyers”, 9 Hausfeld Competition Bulleting (1/2023), Article 1 (co-author) (nominated for the Concurrences Antitrust Writing Awards 2024)
“Creative Destruction in Digital Ecosystems Revisited”, 9 Hausfeld Competition Bulletin (1/2023), Article 5
“EU General Court confirms landmark Google Android decision with strong signal for tougher antitrust enforcement in digital ecosystems”, Hausfeld Perspectives (co-author)
Data Protection as Pretext for Restraints of Competition. Why Apple’s and Google’s Restrictions of Personalised Advertisng are Anti-Competitive – and how Advertisers Fight Back against ATT and Privacy Sandbox“ (in German), Markenartikel 8/2022, pp. 60 – 63 (co-author)
“From Creative Destruction to Destruction of the Creatives: Innovation in Walled-Off Ecosystems”, 1 Journal of Law, Market & Innovation (JLMI) 2022, pp. 10 – 37
“Data protection is not protection of data empires” (in German) PRINT&more 2021, pp. 42-44
“The European Google Shopping Competition Saga, Compliance and the Rule of Law”, 15 Global Competition Litigation Review (G.C.L.R.), 1/2022, pp. 9-21
"Article-by-Article Commentary of Articles 10, 12-14 of Regulation" (EU) 2019/1150 on promoting fairness and transparency for business users of online intermediation services (Platform-to-business Regulation), edited by Christoph Busch (in German)
"Online Advertising: The French Competition Decision on Google’s Self-Preferencing in Ad Tech," Concurrences eCompetitions Sep 2021 II (nominated for the Concurrences Antitrust Writing Awards 2022)
“Restraints of Competition under the Disguise of Data Protection? - Apple's App Tracking Policy Under Scrutiny,” (in German) Zeitschrift für Digitalisierung und Recht (ZfDR), 8/2021 (co-author)
“The Comparative Markets Approach in the Regulation of Postal Charges” (in German) Netzwirtschaften und Recht (N&R), 5/2021 (co-author)
“Who googles “health” shall end up at the website of the health minister? NetDoktor vs. Germany & Google” (in German) Neue Zeitschrift für Kartellrecht (NZKart), 4/2021
“Gatekeeper’s Tollbooth for Market Access: How to Safeguard Unbiased Intermediation”, Competition Policy International (CPI) Antitrust Chronicles, 1/2021
"Google’s (Non-) Compliance with the EU Shopping Decision", book, 9/2020
"What can an effective regulation of internet platforms look like?" (in German), relevant 1/2020
"In a Nutshell: Why the EU's Google Shopping case matters", Competition Law Insights, 2/2020
“Platform regulation light: on the concept of companies with paramount cross-market relevance in the 10th amendment of the German Act against Restraints of Competition” (in German), Wirtschaft und Wettbewerb, 2/2020
“The modernization of the law on abuse of dominance according to the draft bill for a 10th amendment of the German competition act” (in German), Kommunikation & Recht January 2020 (co-author)
“The EU regulation 2019/1150 on fairness and transparency of online-intermediation services (“P2B-Regulation”) (in German), Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftsrecht December 2019 (co-author)
"Google for Jobs: Revolution einer Branche auf Kosten Dritter?" (revolution of an industry at the expense of third parties?), Focus Online, 2019
"Saving Face(book) - Why the FCO didn't "like" the social media giant's data practices", Competition Law Insights 3/2019
“Data Exploiting as Abuse of Dominance: The German Facebook Decision”, Hausfeld Competition Bulletin 1/2019 (Winner, 2020 Concurrences Antitrust Writing Awards: Business Articles, Unilateral Conduct)
"Fair Competition in Online Commerce: Amazon in the Focus of Competition Law" Kommunikation & Recht, Editorial 3/2019 (in German)
"Google Search (Shopping) as a Precedent for Disintermediation in Other Sectors: The Example of Google for Jobs", European Competition Law & Practice, 2019 (co-author)
"The EU's Competition Investigation into Amazon's Marketplace", Hausfeld Competition Bulletin 4/2018 (co-author, nominated for Concurrences Antitrust Writing Awards 2020)
“Google Search (Shopping): Etablierte Missbrauchskriterien für digitalen Präzendenzfall" (established criteria of abuse for digital precedent), Wirtschaft und Wettbewerb, 9/2017
“Frame sucht Einwilligung: Die neue Google-Bildersuche auf dem Prüfstand“ (frame in search of consent: the new Google Images Search under scrutiny), Multimedia und Recht, 8/2017 (co-author)
"Duty to Treat Downstream Rivals Equally: (Merely) a Natural Remedy to Google's Monopoly Leveraging Abuse", European Competition and Regulatory Law Review, 9/2017
“Medienkartellrecht – die aktuelle Fallpraxis” (media competition law – the current case law), Kommunikation und Recht, 9/2016
“Moving towards a World of Selfies? A Critical View of the EU legislative framework for the use of images online”, GRUR International, 7/2016
“Regulatory Challenges of the Internet of Things,” Computer and Telecommunications Law Review, December 2015 (co-author)
“Defining Markets for Multi-Sided Platforms,” World Competition, September 2015
“The EU Competition Investigation of Internet Search,” Computer Law Review International, April 2013 (co-author)
“Google: Friend or Foe of Ad-Financed Content-Providers?,” Journal of Media Law, 2013
“Telekommunikationsrecht. Berliner Kommentar”, Deutscher Fachverlag, 2009, 2013 (co-author)
“Competition Law in Intellectual Property Litigation,” European Competition Journal, 2011
"Zeitliche Grenzen für die Rückforderung überhöhter Infrastrukturentgelte," Netzwirtschaften und Recht, 2010
“Abuse of Market Dominance: The Refusal to Supply Competitors under Article 82 EC,” VDM Publishing, 2009
PERSPECTIVES
WHAT OTHERS SAY
Thomas Höppner is recognized in Juve, Legal 500 , Who's Who Legal, Best Lawyers and other directories as one of the leading antitrust lawyers in Germany with outstanding expertise in the field of digital economies.
JUVE
“He has been beating up Google at the highest level for ten years now (competitor)”, Juve, 2024
“penetrates digital cases like few others - makes life really difficult for a defence lawyer” – Juve Top 10 (Anti-)trust Advisors, 2024
Ranked as “leading media competition lawyers” – since 2022
"Thomas Höppner has a in-depth understanding of the internet economy” - Antitrust, 2023
“Stands for the tenacious fight against tech giants” – Antitrust Law of the Year, 2022
“Perfectly positioned as a challenger”, said a competitor – Antitrust, 2022
“Extremely competent and committed” said a client; “his complaint against Apple was extremely good” said a competitor – Antitrust, 2021
"There are not many who have such a deep background on Google," said one client. - Antitrust, 2020.
It highlights its "expertise in the digital economy." - Antitrust, 2018
One of the ten leading minds in antitrust law in the platform economy. His ability to "penetrate digital proceedings like few others and make life really difficult for defense lawyers" is particularly highlighted, Juve print edition 03/2024
Legal 500 Germany
“the specialist for GAFA victims in Germany and beyond” – Legal 500 Germany, 2024
“Thomas Höppner's team can only be described as outstanding. Extremely complex issues are excellently analysed and legally assessed in such a way that the results are comprehensible and immediately usable” – Legal 500 Germany, 2024
“Over the past ten years, Prof Höppner has shown that he and his team understand the extreme complexity of the ecosystems and business practices of big tech companies” – Legal 500 Germany, 2024
"Thomas Höppner is probably the antitrust and regulatory lawyer who has by far the best grasp of the issues and regulation of BIG-Tech, both in fact and in law, in all of Europe.” – Legal 500 Germany, 2023
“Thomas Höppner: Mr. Big Tech; no one knows the field of GAFAs and the legal problems of the digital industry better than him.” – Legal 500 Germany, 2023
“Thomas Höppner has always proven that he is one of the most noteworthy legal experts in the field of digital markets and network policy. Mr. Höppner is an excellent lawyer with outstanding legal knowledge who has always advised and supported us to our fullest satisfaction, especially in the area of competition policy. He provides first-class legal advice, incisive legal opinions and excellent litigation.” – Legal 500, Germany 2023
"Prof. Höppner has outstanding knowledge of both digital platforms and relevant law and the scientific discussion with them. Relentless and extremely knowledgeable representative of the client’s interests." - Legal 500 Germany, 2022
"Thomas Höppner is professionally brilliant, intrinsically motivated, and has a fast grasp of even complex business issues." He "not only provides legal advice, but understands the overall context." - Competition Law, 2021
He "has many years of experience in proceedings at the EU Commission, is very well connected as a result and extremely proactive." - Competition Law, 2020
Who's Who Legal
Recognised as Thought Leader in Competition Plaintiff & Competition Germany, Global Leader in Competition Plaintiff and National Leader for Competition Germany 2023: "Thomas has an unparalleled knowledge of the complex world of digital markets, digital advertising ecosystems and abuse of dominance in digital ecosystems."
Acknowledged as an "extremely versatile" practitioner who is "an outstanding subject matter expert on the legal aspects of antitrust law." – WWL Global Guide Competition, 2022
Recognised as single “Thought Leader” (since 2022) and “Global Leader” (since 2021) in category “Competition Plaintiffs” from Germany; also recognised as “National Leader” (since 2021) in category “Competition”.
Acknowledged as an "extremely versatile" practitioner who is "an outstanding subject matter expert on the legal aspects of antitrust law." Noted as single National Leader Germany - Competition Plaintiff 2022
Recognised as a Global Leader for Competition Plaintiff in the 2021 edition of Who’s Who Legal ‘Global Leaders 2021’
A “very smart lawyer”, “Outstanding understanding of very complex technical and economic systems, in particular digital platform market, outstanding knowledge of competition law, outstanding written and oral argumentation” – Competition, 2020
Lexology Client Choice Awards
In 2021, Thomas won the exclusive Lexology Client Choice Awards 2021 for Competition in Germany.
Clients commented:
- "No matter which competition law aspect it concerns, the quality of Thomas’s advice is consistently outstanding; legally, economically and technically solid and practically implementable.”
- Mr. Höppner is a sharp and brilliant legal pioneer in the competition sphere. Going straight to the heart of complex issues in record time, he guides clients in an honest and easy to understand way through every aspect of a case, in a calm but reassuringly positive manner.”
- “I have never seen so much knowledge of facts and relevant law, especially in the field of digital network economics, plus outstanding creativity in argumentation and case analysis at a very reasonable price.”
- “I personally like working with Thomas because he is so passionate about his work and genuinely cares for the cases he deals and the people he works with.”
WHAT OTHERS SAY
Juve, 2024“He has been beating up Google at the highest level for ten years now (competitor)”
Legal 500 Germany, 2023"Thomas Höppner is probably the antitrust and regulatory lawyer who has by far the best grasp of the issues and regulation of BIG-Tech, both in fact and in law, in all of Europe.”
Global Guide Competition, 2022Acknowledged as an "extremely versatile" practitioner who is "an outstanding subject matter expert on the legal aspects of antitrust law."
Legal 500 Germany, 2022‘Prof. Höppner has outstanding knowledge of both digital platforms and relevant law and the scientific discussion with them. Relentless and extremely knowledgeable representative of the client’s interests.’
Legal 500 Germany, 2022‘Prof. Thomas Höppner is an excellent advisor in the field of antitrust law. His very high level of expertise is paired with an extreme understanding of his clients’ economic concerns.’
Who's Who Legal, 2022“extremely versatile” practitioner who is recognised as “an outstanding subject matter expert on the legal aspects of antitrust law”
Legal 500 Germany, 2021Thomas is professionally brilliant, intrinsically motivated and has a lightning-fast grasp of even complex business issues.
Legal 500 Germany, 2020Hausfeld, and Thomas in particular, has deep expertise in digital business models in addition to knowledge in antitrust law.
Who's Who Legal, 2020'very smart lawyer', 'Outstanding understanding of very complex technical and economic systems, in particular digital platform market, outstanding knowledge of competition law, outstanding written and oral argumentation'
Lexology Client Choice Awards, 2021No matter which competition law aspect it concerns, the quality of Thomas’s advice is consistently outstanding; legally, economically and technically solid and practically implementable.
Lexology Client Choice Awards, 2021Mr. Höppner is a sharp and brilliant legal pioneer in the competition sphere. Going straight to the heart of complex issues in record time, he guides clients in an honest and easy to understand way through every aspect of a case, in a calm but reassuringly positive manner.
Lexology Client Choice Awards 2021I have never seen so much knowledge of facts and relevant law, especially in the field of digital network economics, plus outstanding creativity in argumentation and case analysis at a very reasonable price.
Lexology Client Choice AwardsI personally like working with Thomas because he is so passionate about his work and genuinely cares for the cases he deals and the people he works with.
What I think
