• About us
  • People
  • Expertise
    • Sectors
        • Technology, media & communications Technology, media & communications
        • Private Wealth Private wealth
        • Real estate, infrastructure & energy
        • Life sciences & healthcare icon Life sciences & healthcare
        • Aerospace & defence
        • Automotive & mobility
        • Business & professional services
        • Chemicals
        • Consumer & retail
        • Financial institutions & insurance
        • Hotels, hospitality & leisure
        • Logistics & transport
        • Manufacturing & industrials
        • Public services & education
    • Legal services
        • Artificial intelligence
        • Banking & finance
        • Brands & advertising
        • Commercial & consumer contracts
        • Competition, EU & trade
        • Copyright & media law
        • Corporate crime & compliance
        • Corporate/M&A & capital markets
        • Data & cyber
        • Disputes & investigations
        • Employment, pensions & mobility
        • Environmental, planning & regulatory
        • Environmental, social & governance (ESG)
        • Information technology
        • Multi-service
        • Patents & innovation
        • Private client
        • Private equity
        • Projects, energy & infrastructure
        • Real estate & construction
        • Regulation
        • Restructuring & insolvency
        • Tax
        • Venture capital
  • Locations
    • Europe
        • Locations
        • Austria
        • Belgium
        • Czech Republic
        • France
        • Germany
        • Hungary
        • Italy
        • Netherlands
        • Poland
        • Portugal
        • Ireland
        • Slovakia
        • Spain
        • United Kingdom
        • Ukraine
          Groups & regions
        • CEE Turkish Desk
        • French German group
        • Our offices
    • Middle East & Africa
        • Locations
        • Middle East
        • UAE
          Groups
        • Africa group
        • Israel group
        • Our offices
    • Americas
        • Locations
        • Latin America
        • USA
          Groups
        • Brazil group
        • Our offices
    • Asia
        • Locations
        • Asia
        • China
        • South Korea
          Groups
        • India group
        • Japan group
        • Our offices
  • Insights
    • Insights
        • Featured Topics
        • Artificial intelligence
        • Data Centre Expertise
        • The EU Whistleblower Directive
        • German Supply Chain Act
        • Unified Patent Court
          Content hub
        • Global Data Hub
        • Interface: tech, IP and media law
        • Podcasts
        • Synapse
        • Browse All Insights
    • Events
        • In person
        • Online
        • Browse All Events
    • News
        • Media centre
        • Work highlights
        • Firm news
        • Browse all news
  • Careers
  • EN
    • English
    • 中文(简体)
    • Français
    • Deutsch
  • Home
  • People
  • Martin Knaup
Dr. Martin Knaup, LL.B.
Dr. Martin Knaup, LL.B.

Dr. Martin Knaup, LL.B.

Partner

  • Hamburg Germany
Contact Me Today
+49 40 36803 0
vCard
  • Follow us
Email me Call me
Featured award

The Best Lawyersâ„¢ in Germany 2025

Best lawyers: Litigation

Scroll to featured award

Martin is Co-Head of the Compliance Practice Group at Taylor Wessing in Germany. As a certified compliance officer, he specialises in providing ongoing advice to national and international companies in the area of corporate compliance, in particular on the implementation and development of preventive compliance management systems.

His legal work focuses, inter alia, on the prevention of money laundering (compliance with customer due diligence obligations under the Money Laundering Act, implementation and monitoring of KYC checks and business partner screenings (M&A), identification of beneficial owners (UBO), compliance with notification obligations to the transparency register, etc.) and advice on internal reporting systems (in particular implementation of the requirements of the Whistleblower Protection Act).

As an expert in corporate compliance, Martin knows how to establish the necessary process and organisational framework within the company and is thus available to his clients as a "trusted advisor" in compliance matters. His excellent network within the firm enables him to directly involve colleagues with the necessary expertise, as required, in order to provide clients with comprehensive compliance advice.

In the event of (alleged) compliance violations (especially as a result of identified compliance violations and whistleblower hints), Martin regularly manages and coordinates internal investigations. He advises on disputes between shareholders of partnerships and corporations as well as directors' and officers' liability claims/litigation. Experience gained through a secondment at a listed industrial group has shaped his understanding of economic contexts and corporate interests.

Martin is a frequently requested speaker on the topic of compliance and internal investigations and regularly lectures at industry associations such as the Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU) or the Professional Association of Compliance Managers (BCM). He also trains in-house lawyers on the implementation of preventive compliance measures and structures.

Expertise

Services and Groups

Corporate crime & compliance
Disputes & investigations
Corporate/M&A & capital markets
Multi-service
Environmental, social & governance (ESG)
Corporate litigation & post-M&A disputes
Trade secrets
Compliance
Anti-money laundering & proceeds of crime
Whistleblowing

Sectors

Manufacturing & industrials
Technology, media & communications
Aerospace & defence

CV

Since 2022 Equity Partner, Taylor Wessing
2017 Salary Partner, Taylor Wessing
Since 2016 Lecturer, Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, Hamburg
2015 – 2017 Senior Associate, Taylor Wessing
2012 – 2015 Associate, Taylor Wessing
2010 – 2012 Legal clerkship, Hamburg with postings in Munich and New York
2012 Admitted and established as a lawyer, Hamburg
2012 Second state examination, Hamburg
2011 Doctoral degree on dissertation on an international commercial law theme, Bucerius Law School, Hamburg
2008 First state examination
2005 Study of law, University of Sydney Law School, Australia
2003 – 2008 Legal degree studies, Bucerius Law School, Hamburg

Career

Since 2022 Equity Partner, Taylor Wessing
2017 Salary Partner, Taylor Wessing
Since 2016 Lecturer, Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, Hamburg
2015 – 2017 Senior Associate, Taylor Wessing
2012 – 2015 Associate, Taylor Wessing
2010 – 2012 Legal clerkship, Hamburg with postings in Munich and New York

Education

2012 Admitted and established as a lawyer, Hamburg
2012 Second state examination, Hamburg
2011 Doctoral degree on dissertation on an international commercial law theme, Bucerius Law School, Hamburg
2008 First state examination
2005 Study of law, University of Sydney Law School, Australia
2003 – 2008 Legal degree studies, Bucerius Law School, Hamburg

Publications

Systemupdate, in: Compliance Manager, 06/2021, gemeinsam mit André Lippert und Rebekka Krause

Der Gesetzesentwurf des Lieferkettengesetzes im Überblick, in: comply, 05/2021, S. 21-23, gemeinsam mit Sebastian Rünz

Dissertation: Die Begrenzung globaler Unternehmensleitung durch 9 Absatz 2 Satz 2 StGB, Duncker & Humblot, 2011

Additional languages

English

Awards

The Best Lawyersâ„¢ in Germany 2025

Featured

Best lawyers: Litigation

Legal 500 2025

Recommended lawyer for Compliance

The Best Lawyersâ„¢ in Germany 2024

Leading individual: Litigation

Legal 500 Germany 2024

Recommended lawyer for Compliance

Ranked as leading lawyer for Compliance in Germany

Ranked as Top-100 business lawyer in Germany

Leading individual: Litigation

'I experienced Martin Knaup as a motivated compliance expert who was also able to recommend suitable IT tools in a well-founded and reasoned manner.'

Ranked in the list of the top 100 lawyers in Germany

Frequently recommended for Compliance

Martin's news & insights

View Martin's insights
multicolored credit cards close-up
Click here to find out more
Competition, EU & trade

EU authorized new sanctions against Russia

4 August 2025

by multiple authors

Glass.Mapper.Sc.Fields.Image?.Alt
Corporate crime & compliance

Corporate crime and punishment: recent developments in corporate criminal liability

25 March 2025
In-depth analysis

by multiple authors

Click here to find out more
Glass.Mapper.Sc.Fields.Image?.Alt
Private equity

Taylor Wessing advises Scira on the sale of the K&M Group to Oakley Capital

7 January 2025

by multiple authors

Click here to find out more
View Martin's insights

Related news & insights

wind turbine with blue gray sky
Environmental, social & governance (ESG)

The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme: what you need to know

21 November 2025
Quick read

by Emma Tait and Lorraine Smith

Click here to find out more
Close-Up-Of-Shopping-Carts
Consumer & retail

Consumer and Retail in the News

21 November 2025
Quick read

by multiple authors

Click here to find out more
Tunnel with vanishing point and neon lights
Product liability & product safety

New guidance on the General Product Safety Regulation: a snapshot of key clarifications

21 November 2025
Quick read

by multiple authors

Click here to find out more
Fibre optic cables
Technology, media & communications

Digital Omnibus Package: Key Facts

20 November 2025
Quick read

by Dr. Paul Voigt, Lic. en Derecho, CIPP/E and Stephanie Richter, LL.M. (Torino), CIPP/E

Click here to find out more
Server room corridor
Technology, media & communications

CMA final price transparency guidance under the DMCCA: what's changed from draft to final?

20 November 2025
In-depth analysis

by Oz Watson and Giles Crown

Click here to find out more
View from below of forest trees
Environmental, social & governance (ESG)

The ICJ climate Opinion and ISDS: mapping new terrain for investment dispute resolution

19 November 2025

by multiple authors

Click here to find out more
Lights on network server
Technology, media & communications

The EC's Digital Omnibus proposal – re-writing the EU's digital rulebook

19 November 2025
In-depth analysis

by Debbie Heywood and Alexander Schmalenberger, LL.B.

Click here to find out more
Two coloured ropes knotted together
Disputes & investigations

The sting and the tale

19 November 2025
Quick read

by Andrew Howell and Natalia Faekova

Click here to find out more
esg tech
Environmental, social & governance (ESG)

AI, energy and ESG: regulatory considerations for organisations

18 November 2025

by Sasun Sepoyan and Otto Sleeking

Click here to find out more
Close-Up-Of-Shopping-Carts
Consumer & retail

Consumer and Retail in the News

14 November 2025
Quick read

by multiple authors

Click here to find out more
View all insights

Related people

Germany
Global
fritz krings

Fritz Krings

Senior Associate

Munich
+49 160 95 509 250
Email me
View profile
Daniel Mursa

Daniel Mursa, LL.M. (Köln/Paris I)

Salary Partner

Duesseldorf
+49 211 8387 0
Email me
View profile
Harald Bechteler

Harald Bechteler

Partner

Munich
+49 89 21038 0
Email me
View profile
Anna Hankings-Evans, Corporate & M&A | Taylor Wessing

Dr. Anna Hankings-Evans

Senior Associate

Berlin
+49 30 885636 0
Email me
View profile

Rita Fromm, Maître en droit

Senior Associate

Berlin
Frankfurt
+49 30 885636 0
Email me
View profile
Joana Pamukova

Joana Pamukova

Senior Associate

Frankfurt
+49 69 97130 0
Email me
View profile

Dr. Verena Ritter-Döring

Partner

Frankfurt
+49 69 97130 0
Email me
View profile
Florian Lambracht

Florian Lambracht

Salary Partner

Frankfurt
+49 69 97130 0
Email me
View profile
Carolin Rosskothen

Dr. Carolin Roßkothen, LL.M.

Salary Partner

Hamburg
+49 40 36803 0
Email me
View profile
Anne Kathrin Hoppe

Anne-Kathrin Hoppe

Salary Partner

Hamburg
+49 40 36803 0
Email me
View profile
Full team
Nick Strous

Nick Strous

Counsel

Eindhoven
+31 88 02 43 143
Email me
View profile
Dr. Michael Kieffer

Dr. Michael Kieffer

Partner

Munich
+49 89 21038 0
Email me
View profile
Lorna Bramich

Lorna Bramich

Senior Associate

London
+44 20 7300 7000
Email me
View profile
Anna Hankings-Evans, Corporate & M&A | Taylor Wessing

Dr. Anna Hankings-Evans

Senior Associate

Berlin
+49 30 885636 0
Email me
View profile
Antony Jonkman

Antony Jonkman

Partner

Amsterdam
+31 88 024 3195
Email me
View profile
Daniel Mursa

Daniel Mursa, LL.M. (Köln/Paris I)

Salary Partner

Duesseldorf
+49 211 8387 0
Email me
View profile
Alexandra Boreham

Alexandra Boreham

Associate

London
+44 20 7300 7000
Email me
View profile

Christoph Hezel

Partner

Shanghai
+86 21 6247 7247
Email me
View profile
Alex Zou

Alex Zou

Senior Associate

Shanghai
+86 21 6247 7247
Email me
View profile
Tim Wünnemann

Dr. Tim Wünnemann

Partner

Berlin
+49 30 885636 0
Email me
View profile
Full team

Meet me at

There are no upcoming events

See all events
Subscribe to our latest insights
  • About us
  • Campaigns and online tools
  • News
  • People
  • Expertise
  • Locations
  • Insights
  • Events
  • Media centre
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Alumni
  • Data protection & privacy policy
  • Cookie policy
  • Legal and regulatory information
  • Regulatory information on costs
  • Complaints procedure for clients
  • Terms of use
  • Anti-slavery statement
  • Environmental
  • Scam emails

© Taylor Wessing