Top expert joins Flick Gocke Schaumburg for expansion of advisory services in foreign trade law

Flick Gocke Schaumburg is further developing its tax-focused advisory services for internationally active companies, strengthening its team with a foreign trade law, export controls and sanctions expert. Rafik Ahmad (49) will join the firm’s Frankfurt office as an Associate Partner on 1 October 2024. To date, he has worked for the auditing and law firm Ernst & Young (EY) for around ten years.

"Rising geopolitical tensions in recent years have heightened particular aspects of foreign trade law, such as export controls and sanctions,” says Flick Gocke Schaumburg’s Managing Partner, Professor Matthias Rogall.  “This issue is becoming a critical factor for our globally active clients – both in terms of reputational issues and economic risks – which we are now increasingly integrating in line with our interdisciplinary approach to advisory services.”

With Rafik Ahmad, the firm is expanding its expertise both in the area of preventive advice and defense in case violations of the provisions of foreign trade law occur. After roles at an international law firm, a boutique specialising in foreign trade law, and KMPG, Ahmad joined EY in 2015, initially as a Director and then as an Associate Partner.

He regularly advises a large number of DAX40 companies on foreign trade law, including Mercedes-Benz on its withdrawal from Russia as part of his work for EY (see JUVE). <<<