Richard Wilhelm, LL.M.

Career

Richard Wilhelm studied law in Leipzig and Oslo. His studies focused on environmental and planning law. After passing his first state examination, he became a research assistant at the Chair of Public Law, specialising in environmental and planning law, at the University of Leipzig. His research included the law governing the expansion of European energy networks, and he obtained a Master’s degree in European law. Following his legal training at the Leipzig Regional Court, Richard Wilhelm joined a renowned international commercial law firm as a solicitor in 2017. There, and from 2019 onwards at one of the world’s leading law firms, he gained over five years’ legal experience in litigation, representing companies in complex legal disputes. In 2022, he moved to the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control to help establish, as head of division within the set-up team, the administrative structures for the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) and the agency’s office in Borna, Saxony. As head of the Administrative Offences and Monitoring Division, he then played a key role over a period of four years in establishing audit procedures and was responsible for the enforcement of the LkSG in a senior capacity. As an expert, Richard Wilhelm has explained key aspects of the LkSG and the authorities’ positions at numerous specialist events. He has been working for FRANSSEN NUSSER since October 2026.

Richard Wilhelm heads the firm’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practice alongside Dr Jens Nusser. His practice focuses primarily on all areas of supply chain regulation. In addition to advising on due diligence obligations under the LkSG and the EU Supply Chain Directive (CSDDD), he also advises on related regulations, such as the EU Forced Labour Regulation (FLR), the EU Battery Regulation and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). He assists clients in understanding the requirements of existing and new legislation and in implementing them efficiently within compliance and risk management systems.

Areas of expertise

Compliance & ESG