HANSE STRAFRECHT
Emergency
Attorney von Burgsdorff and attorney Elger-Günther talking in their shared meeting room.

The law firm

A pure criminal defence boutique in Hamburg Rothenburgsort: two lawyers, one field of law.

Who we are

Hanse Strafrecht is a pure criminal defence boutique in Hamburg Rothenburgsort. Rechtsanwältin Virginia von Burgsdorff founded the firm upon her admission to the Hamburg Bar. Since June 2022, Rechtsanwältin Charlotte Elger-Günther has practised at the same premises as part of an office-sharing arrangement (Bürogemeinschaft), while maintaining her own independent legal practice.

We provide criminal defence representation at every stage of the proceedings: from the investigation and pre-trial stages through to the main trial, as well as in appeal proceedings, including appeals on points of law. In urgent criminal matters, we can be reached via our emergency numbers.

Our offices are located in Hamburg, and we represent clients before courts throughout Germany.

We provide criminal defence services in German, English and French.

Speicherstadt in Hamburg at the blue hour: a dark brick facade above a quiet canal
Lawyer Charlotte Elger-Günther in a black robe holding a case file in a bright courthouse corridor.
In Hamburg criminal proceedings, both lawyers appear before the court in robes.

Where we appear

We regularly represent clients before the criminal courts in Hamburg and throughout Germany.

  • Hamburg Local Court (Amtsgericht Hamburg)

  • Hamburg-Mitte Local Court (Amtsgericht Hamburg-Mitte)

  • Hamburg-Harburg Local Court (Amtsgericht Hamburg-Harburg)

  • Hamburg Regional Court (Landgericht Hamburg)

  • Hanseatic Higher Regional Court (Hanseatisches Oberlandesgericht)

What we stand for

  • 01

    No statement before reviewing the case file. We do not comment on the allegations until we have had access to and reviewed the case file. Only then do we decide whether a statement on the merits is in the client's best interests.

  • 02

    Criminal law. Nothing else. We specialise exclusively in criminal law and do not practise in any other area of law.

  • 03

    Absolute discretion. Confidentiality and discretion are fundamental to our work. Every enquiry is treated in strict confidence.

  • 04

    Available when it matters. In urgent criminal matters, you can reach us directly via our emergency numbers.

  • 05

    Defence at every stage. We represent our clients at every stage of criminal proceedings – from the first police interview through to appeal proceedings and appeals on points of law.

Lawyer Virginia von Burgsdorff in conversation at a meeting table, the client visible only from behind.
Every case begins with a conversation and a thorough review of the case file.
Lawyer Virginia von Burgsdorff working at her desk on an open case file.
Much of the work that shapes an effective defence happens long before the case reaches the courtroom.

The lawyers

Lawyer Virginia von Burgsdorff standing at a bright office window, calm and composed.

Virginia von Burgsdorff

Founder of the firm, conducts the defence in German, English and French.

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Lawyer Charlotte Elger-Günther standing in the firm's meeting room by a daylight window.

Charlotte Elger-Günther

In an office-sharing arrangement (Bürogemeinschaft) since June 2022, trained among others at the public prosecution office (Staatsanwaltschaft) Hamburg and at the Billwerder prison (JVA Billwerder).

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