Dr. Johannes
Makepeace

German lawyer (Rechtsanwalt) | Certified Specialist in Criminal Law | Partner

As a criminal defense lawyer and Certified Specialist in Criminal Law, I advise, represent, and defend clients nationwide at every stage of criminal proceedings—from the first police interview or search during the investigation through trial and appellate proceedings, including the particularly difficult circumstances of pretrial detention and imprisonment.

For me, criminal defense means an uncompromising commitment to the rights of the accused. I firmly believe that every criminal case requires an effective, legally rigorous, and critical defense to safeguard individual rights and uphold the rule of law.

Drawing on my extensive courtroom experience and my work at an international business law firm, my practice focuses primarily on homicide and serious violent crime, sexual offenses, and white-collar criminal law. I also represent clients in general criminal cases and criminal appeals before the Higher Regional Courts and the German Federal Court of Justice.

Thanks to my American background, I advise clients in both German and English. 

Professional Background:
  • Since 2026: Partner at DvM Rechtsanwälte PartG mbB
  • Since 2024: Adjunct lecturer in criminal law at the University of Regensburg
  • Since 2024: Certified Specialist in Criminal Law
  • 2023–2025: Founded the law firm Makepeace Criminal Defense and practiced as an independent attorney exclusively in the field of criminal law
  • 2021–2023: Attorney at an international commercial law firm specializing in white-collar crime, compliance, and internal investigations, as well as at a renowned law firm specializing in white-collar crime and criminal tax law in Munich
  • 2022: Ph.D. in Criminal Procedure Law with the thesis “The Polygraph as Exculpatory Evidence” at the University of Regensburg (summa cum laude)
  • 2019–2021: Research assistant and lecturer at the Chair of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, White-Collar Crime, and European Criminal Law under Prof. Dr. Tonio Walter at the University of Regensburg
  • 2017–2019: Legal traineeship in the Nuremberg Higher Regional Court district and Second State Examination in Law with honors
  • 2017–2019: Research Assistant at an international corporate law firm specializing in white-collar crime, compliance, and internal investigations in Munich and Washington, D.C.
  • 2011–2016: Law studies at the University of Regensburg with a focus on criminal law and First State Examination in Law with honors
Memberships:
  • Munich Bar Association
  • Munich Lawyer’s Association
  • German Lawyer’s Association
  • Criminal Law Working Group of the German Lawyer’s Association
  • Initiative of Bavarian Criminal Defense Attorneys
  • Association for White-Collar Crime Law (WisteV)
  • German-American Lawyers’ Association

Contact

We give your case the attention it deserves. Contact us for an initial assessment.
Find us in the centre of Munich, close to Marienplatz, Karlsplatz (Stachus), and Sendlinger Tor.
Address
DvM Rechtsanwälte PartG mbB
Altheimer Eck 13
80331 München
Fax
+ 49 89 23 66 79 77
Linkedin
24/7 Emergency Line
In urgent cases, you can reach us at any time at + 49 89 23 66 79 22

Contact

We give your case the attention it deserves. Contact us for an initial assessment.
Find us in the centre of Munich, close to Marienplatz, Karlsplatz (Stachus), and Sendlinger Tor.
Address
DvM Rechtsanwälte PartG mbB
Altheimer Eck 13
80331 München
FAX
+ 49 89 23 66 79 77
E-mail
kanzlei@dvm.legal
Linkedin
24/7 Notfallkontakt:
Bei dringenden Fällen erreichen Sie uns jederzeit unter + 49 89 23 66 79 22
Coming soon

Contact

We give your case the attention it deserves. Contact us for an initial assessment.
Find us in the centre of Munich, close to Marienplatz, Karlsplatz (Stachus), and Sendlinger Tor.
Address
DvM Rechtsanwälte PartG mbB
Altheimer Eck 13
80331 München
FAX
+ 49 89 23 66 79 77
E-mail
kanzlei@dvm.legal
Linkedin
24/7 Notfallkontakt:
Bei dringenden Fällen erreichen Sie uns jederzeit unter + 49 89 23 66 79 22
Coming soon