Deloitte Legal Expands Its Digital Law Advisory Services with the Appointment of Dr. Söntje Julia Hilberg as Partner

Dr. Söntje Julia Hilberg (45) will join the Berlin office as a partner with effect from 1 June 2026. She will co-lead the Intangibles, Data & Technology service area alongside Dr. Till Contzen. This marks her return to the partnership after several years in a leadership role at Deloitte Legal.

Dr. Söntje Julia Hilberg has been with Deloitte Legal in Berlin since 2015 and has been responsible for the Digital Law practice at the office for several years. During this time, she played a key role in building up the strategically important Digital Law practice at Deloitte Legal and also served as Deloitte Legal’s point of contact for interdisciplinary digital consulting services within the Deloitte network. Most recently, Dr. Hilberg worked as an independent lawyer and established herself as an expert in the fields of Health IT and Data Spaces.

In addition to her broad expertise in IT and data law, Dr. Hilberg is a recognized expert in AI, EU data regulation, and digital sovereignty, IT security, as well as specific issues affecting the public sector and the healthcare industry, such as classified information protection, KRITIS, and resilience.

Her appointment is another step in the strategic development of the Intangibles, Data & Technology practice area, which has already grown under Dr Contzen’s leadership. This service area is particularly important in light of growing regulatory requirements, the increasing significance of AI and heightened IT security demands resulting from the current geopolitical situation. It is one of Deloitte Legal's four strategic core areas.

Dr. Contzen, Service Area Lead for Intangibles, Data & Technology at Deloitte Legal, comments: 'With Dr. Söntje Julia Hilberg, we are gaining an outstanding expert for our team, particularly with regard to issues related to digital resilience. She possesses not only excellent technical expertise, but also a deep understanding of the economic and technological challenges our clients face. Her many years of experience at Deloitte Legal make her the ideal candidate to further expand our Digital Law practice.'

Dr. Julia Petersen, Head of the Berlin office, adds: 'With her expertise in IT and data protection law, as well as her understanding of digital business models, Dr. Söntje Julia Hilberg will be a tremendous asset to our Berlin team.'

Dr. Hilberg adds: 'I am very pleased by the trust placed in me and look forward to supporting our clients in my new role as a partner. Together with Dr. Till Contzen and our Intangibles, Data & Technology team, I will help them navigate the complex legal and organisational requirements of digital transformation. Deloitte Legal offers the ideal conditions for this, not only because of its international presence, but also thanks to close interdisciplinary collaboration with other Deloitte functions, enabling us to provide comprehensive advice to our clients on ever-growing demands.'

In addition to Dr Hilberg joining the firm, Deloitte Legal is pleased to announce the appointment of two new equity partners, effective from 1 June 2026: Dr Hannes Bracht (Banking & Finance, Düsseldorf/Frankfurt) and Sebastian Schnitzler (Public Procurement Law, Hamburg). Both have many years of experience at Deloitte Legal and have played a key role in shaping and advancing the development of their respective practice areas.

Dr. Bracht provides comprehensive advice to banks, savings banks, and financial and payment service providers on regulatory issues. He specialises in managing complex regulatory proceedings, drafting contracts with regulatory implications, and mitigating regulatory risks, including for companies outside the financial sector. As a specialist attorney in banking and capital markets law, an author and a lecturer, he combines in-depth legal expertise with practical implementation.

Sebastian Schnitzler established the public procurement law practice in Germany and leads it, supporting complex procurement and transformation projects, particularly in the IT and public sectors. He is one of the leading authorities on public procurement law, renowned for offering strategic advice at the intersection of law, business, and politics. His work is characterised by a strong practical focus, economic insight, and innovative solutions.