Dr. Sebastian Polly | Munich | Hogan Lovells

Dr. Sebastian Polly

Partner

Languages

English, German

Polly Sebastian

Dr. Sebastian Polly
Polly Sebastian
  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights and events
quote mark

"very responsive, he understands what we want, simple advice"

Acritas Star, 2018

Sebastian Polly specializes in global products law with a focus on product liability, product safety and product compliance. He supports our clients around the world and is particularly experienced in the automotive, aviation, chemicals, consumer, electronics, energy, food, machinery, mobility, robotics and transportation industries. Besides, he is global co-head of our sector Automotive and Mobility.

Sebastian has worked with countless clients on the launch of innovative products. He assesses legal risks, develops liability mitigation strategies and is highly experienced in dealing with market entry requirements ensuring product compliance.

Furthermore, Sebastian has resolved a wide range of product crises, incl. global recalls, product safety risk assessments, authority notifications and crisis communication. In addition, he coordinates internal product compliance investigations and advises on internal processes such as product safety policies.

Moreover, Sebastian has helped various clients defend alleged product liability. He is a litigator with extensive court experience.

Overall, Sebastian handled global products law matters in almost 200 jurisdictions, visiting over 80 countries, including all EU Member States.

Sebastian is also the author of numerous national and international publications. He earned his doctorate with a thesis on European product safety law.

Also, Sebastian and his team are highly recognized as Band 1 / Tier 1 by all main legal directories. Legal 500 recognizes him as a "Leading Individual". According to Who's Who Legal, he is the "go-to name for product liability, safety and compliance issues". Furthermore, for 8 consecutive years, JUVE ranks him and his team Tier 1 for Product Liability.

Besides, Sebastian is strongly involved in honorary commitments, especially in non-profit child education robotics projects. He was personally awarded the Federal Cross of Merit by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany.

quote mark

"very responsive, he understands what we want, simple advice"

Acritas Star, 2018

Representative experience

Advising numerous companies on complex global product compliance aspects incl. the development, certification/homologation and market entry of innovative high-tech products in over 110 jurisdictions.

Acting as product liability defense attorney for numerous global technology companies in hundreds of disputes, litigation cases and trials incl. mass tort and global defense coordination.

Advising several automotive companies on the interpretation of vehicle certification and homologation provisions, incl. FMVSS, GSO, GTR, UNECE Regulations, etc.

Supporting companies with the training of attorneys, engineers and managers, particularly with respect to internal product compliance and product safety processes.

Defending several international companies in criminal product liability cases, particularly linked to alleged product compliance and safety violations incl. fraud, negligent manslaughter, etc.

Advising several global technology companies on various cybersecurity incidents, incl. OTA as well as coordination with regulators and law enforcement.

Supporting several international companies by auditing and improving their internal product compliance and product safety processes.

Representing companies in multi-million supply chain disputes, particularly linked to recourse actions after global product recalls.

Advising and representing several companies regarding allegations linked to allegedly defective batteries, incl. defense of civil, criminal and regulatory claims.

Advising several companies regarding their EU chemical and environmental product compliance, particularly linked to ESG, REACH, RoHS and WEEE including notifications, registrations and warnings.

Advising numerous global companies on EU market entry requirements and CE marking incl. the Electromagnetic Compatibility, Low Voltage, Machinery and Radio Equipment Directive, etc.

Representing numerous international companies before several product compliance authorities, incl. BAM, BAuA, BMDV, BMWK, BNetzA, EASA, EBA, the European Commission, KBA, LBA, etc.

Credentials

Education
  • Dr. iur., University of Augsburg, 2012
  • Second State Exam in Law, Bavaria, 2010
  • First State Exam in Law, University of Augsburg, 2008

Recognition

Leading individual for product liability

Legal 500 EMEA and Legal 500 Germany

2018-2022
Listed in the Best of the Best Expert Guide as one of the top 30 product liability practitioners globally

Expert Guides

2017-2020
Acritas Stars

Acritas Stars Independently Rated Lawyers

2018-2022
Listed as expert for product liability defense

Who's Who Legal

2018-2022
Tier 1 for product liability

JUVE handbook

2018-2022
Recommended lawyer for compliance

WirtschaftsWoche

2021
Recognized as Best Lawyer for Product Liability Litigation and Litigation

Best Lawyers

2019-2023

Events

Sponsorships and Speaking Engagements

18-19 June 2025 | 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (GMT)

Sponsorships and Speaking Engagements

19-20 June 2024 | 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (GMT)

Webinar

26 October 2023 | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (CEST)
View more events