Stefan Altenschmidt

Competent but communication could be more consistent

I engaged Stefan Altenschmidt of Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH for assistance with a complex international tax matter that had potential criminal implications. My situation involved undeclared income from a family inheritance held in Germany while I am a US resident. With his firm's deep roots in Germany and his recognition in criminal tax practice, Mr. Altenschmidt seemed perfectly qualified. His technical knowledge was evident; he provided a thorough analysis of the interplay between German tax law and my US filing obligations, and his eleven years of experience showed in his strategic approach to voluntary disclosure. However, the experience was mixed. While the legal work was solid, communication was sometimes a challenge. Responses to emails could take several days, and updates were not always proactive, which increased my anxiety during a stressful process. The billing structure was clear, but at times the value for certain administrative tasks felt disproportionate. Ultimately, the matter was resolved satisfactorily from a legal standpoint, which is the most important thing. I would describe him as a capable attorney who delivered on the core legal promise, but the client service and management of expectations were merely adequate, not exceptional.