Till Hackstein is an associate in the Litigation Department in San Francisco. Dual-qualified in California and Germany, Till represents global companies in complex commercial litigation, international arbitration, and cross-border disputes.
His experience spans California state and federal courts, German trial and appellate courts, and international arbitral tribunals. In addition, Till acts as strategic coordination counsel for clients in matters across the United States. His practice covers a broad range of industries and business sectors, including automotive, capital markets and financial services, energy, and technology.
Prior to joining Willkie, Till practiced with another leading US law firm in San Francisco, as well as with a leading US firm in its Frankfurt, Germany office. He also completed a two-year judicial clerkship with the Frankfurt Court of Appeals in Germany.
Experience
- Named in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Germany 2023-2025 for Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation
Publications
- “ZF Automotive v. Luxshare – Opinion of the Supreme Court of the United States,” Jus Mundi, July 1, 2022, Co-author.
- “An Examination of the 2020 Revision of the IBA Rules of Evidence,” SchiedsVZ 6/2021, Co-author.
Media
- Mentioned, JURISDICTION—MOTOR VEHICLES—C.D. Cal.: Claimant’s attempt to remand products liability action to state court fails where one of the defendants was fraudulently joined, Wolters Kluwer Product Liability News, February 5, 2026.
- A leading German automobile manufacturer in product liability disputes as coordination counsel during pre-litigation investigations, and litigation proceedings before state courts across the US, and as local counsel before California state courts.*
- A leading solar company in a business-to-business commercial warranty dispute before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.*
- Agfa-Gevaert Group in defending a series of related ICC arbitrations under German law alleging over €1 billion in damages related to the sale of the company’s former consumer imaging division.*
- Republic of Argentina in the defense of numerous actions brought in Germany by bondholders affected by Argentina’s default with respect to approximately $100 billion in external indebtedness.*
- A leading automobile manufacturer in consumer litigation cases related to emissions.*
*Till advised on these matters prior to joining Willkie.
Credentials
Education
Sofia University, M.B.A., 2026 University of California at Berkeley, School of Law, LL.M., 2023 Court of Appeals, Frankfurt, Second State Exam, 2020 Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, First State Exam, 2018
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
United States District Court, Northern District of California United States District Court, Central District of California United States District Court, Eastern District of California