Claudia Gorf named Berlin's new Chief Public Prosecutor in December 2023

Claudia Gorf will take over as Berlin’s Chief Public Prosecutor on 1 December 2023. She succeeds Margarete Koppers, who is retiring after reaching the mandatory age of 65. The appointment follows a nomination by Justice Senator Felor Badenberg and approval from the red-black coalition government. Margarete Koppers became the first woman to lead the Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor in March 2018. Her departure marks the end of a term defined by her leadership in a team of 135 staff, including 33 senior prosecutors.

Claudia Gorf brings extensive experience to the role. Since 2021, she has worked as a senior federal prosecutor at the Federal Court of Justice. Her career includes a focus on Islamist terrorism and other serious threats to national security. Notably, she was involved in the investigation into the 2016 Breitscheidplatz Christmas market terrorist attack. The Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor will now be led by a specialist in counter-terrorism. Gorf’s background in high-profile security cases is expected to shape her tenure. She assumes her new position as the office continues its work with a full team of prosecutors.