International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP announced today that Dr. Ralf Defren has joined the Firm as a partner. Based in the Firm’s Frankfurt office, he will lead Weil’s Banking & Finance practice in Germany. Dr. Defren joins Weil from the Frankfurt office of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, where he was a partner focused on a broad range of financing transactions.

“We are very happy to welcome Ralf, a highly regarded lawyer who has worked on a range of important and complex transactions,” said Weil Executive Partner Barry Wolf. “He will be a tremendous asset to our clients while also playing a key role in the continued expansion of our market-leading global platform.”

“Ralf brings to our Firm impressive depth and breadth of experience, most notably advising on the financing aspects of deals,” said Gerhard Schmidt, Managing Partner of Weil’s German offices. “In leading our Banking & Finance team in Germany, Ralf will play an important role in leveraging our capabilities to clients globally, and will be a key asset, in particular, to our M&A, private equity and restructuring practices.”

Dr. Defren commented: “I am thrilled to join Weil’s global Banking & Finance practice and look forward to advising the Firm’s clients on their most complex transactions. It will be a privilege to collaborate with our stellar team of lawyers in Germany and across our global offices.”