Latham & Watkins LLP is pleased to announce that it will add four new partners with formidable experience in complex M&A and high stakes litigation to its German team, and will open a new office in Düsseldorf. The partners are recognized leaders in their respective fields, and the team brings substantial experience across a wide range of industries.
The arrival of this team will further strengthen the firm’s corporate and disputes practices in Germany, which also includes offices in Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich.
The team, who will join from Shearman & Sterling in Germany, consists of partners Harald Selzner, Rainer Wilke, Markus Rieder and Martin Neuhaus. The partners have a strong track record advising DAX 30 companies and large family-owned German midsized companies on numerous high profile matters. The partners have extensive experience advising on domestic and cross-border M&A as well as high end public company representation and complex disputes matters. Harald Selzner, Rainer Wilke and Martin Neuhaus will spearhead Latham’s new Dusseldorf office. Markus Rieder will be based in Latham’s Munich office.
Robert M. Dell, Latham & Watkins’ Chair and Managing Partner, said: “We are very excited to be adding this team of partners whose excellent skills and deep experience are highly complementary to Latham’s platform in Germany and globally. We are focused on growing our business with blue chip industrials and other multinational companies, and this team fits our strategy perfectly. Our newest office in Dusseldorf, one of the world’s major industrial centers and a hub for manufacturing excellence and innovation, will be a key gateway for the strategic growth of our corporate capability.”
“This group of highly talented partners will provide a powerful, cohesive base which will significantly strengthen our high end German practice,” added Joerg Kirchner, Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Global Corporate Department. “The anticipated arrival of this team follows several significant lateral partner additions in London, continental Europe and the US; all of whom bring profound talents and will contribute significantly to the growth of our corporate and litigation capability.”
Thomas Fox added: “This is a strong and connected group who have worked together over many years. They have impeccable credentials advising business chiefs and boards on numerous high stakes, transformative matters, and their leadership and experience will be a great asset to our clients.” Fox, Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins in Munich, will also serve as the Managing Partner of the firm’s Dusseldorf office.
