Herbert Smith Freehills today announced that it has recruited Hans Thomas Kessler as its third partner to its recently opened Frankfurt office.
His recruitment marks the firm’s hire of its first real estate partner in Germany, following the hire of corporate and M&A partners Ralf Thaeter and Nico Abel.
Thomas will join from SJ Berwin where he has been head of its German real estate practice since 2008. He has extensive experience advising on a range of real estate matters including sales and acquisitions, lender financing, corporate real estate, real estate management, capital markets and planning and infrastructure. Clients include investment management companies, investment funds, asset managers and institutional real estate investors, both in Germany and internationally.
Ralf Thaeter who is leading the firm’s development in Germany, commented: “Hans Thomas Kessler is an outstanding real estate lawyer and his recruitment marks a further significant step in our plans. His expertise will be an integral element of our broader client offering and we look forward to working with him to develop over time a market leading real estate practice in Germany.”
Don Rowlands, partner and head of real estate, UK and EMEA, added: “Thomas will be a valuable addition to our European real estate team. His expertise across a range of real estate transactions for a diverse client base, in one of Europe’s most active real estate markets, will prove attractive to foreign investors looking to move into the German real estate market. We are very pleased to welcome Thomas to the firm.”
