In its first European office opening since its 2016 merger, Gowling WLG has launched a second German outpost in Stuttgart.
The firm said it will relocate corporate partner Andreas Woelfle, along with counsel Petra Beyer to the new office, adding it that it plans to add a principal associate in the next few months.
While Gowlings’ existing office in Munich focuses on IP and IT, the new office will focus on corporate law including capital markets.
Woelfe said: ‘Stuttgart and the Baden-Wurttemberg region are home to some of our most outstanding clients in our key sectors such as automotive, technology and advanced manufacturing.’
The firm has recently added to its Paris tax team with the appointment of partner Julien Monsenego from Olswang, as well as Céline Bey, who was of counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills but joined as partner.
Other recent international expansion for the firm includes its Singapore tie-up with JurisAsia, an IP and corporate law specialist. JurisAsia is led by Sheena Jacob, a former head of IP at Bird & Bird.
In the City, Gowling lost its legacy Lawrence Graham private client team earlier this month to Mayfair firm Forsters. The four partner team including private client head Anthony Thompson, as well as Catharine Bell, Nicholas Jacob and Daniel Ugur.
Legacy firm Lawrence Graham was well known for its private client expertise, with the contentious trusts and probate team, led by Bell, ranked in tier two of The Legal 500. Andrew Witts, now chairman of the combined firm, is also recommended ‘for his experience of running large, complex multijurisdictional fraud and trust disputes in offshore jurisdictions.’ Clients of the team include New World Trust Company and Jersey Trust Company.
In a statement, chief executive David Fennell said: ‘The move by our London private client practice to Forsters is the right one for both the team and Gowling WLG. We had been in discussions with the team for some time, but have agreed that there is no longer a strong strategic fit with the firm’s ambitions.
victoria.young@legalease.co.uk
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