US-based law firm Goodwin Procter planted a flag in Frankfurt, its first in Germany, after recruiting four private equity and real estate lawyers from rival firm Ashurst.
Spearheading Goodwin’s new Frankfurt office is Stephan Kock, a real estate capital lawyer who led Ashurst’s German international finance department for eight years; Peter Junghänel, another real estate lawyer who served as managing partner of Ashurst’s German offices from 2009 to 2013; Marc Bohne, a third real estate lawyer who specializes in acquisitions; and Lars Jessen, a private equity specialist.
The office opening is “the latest step in [Goodwin’s] growth strategy,” said in a statement Goodwin chairman David Hashmall.
In addition to Frankfurt, the firm has offices in Boston, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Washington DC.
A number of US corporate law firms have recently expanded into Europe and Asia in response to private equity and other clients demanding legal services with an international touch. As deals and fundraisings become increasingly global, private fund managers are seeking law firms able to seamlessly facilitate the work on a cross-border basis.
“As we deepen and broaden our London real estate capital markets and private equity practices, it is important that we continue to meet our clients’ European needs,” said Goodwin’s London chair, David Evans.
In response to increased US competition on home soil, European law firms have also recently expanded their geographical footprint, the most recent high-profile example being the tie up between SJ Berwin with King & Wood Mallesons, which gave the combined entity a strong presence in both Europe and Asia.
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