Latham continues draining Clifford PE bench

Latham & Watkins has added Clifford Chance private equity star Oliver Felsenstein along with partner Burc Hesse to its corporate practice in Germany. They will both be based in the Frankfurt office.

Felsenstein joins Latham after just being named co-head of corporate advisory in Clifford Chance’s German office in August 2014 alongside London-based partner Jonny Myers, replacing Peter Dieners. Felsenstein, who served as a partner at Clifford Chance since 2006, was expected to stay in the role for four years. Myers will now handle the position solo, a spokesperson for Clifford Chance told pfm.

Felsenstein and Hesse joined Clifford Chance together 2005 from Lovells. They both advise on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on complex private equity transactions. They have experience in industries such as automotive, real estate, retail and technology.

“Their expertise and deep market knowledge complements our practice and they will add vast experience to our already strong German and European team,” said Dirk Oberbracht, managing partner of the Latham’s Frankfurt office in a statement.

The hires of Felsenstein and Hesse continue the trend of Clifford Chance private equity lawyers defecting for Latham. In March, Latham grabbed the UK magic circle firm’s London partner and Africa co-head Kem Ihenacho. His departure followed the exit of former private equity head David Walker and M&A star Tom Evans who both left for Latham in 2013.