Allen & Overy (A&O) is to launch a new office in Duesseldorf after securing the hire of former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer local chief Thomas Austmann.
Austmann, who was managing partner of Freshfields’ Duesseldorf arm from 2003 to 2006, left the magic circle firm on 31 March. He joins A&O's German arm in October to spearhead the new operation.
The Duesseldorf branch will become A&O’s fourth office in the jurisdiction, joining offices in Frankfurt, Hamburg and Mannheim. The magic circle firm has pledged to make further hires in Duesseldorf in the run-up to the launch.
The move is the latest bid by the City giant to boost its international presence. Last month A&O opened an office in Abu Dhabi after hiring two partners from City rival Simmons & Simmons. That followed news of a tie-up with Riyadh practice Abdulaziz Al Gasim Law Firm in May, which gave A&O a presence in Saudi Arabia.
Commenting on the new office, A&O German senior partner Neil George Weiand said: “The expansion of our German practice remains a key priority in our international strategy.”
