Partners leave German arms of a string of UK top firms

SJ Berwin has lost its Frankfurt head of corporate as a raft of other international law firms, including Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, see German partner departures.

Michael Roos, who joined SJ Berwin in 2000, left the top 20 law firm to set up his own boutique - RoosLegal - from the start of this month. He has been replaced as local corporate head by Frankfurt M&A partner Julian Lemor.

Commenting on the departure, Frankfurt managing partner Ruediger Knopf said: "The move was Michael's personal decision and all the preparations were made already last year. He is a great guy and he was an important partner in building up our corporate department."

News of the departure came as Clifford Chance (CC) Munich-based real estate partner Frank Stellmann announced that he will leave the magic circle law firm to join German independent Goerg next month (1 June). He has been a partner with CC since 1997, having first joined the law firm in 1993.

Meanwhile, Freshfields veteran Duesseldorf-based corporate partner Ulrich von Schoenfeld announced his departure to join Cologne independent Loschelder on 1 May. Schoenfeld had worked in the Duesseldorf office of legacy law firm Bruckhaus Kreifels Winkhaus &
Lieberknecht since 1983. The firm merged with Freshfields in 2000.

In addition, Kirkland & Ellis saw the departure of a three-lawyer private equity team in Munich. Private equity and M&A partner Ivo Posluschny left the firm at the end of last month along with two associates to join US rival firm Jones Day.

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