Former Linklaters Germany chief quits firm to set up consultancy

Linklaters' former Germany managing partner Markus Hartung is leaving to set up his own consultancy firm.

Hartung managed the magic circle firm's German operations from 2001 until January last year when he returned to full-time fee earning in the litigation and arbitration department.

Hartung, who led Oppenhoff & Raedler into its 2001 merger with Linklaters, stood unopposed in 2003 for a second term as Linklaters' German head despite the turbulence surrounding the protracted tie-up.

The legacy firm shrunk by a third as a result of the merger, and during his tenure Hartung worked to integrate the firm's partners into Linklaters' global network, while also easing out fee earners with unprofitable or incompatible practices.

Linklaters did not replace Hartung in the managing partner role last year, as the firm had appointed Michael Lappe to the senior partner role in 2004 and Wolfgang Weiss to a new role of German head of management in 2007.

Commenting on his decision to leave, Hartung said that he had achieved his aim of establishing Linklaters as a top-tier player in the German market, and that he longer had the drive to build up a litigation practice to the standard that he would expect of a Linklaters partner.

Hartung's consultancy business, which he will run alongside a career in lecturing in professional services management, will focus on development of law firm strategy as well as conflict management.

He said: "There is a great need for some German law firms to obtain strategy advice from someone who has experience in turning around a practice to reach the top tier. But introducing strategic changes always goes hand in hand with partner conflicts. My selling point is that I have deep experience in both of these areas."

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