DWF to launch Berlin office

Legal business DWF has announced plans to open an office in Berlin in order to strengthen its financial services, real estate and corporate/M&A service lines and continue expanding its European footprint. The office will open 3 April 2017.

Partner Dr Wolfgang Richter, who joined DWF Germany following the firm’s 2016 merger with German commercial law firm BridgehouseLaw, will head the new Berlin office in the role of executive partner. The office, which will initially launch with eight lawyers, includes two additional partners, financial services lawyer Dr Nina Siedler and real estate lawyer Irene Schmid from DLA Piper who have decided to close their Berlin office.

Establishing a presence in Berlin will allow DWF to enhance its existing capability in Germany, where the firm currently has offices in Cologne and Munich, particularly in the financial services sector where the firm has a growing specialism in fintech.

Andrew Leaitherland, managing partner and CEO of DWF, said: “Opening in Berlin presents a strategic opportunity in its own right, offering significant opportunities in the financial services and real estate markets, along with being a key piece of our wider international growth plans.”

Michael Falter, managing partner of DWF Germany, said: “Having spent the last year focusing on the strategic growth of our Cologne and Munich offices, including the development of a strong technology sector practice, DWF is in a good position to take advantage of the opportunities presented in the Berlin market.

“The city has become the digitilisation capital of Germany, with a thriving fintech and international start-up business scene that is a natural fit for our expertise and will be key as we build our German and international client base.”