DWF opens in Berlin as third German office

Legal business DWF is to open a third German office in Berlin on 3 April 2017.

DWF, which also has a substantial Scottish presence, already operates in Cologne and Munich, and plans to use the new office to strengthen its financial services, real estate and corporate/M&A service lines.

Partner Wolfgang Richter, who joined DWF Germany following a merger last year, will head the new Berlin office as 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, which has decided to close its Berlin office.

Andrew Leaitherland, managing partner and CEO of DWF, commented: "As a firm we have a continued focus on identifying growth opportunities that reflect both the direction of our business and our growing international outlook, as well as the priorities of our client base. 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, added: "The city has become the digitalisation capital of Germany, with a thriving fintech and international startup business scene that is a natural fit for our expertise and will be key as we build our German and international client base."