International law firm Gowling WLG takes the next steps in executing its growth strategy in Germany and welcomes Wolfram Paetzold as partner in the Frankfurt office to lead the firm's real estate offering across Germany.

As part of a wider strategy of expansion on an international level and growth in Germany, Wolfram joins the firm from Pinsent Masons, alongside previously announced partners Dr. Lars-Gerrit Luessmann and Ulrich Reers, responsible for the Gowling WLG corporate/capital markets team in Germany, and Michael Sinhart and Dr. Michael Lamsa, responsible for the corporate/M&A, PE and VC team in Germany.

Lars-Gerrit Luessmann (co-lead of Gowling WLG Germany), Ulrich Reers, Michael Sinhart (lead of Corporate Finance and Tax in Germany) and Michael Lamsa joined the firm in May to open the Frankfurt office. Upon Wolfram's arrival, and with corporate lead partner Dr Andreas Woelfle based in Stuttgart, the firm can now offer to its national and international clients a full range of corporate and real estate transactional support in Germany. Wolfram Paetzold led the German real estate practice at Pinsent Masons, and prior to this he was a partner at Linklaters and Poellath.

In building the right capabilities and capacities as an integrated part of Gowling WLG's international offering, the new partners are joined by an experienced team of senior lawyers and support staff. Counsels Micha Gersdorf (corporate/M&A), who was previously an associate at White & Case LLP, has joined the team, along with Melissa Bach (corporate/capital markets), previously of Clifford Chance and most recently Ashurst, and Dr. Kathrin Weber (corporate/M&A) previously of Weil Gotshal, who has joined from Baker McKenzie.

Wolfram Paetzold is joined by senior associate Jana Schneider (real estate), also previously of Pinsent Masons. The team is complemented by a group of highly qualified lawyers in the areas of corporate, M&A and capital markets.

The team in Frankfurt, which, as of 1 July 2023, accounts for 18 lawyers and staff, is based at the firm's newly opened office at Main Tower at the centre of the city's financial district. The new Frankfurt office is part of an integrated team in Germany, which includes Gowling WLG's existing capabilities in Stuttgart and Munich strengthening the firm's corporate and real estate transactions offering in the German market.

Commenting on his appointment, Wolfram Paetzold said: "I'm really pleased to have joined Gowling WLG to lead our real estate offering across Germany and help strengthen our international platform. The firm's vision to expand is exciting and I'm delighted to now be part of the excellent team we are building in Frankfurt."

Chris Hunt, Head of Real Estate at Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, added: "We have one of the world's strongest multi-disciplinary real estate legal teams and developing our European offering further is vital to our growth strategy. Welcoming Wolfram to the firm is a major milestone in our growth plans and we are delighted to have him leading our real estate practice in Germany."

Lars-Gerrit Luessmann, Co-Lead of Gowling WLG Germany, commented: "The German team is very excited about this next important step in our development. This development shows that the firm delivers on its earlier announcements of significant growth plans in Germany. Together with Wolfram, we will strive to develop the German practice – aligned with our teams in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia – to a full service market player with a strong focus on corporate and real estate transactions delivering a one firm ethos and a top client experience."

Dr. Daniel Perlzweig, Director of International Development at Gowling WLG, added: "We are really pleased to have our launch team in Frankfurt now in place and to have opened the new office. Establishing our presence in Frankfurt gives us strength across multiple practice areas and is the next stage of our plans to build our presence in Germany and our European offering. The office launch is an important step of executing our international strategy and it underscores the firm's commitment to developing its international platform, which currently includes offices in the UK, Canada, Continental Europe, the Middle East and Asia."

Gowling WLG is an international sector focussed law firm with more than 1,500 legal professionals worldwide in cities across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.