Gowling WLG is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Annette Rickert LL.M. as a tax partner in our Frankfurt office. This appointment further enhances and complements our international tax, corporate and real estate practices.

Dr. Rickert is a highly regarded lawyer and certified tax advisor, bringing over a decade of experience advising private equity, international corporate clients, and funds on complex cross-border tax matters. Her expertise spans international tax structuring, tax due diligence, tax implications on management participation programmes, and tax litigation, making her a valuable addition to our growing team.

Prior to joining Gowling WLG, Dr. Rickert was with PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH WPG in different positions, where she led a team of tax associates and advised on high-profile international deals, including complex SPA tax negotiations. She has also held an important role over many years in the tax team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP consistently delivering strategic tax and legal advice to private equity clients and multinational corporate clients navigating challenging cross-border transactions.

Dr. Rickert holds a Doctor-degree (PhD equivalent) in tax law from the University of Hamburg, where she also completed her Master of Laws (LL.M.) and first state examination with a focus on tax law. She is a published author on topics including management participation and insolvency tax, and is recognised for her leadership in client service, team development, and thought leadership within the profession.

Commenting on her appointment, Annette said: "I am excited to join Gowling WLG's dynamic team and contribute to the firm's reputation for excellence in international tax matters and deals tax advisory. I look forward to working with colleagues across the firm to deliver innovative solutions for our clients."

Dr. Lars-Gerrit Luessmann, Co-Head of Germany at Gowling WLG, added: "We are delighted to welcome Dr. Rickert to our Frankfurt office. Her outstanding technical expertise and deep understanding of international deals tax matters will be invaluable as we continue to grow our presence in Germany and across Europe. Her areas of focus perfectly match our ambitions in fields such as corporate, capital markets and real estate and complement our offering in Germany. Annette's collaborative approach and commitment to client service as well as her open-minded personality align perfectly with our values at Gowling WLG."

Stuart Young, Head of Corporate, Finance and Tax at Gowling WLG, said: "We're thrilled to welcome Annette as we continue to strengthen our capabilities across Europe. Expanding our corporate practice is a key part of our growth strategy, and this addition reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional service and innovative solutions for clients in this dynamic market."

This latest recruitment, part of a wider strategy of expansion on an international level and growth in Germany will see a German practice consisting of 14 partners and nearly 40 lawyers in total as well as business services and staff. The Frankfurt office which has been opened for two years together with teams in Stuttgart and Munich, advises across corporate/M&A, capital markets, real estate, finance, dispute resolution, IP and employment. Gowling WLG has more than 1,500 legal professionals in 20 cities worldwide.

The Gowling WLG German team has been ranked in the 2026 edition of 'Best Law Firms™ – Germany', the 2025-26 edition of the JUVE Handbook and the 2025 edition of Chambers Global.