Simmons & Simmons capitalizes on Goodwin Frankfurt closure with four-partner hire

Simmons & Simmons has recruited four real estate partners from Goodwin‘s Frankfurt before the office shuts down at year’s end. The new additions include deal specialists Marc Bohne and Moritz Vettermann, along with tax and structuring expert Felix Krüger and finance specialist Jochen Schnepper (ALL PICTURED, LEFT TO RIGHT). They will become partners at Simmons’ Frankfurt location, bringing their team of junior lawyers with them. Bohne previously served as chair of Goodwin’s Frankfurt office after joining in 2016 as part of a group move from Ashurst to establish the location.

The new team brings the firm’s global real estate practice to approximately 75 attorneys and represents substantial growth for its Frankfurt presence, increasing to 17 partners.

This group has established market recognition for prominent corporate and private equity real estate deals, having advised clients such as 777 Capital, Tikehau Capital, and Castlelake. Thomas Scharfenberg, Simmons’ Germany head, described the recruitment as strategically crucial for Germany and particularly for Frankfurt office, expanding the robust expertise foundation they provide as a firm, both nationally and globally.

These appointments represent Simmons’ continued expansion in European property law, following last month’s recruitment of partner Michaël Lévy from Hogan Lovells to their Paris practice, along with Laure Nguyen who was promoted to partner upon joining.

In June, Goodwin announced its decision to wind down its German property team, resulting in the office closure this fall and leaving only the Munich office launched in 2022 for private equity work as their remaining German presence. This closure occurs during turbulent times for international law firms in Germany, with Dechert and Cleary also departing Frankfurt and Pinsent Masons reducing German staffing while other firms grow their presence. From early last year onward, Kirkland & Ellis established Frankfurt operations; DLA Piper launched a fifth German office in Dusseldorf; and both Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Greenberg Traurig opened Munich practices.