Ashurst strengthens Munich office with a double move

In the wake of several departures, Ashurst is making a significant comeback in its Munich office, securing two high-profile lateral hires. Stefan Bruder (42, pictured left), formerly a partner at Clifford Chance, and Marina Arntzen (40, pictured right), who joins from Norton Rose as Counsel, both step into Ashurst as equity partners, marking a generational shift in the corporate practice.

Bruder commenced his career at Clifford in 2010, rising to Counsel in 2017 and Partner in 2019. Specializing in M&A transactions, joint ventures, and public takeovers, he played a pivotal role in a joint venture deal involving investment manager Tristan and consulting firm Lübke & Kelber, facilitating the acquisition of a €240 million real estate portfolio in Leipzig. In a testament to the interconnected world of legal professionals, Bruder found himself on the opposing side of his future colleagues in a recent transaction. An Ashurst team, led by Matthias von Oppen, advised Commerzbank on the majority acquisition of Aquila Capital Investmentgesellschaft (ACI), with Clifford partner Bruder representing the opposing party.

Arntzen, previously with Pinsent Masons and most recently Senior Associate at Norton Rose Fulbright, brings her expertise in M&A and private equity transactions to Ashurst. She notably contributed to the team overseeing US investor 777 Partners’ majority acquisition of Hertha BSC Berlin football club last year.

These additions mark a substantial reinforcement for Ashurst’s Munich office, particularly in the corporate practice. Recent departures, including the head of the insolvency practice Alexander Ballmann and finance partner Matthias Weissinger, prompted a strategic repositioning. The current Munich corporate practice comprises Partner Dr. Thomas Sacher (65), a Counsel, and two Associates. While Dr. Alexander Duisberg is counted as a corporate partner, he primarily specializes in IT law.