Norton Rose Fulbright opens Düsseldorf office and expands M&A practice

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright is strengthening its German corporate/M&A practice with nine hires from Eversheds-Sutherland, Allen & Overy, Pinsent Masons and Freshfields. 

An experienced and highly regarded corporate/M&A team from Eversheds Sutherland, including Munich partners Dr Michael Prüßner and Sven Schweneke and Düsseldorf partner Dr Maximilian Findeisen, will join Norton Rose Fulbright. The exact starting date of the team from Eversheds Sutherland is yet to be confirmed. The team will be complemented in Düsseldorf by partner Anne Fischer from Allen & Overy and associates Justus Pauls and Maximilian Spitzhorn-Stork, and in Munich by counsels Marina Arntzen and Benjamin Schikora and associate Dr Hanna Frahm. 

Anne Fischer and soon Dr Maximilian Findeisen will jointly open and lead Norton Rose Fulbright's new office in Düsseldorf.

Dr Michael Prüßner is widely regarded as one of the leading transactional lawyers in Germany. His practice focuses on advising companies and private equity firms on national and international M&A transactions. He has a particular focus on the automotive, consumer goods and technology sectors. Prüßner was previously co-head of the corporate/M&A practice group at Eversheds Sutherland in Germany. 

Dr Maximilian Findeisen is one of the leading corporate/M&A lawyers in Germany. He advises German and international companies and investors on complex M&A transactions as well as on corporate law and corporate governance issues. His particular sector focus is on pharmaceuticals, energy and mobility as well as manufacturing. Findeisen previously co-headed Eversheds Sutherland's Düsseldorf office.

Sven Schweneke focuses on complex national and cross-border private equity and M&A transactions and is regarded as one of the top M&A lawyers in Germany. Schweneke previously led the German private equity team at Eversheds Sutherland.

Anne Fischer is a proven transaction specialist for the insurance sector. She advises German and international insurance and reinsurance companies on national and cross-border transactions, including regulatory aspects. Anne also focuses on digital transformation of the insurance sector and she advises both InsurTechs and established companies. Her work also includes complex distribution cooperations, regulatory and intermediary law issues as well as occupational pension law.

Marina Arntzen has many years of experience as a transactional lawyer in the field of corporate/M&A with a particular focus on private equity and warranty & indemnity insurance. She advises German and foreign clients on national and international transactions as well as on corporate law issues. She focuses in particular on the automotive and technology sector.

Benjamin Schikora advises national and international companies as well as private equity firms with proven expertise in the areas of M&A, corporate and commercial. His particular focus is on national and international transactions, especially in the technology, automotive and consumer sectors.

Dr. Stefan Feuerriegel, head of Germany, Norton Rose Fulbright, commented: "With the opening of our Düsseldorf office lead by Anne Fischer and soon also Max Findeisen, we are underlining our ambitions as a leading M&A firm in Germany. At the same time, with Michael Prüßner and Sven Schweneke, who will work from the Munich office, we will be gaining highly experienced transaction lawyers with an outstanding reputation. We will continue to accelerate our growth trajectory with a clear focus on mobility, pharmaceuticals, real estate, energy and insurance. Opening an office in Düsseldorf was therefore only the logical consequence of our growth ambitions in the sectors we have identified."

Peter Scott, managing partner, Norton Rose Fulbright, Europe, Middle East and Asia, commented: “We have long held ambitions to expand our outstanding German practice and our new Düsseldorf office marks another exciting and significant step in our growth trajectory. I look forward to working with our new colleagues in Düsseldorf and Munich to build out our capabilities and exceptional client offering.”

Anne Fischer commented: "I am delighted to be able to help drive the growth of Norton Rose Fulbright's corporate/M&A practice in Germany and in Düsseldorf in particular. Norton Rose Fulbright has all the right ingredients to further expand its corporate insurance practice, with its outstanding sector experience and international platform.”

Dr Maximilian Findeisen commented: "Opening and establishing an office in Düsseldorf and integrating it into the global firm will be an exciting challenge that I am very happy to tackle together with Anne Fischer in the near future. Norton Rose Fulbright's strong international experience in mobility, life science and energy aligns perfectly with my sector focus and will continue to grow significantly in importance for our clients in the coming years.”

Dr Michael Prüßner: "Norton Rose Fulbright has clear strategy and focus on corporate/M&A. A compelling international network with a strong presence in North America as well as a focus on the mobility sector are of outstanding importance for me and especially for my clients. Even after 20 years, Norton Rose Fulbright's growth potential is still impressive and I am excited to be a part of it with our great team soon."

Sven Schweneke commented: "Norton Rose Fulbright has successfully grown its private equity practice both nationally and internationally in recent years. I am delighted to become part of this success story in the near future and to offer my clients a great international platform with outstanding colleagues in a wide range of legal areas."

Marina Arntzen commented: "It is an exciting role to be able to continue to grow Norton Rose Fulbright's Corporate/M&A practice as part of this dynamic and excellent team."

Benjamin Schikora commented: "Norton Rose Fulbright has a reputation of practical legal advice at the highest level. I am excited to continue this approach in the growth-focused corporate/M&A practice and as part of a global team."

For over 20 years, Norton Rose Fulbright in Germany has provided the full range of legal services to national and international clients, including corporations, financial institutions and private equity firms, as well as German small and medium-sized businesses. From its offices in Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf, the firm advises clients in Germany and around the world on complex transactions, projects and disputes.