McDermott, Will & Emery to Establish German Office
CHICAGO — The international law firm of McDermott Will & Emery today announced the opening of its first German office in Munich. The new office, which will open on January 2, 2002, is an important strategic move that establishes McDermott Will & Emery’s position in continental Europe. Founding the office are five partners from the German firm of BBLP Beiten Burkhardt Mittl & Wegener. Adding a physical German presence expands upon McDermott's already considerable services to the German market and companies with interests therein and advances the Firm’s substantial international capabilities.
Christian von Sydow and Ralf Weisser will launch the Munich office. With a particular focus on corporate, M&A, taxation, media and telecommunications, the founding partners have a broad range of international experience in regard to corporate and commercial matters.
"Opening a well rounded German office is a key aspect of our international business strategy," said Larry Gerber, Firm Chairman. "The team of German lawyers launching this office come to us with excellent legal skills, strong business acumen and great enthusiasm. We are very pleased to open our first office in Germany with such a strong and well integrated group."
"McDermott presented us with a tremendous opportunity to take the lead in establishing their continental European presence," commented Jörg Kretschmer. "We look forward to integrating our German and international practices into the McDermott environment, which is founded on the highest of standards and commitment to clients," added Christian von Sydow.
The Firm, and in particular, its international corporate practice based in New York, has been advising European clients for many years in cross-border M&A, joint ventures, capital markets transactions and the full range of commercial legal services. The Firm also advises its U.S. clients regularly with respect to European matters.
"We are very excited to bring the experience and credentials of our Munich team to the many major German companies we currently represent. Likewise, our U.S. and London-based clients with interests in continental Europe will benefit from our newest office," commented Thomas Sauermilch, who is co-head with Christoph Lange of the Firm's German practice in the United States.
Founding partners
Mr. Christian von Sydow’s practice includes corporate law, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital. He advised on the first merger of two companies listed on Neuer Markt, after having counseled on the IPO of one of them. He attended the Universities of Heidelberg and Freiburg, and was admitted to the German bar in 1991.
Dr. Ralf Weisser focuses his practice on media/television and telecommunications. Previously, he led the legal department of DF1, the first German digital television platform. Ralf Weisser attended the University of Konstanz and received his LL.M. at Duke University Law School. He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1992 and the German Bar in 1993.
