3 November 2004 LAWFUEL – Law firm, law, legal, attorney news DLA has further expanded its Cologne office with the appointment of corporate partner Dr. Martin Schulte. Martin is currently a partner in the Düsseldorf office of Clifford Chance where he started his career in 1993 and has been a partner since 1999.
Martin is an experienced corporate lawyer with a focus on M&A and joint venture work. In recent years he has developed particular expertise advising clients in the energy and computer, media and telecoms sectors. He also provides ongoing advice on corporate and contractual matters to many German and international companies. Martin is dually qualified in Germany and the US and is a board member of the German-American Lawyers’ Association where he also serves as secretary to the Association’s M&A section.
This is a further significant appointment for DLA’s Cologne office, which opened in September. Martin will work in the corporate department alongside Ulrich Jüngst, DLA’s Regional Managing Partner for Germany. The announcement that Martin is to join DLA coincides with the official opening of DLA’s new office in Hamburg where former GÖRG partners Klaus von Gierke, Volker von Alvensleben und Frank Weberndörfer have joined with seven associates.
Just two months after its start, DLA Germany now has an established capability in Corporate, Employment, PFI, IP and Media. Further partners and associates with expertise in Employment, IT, Real Estate and General Commercial will join the Cologne office shortly.
Developing a presence in Germany has always been part of DLA’s vision and the firm plans to expand across the country by establishing offices in other key cities in order to enhance the services it is able to offer to German and international clients with interests in the country. DLA is in discussions with a number of lawyers in other key cities.
Martin Schulte is expected to officially join DLA’s Cologne office later this month.
Martin said:
“I am excited to be joining DLA soon in my home town, Cologne. I have followed the firm’s history of ambition, success and international expansion over the past years and look forward to contributing to building a premier corporate practice in Germany. DLA’s international and, very soon, truly global reach and strength in all areas of law relevant to business is indeed an important plus for our German practice and will be instrumental in further expanding our client-base in the German market.”
Nigel Knowles, Managing Partner, DLA LLP, said:
“I am very pleased to see our young Cologne office strengthened by a corporate partner of Martin’s calibre and background. This is a further important step in building a first-class practice in Germany which is a key jurisdiction for us in pursuing our strategy of building a top-five full-service practice in Europe … and, indeed, beyond. I am sure that Martin will make an important contribution towards this goal.”
Alastair Da Costa, DLA’s Head of Corporate made this comment: “Assisting our clients not just now, but again and again, is key to our approach to client relationships. Having Martin on board, we will be even better equipped to help our clients, German and international, both in the important day-to-day issues of corporate law and in cross-border headline deals such as corporate acquisitions or joint ventures.”
Ulrich Jüngst, Regional Managing Partner, DLA in Germany, added:
‘Martin’s appointment as a corporate partner in our Cologne office shows how attractive a proposition DLA already is for partners at the most prestigious of Germany’s established firms. It is a vote of confidence in our success in the German market and the firm’s international strategy. With Martin joining us, we now have full firing power to attract German and international clients and to work on transactions of all sizes. I am looking forward to working with Martin soon.”
ENDS
For further information:
Henny Valder, Media Relations, DLA LLP, Tel: +44 (0)20 7153 7131
Notes to editors:
1. DLA LLP provides a range of legal and business advice
through its offices in Europe and Asia. DLA also has a reputation for being progressive and innovative in the way it relates both to its people and its clients. The firm is ranked seventh in the UK’s top 10 league table and is also one of the top 10 law firms in Europe (by turnover, source: The Lawyer 100 and Legal Business 100, 2004).
2. DLA LLP is part of DLA Group, the exclusive association of
full service law firms with a shared vision. Established in 1999, DLA Group now has over 2,350 lawyers across 22 countries, who deliver expert local know-how and integrated international solutions.
3. Recent awards presented to DLA include:
‘Mould Breaking Firm’ at the MPF 2004 European Practice Awards; The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies To Work For, 2004 for the fourth year running; FT Best Workplaces in the UK and EU 2004 for the second year running; HR Excellence Awards ‘Most Effective Benefits Programme’, 2004; Law Firm of the Year from The Lawyer Awards 2002; and Investor in People accreditation.
For further information about our firm and services, please visit our
website: www.dla.com.
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