Graf von Westphalen, one of Germany's few leading independent German law firms with a nationwide practice, has taken another step in its professional, personnel and strategic growth.
The merger of GvW's Munich office with the law firm Nachmann Rechtsanwälte and Nachmann Insolvenzverwaltung will significantly strengthen GvW's focus on
commercial and bankruptcy law. At the same time, this move reflects GvW's systematic implementation of its expansion strategy.
Graf von Westphalen currently has more than 46 partners and over 60 associates. With Nachmann Rechtsanwälte, an additional 15 lawyers are joining the firm. Following the merger, GvW's Munich office will employ about 35 lawyers working in private and public commercial law. The size of the Munich office will double, markedly reinforcing the firm's market position in the Bavarian capital. With a total of about 130 attorneys, GvW now ranks among Germany's 20 largest law firms (including the German branches of international law firms), and is one of the country's top 10 German law firms.
For GvW's Managing Partners, Robert Theissen and Christof Kleinmann, the merger makes sense for several reasons.
Robert Theissen says: "The merger in Munich positions us among the major full-service firms in the local market. We are especially pleased about being able to strengthen our restructuring and bankruptcy group."
Christof Kleinmann adds: "Nachmann Rechtsanwälte will help us continue to expand our Germany-wide capabilities in such areas as litigation. On an international level, the firm's expertise in Italian and Eastern European law ideally complements our existing portfolio."
The Munich firm's founder, Josef Nachmann, also called the merger a great opportunity to tap additional potential and generate significant revenue growth in the future. By merging with GvW, Nachmann gains capabilities in previously uncovered legal areas, such as public law, M&A, private equity and finance. Major revenue-generating consulting areas such as real estate law as well as transactions and financing law will be expanded both in professional and geographic terms. In addition, the media and sport law group led by Thomas Summerer will provide fresh momentum and enhance the firm's overall media awareness. Finally, Nachmann Rechtsanwälte contributes extensive expertise in commercial liability law, litigation, restructuring and bankruptcy law. Nachmann's founder expects the merger to pay off particularly in these areas.
Nachmann said: "We are creating a powerful nationwide bankruptcy unit that will meet and accept the challenges for administrators posed by the reform of German insolvency law (called ESUG) that will take effect on Jan. 1st, 2012. At present, GvW's bankruptcy law practice group is represented in Berlin and at several offices in eastern and northern Germany. With my team, we will be able to expand the firm's presence in southern Germany from our Munich office. Nachmann Insolvenzverwaltung already has an office in Nuremberg."
Contacts:
Dr. Robert Theissen
Phone: +49 (40) 359 22-136
r.theissen@gvw.com
Christof Kleinmann
Phone: +49 (69) 800 8519-41
c.kleinmann@gvw.com
Josef Nachmann
Phone: +49 (89) 242 074100
nachmann@nachmann.com
Media contacts:
Marketing GvW:
Nicole-Christine Hoffmann
Phone: +49 (69) 800 8519-0
n.hoffmann@gvw.com
Marketing Nachmann Rechtsanwälte:
Gunita Kempe M. A.
Phone: +49 (89) 242 074100
kempe@nachmann.com