Graf von Westphalen continues to pick up the pace in Düsseldorf

Dr. Thomas Senff, an expert in real-estate and construction law, has joined the ranks of lawyers being hired by Graf von Westphalen’s new office in Düsseldorf. The 43-year-old Senff came to the firm in March after giving up his position as partner at Mütze Korsch in Düsseldorf.

In hiring Senff, Graf von Westphalen has gained an expert in real estate and construction law who has years of experience in providing legal advice to major construction projects. In addition, Senff is a driving force behind a successful series of conferences called the “Düsseldorf Construction Symposium” – a popular discussion forum for plant engineering, the construction industry and small and midsized enterprises that Senff initiated in 2009 with Hill International, an international claim manager for major projects.

For years, Senff has focused his legal advisory work on property and commercial rental law. In December 2011, he served as an editor of the second edition of the English-language guide “Real Estate Investments in Germany.” The book, published by Springer Verlag, is written by real estate experts to assist international investors.

“The business concept of Graf von Westphalen won me over at once,” Senff said in explaining his reasons for joining the firm. “I intend to use my experience to create a strong construction and real estate practice at the new office in Düsseldorf.”

Dr. Robert Theissen, Co-Managing Partner of Graf von Westphalen, said of the latest step in the law firm’s expansion: “It is really good to see the new office coming together right on schedule. An ‘infant’ office in a city like Düsseldorf definitely has to provide legal services in commercially relevant areas. We have really succeeded in doing this with the hiring of Mr. Senff to serve as a highly respected expert for construction and real estate law.”

Senff will also play a strategic role in the Chinese legal work that Graf von Westphalen does. For years, he has been advising Chinese companies about their investments in Germany. Senff has also shared his expertise during visits to China, including a trip to Shanghai, where he introduced attorney colleagues of the Shanghai Bar Association and professors at Fudan University to the special features of German real estate law.

Christof Kleinmann, the other Co-Managing Partner, also pointed to Mr. Senff’s knowledge of China: “Thanks to Messrs. Senff and Hiort, our new office in Düsseldorf will be staffed from the very start with two proven experts on the Chinese market. They will complement and expand the exceptional knowledge about China that our law firm already has.”