Noted German corporate lawyer Karl Walter has joined global law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P., along with lawyers Manfred Baumbach and Louis Wakatsuki. The additions bolster the firm’s European corporate and mergers and acquisitions practice.
“Squire Sanders’ corporate practice has a uniquely broad global position spanning 15 countries across Europe, the Americas and Asia, and this seasoned team provides even greater depth of capability on the ground in Germany,” said Dynda A. Thomas, who leads the firm’s global corporate and corporate finance practice. “These lawyers have extensive experience advising multinational companies, export-driven German “Mittelstand” companies and a growing roster of Japan-based multinational companies doing business in Germany.”
Walter said Squire Sanders’ global outreach as a truly international firm, its particular strength in advising clients on cross-border transactions and its strong presence in Tokyo are the major reasons he and his colleagues joined the firm.
Squire Sanders has an impressive track record supporting clients worldwide. In the first half of 2009, Thomson Reuters ranks Squire Sanders #2 in completed US M&A deals and #6 worldwide. Walter commented: “Our clients will have access to seasoned corporate lawyers in key markets across Europe, Asia, the United States and Latin America, and our Japan-based clients will benefit from the additional support in Japan.”
Thomas Busching, managing partner of the Frankfurt office, said the new team adds to the firm’s current practice capabilities in corporate and mergers and acquisitions, labor, real estate, finance and tax law.
“Our corporate and corporate finance practice is even better positioned to handle more of our clients’ large and complex transactions,” Busching said. “In addition to his skills in domestic and cross-border transactions, Walter has extensive experience advising companies on corporate restructurings, a growing need for clients coping with the global financial crisis. Baumbach’s capital markets expertise meshes well with Frankfurt’s financial services and corporate finance capabilities. And Wakatsuki’s client focus positions our firm among the few in Germany with a deep understanding of Japan-based companies, an important resource given Germany and Japan’s growing economic relationship.”
The new Frankfurt lawyers are profiled below:
- Karl Maria Walter is experienced in German corporate, commercial and competition law, particularly cross-border transactions, mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and dispute resolution. He advises multinational companies, German “Mittelstand” companies and Japan-based clients doing business in Germany. He has specific experience in the chemical, electronics, renewable energy, medical technology and information technology industries.
- Manfred Baumbach is a corporate lawyer with significant experience in banking, securities, capital markets and structured finance. He advises Germany-based and multinational companies on M&A transactions, corporate governance and compliance matters. Baumbach regularly advises clients on public company regulations, securities issues and capital markets. He also has experience in the financial services and information technology industries.
- Louis Wakatsuki focuses his practice on Japan-based clients doing business in Germany. He advises clients on corporate and commercial law, restructuring, employment and labor law, dispute resolution and relocation matters. He regularly lectures on legal and cultural challenges for companies in Germany with interests in Japan and the challenges that Japan-owned businesses face in Germany.
About Squire Sanders: Founded in 1890, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. has lawyers in 32 offices and 15 countries around the world. With one of the strongest integrated global platforms and a longstanding one-firm philosophy, Squire Sanders provides seamless legal counsel worldwide.
Contact:
Drez Jennings
Media Relations Manager
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
+1.216.802.7301
djennings@squirepb.com