SECTOR FOCUS: LEGAL
Looking up: Pinsent Masons is opening an office in Düsseldorf. Inset: Richard Foley
Roundtable trip for local lawyers
Two Birmingham lawyers took part in a roundtable event on risk management in international export contracts organised by law firm Squire Patton Boggs (SPB) and held at the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade in Prague. They were Robert Norris and Ray
O’Connor, who specialise in major international projects and dispute resolution, particularly in the Middle East. Robert, a partner in the
Pinsent Masons’ second German office
corporate specialists to launch the office. The team comprises Dr Thorsten M. Volz, Dr. Sönke
L
Gödeke and Dr. Torsten Wielsch, who all join from KPMG’s German legal arm. Dr Volz, who has headed up KPMG's Energy and
Major Projects group in Germany since 2010 and led it through a period of significant growth, will be in charge of the new office and the firm’s German energy practice. The founding team is highly specialised in advising
on complex power plant projects, renewable energy and network infrastructure projects. Dr Gödeke formerly led the KPMG Hannover office.
The firm’s decision to launch a second office in Germany follows the success of its technology-focused practice in Munich in July 2012. Since opening in
aw firm Pinsent Masons is to open a second German office, in Düsseldorf. The firm has appointed a three-partner team of energy and
‘Our vision is to be recognised as an international market leader’
Germany, the firm has trebled in size. Düsseldorf will become its 21st office and bring the total number of partners at Pinsent Masons to more than 400. Richard Foley, senior partner at Pinsent Masons, said:
“Munich has been a real success story and the time is right to take the next step. “Our vision is to be recognised as an international
market leader in the global sectors in which we operate and the appointment of this team in Düsseldorf is another significant milestone on that journey.” Rainer Kreifels, who leads Pinsent Masons in
Germany and is a member of the firm’s global board, said: “Düsseldorf is an obvious progression for us given our global credentials and existing network of clients in the region.”
New team members
Law firm Freeths has added two experienced lawyers to its Birmingham team to complete a ‘one stop shop’ for real estate legal services. Perveen Akhter has joined the firm as a senior associate from SGH
Martineau. She will work with both public and private sector clients and specialises in non-contentious building procurement matters and renewable energy projects. And planning specialist Zoe Walker has been recruited from Gateley
Plc as an associate and will focus on planning, compulsory purchase and highways issues. Zoe spent nine years at Gateley and worked with a range of clients from large corporations to individuals. Richard Beverley, managing partner for Freeths in Birmingham, said:
“These appointments reaffirm our commitment to investing in the very best talent. Both Perveen and Zoe bring key expertise that will prove vital as Freeths develops its full service offer to real estate clients.” Perveen said: “I’m very happy to have joined Freeths, a firm with a
proven track record in the Birmingham market and across the UK. I’m excited to be part of a team offering something unique to our clients. Zoe added: “This is clearly an exciting time for the business with lots
of new people joining as well as the recent office move. I’m really looking forward to being a part of its future.” 2015 saw 15 new partners join across Freeths’ network of 11 offices – a
record for the company. In November, the Birmingham team relocated to state-of-the-art offices in Colmore Plaza in the heart of Birmingham’s business district.
One stop shop: Richard Beverley with Zoe Walker (centre) and Perveen Akhter
MARCH 2016 CHAMBERLINK 47
practice’s construction practice, and senior associate Ray both specialise in contentious and non- contentious aspects of engineering and construction dealing with major infrastructure, rail/light rail, civil engineering, energy, process plant and building sectors. The roundtable was opened by
Vladimír Bärtl, the deputy minister of industry and trade for the Czech Republic, together with Milan Ráž, director of export services at Czech Trade. Discussion focused on the use of English law in international contracts and how best to manage issues with, and disputes over, The event provided a rare
opportunity to hear views from SPB’specialist lawyers regarding the legal challenges facing Czech exporters across international borders, particularly the Middle East and China. The team also provided real life
examples and practical tips on how Czech businesses should structure contracts and how contractual disputes can be managed effectively, using both “traditional” and less “traditional” methods.
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