Hogan & Hartson's Berlin office splinters ahead of merger with Lovells

As the 1 May launch date for mega firm Hogan Lovells draws closer, Hogan & Hartson's Berlin office has split in two. Eighteen partners have decided to break away to set up their own firm rather than being absorbed into the merged Hogan Lovells. The new firm, Raue, will launch on the very day as the Hogan Lovells merger, and will have an 18-strong partners supported by 22 other lawyers. Christoph Wagner, who is set to become the managing partner of the Berlin office, said: "We wish every success to our long-term friends and partners who are now choosing another professional future. Our close friendships will not be affected by this professional separation." Hogan & Hartson's Warsaw office has also opted out of the merger, and joined with K&L Gates last month. The founding partners of Raue are: Peter Raue Max Braeuer Wolfgang Kuhla Hans Seiler Georg Miggel Gernod Meinel Kornelius Kleinlein Carl-Stephan Schweer Jan Hegemann Justus Schmidt-Ott Christian von Hammerstein Andreas Nelle Friedrich Tobias Schoene Klaus Goecke Markus Plesser Judith Heyn Sascha Herms Annette Christine Feissel Stephan Bernhard Koch Wolfram Hertel

Hogan & Hartson's Berlin office splinters ahead of merger with Lovells legalweek.com Tue, Mar 23, 2010