Ashurst has strengthened its Germany practice with two senior partner hires in infrastructure M&A and private equity from rivals Linklaters and Goodwin Procter.
Sebastian Daub was Linklaters’ global co-head of infrastructure, focused on infrastructure M&A, but will be joining Ashurst’s Frankfurt office as one of the five-partner-strong infrastructure focus group, with the company describing it as a key area globally and regionally with a focus on digital infrastructure, renewable energies and transport.
Finance infrastructure partner Derk Opitz said that with the appointment of Daub, Ashurst can “significantly expand its advisory spectrum and client base in Germany” as well as covering large greenfield developments and cross-border M&A projects or complex financing.
Daub is joining alongside newly appointed partner Sascha Arnold. Arnold was a Freshfields counsel and will lead Ashurst’s public law/regulatory practice in Germany.
Goodwin Hire
Meanwhile, Florian Hirschmann, who moves from Goodwin, will be head of private equity Germany based in Ashurst’s Munich office. Hirschmann started his career as partner at White & Case, later working at DLA Piper and Reed Smith before moving to Goodwin’s Frankfurt office in 2022.
Hirschmann advises private equity and strategic investors on complex transactions and is known for his expertise in transactions in China and Asia.
“The firm’s positioning in Germany and Europe, particularly in the area of M&A and corporate law, as well as its strong focus on banking and finance, provide an excellent platform for my expertise,” Hirschmann said.
