Allen & Overy bolsters Frankfurt office

City giant Allen & Overy (A&O) has almost doubled the number of partners it has in Germany by taking eight from local firm Schilling Zutt & Anschtz.It is understood that the other half of Schilling's partnership is joining US firm Shearman & Sterling as the German firm breaks up.Stephen Denyer, A&O's regional managing partner for Europe, said his firm was originally in talks with Schilling, along with Shearmans and other firms, but over the past year the two blocks of partners developed.A&O's Frankfurt office now has 18 partners, 11 of whom do corporate work, and around 40 other fee-earners.

Mr Denyer said the office had begun life with a finance emphasis -- which is what the remaining seven partners specialise in -- and the recruits were intended to redress the corporate law balance.

Mr Denyer said A&O had plans for 'significant growth', which would be achieved mainly through organic growth and lateral hires.

'I wouldn't rule out a big merger,' he added, 'but it's not our primary focus.' Neil Rose