Simmons snaps up Kaiser as it marks out ambitions

GERMANY: City firm eyes Dsseldorf and Frankfurt

City firm Simmons & Simmons has made its first foray into Germany by swallowing seven-lawyer Dsseldorf corporate practice Kaiser.

Simmons partner Miles Alexander said the firm plans to open in Frankfurt by the end of the year and also in other German cities.

He said: 'One has seen all the major firms entering into relationships with equally large firms and already one is seeing some fall-out in the employment market.

So it's quite a good time to be developing a practice.' Mr Alexander said the office will start small and grow rapidly, as the firm has done in other European cities.

But a large merger in Frankfurt is 'pretty unlikely', he said.

'We have a number of options already on the table but it's a market that is moving and developing.

One has to be opportunistic about it.' Sole principal Gerhard Kaiser joined Simmons as a full equity partner this week after a full partnership vote before Christmas.

The other six lawyers will be employees of Simmons & Simmons Kaiser in Germany.

Simmons is also planning to relocate a London-based corporate finance partner to Dsseldorf at the end of February.

Simmons has had a non-exclusive relationship with Kaiser for a year, and worked together advising GTP Holdings on its acquisition of Diners Club franchises.

Mr Alexander said Simmons will continue to refer work to other German firms.

Anne Mizzi