Record appointments: Linklaters names nine new Counsels in Germany

According to German Senior Partner Staffan Illert, the appointments reflect both individual excellence and the firm’s growing involvement in complex cross-border mandates: “The new Counsel have consistently demonstrated outstanding performance and represent our strength in handling sophisticated international matters. The breadth of practice areas also highlights the strong career development opportunities at Linklaters, including for our Knowledge Lawyers, who make a significant contribution to our overall success.”

These promotions are part of a broader global round, with Linklaters appointing a total of 52 Counsel worldwide as of 1 May 2026. The firm had also recently strengthened its partnership, electing five new partners in Germany and 37 globally.

Broad expertise across key practice areas

The newly promoted Counsel reflect the full spectrum of the firm’s advisory capabilities in Germany:

• Tax: Thomas Bernard focuses on complex domestic and cross-border tax matters, particularly in M&A, private equity and restructuring transactions. He advises across the full transaction lifecycle, including structuring, post-acquisition reorganisations and financial restructurings.

• Disputes & Knowledge: Mirjam Erb specialises in dispute resolution, with a strong focus on collective redress, ESG disputes and international private law. As a Knowledge Lawyer, she plays a key role in client-facing thought leadership and legal developments monitoring.

• Corporate / Capital Markets (US): John Hunt brings extensive experience in international capital markets transactions, including equity and debt offerings, with particular expertise in US-related listings and securities law.

• Restructuring & Knowledge: Dr. Julia Leitsch focuses on syndicated lending, refinancing and complex cross-border restructurings and insolvencies, while also leading knowledge management initiatives within the practice.

• Financial Regulation: Pascal Mildahn advises on insurance and banking regulatory law, with notable experience in M&A transactions, run-off deals, governance and compliance.

• Employment: Dr. Luca Rawe specialises in employment law aspects of M&A transactions, post-merger integration and executive matters, with a particular focus on pension schemes and de-risking strategies.

• Capital Markets: Dr. Rowina Ullner advises issuers and banks on debt capital markets transactions, including hybrid instruments and sustainable finance, and has received multiple industry recognitions in Germany.

• Corporate / M&A: Dominik Wegener and Dr. Geesa de Vries both focus on domestic and cross-border M&A, joint ventures and corporate restructurings, advising corporates and financial investors on complex strategic transactions.

Continued investment in talent

This record round of Counsel promotions underscores Linklaters’ commitment to developing talent across both transactional and advisory practices, as well as its recognition of the strategic importance of Knowledge Lawyers in delivering high-quality, consistent client service.

With strong activity across M&A, capital markets, restructuring and regulatory work, the firm continues to position its German practice as a key hub for cross-border legal expertise within its global network.

Sophie Stevenard