Bird & Bird strengthens Frankfurt office with new partners in Corporate/M&A and International Dispute Resolution

Expansion of the Corporate/M&A Practice

Bird & Bird appoints Dr Clemens Maschke as Partner in its Corporate/M&A practice in Frankfurt. He is joined by Counsel Lieor Koblenz.

Dr Maschke joins from Dentons, where he had been working since 2017 and was promoted to Partner in 2019. With more than 20 years of professional experience, he is a recognised specialist in emerging markets and has advised a wide range of national and international clients on complex M&A transactions.

His expertise includes complex joint venture structures, corporate restructurings, and corporate and distribution law matters, with a sector focus on Automotive, Media, and Tech & Comms. In addition to ongoing corporate law advice, his Corporate/Compliance practice supports globally operating companies in managing and overseeing worldwide shareholdings, conducting global compliance due diligences, and implementing corporate law measures on a global scale, including post-merger integration processes.

Dr Stefanie Orttmann, LL.M., Head of the German Corporate Practice, comments: “Clemens Maschke brings exactly the expertise our clients value at Bird & Bird in an increasingly complex international business environment. His specialisation in emerging markets and complex joint venture structures fits perfectly with our integrated, cross-border and sector-focused advisory approach. We very much look forward to working with him.”

Dr Clemens Maschke adds: “I am very pleased to be joining such an innovative and forward-looking firm. Bird & Bird enjoys an excellent reputation in the technology sector, and its sector-focused approach and international footprint are a perfect match for my own advisory practice. I look forward to building on the strengths of the existing team and contributing to the firm’s continued success by delivering innovative and client-focused solutions.”

Strengthening the Global Dispute Resolution Practice

At the same time, Bird & Bird is reinforcing its global Dispute Resolution practice with the appointment of Heiko Heppner as Partner for International Disputes in Frankfurt. He joins from Dentons, where he had been a Partner since 2017 and a member of the Global Arbitration Leadership Group. He moves with his team, including Senior Counsel Prof. Dr Friedrich Toepel, who joined Bird & Bird in October 2025, and Counsel Sebastian Gratz.

Heiko Heppner is admitted to practise law in Germany, England and the United States (New York). He is a specialist in international arbitration and cross-border litigation, representing clients worldwide in disputes spanning both civil law and common law jurisdictions. His sector focus includes Energy, Life Sciences, Healthcare, Aerospace and Defence, and he also represents clients in investment arbitration proceedings.

In addition, he advises clients in cross-border court proceedings in Germany and abroad. Owing to his legal education in the United States, he has extensive experience in proceedings in the US, England, Hong Kong and other common law jurisdictions. As an English barrister, he is particularly experienced in cross-examining expert witnesses on complex technical and financial issues. His case experience spans Continental Europe, China, North America, as well as matters connected to Africa and the Middle East. Most recently, he has been involved in disputes relating to energy and digital projects, including an arbitration concerning drone technology. He also acts as an arbitrator and teaches international arbitration law at universities in Europe and China.

Dr Philipp Egler, Co-Head of the German Dispute Resolution Practice, comments: “Heiko Heppner brings a unique combination of German and US qualifications and extensive experience in international arbitration. He significantly enhances our offering, particularly in the area of investment arbitration. His expertise in common law jurisdictions and his China experience perfectly complement our commercial litigation team and further strengthen our ability to advise clients in complex cross-border disputes.”

Dr Uwe Lüken, Managing Partner of Bird & Bird in Germany, adds: “Litigation has always been part of Bird & Bird’s DNA. In our core areas of IP, data and public procurement, we have long been recognised as leading litigation experts. With the addition of Heiko and his team, our Commercial Litigation practice gains significant strength and visibility, both in Germany and internationally. His dual qualification in Germany and the US, combined with his China expertise, provides a distinct advantage for our clients in complex matters at the intersection of common law and civil law systems. We are delighted to welcome Clemens, Heiko, Friedrich, Sebastian and their teams to Bird & Bird.”

Heiko Heppner concludes: “Bird & Bird’s strong focus on technology, digitalisation and regulation, its impressive international footprint with a true one-firm culture, and the breadth and depth of expertise across the firm provide an outstanding platform to further develop my practice. I am very much looking forward to contributing my transatlantic experience and sector expertise and see great potential for our continued growth together.”

Sophie Stevenard