International law firm Pinsent Masons has opened its first office in mainland Europe.

The new German office in Munich will consist of a seven partner team specialising in complex transactions, corporate and IT law and dispute resolution.

A number of partners have been appointed to head operations at the new office, all of whom come from established German firms.

They are Ulrich Lohmann, Nina Leonard, Eike Fietz, Joern Fingerhuth, Florian von Baum, Rainer Kreifels and Manfred Schmid. They will be joined by Mark Leonard as consultant.

Pinsent Masons said its latest international expansion reflected the firm’s ambition to drive forward its global sector strategy and that the new office would be aiming to play a key role in delivering core services to the advanced manufacturing and technology sector, working closely with its UK and China offices.

The firm has had an international presence for more than 30 years after it first launched in China.

Since then it has also opened in Singapore, Dubai and Qatar and in 2010 the firm entered into a long-term cooperation with Beijing HeSen.

Chris Mullen, senior partner at Pinsent Masons said: “While we have been advising German clients and international businesses operating in Germany for many years, this new direction in our continuing international expansion gives us the ability to provide top quality advice on the ground to major German companies in their domestic market and also to service the cross-border needs of international companies operating from, or coming into, Germany.

“Linked to our continued investment in Asia Pacific, and in particular our recent recruitment of Bernd Uwe-Stucken in Shanghai, it also ensures we are well positioned to provide a legal gateway between mainland Europe and China.”

Dr Lohmann, designated head of the Munich office added:, “Everyone involved in the new office is excited to be part of an international law firm.

"This move allows Pinsent Masons and the Munich partners to meet increasing client demand for specialist strength and depth combined with integrated international reach in major economies such as Germany, the UK and China.

"Complex transactions and cross-border dispute resolution will build the core of our practice.”