"Oh, no. The M-word." Poor Torsten Busch can barely bring
himself to say it. Like the rest of the lawyers at Hengeler Mueller
Weitzel Wirtz in Frankfurt, he has been asked about the M-word more
times than he cares to remember over the past year. Why hasn't his
firm done it yet? When will it do it? Who else is doing it well?
Who is unable to do it? This is getting ridiculous. So if you are
going to say it, whisper it softly, because Torsten Busch might
hear you. The M-word. Merger.
The hook-ups between UK and German firms over the last year have
provided more than enough grist for the Frankfurt rumour mill.
Pünder Volhard Weber & Axster, Oppenhoff & Rädler and
Bruckhaus Westrick Heller Löber have all been swept off their feet
by UK suitors, and there are a few more marriages waiting to
happen.
But while...