UK firm DLA Piper has decided to close its Berlin branch after the office's sole partner resigned with a colleague to establish a rival's operation in the city.
DLA finance partner Nina-Luisa Siedle and real estate counsel Irene Schmid are joining UK firm DWF. The duo will form part of new eight lawyer team based in Germany's capital, which will launch on April 4.
DWF also has offices in Cologne and Munich. The firm focuses on the financial services, real estate and corporate and M&A in Germany.
There will be no redunduncies at DLA, any remaining staff and fee-earners in Berlin will move to one of its offices in Hamburg or Munich.
In a statement DLA, which also has an office in Frankfurt, said its decision to discontinue its Berlin practice was driven by diminished client demand for services in the city.