Noerr, one of the ten strongest law firms in terms of revenue in Germany with offices in seven Central and Eastern European states (CEE), will open an office in London this year. Concentration will be on M&A, banking, financing, restructuring, media, insurance and reinsurance and international litigation.

The office in Europe's financial capital is a further step in the internationalisation of the law firm – after the change of name to Noerr and of legal form to that of an English LLP at the end of 2009 (cf. PR, 21 Dec. 2009). The London office is intended to be the hub and access to advising clients from the UK, the USA, China, India, Russia and CEE. "We will not advise on English law", said Dr. Tobias Bürgers, one of the Noerr speakers. "We maintain our focus on our markets in Germany, Russia and CEE".

Initially, it is intended that two partners and three associates will be based in London. The corporate and media lawyer Dr. Hans Radau (46), at present partner in Munich, will head the London office. He has an established international reputation as an expert in asset finance, in particular film financing. The second partner is Dr. Thomas Heitzer (39) from Düsseldorf. He belongs to Noerr's highly regarded insurance practice and is specialised in complex insurance disputes and insurance regulation. "Being able to advise our English and US clients in international insurance cases connected to Germany and CEE at their own base is a logical development of our work in the insurance and reinsurance market", said Heitzer.

The experience of the law firm with its New York office is an encouragement for this step. Noerr does not advise on national law in the USA either. "Clients nevertheless value the facility of always having a contact partner from their European legal advisors within their own time zone", reports Bürgers. In addition, the law firm has been able to consolidate contacts to friendly offices and increase the recognition of the "Noerr" brand on the American market. In international transactions focussed on the USA, such as the restructuring of the insolvent chip manufacturer Qimonda, the advisory teams are led from New York.

In London, the law firm will go a step further. "We will offer advice on our markets more directly than in New York", said Bürgers. The doubts often expressed on whether London will regain its former status after the financial crisis, do not trouble him. "London has been important for our clients and ourselves and will remain so for the foreseeable future. That is certain."