Goodwin Procter has announced the launch of an office in Munich as it continues its private equity-focused growth in Europe.

The Munich arm adds to the Boston giant's existing German presence in Frankfurt, with the firm seeking to further bolster its market-leading M&A capabilities having ranked first for global M&A advisory mandates by deal count in 2021 and the first quarter of this year, according to Refinitiv data.

The office will be chaired by Jan Schinköth, who joined the firm in May last year with an associate from Sidley Austin.

He is joined by fellow private equity partner Florian Hirschmann, who was hired from Reed Smith in January, real estate partner Anke Johann, who joined from Deutsche Pfandbriefbank in November where she was senior legal counsel, and tax partner Dr. Oded Schein, who joined from Kirkland & Ellis last June.

The quartet are supported by counsel Sebastian Walczak and a team of associates. The launch of the office was widely anticipated, given the recent focus of the firm’s hiring in Germany.

Schinköth said: “The private equity ecosystem in Germany is vibrant and a key driver of investment activity. Entering Munich will enable us to continue to provide top-tier counsel on transactions both domestically and cross-border, and advise private equity and strategic investors on complex leveraged buy-outs, refinancings and growth equity deals.”

Stephan Kock, chair of Goodwin’s Frankfurt office, added: “In Germany, Munich is the most dynamic market for both private equity and technology, two extremely active sectors for our clients. Continuing to invest in and further build out our capabilities in the region has always been a top priority for us. Having a foothold in both Frankfurt and Munich, with bench strength in banking, real estate, private equity, financial services, M&A and tax, will enhance our position as one of the predominant pan-European legal teams.”

Since launching in Germany in 2016, the firm has grown to more than 40 lawyers and it boasts more than 150 private equity lawyers across its European offices, including London, Luxembourg and Paris.

It scooped one of the most eye-catching 2020 London group lateral hires when it secured a highly-rated five-partner team from Sidley.

Last month UK firm Addleshaw Goddard expanded its German footprint with office openings in Munich and Frankfurt, while in February Fieldfisher launched in Berlin to house its new legaltech-powered litigation business Fieldfisher X.