Linklaters is closing its Hamburg office, in a move to consolidate its German operations.
The magic circle firm has decided to close its smallest German office, which has 10 lawyers in total, including three partners, to refocus its operations across its remaining four German locations in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich.
LB understands that, of the three partners, Jens Blumenberg, a partner in the tax team, is set to retire at the end of the financial year, while corporate specialist Mario Pofhal’s location has not yet been determined.
Additionally, restructuring and insolvency partner Riaz Janjuah, who currently splits his time between London, Frankfurt and Hamburg, will continue working for the firm in London and Frankfurt.
The remaining seven lawyers and seven business services staff operating in the Hamburg office have been offered roles in Linklaters’ other German offices.
By comparison, Linklaters’ offices in Berlin and Munich each employ around 30 people, whereas Düsseldorf employs roughly 80, and Frankfurt over 100.
In a statement, Linklaters confirmed it will still work with clients in Hamburg, providing advice from its four other German offices.
Senior partner Staffan Illert said: ‘Our strategy is to focus on complex, cross‑border matters – and we are implementing this more consistently and successfully all the time.
‘By concentrating our teams and investing in our offices in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich, we are giving the teams even better development opportunities and greater impact, so that they can advise on precisely these matters even more effectively.’
The office is expected to close on 31 December 2026.
