Bryan Cave opens in Germany as Euro expansion gathers pace

US firm Bryan Cave is set to open its first office in Germany, and is eyeing up further office launches in Paris, Brussels and Madrid as part of an ambitious European expansion plan.

The firm has hired corporate partner Michael Leue and three associates from German firm Buse Heberer Fromm, and will open for business in Hamburg on 1 August.

The Germany launch follows the recent announcement of the firm’s opening in Milan with Wilkie Farr & Gallagher partners Paolo Barozzi and Fulvio Pastore-Alinante.

Partner Steve Sunshine, who is overseeing the international expansion, said: “Our strategy has always been to add capacity where our clients need it as they become more global.”

The firm has close relationships with Boeing, Bank of New York and book retailer Barnes & Noble, but Sunshine said that the expansion was not led by any one specific client.

Bryan Cave, which is based in St Louis, is also seeking to add offices in France, Belgium and Spain, as well as a second German office in Frankfurt.

Sunshine said: “We don’t have any specific city in mind as opening next, but we continue to have conversations with people there.”