Haarmann loses insolvency leader in rejig row

Haarmann Hemmelrath has split with its former head of corporate recovery and insolvency following a “difference of opinion” over a reorganisation of the department.

Michael Thierhoff is leaving the firm, along with Haarmann corporate recovery partner Thomas Illy to set up a specialist practice.

Leadership of the six-partner department has been taken over by Haarmann junior, or non-equity, partner Andreas Ziegenhagen who hopes to increase the firm’s focus on offering insolvency-related legal advice as well as insolvency administration.

Commenting on the departures of Thierhoff and Illy, founding partner Alexander Hemmelrath, said: “Major differences of opinion in key areas emerged during discussions on the restructuring of the firm.

“In terms of the future development of the firm it was right and essential that we should go our separate ways.”

The firm recently bolstered its Cologne corporate recovery and insolvency group with the recruitment of Thomas Windhofel from Heiss & Partner in Munich. Also, in London, the firm is expecting to recruit another corporate recovery and insolvency partner in the spring to join Andrew Visintin and David von Saucken who lead a team of six specialist lawyers in the UK.