SJ Berwin wins B&M global partner

SJ Berwin's German branch has taken on an international partner from Baker & McKenzie's Frankfurt office.

Sebastian Gronstedt, who specialises in private equity and M&A transactions, will join the firm's Frankfurt office where he will focus on buyout work.

Gronstedt has previously acted for multinational corporations, but in his new role he will move away from corporate and M&A work towards private equity.

SJ Berwin's strategy in Europe is to build up its private equity capability. Thirteen of the office's 16 partners advise on fund formation, venture capital and buyout work. The others offer tax support and mainstream corporate tax advice.

Its clients include 3i, Legal & General, Bank of Scotland and Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein.

The firm has recently recruited private equity lawyer George Pinkham from Salans Hertzfeld & Heilbronn to set up an office in Paris.