Simmons & Simmons has bagged former Norton Rose associate to head its debt capital markets practice.

Former Norton Rose senior associate Jochen Seitz will join Simmons & Simmons’ Frankfurt office in October. Seitz will head the Frankfurt capital market debt practice, according to German publication Juve.

Simmons & Simmons German managing partner Hans-Hermann Aledenhoff said: “By strengthening our the teams in our Frankfurt office, we will continue to grow in Germany.”

Seitz is a welcome addition to the firm’s Frankfurt office after associate Michael Leppert left the office in July to move to UBS. Leppert had joined Simmons & Simmons in early 2005 from Shearman & Sterling to build up the capital markets department.

Norton Rose capital markets partner Rudiger Litten commented: “Seitz is a good lawyer so of course we are not pleased…but the firm will continue to grow and we have already hired three new associates this year.”