Eversheds swoops for real estate duo from Goodwin in Frankfurt

Eversheds Sutherland has joined Simmons in capitalising on Goodwin’s exit from Frankfurt, picking up two real estate partners from the US firm.

Catharina Förster and Peter Junghänel will join the firm from October. Förster advises across real estate asset classes and also brings experience in real estate litigation. Junghänel, who joined from Ashurst in 2015 to launch Goodwin's Frankfurt office, has experience on private equity-related deals, including M&A and MBOs.

Shifting focus

Goodwin announced in June that it would shut down its Frankfurt real estate practice and close the office altogether later this year, shifting focus to private equity, venture capital and funds work out of its Munich base. Since then, Simmons has swooped for a four-partner real estate team.

The hires come as Eversheds continues to build out its European real estate platform. The firm also added a 10-lawyer real estate team in Prague in August and, like Simmons and others, is doubling down on Germany as several rivals pull back. Eversheds also has German offices in Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Munich.

What they said

James Trafford, partner and co-head of global real estate and planning, said: "Catharina and Peter are outstanding additions to our real estate offering in Germany. Their track records in complex transactions and their ability to collaborate seamlessly with our corporate, finance and tax teams align perfectly with clients’ needs in today’s market."

Förster said she was "thrilled" to join Eversheds, pointing to its "international platform and full-service capability" on cross-border real estate deals. Junghänel added: "Eversheds Sutherland’s reputation and collaborative culture are a perfect fit. I look forward to working with colleagues in Frankfurt and across Europe to support clients on their ambitious plans."