Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP announced today that Dr. Nico Abel will join the firm’s German Corporate/M&A practice. Dr. Abel will join Cleary’s renowned global M&A practice from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP where he was managing partner of their German offices.

Nico is a leader in the German legal market. He has over 20 years of experience in private practice advising corporates, financial investors, and financial institutions on international M&A transactions, including private acquisitions and disposals, public takeovers, joint ventures, and restructurings.

“We are delighted to welcome Nico to our firm,” said Cleary Gottlieb Managing Partner Michael Gerstenzang. “He is an exceptional lawyer who brings an incredible wealth of experience in the European M&A market to our already formidable group. One of the distinguishing features of our international platform is the strength, reputation, and quality of our Continental European M&A practice, which continues to attract some of the largest and most high-profile deals in Europe. Nico’s arrival marks an important milestone in the continued growth of this preeminent practice.”

Nico Abel said, “I’m thrilled and honored to be joining Cleary Gottlieb’s outstanding M&A team. Their global M&A practice is among the best in the world, and I’m really looking forward to being part of the group. Their Continental European and German practice has a longstanding sterling reputation for high-end inbound M&A transactions and outbound cross-border and international projects for a roster of leading German clients.”

“This is an exciting time for the M&A team based in Germany and shows our commitment to expand the practice with the highest quality of candidates,” said Michael Ulmer, partner in Frankfurt. “Nico brings wide-ranging, complementary experience that adds strength to our exceptionally talented team and will help us continue to deliver the highest-caliber service to our clients.”