The future of Lovells' Berlin arm has been thrown into doubt following the resignation of a five-lawyer banking team last week.

The firm is holding a review of its branch in the German capital, which currently has seven partners, following the decision of the team, led by partners Thomas Lindemann and Andreas Schwennicke, to form a new finance boutique. The group, which also includes associates Andreas Conen, Ludwig Moltke and Daniel Radig, has yet to negotiate exit terms.

One partner at the firm told Legal Week Lovells would be looking to make a decision in the next three months and that closure was one of a "spectrum of options" open to the firm.