DLA Piper has beefed up its German real estate offering with the hire of former Linklaters junior partner Uwe Steingroever.

Steingroever joins the global giant's Cologne office from local firm Loschelder on 1 February. He will be reunited there with real estate partner Markus Beaumart, who was also formerly at Linklaters.

Steingroever runs a real estate practice that covers construction, property finance, litigation and arbitration. He cited the presence of Beaumart as one of the main drivers behind his decision to join DLA Piper.

The latest hire comes as DLA Piper bids to grow its German practice as part of a major push into continental Europe. The expansive firm already boasts offices in Cologne, Frankfurt and Hamburg and has announced plans to open in Munich, although a launch team has yet to be finalised.

Notable recent hires include last summer's capture of a five-partner German banking and finance practice from Pinsent Masons ally Luther.