Clifford Chance (CC) has lost a five-lawyer public law team in Frankfurt to German independent Goerg, it was announced today (29 January).

Public procurement partner Lutz Horn is leaving the magic circle giant along with associates Kai-Uwe Schneevogl, Steffen Amelung, Petra Keckemeti and Nancy Faeser.

Horn has been a partner with CC since 1999 and specialises in public-private partnership projects in construction and infrastructure.

The news means CC has now lost two partners from its Frankfurt arm is as many months, with the departure of Horn and his team following December's announcement that corporate partner Mario Schmidt is to join the local arm of US firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher.

Last week it emerged that Frankfurt-based CC partner Kersten von Schenck is facing criminal charges after shredding a document relating to a Deutsche Bank annual general meeting. Von Schenck has the full backing of the firm.

The hires are a boost to Goerg's Frankfurt office, with the additions taking headcount to 16. The firm has further offices in Berlin, Cologne and Essen.