Clifford Chance (CC) has beefed up its European practice with hires from magic circle rivals Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Allen & Overy (A&O), the City giant announced today (8 May).

Freshfields competition partner Ulrich Reese joins CC's Duesseldorf office with a two-lawyer team, while A&O litigation counsel Antonio Vazquez-Guillen joins CC's Madrid arm as a partner.

Reese joins CC's healthcare, life sciences and chemicals team and is the latest in a long line of partners to leave Freshfields.

Other recent notable departures from Freshfields in Germany include Frankfurt-based corporate partner Thomas Schmuck, who is joining the local arm of US firm Dewey Ballantine, while intellectual property (IP) partner Michael Knospe is to join the fledgling Munich office of IP leader Howrey.

Meanwhile, the arrival of Guillen's team boosts CC's Spanish litigation practice to three partners and 30 additional lawyers.