Lovells has beefed up its German dispute resolution capabilities with the hire of a team from specialist litigation practice Aderhold von Dalwigk Knueppel.

The team, which will join the UK giant's Duesseldorf office, is led by partner Juergen Witte and counsel Kim Mehrbrey, who will be accompanied by a number of associates.

The new additions boost Lovells' dispute resolution team in Germany to over 40 lawyers.

Witte becomes the 10th partner-level hire made by Lovells this year, with other notable appointments including that of Milan-based M&A partner Paolo Tanoni, who joined the City outfit from Ernst & Young last month along with a seven-lawyer team.

Commenting on the latest hire, Lovells' German dispute resolution head, Detlef Hass, said: "Juergen's arrival at the firm comes… when the business environment in German is becoming more litigious."

He added: "Structural changes in the German economy caused by the disruption of the old 'Deutschland AG' network, the influx of hedge funds asserting their shareholder rights and pressures from globalisation have all contributed to this trend."