Hutter, who joined the Frankfurt office in 1992 and has headed up the local operation since 1995, will take on the new role on 1 January, 2008. Dusseldorf tax consultant Reinhard Stockum is expected to replace him as head of the Frankfurt office.

Hutter's appointment marks the first time a German-based partner has led the capital markets group, which includes 70 lawyers in Europe across four offices and around 20 additional fee earners in Asia.

He replaces David Beveridge, who returned to New York from London in September to head up the US capital markets team. The post does not carry any fixed term.

Hutter, who will continue to practice as a partner in the capital markets group, told Legal Week: "The plan is to develop the pan-European practice and to have people who can move flexibly between offices, as well as to cover a broader range of products."

Recent deals Hutter has worked on include advising MorphoSys on a strategic alliance with Novartis and advising MVV Energie on a capital raising at the end of October. Shearman's European capital markets team has worked with clients including Bear Stearns, Credit Suisse, Standard Chartered and Morgan Stanley.

Earlier this year the former head of Shearman's derivatives and structured finance practice, Holland West, rejoined the firm in New York as of counsel.

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Shearman & Sterling

Hutter, who joined the Frankfurt office in 1992 and has headed up the local operation since 1995, will take on the new role on 1 January, 2008. Dusseldorf tax consultant Reinhard Stockum is expected to replace him as head of the Frankfurt office.

Hutter's appointment marks the first time a German-based partner has led the capital markets group, which includes 70 lawyers in Europe across four offices and around 20 additional fee earners in Asia.

He replaces David Beveridge, who returned to New York from London in September to head up the US capital markets team. The post does not carry any fixed term.

Hutter, who will continue to practice as a partner in the capital markets group, told Legal Week: "The plan is to develop the pan-European practice and to have people who can move flexibly between offices, as well as to cover a broader range of products."

Recent deals Hutter has worked on include advising MorphoSys on a strategic alliance with Novartis and advising MVV Energie on a capital raising at the end of October. Shearman's European capital markets team has worked with clients including Bear Stearns, Credit Suisse, Standard Chartered and Morgan Stanley.

Earlier this year the former head of Shearman's derivatives and structured finance practice, Holland West, rejoined the firm in New York as of counsel.

For thousands of the best legal jobs, click here.