Shearman & Sterling has appointed Duesseldorf-based partner Harald Selzner as the head of its European M&A practice, the New York firm announced today (19 February).

The appointment, which is effective from this month, sees Selzner takes on management responsibility for the European transactional practice as co-deputy head of M&A.

He will work closely alongside New York partner George Casey, who heads up the firm's M&A practice in the US, and global M&A chief Peter Lyons.

Selzner has been a partner in the corporate group at Shearman since 2000, specialising in M&A and private equity, corporate reorganisations and public takeovers.

Selzner said an increase in cross-border work had made the creation of the management role necessary, commenting: "I am committed to further strengthening the European M&A base and to move important projects forward."

Georg Thoma, Shearman's Germany managing partner and global co-chief, added: "Over the past years… Selzner advised various clients in several significant domestic and cross-border M&A projects. In addition, he was able to demonstrate his management skills in different roles, particularly in the area of professional development and training."

Shearman's Dusseldorf office is one of 20 branches worldwide for the 1,000-lawyer firm.