SJ Berwin has expanded its German corporate practice with the hire of a capital markets partner from Clifford Chance (CC).

Dietmar Anders joined SJ Berwin's Frankfurt arm earlier this week (1 June). The hire comes a month after the top 20 UK law firm saw the departure of local corporate head Michael Roos, who left to set up his own practice.

Anders began his legal career with CC in 1999 and was promoted to partnership in the magic circle firm's capital markets practice in 2007. His practice focuses on advising banks and issuers in domestic and international share offerings, in particular public floats and follow-on offerings.

He will be working in SJ Berwin's Frankfurt corporate team, which is now headed by Julian Lemor following the departure of Roos.

Commenting on the move, Anders told Legal Week: "I am able to have a broader practice at SJ Berwin. At CC, capital markets is a successful niche but it suits my practice and clients better to be part of a larger corporate team. I was also attracted by the synergies with the firm's strong private equity practice."

Seperately, Oppenhoff & Partner, the firm that last year broke away from Linklaters' German practice, has also recruited a capital markets partner. Allen & Overy (A&O) partner Reinhard Hermes joined Oppenhoff's sole office in Cologne on 1 June.

A partner with A&O since 1998, Hermes stood unsuccessfully for election on the City law firm's management board in 2006.

The 25-partner Oppenhoff was created as a standalone practice after Linklaters announced in 2007 that it was to withdraw from Cologne to focus on Duesseldorf.