Allen & Overy (A&O) has moved to significantly bolster its German practice with the hire of three partners from Lovells and Dewey & LeBoeuf.

Frankfurt-based litigator Daniel Busse (pictured) is set to leave Lovells along with two associates to take up a role as head of A&O's German dispute resolution practice, having been a partner at Lovells since 2004.

A&O global litigation head Tim House commented: "The arrival of Busse and his team is a significant step in our ongoing strategy to invest in and develop the firm's international litigation practice."

Meanwhile, Lovells corporate and M&A partner Christian Eichner is set to join A&O's Duesseldorf corporate practice.

The news comes as Lovells nears the completion of its merger with US firm Hogan & Hartson.

Lovells managing partner David Harris commented: "While the departures of Daniel and Christian are disappointing, they come at a time when our German corporate and dispute resolution practices are enjoying a strong year handling many projects for high calibre clients, with very promising prospects for future growth in the light of our impending merger to form Hogan Lovells.

"We have a programme of investment in the German corporate and dispute resolution practices, with three new partner promotions in these areas from 1 May. This will therefore not affect our capabilities in these areas or our plans."

In addition, A&O has also sealed the hire of Dewey capital markets partner Kai Schaffelhuber, who has been a partner at the US firm for just one year.

Lovells and Hogan have seen a number of recent spin-offs and defections as the firms finalise their merger deal, including the announcement that 18 partners have split from Hogan's Berlin office to set up their own firm. The new firm, Raue, will launch on 1 May, the same day as Hogan Lovells goes live.

Hogan's Warsaw office also opted out of the merger in favour of a move to K&L Gates, while Hogan's Geneva base is set to join US firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.