Deutsche Telekom has appointed a new general counsel with the hire of a corporate partner from Ashurst's Frankfurt office.

Claudia Junker is set to move over to Deutsche Telekom in November. She joined Ashurst from Hengeler Mueller in 2008 and specialises in corporate law and M&A.

Her departure leaves three partners in the Frankfurt corporate practice and a total of 12 partners in the office. The remaining partners are spread across international finance, real estate, employment and tax.

Ashurst Germany head Reinhard Eyring said: "Claudia's departure is much to our regret, due to her professional competence, her outstanding work and her personal qualities.

"We will fill the gap promptly and are planning to further expand our successful corporate practice."

Junker said: "The position of the general counsel of Deutsche Telekom is an exciting new challenge and additional tasks are waiting for me. I have advised Deutsche Telekom in the past and I am very much looking forward to the new function."

At Deutsche Telekom Junker will report to management board member Manfred Balz who is reponsible for data privacy, legal affairs and compliance.

Junker's move comes after Ashurst patents partner Manja Epping left the firm in April 2010 to join Taylor Wessing's life sciences and healthcare group in Munich.

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