Herbert Smith alliance firm Stibbe is set to boost its Benelux coverage with the launch of an office in Luxembourg.

The new office, which will open for business on 1 September, will be led by Loyens & Loeff's former Luxembourg head Dirk Leermakers, who has joined Stibbe from local firm Bonn Schmitt Steichen together with a team of three associates.

The Luxembourg launch marks the sixth office for Stibbe, alongside its two principal bases in Amsterdam and Brussels and offices in London, New York and Dubai. Stibbe has been part of an alliance with UK top 10 firm Herbert Smith and Germany's Gleiss Lutz since 2002.

Stibbe Brussels managing partner Olivier Clevenbergh commented: "We see significant growth opportunities for high-end corporate, finance and tax work in the Luxembourg market. The new office is a natural extension of our footprint in the Benelux, since Stibbe is already a leading firm in Belgium and in the Netherlands."

Amsterdam managing partner Heleen Kersten added: "With our decision to launch in Luxembourg we follow the request from our international clients. Our presence on the ground will enable us to provide an even better service to our clients in the region and it will further enhance our alliance network with Herbert Smith and Gleiss Lutz."

The office will focus on corporate, funds, tax, real estate, banking and finance work.

Corporate partner Leermakers has practised in Luxembourg since early 2003, when he joined Stibbe's Benelux rival Loyens to set up a corporate practice.

Before that he had spent the majority his career with De Bandt van Hecke and Lagae, which merged with Linklaters & Alliance in 2001.

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