Field Fisher Waterhouse is set to launch in Munich and Duesseldorf, following the hire of a four-partner team from Howrey led by German managing partner Joachim Feldges.

Feldges will oversee all three of Field Fisher's German offices, including the firm's existing Hamburg base. He joins alongside fellow Howrey intellectual property (IP) partners Thomas Adam and Jochen Herr in Munich, as well as Duesseldorf-based Christoph Lenz.

The partner moves mean that Howrey's Munich and Duesseldorf offices will now be transferred in their entirety to Field Fisher.

The UK firm expects the offices to open in April with the four partners, as well as four associates and a number of support staff. The move is part of Field Fisher's strategy to focus on IP & technology and regulatory and corporate work.

Managing partner Moira Gilmour (pictured) said: "The new offices in Germany are part of a very focused plan for growth in the UK and Europe that we began in April 2010. Led by Joachim, who has a leading reputation in the patent field, the new offices will boost the firm's multi-jurisdictional IP capability – a key aspect of the firm's strategy. Over time we plan further growth bringing in additional expertise across our corporate, IP & technology and regulatory practices."

Feldges commented: "[The firm] has a leading reputation in the media and technology sectors, with a strong regulatory practice and a growing life sciences capability that prove an excellent fit with our patent litigation practice."

Howrey chairman Robert Ruyak said: "This transfer is part of our restructuring plan in Europe and allows us to continue to work with these fine lawyers, when appropriate, without encountering the recurring problem of client conflicts which has hampered our growth in Europe."

The move comes after Howrey's London chief and the office's sole IP partner Mark Hodgson joined Field Fisher earlier this month.

Hodgson's move followed three partner departures from Howrey's London IP practice during 2010 – Marjan Noor, Paul Inman and Richard Willoughby, who joined Simmons & Simmons, Wragge & Co and Rouse Legal respectively.