Hogan Lovells is to bulk up its Frankfurt arm with the hire of a 10-lawyer capital markets team from Willkie Farr & Gallagher, with news of the hires coming as the co-head of the transatlantic firm's employment team departs for Allen & Overy (A&O) in Frankfurt with a three-lawyer team.

Willkie partners Michael Schlitt and Susanne Schaefer are set to join Hogan Lovells' Frankfurt office on 1 February, taking an eight-lawyer team including one counsel, two senior associates and two associates with them to the international firm.

Schlitt will take up a role as Germany capital markets head at Hogan Lovells. Both he and Schaefer had been partners at Willkie since 2008.

Schlitt said: "There are a couple of reasons behind my move to Hogan Lovells. Firstly, the great platform that it has in Germany with five offices and the big international network that it provides, particularly since the merger, and secondly it was a unique opportunity to become head of capital markets in Germany for a big international firm with a strong brand in the region.

"I was also attracted by the great team spirit within the Hogan Lovells team both in Germany and internationally. Finally, I was also very pleased to be able to take my whole team across and remain together."

Prior to joining Willkie, Schlitt was a partner at Fried Frank from 2007 to 2008, after spending seven years as a partner at A&O.

Separately, it emerged today (21 January) that Hogan Lovells' Frankfurt-based global co-head of employment Thomas Ubber is to leave the firm with three associates to join A&O.

Ubber will become the new head of A&O's German employment practice. He will be replaced as global co-head of Hogan Lovells' employment practice by Munich employment partner Ingrid Ohmann-Sauer.

Commenting on the hire of the capital markets team, David Harris, said: "Michael's reputation in the German market is very strong and his team has a first class track record.

"Their arrival will enhance our existing, highly regarded, capital markets offering in Germany, but will also be a significant boost to our broader corporate practice in Germany and internationally."

On the departure of Ubber Hogan Lovells regional managing partner for continental Europe, Christoph Kueppers, said: "Our employment law practice is independently ranked for its strength across our five offices in Germany, including a significant number of lawyers who are widely recognised for their expertise."