Allen & Overy (A&O) has strengthened its Frankfurt employment practice with the hire of a partner from Hogan Lovells.

Hans-Peter Loew, who joined Hogan Lovells in 1996 and has been the managing partner of the firm's Frankfurt office since 2004, is set to join A&O in the coming months, with his start-date still to be finalised.

Loew has a broad employment practice advising national and international companies including financial institutions on matters including on mergers and reorganisations, corporate restructurings and outsourcing.

His hire comes after A&O strengthened its Frankfurt office in January with Hogan Lovells' then co-head of global employment Thomas Ubber. Ubber left the transatlantic firm along with three associates to become the new head of A&O's German employment practice.  

A&O Germany senior partner Neil Weiand commented: "The move by Hans-Peter Loew is also part of our vigorous growth strategy in Germany. Thanks to his market reputation and considerable experience, we are able to further strengthen our employment law profile, bringing us significantly nearer to our declared aim of establishing ourselves as one of the leading practice groups in the German market."

Loew added: "Allen & Overy's leading position in the banking world and its strong corporate practice are ideal prerequisites for me to contribute to the further expansion of their employment law practice group. I am confident that clients will welcome this outstanding overall range of services in the area of employment law."

Hogan Lovells is yet to decide on a replacement for Loew as Frankfurt managing partner.