SJ Berwin has announced two lateral partner hires for its continental European offices, one of which marks the launch of its new Frankfurt litigation practice.

The firm has recruited litigation partner Francis Bellen to help establish the new Germany team, and is also strengthening its nine-partner Madrid practice with the addition of finance partner Joaquin Sales.

Bellen, whose hire was first announced last November, has now formally joined SJ Berwin's Frankfurt office. He is a founding partner of Frankfurt firm Haarmann, which launched in 2006 as a breakaway from Haarmann Hemmelrath.

SJ Berwin's new Frankfurt litigation team will also include a counsel and a senior associate. Bellen, who advises on corporate banking and financial disputes, has a client base which includes major private equity institutions, national and international co-operations and affluent individuals.

Bellen (pictured) commented: "I'm looking forward to my future practice at a law firm that displays compelling quality as well as a very pleasant business culture. The crucial factor of my decision was SJ Berwin's internationality and reputation."

Elsewhere, Sales is joining SJ Berwin's Madrid arm from Watson Farley & Williams, where he was the UK firm's local managing partner. He joined Watson Farley in 2009 from legacy Lovells to launch a Madrid base for the firm alongside energy-focused corporate counsel Maria Pilar Garcia.

Madrid managing partner Carlos Pazos commented: "The addition of Joaquin is a critical step in the consolidation of our multi-disciplinary structure."

The hires come after SJ Berwin made up intellectual property, IT and commercial lawyer Manuela Finger to partnership its Frankfurt practice, as one of five new partners in its annual promotions round.