Linklaters has hired top German lawyer Wilhelm Haarmann in boost for its Frankfurt corporate practice.

Haarmann joins the magic circle firm from Haarmann, his own firm he set up in 2006 after breaking away from independent outfit Haarmann Hemmelrath, where he was co-founder. His start date at Linklaters is not yet known.

Haarmann's practice focuses on tax mandates and corporate transactions relating to M&A, private equity and venture capital matters, as well as arbitration.

As well as being a lawyer, he is a certified public accountant and tax adviser. He sits on the supervisory board of German software corporation SAP, and was a member of the World Economic Forum for 15 years until 2007.

Linklaters Germany corporate chief Hans-Ulrich Wilsing said: "With Wilhelm Haarmann, we are gaining one of the most renowned advisors at the interface of tax law and corporate law. His many years of experience in providing advice across different practice areas and his exceptional networking connections will be of great value and a big enhancement for Linklaters' clients."

Haarmann left Haarmann Hemmelrath in 2005 after a dispute concerning changes in remuneration policy.

The news for Linklaters comes after it hired Noerr labour law specialist Georg Annuss for its Munich practice in June. Annuss specialises in employment, service contract, reorganisation and co-determination laws.

Annuss' hire followed the departure of Linklaters' German intellectual property chief Jens Matthes to magic circle peer Allen & Overy's Duesseldorf office last spring.