Professional services giant Andersen Global has stepped up its European expansion efforts by adding a German law firm to its network.

The organisation said in a statement that it will combine with Hamburg-based law firm Kolaschnik Partner Rechtsanwalte, which advises investment and owner-managed companies on a range of matters including wealth planning, privacy, IT and IP.

With 4,500 people working across 144 locations worldwide, Andersen is among the world's largest tax and legal advisory services.

Founded in 2005, five-lawyer Kolaschnik gives Andersen its first office in Hamburg, and its eighth in Germany.

The office will be led by Kolaschnik partners Alexander Jehn, Albrecht Nehls and managing partner Helge Kolaschnik.

Mark Vorsatz, chairman of Andersen Global and CEO of Andersen Tax, said: "Hamburg is an important economic hub in the German market, and the addition of another location in the region will allow us to add to our existing capabilities globally."

Kolaschnik added: "By combining our practice with Andersen Tax & Legal, we are now in a better position to help our many international clients with larger transactions and cross-border issues."

The new addition follows similar expansive efforts by the organisation this year in the Middle East and the U.K., where last month it incorporated tax specialist Claritas Tax.