Reed Smith Grows in Germany with Three-Partner Corporate Team From Dentons

Why It Matters

The acquisition strengthens Reed Smith’s ability to capture mid‑market, tech‑focused transactions in Germany, a market where top firms are fiercely competing for scarce legal talent.

Key Takeaways

• Reed Smith hires six‑desk corporate team from Dentons for Germany
• New hires expand Reed Smith’s German bench to 16 lawyers
• Team brings mid‑market M&A expertise, especially tech sector
• Move reflects intense lateral competition amid lawyer shortage in Germany

Pulse Analysis

Reed Smith’s latest lateral hire underscores the firm’s aggressive growth strategy in Europe. After posting a near‑6% revenue increase to $1.58 bn in 2025, the Pittsburgh‑based firm has been expanding its geographic footprint, adding offices in Atlanta, Denver, Riyadh and Boston. The six‑lawyer team from Dentons, led by partners Thomas Strassner, Richard Fagerer and Christopher Mayston, adds depth to Reed Smith’s corporate practice, particularly in the high‑growth tech, life‑sciences, defence and transport sectors. By increasing its German headcount to 16 lawyers across Munich and Frankfurt, Reed Smith positions itself to capture more mid‑market M&A work and cross‑border deals that require both local insight and global reach.

The newly hired team brings a blend of M&A, private‑equity, venture‑capital and restructuring experience, having advised on notable transactions such as TQ Therapeutics’ acquisition of a Bristol Myers Squibb subsidiary and the merger of Berlin start‑up HiDoc Technologies with Mahana Therapeutics. Their client roster spans multinational corporations, European fund managers, banks and German mittelstand firms, providing Reed Smith with immediate access to deep relationships and sector expertise. This talent infusion aligns with the firm’s strategic priority to enhance its transactional strength in Europe, where competition for seasoned lawyers has intensified due to a chronic talent shortage.

The broader German legal market is witnessing a wave of lateral moves as firms scramble to fill gaps in specialized practice areas. Freshfields, Orrick and other top firms have recently added partners and teams to bolster private‑equity and M&A capabilities. Reed Smith’s hiring not only strengthens its own bench but also signals confidence in Germany’s robust deal flow, especially in technology‑driven sectors. As the market continues to tighten, firms that can attract high‑caliber teams will likely secure a larger share of lucrative mid‑market transactions and reinforce their standing in the competitive European legal landscape.