Hengeler Mueller disputes partner Carsten van de Sande is relocating from Frankfurt to become a resident partner in the firm’s London office to further expand its international arbitration practice.
From London, Van de Sande will service clients involved in cross-border disputes and deepen relationships with Hengeler Mueller’s global clients. London offers an ideal platform for van de Sande to expand his practice in post-M&A disputes, technology-related disputes and product liability and warranty disputes. In addition, he acts in out-of-court dispute resolution, such as mediation, as well as in proceedings before the German state courts. He also leads the firm’s India desk.
He will be supported by a local team in London and continue to work in close collaboration with the teams in Germany and partner firms, such as best friends Slaughter & May in London, as well as Italy’s BonelliErede, Paris-based Bredin Prat, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek in the Netherlands and Uría Menéndez in Spain and Portugal.
Van de Sande joined Hengeler Mueller in 2001 and became a partner in 2007. As a leading member of Hengeler Mueller’s dispute resolution practice group, he represents companies in complex disputes both domestically and internationally, including successfully defending BASF in post-M&A arbitration proceedings on claims for damages amounting to €168m.
Thomas Müller and Bernd Wirbel, co-managing partners of Hengeler Mueller, seen as one of Germany’s most profitable law firms, said: “Van de Sande’s transition to our London office as a resident partner underscores Hengeler Mueller’s commitment to being our clients’ first point of contact for their most significant disputes.
“Van de Sande’s many years of experience in highly complex, cross-border proceedings, as well as his track record as counsel in international arbitration, make him the ideal choice for the further expansion of our international dispute resolution practice.”
Writing on LinkedIn, Van de Sande said: “London is one of the world’s leading dispute resolution hubs, making it the perfect place to grow our international arbitration practice. I look forward to building many new relationships while continuing to advise and represent our existing clients in complex cross-border disputes.”
In addition to van de Sande, the London office is home to resident partners Martin Geiger (banking, finance, debt capital markets) and Albrecht Conrad (TMT), as well as a team of six associates.
The firm promoted five to partner in its most recent partnership round back in November, with an all-male line-up focused on transactions: Pascal Brandt (equity capital markets/banking and finance), Benedikt Hoegen (M&A), Nicolas Kutscher (Restructuring/M&A), Friedrich Steinert (white collar crime) and Gerrit Tönningsen (regulatory law). Two of the partners were promoted in Frankfurt, with the remainder in Berlin, Munich and Düsseldorf.
Van de Sande’s UK move mirrors Bonelli’s hire of London barrister Richard Samuel in 2023, with Samuel becoming a partner in 2024 and working closely with his former set, 3 Hare Court, indicating how the best friends are expanding their London disputes capability.
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