K&L Gates has combined with Luxembourg firm Volckrick & Associates, the latest phase of the US firm’s strategic growth plans.

The Luxembourg combination adds three new lawyers to its global roster – partner Mathieu Volckrick, counsel Jan Boeing and associate Adam Paschalidis. Volckrick and his team’s practice focuses on asset management, investment funds, real estate and private equity, advising clients on financial law and business-related matters in Luxembourg and beyond, as well as cross-border transactions throughout Europe.

Michael Caccese, chairman of K&L Gates and head of the firm’s asset management and investment funds practice area, said: “The combination opens a very important market for our funds and financial services clients and further expands the global services we deliver to investors and asset managers that operate around the world.” 

Volckrick launched his firm in 2018, having previously been a partner at EY in Luxembourg and an associate at Clifford Chance before that, as well as a brief stint working in investor relations at EuroMena Management Company. As a result of the combination, he will become managing partner of K&L Gates Volckrick. 

He said: “[K&L Gates] has seen impressive growth in Europe in recent times, offering an ideal platform to advise real estate and private equity clients in Europe and beyond. Our intention is to continue growing the Luxembourg practice with high calibre hires in the coming months, and leverage on the capabilities, reach and resources of the wider K&L Gates team.”

The Luxembourg office is K&L Gates’ eighth in Europe. This month it also added nine German real estate lawyers from Eversheds Sutherland in its Munich and Frankfurt offices.

Jim Segerdahl, the firm’s global managing partner, said: “Our Luxembourg office is an important link for the firm’s offices and clients throughout Europe, as well as across our global platform. This initiative is another step in the firm’s client-centred growth focusing on key practices, industries and markets.”

Other US firms have been extending their footprints in Europe this year. In May, Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosle said it would launch in Brussels, its seventh office in Europe. While in January, Shearman & Sterling reopened its Munich office after a seven-year hiatus from the city.