Herbert Smith Freehills bolsters private capital capabilities with partner hire in Germany

Gregor joins from Goodwin where he was a partner in the private equity group. His practice spans private equity (PE), growth equity, venture capital (VC) as well as public and private M&A, including work for top-tier PE and VC firms. He has extensive experience in cross-border transactions, particularly those involving US and French clients and targets, as well as in deals focused on the tech and life sciences sectors. Prior to joining Goodwin, Gregor was a partner at Latham & Watkins for 10 years.

Gregor has been consistently recognised for PE, VC and M&A in Germany and globally in legal rankings such as JUVE and IFLR1000. 

Kai Liebrich, Managing Partner of the firm's German offices, commented: "Gregor brings a wealth of PE and M&A transactional experience to Herbert Smith Freehills. This, combined with his work in the VC and growth equity space, is very much in line with our strategic focus on private capital and will strengthen our pan-European offering for clients. We warmly welcome Gregor to the firm."

Gregor Klenk said: "Herbert Smith Freehills' global strategy to focus on private capital is a great fit for my practice. I am excited to build upon the firm's successes to date and to contribute to the ongoing implementation of this strategy. I am also delighted to join a full-service law firm that has an excellent reputation globally."

Gregor is the third partner to join the firm's Frankfurt office in the past year. In October, the firm announced it had hired Financial Services Regulatory partner Dr Timo Buehler, and in March, it announced the hire of Finance partner Dr Fritz Kleweta. 

Gregor's hire demonstrates Herbert Smith Freehills' ongoing investment in the private capital space. In the past year, in London, the firm hired Eleanor Shanks as head of international private equity, and Dylan Kennett as a partner to co-lead the firm's UK Venture Capital and Growth Capital practice with partner Michael Jacobs. The firm also hired M&A/private equity partner Augusto Santoro along with a four-strong team comprising one of counsel, and three senior associates/associate in Milan. In Asia, the firm hired partner Peiwen Chen and relocated partner Malika Chandrasegaran. In 2023, Herbert Smith Freehills promoted 12 new partners with a significant private capital element to their practice.

Opened in 2013, Herbert Smith Freehills in Germany now boasts more than 60 lawyers including 19 partners in its Frankfurt and Düsseldorf offices.