International law firm Simmons & Simmons has bolstered its Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure (ENRI) practice in Germany by hiring Sergei Kabanov as a partner in its Frankfurt office.

Joining Simmons from another international law firm, Sergei brings extensive expertise across the ENRI sector to the firm, specialising in multi-jurisdictional transactions in the energy and energy transition sectors; in project and export finance, and in the infrastructure space.

European law firm Fieldfisher bolsters its Corporate practice and private equity offering with the addition of Partner Philip Watkins.

Philip joins Fieldfisher from Withers LLP, effective 3 February 2025, and will be based in the firm's London office.

Eversheds Sutherland has announced the arrival of lateral partner hire Matthias Kiesewetter to its Hamburg office.

Matthias joins from international law firm White & Case, where he was partner of its Global Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group since 2018.

Matthias brings more than 15 years of experience in advising on M&A, joint ventures, and fast-growth investments across a broad range of sectors including: technology, infrastructure, and industrials.

The commercial law firm CMS has strengthened its Real Estate practice section with the hiring of Stefanie Kern (45) from 1 February 2025. She will join the firm as a partner at CMS's Munich office.

Stefanie Kern was previously a partner at Hogan Lovells and is bringing her many years of experience in property transactions and real estate M&A to CMS. She primarily advises international and national funds and institutional investors as well as corporates and banks. She also specialises in commercial tenancy law, advising on real estate financing and other asset management.

Leading commercial law firm Bevan Brittan has kicked off 2025 with a new partner appointment, adding further depth to its growing Employment, Pensions and Immigration department.

Pensions specialist Joel Eytle is joining the business from DLA Piper, bringing 20 years’ experience of supporting organisations across a number of different sectors.

International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP announced that former Acting Director of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement Sanjay Wadhwa has joined the Firm as a partner in the Securities Litigation and White Collar Defense, Regulatory and Investigations practices, based in the New York office.

International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP announced that leading sports, media and entertainment lawyer Steve Argeris has joined the Firm as a partner in the U.S. Private Equity Group, based in the Washington, D.C. and New York offices.

International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP announced that Thomas Mastoras has returned to the Firm as a partner in the Banking & Finance practice, based in the New York office.

Tom represents leading private equity sponsors, corporate borrowers, banks, alternative capital providers and other financial institutions on a range of domestic and cross-border bank financing matters.

Sidley is pleased to announce that Paris Theofanidis has joined as a partner in the firm’s Energy, Transportation and Infrastructure practice in Houston. He joins Sidley from Paul Hastings, where he was a Global Finance partner.

Ropes & Gray announced that Amir Shmueli has joined the firm in New York as a partner in the global finance practice. His arrival enhances the firm’s already formidable team of more than 100 finance attorneys across the U.S. and Europe.

“Amir forges deep client relationships, grounded in an outstanding track record of success with clients’ most critical and groundbreaking securitization matters,” said Julie Jones, chair of Ropes & Gray. “Amir is an innovator who gets deals done. He will be an invaluable asset as we serve clients in this growing area.”