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Geradin Partners Deepens Antitrust Expertise with German Expansion

By  |  June 17, 2025

Geradin Partners has announced the upcoming launch of new offices in Berlin and Cologne, further extending its network of legal services into Germany’s critical economic and regulatory landscape.

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    The firm, known for its focus on competition law and digital regulation, will open its German offices on 1 September 2025. According to a statement released by Geradin Partners, the expansion will be led by Professor Dr. Thomas Höppner and Dr. Thomas G. Funke, with additional support from a team of experienced counsels and associates.

    Per the same statement, this development brings the firm’s headcount to more than 50 professionals, including 15 partners, operating from seven key cities throughout the EU and the UK. The new German offices mark a strategic step in broadening Geradin Partners’ footprint in regions pivotal to competition enforcement and digital market regulation.

    The decision to enter the German market is described as a natural progression for the firm, given the country’s central role in EU economic affairs and its significance in the field of antitrust litigation and regulatory oversight. Berlin, cited as a hub for technology and media, and Cologne, recognized for its concentration of major corporations and proximity to the Bundeskartellamt, offer strategic advantages, per a statement from the firm.

    Related: Geradin Partners Expands London Team with New Partner Hire

    The leadership team in Germany brings with it extensive expertise. According to the firm’s announcement, Counsel Ghazale Mandegarian-Fricke will join the effort, bringing nearly a decade of experience in EU and German competition law alongside Thomas Funke. In addition, the Cologne office will benefit from the involvement of Counsels Philipp Westerhoff and Johannes Wick, both of whom have been credited with strong track records in complex enforcement and litigation work.

    The firm emphasized that both incoming partners, Funke and Höppner, are widely respected in their field and have played leading roles in shaping legal responses to digital market challenges in Europe. Their collective experience is expected to reinforce the firm’s position as a go-to advisor on matters involving antitrust and tech regulation.

    Both Funke and Höppner expressed their enthusiasm for the transition and acknowledged the support of their previous firms. The statement notes that they are looking forward to contributing to a highly integrated European practice at Geradin Partners, one that combines academic rigor with practical insight into emerging digital markets.

    Source: Geradin Partners