International law firm Bird & Bird appoints tax law expert Dr Rolf Schmich as a partner in its Frankfurt office as of 1 January 2023. With him, his long-term team member Michael Brüggemann, LL.B. joins Bird & Bird as an associate.
Rolf Schmich is a tax lawyer and has been advising clients on German and international tax law for over 20 years. He joins Bird & Bird from SZA Schilling, Zutt & Anschütz, where he had been since May 2010, and since 2013 as a partner. Prior to that, Rolf worked as counsel for the US law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
He specialises in transaction-related tax advice (M&A, reorganisations, financing, inbound structures) as well as corporate and reorganisation tax law. Rolf also represents clients in tax audits and disputes with the tax authorities and before the tax courts. He also advises clients on tax and criminal tax law in connection with cum/ex and cum/cum cases.
Dr. Peter Veranneman, Managing Partner of Bird & Bird in Germany, says: “With the addition of Rolf Schmich and his team, we have filled an important gap within our German practice as well as our international tax group. I am very pleased that we have been able to attract such an experienced and respected tax law expert to our firm. A warm welcome to Rolf Schmich and Michael Brüggemann.”
Andy Brown, head of the international Tax practice at Bird & Bird comments: “Bringing Rolf and his team onboard was a natural next step to grow our German and international Tax practices. We have worked with Rolf on a variety of German tax matters for a number of years and their specialist expertise and experience will be a key part of our development strategy within our Tax practice in Germany.”
Commenting on his move, Dr. Rolf Schmich, adds: “Michael Brüggemann and I know Bird & Bird very well. We have a special relationship and have worked with the firm on several national and international projects over the past few years. We were very attracted to Bird & Bird’s sector focus and clients as well as the firm’s international background. We are looking forward to building and expanding Bird & Bird’s tax practice in Germany.”
