Dr. Marco Buschmann, the former Federal Minister of Justice of Germany, is set to join White & Case as counsel in the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions practice in Berlin, effective February 1, 2026, according to reporting by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (F.A.Z.).
The move brings a prominent former federal cabinet member into one of the world’s largest law firms at a time when clients are increasingly navigating transactions shaped by both regulatory complexity and political scrutiny.
Buschmann’s appointment marks a return to White & Case, where he began his legal career in 2007. His reentry into private practice follows a period of high-profile public service in which he held senior roles within German politics, including serving as First Parliamentary Secretary of the FDP parliamentary group and later as Federal Minister of Justice. That trajectory positions him as a lawyer with first-hand experience of how legislation, policy priorities, and political negotiation can influence corporate decision making and transaction outcomes.
White & Case said Buschmann’s legal background and perspective on political contexts will be additive to its German platform, particularly in advising on large and often cross-border deals where regulatory considerations, stakeholder dynamics, and government-facing strategy can be integral. Based in Berlin, he will work within the firm’s M&A practice, a core area for the firm’s European deal advisory work.
The hire also underscores a broader pattern in the legal market: major global firms continue to pursue senior government and regulatory alumni as clients seek counsel that can bridge transaction execution with policy and regulatory awareness. For corporates and investors, especially in sectors exposed to heightened regulation or public interest, that combination can be valuable in anticipating timelines, structuring issues, and managing the interaction between deal strategy and the broader political environment.
Buschmann, for his part, framed the move as a return to formative professional roots. He pointed to his early experience in transactional work at White & Case and signaled enthusiasm about rejoining a platform he associates with technical rigor and a commercial mindset.
KEY QUOTES
“We are very delighted to welcome Dr. Marco Buschmann back to our team. His legal expertise and understanding of political contexts are a valuable asset to our team.”
Karsten Wöckener, Head of Germany, White & Case
“I learned the transaction business at White & Case. So I know what to expect: legal excellence, great colleagues, and an entrepreneurial environment. That’s why I’m very happy to rejoin the firm.”
Dr. Marco Buschmann
