Willkie Farr & Gallagher has added M&A and private equity attorney Dr. Sebastian Häfele as a partner in Germany, strengthening the firm’s transactional bench in Munich and continuing a multi-year push to expand its presence in the German market.
Häfele, who is based in Willkie’s Munich office, is a corporate lawyer focused on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, public takeovers, and corporate reorganizations. Willkie said he brings significant experience advising on German and cross-border M&A projects and has been recognized by leading German legal research guides for his work across M&A, private equity, and corporate matters.
The hire continues Willkie’s growth strategy in Germany, where the firm has been expanding across practices and locations. The firm said that during 2025, it welcomed lateral partners in Germany in private equity, antitrust, and litigation, and opened a new office in Hamburg, giving the firm three offices in Germany alongside Munich and Frankfurt.
Häfele joins Willkie from Kirkland & Ellis. Willkie’s Germany platform spans private equity, mergers and acquisitions, insurance transactions, labor and employment, restructuring, litigation and arbitration, investigations and enforcement, and additional areas, supporting complex corporate and commercial work for clients in Germany and internationally.
KEY QUOTES:
“Sebastian is a skilled lawyer with a diverse corporate practice spanning numerous industries. His experience and market recognition in M&A and private equity will strengthen our dynamic team in Germany, and we look forward to working with him to further extend our transactional capabilities to clients worldwide.”
Kamyar Abrar, Co-Managing Partner of Germany
“Willkie has a top-ranked global private equity and transactional platform that is known for its collaborative, client-focused approach and well-established reputation in the German market. I am delighted to join this growing team of exceptional lawyers in Germany.”
Dr. Sebastian Häfele, Partner, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
