Allen & Overy (A&O) has set up a German desk in its New York office as well as initiating a US desk in its Frankfurt office. The US-based German desk will be headed by Peter Hein, with associates Daniel Holder and Steffen Dietz.

It will be launched on 1 June. Partner Wolfgang Melzer is to take over the leadership of the finance team in Frankfurt, with three US lawyers moving to Germany over the next few months. A&O’s clients include Citibank and Deutsche Bank.