If there was any doubt about the ambitions of New York’s legal elite in Germany, this week’s assault on Baker & McKenzie’s German arm by Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom should crush such notions.

The raids saw seven Bakers partners quit in the same day, not only delivering a major blow to the international giant’s local arm, but also illustrating just how seriously the likes of Milbank and Skadden are taking Germany.