International law firm Bird & Bird announces the hire of two new partners in Frankfurt - Corporate partner and Venture Capital (VC) specialist Clemens Maschke and international arbitration expert Heiko Heppner. They will join the firm on the 1 January 2026.
Clemens Maschke
With over 20 years’ experience advising tech, media and automotive sector clients, Clemens specialises in emerging markets and has successfully advised and supported a large number of national and international clients in M&A transactions.
Clemens’ practice spans complex joint venture structuring and corporate restructuring, as well as corporate and distribution law issues. In addition to general corporate law advice, he supports globally active companies in managing and monitoring their worldwide investments, conducting global compliance due diligence and implementing corporate law measures globally, e.g. post-merger integration processes.
He joins alongside Counsel Lieor Koblenz.
Heiko Heppner
Heiko focusses on international arbitration and cross-border litigation across a variety of sectors, ranging from energy, finance, healthcare, to automotive, defense and engineering, and frequently advises on matters that cross the common law and civil law divide. Heiko is admitted to practice law in Germany, England, and the United States (New York).
He frequently acts in cross-border litigation in Germany and internationally, giving strategic advice on disputes abroad, including cases involving European and North American parties, as well as cases related to Africa and the Middle East. Beyond disputes involving energy and digital projects, Heiko is also active as an arbitrator and teaches international arbitration law at universities in Europe and China.
Heiko joins alongside Senior Counsel Prof. Dr. Friedrich Toepel, who joined Bird & Bird in October 2025, as well as Counsel Sebastian Gratz.
Clemens and Heiko’s arrival mark a positive start to the new year for Bird & Bird’s international Corporate and Dispute Resolution Groups, reflecting the firm’s commitment to ambitious growth as part of the five-year strategy.
Dr. Uwe Lüken, head of Bird & Bird’s Germany office, said: “Frankfurt’s significance as a hub for corporate and disputes work makes Clemens and Heiko timely and impactful additions to the team in Germany. Clemens’ tech sector expertise and his experience in frontier markets, including Africa and the Middle East, aligns seamlessly with the firm’s strategic vision and strengths. The addition of Heiko represents a significant step forward, reinforcing the international expansion strategy and substantially enhancing visibility within the German disputes landscape. We’re delighted to have them on board."
Clemens said: “I am delighted to be part of such an innovative and forward-looking law firm. Bird & Bird has an excellent reputation in the technology sector, and its sector-specific approach and international positioning are a perfect fit for my practice. I can't wait to build on the obvious strengths of the existing team and contribute to the firm's continued success by offering innovative and client-focused solutions.”
Heiko added: “Bird & Bird’s focus on all legal matters related to technology, digitalisation, and regulation, combined with its strong international presence and One-Firm-Spirit, as well as the impressive range and expertise of the lawyers, provides an excellent platform to further develop my practice. I look forward to contributing my transatlantic experience and sector expertise at Bird & Bird, and I see great potential for our joint growth.”
