Mayer Brown expands Banking & Finance practice in Germany with lateral hire of partner Burkhard Jäkel

Mayer Brown continues to expand its banking & finance advisory capabilities: Burkhard Jäkel joined the Frankfurt office as a partner on January 1, 2026. Jäkel comes from Gleiss Lutz, where he practiced for almost three decades, including 25 years as a partner. With his proven expertise in complex banking and finance projects as well as in restructuring and insolvency law, he will strengthen the firm's competence in key strategic areas.

Martin Heuber, head of Mayer Brown's Banking & Finance practice in Germany, emphasizes: "The increasing complexity of financing solutions for companies and sponsors is leading to a significant increase in the demand for advice on both the lender and the borrower side, nationally as well as internationally. In Burkhard, we are gaining a partner who has been successfully implementing complex financing structures for many years and who, with this experience, will make an important contribution to further broaden our range of advisory services. We are very pleased to welcome Burkhard to our team."

Burkhard advises companies, banks, and financial service providers in particular. His many years of experience in advising borrowers and lenders include syndicated loans, acquisition financing, and real estate financing, both in the context of new transactions and restructuring. 

“With Burkhard, we are strengthening an interface between financing, structuring, and restructuring that is crucial for our clients,” adds Guido Zeppenfeld, Managing Partner of Mayer Brown Germany. “The last two years have seen a steep increase in complex finance transactions, so expanding these areas is a logical step.”

Burkhard Jäkel describes his move as follows: "Mayer Brown's focus on advising on financing transactions and their restructuring provides an optimal environment for my clients. The strong international finance practice allows me to provide targeted advice at a time when companies are turning to a broader range of financing solutions. I look forward to contributing my experience and working with the team to develop economically viable solutions for complex financing projects."

With the addition of Burkhard, Mayer Brown is continuing its expansion of its German practice. The additions in the last twelve months in the finance, private equity, and corporate areas are in line with the firm's strategic focus on providing comprehensive support to clients across the entire spectrum of transactions and financing.