Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP, Pittsburgh's largest law firm, is launching an office in Berlin.

It is the first Pittsburgh-based law firm to establish an office in the Germany city. Reed Smith LLP has an office in Munich.

The 11-lawyer office will be staffed by partners who formerly practiced in the Berlin office of Taylor Wessing, an German/British firm. Rudiger von Hulst will serve as administrative partner.

The office is the 22nd for K&L Gates, created last month through the merger of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP, Pittsburgh, and Preston Gates Ellis LLP, Seattle. The firm now employs around 1,400 lawyers.

Peter Kalis, K&L Gates chairman and global managing partner, said the opening of the Berlin office is a natural expression of the firm's relationships with many clients doing business in Europe and around the world.

Kalis said that the firm expects further growth in Europe and discussions are continuing in several cities, but Paris, he said, is a priority.

http://www.klgates.com