Xavier Guzman, the newly-appointed Country Managing Partner in Luxembourg;
Credit: DLA Piper
On Monday 29 April 2024, Global law firm DLA Piper announced that it appointed Xavier Guzman as the new Country Managing Partner in Luxembourg, coinciding with the firm’s tenth anniversary in the country.
The new appointment is effective from Wednesday 1 May 2024. Xavier Guzman will succeed Catherine Pogorzelski who has led DLA Piper’s Luxembourg office since its inception, as the firm marks ten years in the Grand Duchy. The announcement comes after the relocation of the office in early April to a new central Luxembourg address.
Xavier Guzman, who is leading the finance practice in Luxembourg, joined DLA Piper in 2015, having spent his formative years in practice in international firms between Paris, Luxembourg, Hong Kong and New York. At DLA Piper, Xavier Guzman built a practice advising on significant cross-border banking, finance and restructuring matters across major banks, financial institutions and corporates in a host of sectors.
Recognised throughout his career with industry commendations, DLA Piper chose him to lead the Luxembourg Finance group since 2017 with his promotion to partner.
Catherine Pogorzelski has led DLA Piper’s Luxembourg office since 2014. She will maintain an active role in DLA Piper Luxembourg’s leadership as a senior partner and continue to advise and support fund managers and investors with their growth projects from Luxembourg.
Catherine Pogorzelski commented: "Leading DLA Piper's Luxembourg office through a decade of growth has been incredibly fulfilling. As I reflect on the cultivation of the robust office, its dynamic teams, and effective leaders I feel a deep sense of pride. Passing the baton to Xavier, I will be turning my focus to international projects while continuing to maintain close ties with clients. Having worked closely with Xavier since he joined our firm, I am certain he will maintain our momentum and elevate our team to new heights.”
Xavier Guzman added: “I’m both honoured and excited to be leading this new chapter for our Luxembourg team, and the integral role they play in DLA Piper’s global platform. Catherine has successfully steered the office to a fantastic place. While our view from the office has changed with our new home, our outlook remains unchanged, delivering long-lasting value for our clients through bold solutions, close client partnerships, and a 360° approach. We will maintain the growth mindset and ‘stronger together’ attitude, which are fundamental to our innovation, and continue to strengthen our connections with the local and international community to drive forward our practices.”
Jan Meents, Managing Director UK & Europe at DLA Piper, concluded: “Catherine has had an impressive decade at the helm of our Luxembourg offering, and has our gratitude for the positive contribution her leadership has made. The location plays a key strategic role at the centre of many complex, cross-jurisdictional matters, alongside an impressive roster of domestic clients, and I look forward to seeing Xavier’s contribution to our Luxembourg team’s continued success.”
