Mr Federico Fruhbeck > Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Working for some of the world’s foremost investment firms, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is singled out by one client for its ‘best in class partner quality and availability combined with very customer-friendly practices and great industry knowledge.’ Latterly, the practice has advised on an array of buyouts, investments, joint ventures, and debt finance mandates concerning a host of infrastructure and energy transition assets, including, but not limited to, green steel, electricity transmission and distribution, telecoms, EV charging, carbon capture and removal, and renewables. Practice head Federico Fruhbeck is a highly experienced M&A lawyer who works with a range of funds and sponsors across a number of jurisdictions. Fruhbeck often works closely with Alice Brogi, whose far-reaching practice covers a range of infrastructure and hard assets. Robert Dixon is another proficient cross-border M&A adviser who is routinely sought out for his digital infrastructure expertise. Kavita Davis joined the firm from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in September 2023, bringing further debt finance capabilities to the team.

Counting major investors and global companies among its key clients, the Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher team regularly handles multijurisdictional investments in the tech, healthcare, and media sectors. Wim De Vlieger and Federico Fruhbeck co-head the outfit, both specialising in complex buy-out transactions, IPOs, and cross-border M&A. Regarded as ‘an exceptional partner’ Till Lefranc is an expert in growth capital investments. Robert Dixon focuses on joint ventures, while Jeremy Kenley is knowledgeable on disposals and leveraged buyouts.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher‘s energy practice handles a host of complex transactions, projects, and disputes in both the conventional and nuclear power sectors. The team is led by Anna Howell, whose practice spans cross-border M&A, project development and financing, joint ventures, and restructurings. In July 2023, energy specialists Ben Shorten and Trinh Chubbock joined the team from legacy firm Shearman & Sterling LLP, bringing new expertise in the development and financing of large-scale energy projects. Other key contacts include Alice Brogi, who focuses on private equity M&A, and Federico Fruhbeck, who specialises in cross-border M&A transactions across Europe and Latin America.

In the renewable energy space, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher advises on numerous large-scale transactions and disputes concerning a range of assets, including wind and solar power, green hydrogen, and battery energy storage. The team is led by Anna Howell, whose experience encompasses cross-border M&A and project development and financing, areas in which Federico Fruhbeck is also well-versed. Alice Brogi is a key contact for domestic and cross-border acquisitions, disposals, and joint ventures. Ben Shorten focuses on energy transition, while Trinh Chubbock is noted for her expertise in renewable energy. Both Shorten and Chubbock joined the team in July 2023 from legacy firm Shearman & Sterling LLP.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher acts on behalf of some of the market’s most significant financial institutions, private equity funds, UK plcs and US conglomerates. Well-placed to handle cross-border and domestic M&A transactions, its considerable sector reach spans the infrastructure, financial services, tech, healthcare, life sciences, energy and real estate industries. Key figures include Wim De Vlieger and Federico Fruhbeck, who jointly head up the private equity group in Europe and stand out for their experience in strategic cross-border M&A. Other noteworthy individuals from the London team include Alison Beal, who focuses large-scale tech sector deals, and Mark Sperotto, who has wide-ranging experience in both the UK and Italian markets.

A ‘knowledgeable and professional’ team that is ‘able to manage complex transactions pragmatically and effectively’, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher showcases significant sector strength in real estate and infrastructure, as well as a growing presence in the education sector. Co-chair of the firm’s European PE group, Wim De Vlieger presides over complex cross-border transactions. Co-head Federico Fruhbeck is the key contact for infrastructure-related PE deals, often working closely with KKR. Till Lefranc has a strong book of work in the tech, healthcare and life sciences spaces, handling a range of acquisitions, divestments and management equity arrangements, while Mark Sperotto’s practice balances M&A and corporate finance work. Alice Brogi also comes recommended for her transactional skill in the infrastructure sector.