Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has a particular expertise in major restructuring projects, advising at a national and international level, as well as in executive terminations and HR matters. Emma Röhsler leads the employment team, advising clients on complex, reputational risk and acting in several high-profile whistleblowing investigations. Litigation specialist Sophie Brézin leads the EPI team in Paris.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team possesses excellent skills, and is very capable at explaining the specifics of French employment law to non-French HR experts. ’
  • ‘Emma Röhsler is a very good lawyer, kind and very practical.’

  • 'The team is very service-minded and quick, and quickly understands complicated international employment law issues.'

  • 'Emma Röhsler is very trust-worthy and wise and due to her background she can think out of the French law box. Her being fluent in English is a great competitive advantage for her.'

Key clients

  • ABN AMRO
  • Air Liquide
  • ALTEN, world leader in engineering and IT Services
  • CAMO Groupe
  • CBRE
  • Cellnex Telecom
  • Danone, a French multinational food-products corporation
  • Diageo
  • EasyJet
  • Eurazeo
  • GXO
  • Hennes & Mauritz (H&M)
  • iCIMIS
  • Incitec Pivot
  • Itron
  • Martin Brower
  • Maurel & Prom
  • Michael Page
  • Mitel France
  • Olivier Wyman
  • OneWeb
  • Orange Bank
  • Paris Realty Fund
  • Perenco
  • Renault
  • Société Générale
  • Sofidy
  • Sonepar
  • Tesla
  • Tikehau Capital
  • Triplelift Inc
  • Triumph

Work highlights

  • Advised Eurazeo on its investment in regional data center provider Etix Everywhere, through the Eurazeo Transition Infrastructure Fund.
  • Assisted Renault, a key shareholder and industrial partner of Verkor, including on employment aspects.
  • Advised OneWeb, a low earth orbit (LEO) broadband satellite communications company, backed by the Bharti group, the UK Government, SoftBank and Hanwha Systems, in relation to its proposed combination with Eutelsat Communications, a listed French satellite and telecommunications company.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Sophie Brézin, Emma Röhsler

Other key lawyers

Elisabeth Debrégeas, Guilhem Séronie, Jeanne Dolleans, Emmanuel Piekut