Fielding a strong team that is highly regarded for its ability to cover the full scope of merger control, antitrust investigations and FDI matters, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is praised by clients for its ‘deep industry knowledge and strong technical expertise.’ The firm works with a diverse roster of clients, comprising multinational companies in sectors as diverse as energy, manufacturing, TMT and pharmaceuticals. Practice head Veronica Roberts, who specialises in complex cross-border merger clearances, with a particular emphasis on the media, telecoms and leisure sectors. She often works with Stephen Wisking, who is routinely involved in a significant number of competition and regulatory cases at EU and UK level, and stands out for his litigation capabilities. Susan Black is noted for her experience advising clients on market studies and investigations, while Kim Dietzel stands out for her focus on litigation and cartel cases, as well as merger control matters. Suzy Campbell continues to assist on the firm’s key workstreams.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Deep industry knowledge and strong technical expertise.’
‘Stephen Whisking has an excellent understanding of strategic approaches to CMA issues.’
'We have worked with the HSF competition team on several projects, and have found them to be outstanding. They have tremendous legal and commercial expertise, are very practical and are enormously responsive and client focused. We are hugely impressed.'
'Very knowledgeable team, always available and leading in the FDI space. Always a pleasurable experience when dealing with difficult antitrust issues. Veronica Roberts is our relationship partner and I rate her highly.'
'Veronica is considered as one of the leading practitioners in this field. She adopts a very composed and reasonable approach which mirrors our values as a company.'
'The team really spend the time understanding the business, wider context and thinking through how to navigate challenging issues. They are then able to explain and present this in a straightforward way.'
Key clients
- Meta
- OneWeb
- NEC Software Solutions UK
- Sainsbury's
- Iveco Group, CNH Industrial, and Stellantis (together “Iveco”)
- Virgin Atlantic Airways
- The Ardonagh Group
- General Mills
- The Coca Cola Company
- WHSmith
- Shaftesbury Capital (formerly Capital & Counties Properties Plc)
- Severn Trent Green Power
- Bellway Homes
- Wincanton
Work highlights
- Advised NEC Software Solutions UK on the merger control aspects of its completed acquisition of Capita Secure Solutions and Services and its subsequent Phase 2 clearance from the CMA, subject to remedies.
- Acting for Meta in respect of a collective action brought in the UK CAT on behalf of an alleged class of c. 45 million Facebook users, seeking approx. £3 billion in aggregate damages.
- Advising Sainsbury's, Bellway Homes and WHSmith in connection with investigations / markets studies (road fuel, groceries, housebuilding and catering at railway stations) by competition authorities and other sectoral regulators in the UK.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Kim Dietzel
Herbert Smith Freehills LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Veronica Roberts