Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Showcasing demonstrable expertise in investment banking, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP’s ‘highly knowledgeable’ practice handles matters concerning the emerging regulation of digital assets, artificial intelligence, fintech and sustainability in financial services. ’An asset to the firm’, Marina Reason leads the team and works extensively with investment banks, broker-dealers, private and retail banks and asset managers. Clive Cunningham’s workload includes banking, securities and asset management matters, in addition to advising on the financial services aspects of M&A transactions. Kelesi Blundell, whose ‘attention to detail and service delivery is outstanding’, advises on mandates concerning Brexit, MiFID II and market infrastructure regulation, and is another key contact in the group.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The HSF team are highly knowledgeable and have demonstrated a deep level of thinking on the topics on which we have engaged them. They have a very strong understanding of the practitioner's mindset and their feedback is always grounded in the practical rather than the abstract.’
‘Kelesi Blundell and Marina Reason are excellent to work with. They are knowledgeable and at the top of their game.’
‘They connect with our business, technological developments and desire to place our customers at the centre of our services and not just provide air cover for our corporate risk. They are a like a third arm or second brain and consummate technicians who are just great people to collaborate with.'
‘Clive Cunningham is always available and responsive to supporting our dynamic needs, a great sounding board and technician with a team that roots its advice in the real world, offering pragmatic commercial insight and value add.’
‘The financial services practice group at HSF are extremely client centric, responsive and provide clear and pragmatic advice.’
‘HSF is miles ahead in terms of its regular updates on regulatory developments in a user-friendly concise way. The team are proactive, very responsive and often get in touch to share with us market intel which is extremely valuable.’
‘Marina Reason understands the complexities of working in a global bank and is able to break down the intricacies of laws and regulatory frameworks against the back drop of a complex institution to provide simple-to-understand advice that is very practical to apply. An asset to the firm.'
'Kelesi Blundell's attention to detail and service delivery is outstanding; always keeping us informed of the status of the project, what to expect and what she did, over and above the ask, because she felt it was the right thing to do.’

Key clients

ClearBank Limited
Tandem Money Limited
Tandem Bank Limited
TSB Bank plc
TP ICAP
The Ardonagh Group
Invesco
Deutsche Bank
Marex
MUFG
Jaime Gilinski
Spaldy Investments Limited
Alpha Bank

Work highlights

Acted for Mr Gilnski and his investment vehicle, Spaldy Investments Limited, on a majority equity investment in Metro Bank as part of the October 2023 rescue of Metro Bank.
Advised the Earthshot Prize on regulatory issues around their new digital platform "Launchpad".
Advised ASX-listed Link Group on the sale of its UK and Irish funds management business to Waystone Group.

Lawyers

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