Drawing considerable praise from clients for its ‘pragmatic and commercial’ approach, the team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is turned to by a host of blue-chip companies, leading investment banks and sovereign wealth funds and listed companies. Practice head Gavin Davies is frequently engaged by clients operating in the tech, telecoms, financial services and industrial sectors. He is supported by James Palmer, who is noted for his focus on cross-border M&A involving the US and Europe, as well as Caroline Rae, who stands out for her experience in public takeovers. Stephen Wilkinson is recommended for his work on high-value corporate transactions and governance matters, while Heidi Gallagher - noted for her experience in corporate finance transactions - continues to act on a range of significant matters. Harriet Forrest is also recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'The team at HSF delivers excellent work product time and again. Plus the both depth and breadth of their expertise ensures that they will have a resource available for just about every issue we approach them on.'
‘Alex Kay is very good. A pleasure to work with.’
‘Mark Bardell is exceptional all round. He has deep knowledge of all aspects of corporate law and has been able to assist with the mechanics of a UK takeover panel regulated deal as well as a corporate restructuring.'
‘Herbert Smith has an extremely strong M&A practice with a deep bench of lawyers who consistently demonstrate an understanding of every aspect of the deal process. They are knowledgeable, creative, and also highly responsive and accessible at all hours, always ready to meet the demands of the transaction.'
‘Mark Bardell and Gavin Davies are among the best lawyers we work with in any jurisdiction globally in terms of their insight, judgement and ability to get deals over the line. They not only provide us impeccable legal advice, but have an ability to understand and anticipate our commercial objectives, and then no matter how small or large, or complex the deal - delve down into the details and reach a resolution. ’
'Mehdi Tedjani's knowledge and advice is outstanding. His full continental and common law qualification and background gives him the ability to navigate easily in an international context.’
‘The firm has a long established and expert investment funds practice, along with a well recognised corporate and M&A practice. The combination of both makes them an obvious choice for large M&A transactions in the investment fund sector.’
‘Nigel Farr is very experienced and well known in investment funds.'
Key clients
- Abbott
- Airtel Africa
- Altice
- AlTi Tiedemann Global
- Altra Industrial Motion Corp.
- Amsted Industries
- Anglo American
- Ardonagh Group
- ArcelorMittal
- Associated British Foods
- Atlassian Corporation
- AustralianSuper
- Biotage
- Blackstone
- BP
- British American Tobacco
- British Land
- Capital & Countries Properties
- Cash Converters
- CHP
- ClearBank
- Coca-Cola HBC
- Comcast (formerly Sky)
- Diageo
- Easyjet
- Elementis
- Elliott
- Ferrexpo
- General Mills
- GIC Infra Holdings Pte Ltd
- Go-Ahead Group
- Hammerson
- Hipgnosis
- Hiscox
- Hotel Chocolat
- Inchcape
- Johnson Matthey
- JP Morgan
- JSW
- Kin + Carta
- Liberty Global
- Link Group
- Ma'aden
- Man Group
- Maurel & Prom
- Mercuria Energy
- Mitsubishi Corporation
- Morgan Stanley
- National Grid
- Norlake Hospitality
- OneWeb
- Panmure Gordon
- Pearson
- Qatar Investment Authority
- Reliance
- RTW Biotech
- Severn Trent Green Power Limited
- Sinopec
- Softbank
- Spaldy Investments
- Stagecoach
- Stephens
- Stonepeak
- Sumitomo
- Sustainable Development Capital
- Synthomer plc
- Telefónica
- Tryg
- Tullow Oil plc
- The UNITE Group
- UPL
- Virgin Media O2
- Waverton Investment Management
- Weir Group
- WHSmith
- Wincanton
Work highlights
- Advised AustralianSuper on its €1.5 billion subscription in Vantage Data Centers Europe, Middle East and Africa.
- Advised The Ardonagh Group on the £1.2 billion merger between Markerstudy Group and Atlanta Group, Ardonagh's personal lines broking business.
- Advised Wincanton plc on several publicly contested takeover offers, namely the original cash offer from CEVA Logistics S.A. and on the subsequent competing cash offer from U.S. listed, GXO Logistics, Inc. valuing Wincanton at £960m and delivering a premium of more than 100% to Wincanton shareholders.
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.
Harriet Forrest
Herbert Smith Freehills LLPLeading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Caroline Rae
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Mark Bardell
Herbert Smith Freehills LLPNext Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Heidi Gallagher
Herbert Smith Freehills LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Gavin Davies