Using a multidisciplinary approach to partnership law by incorporating its disputes, corporate, employment, and regulatory practices, the partnerships and LLP group at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is proficient in handling a range of contentious and non-contentious matters including exits, structures, mergers, and disposals, as well as joint ventures and ESG matters. The team predominantly represents clients from the legal and financial services sectors and with its cross-border capabilities and breadth of expertise, has gathered an impressive and growing client roster. Co-leading the department are Malcolm Lombers and Alan Watts – Lombers is adept in advising global consultancies, law firms, hedge funds, and asset managers on international partnership issues, while Watts is instructed by hedge funds, global law firms, and real estate organisations on disputes. The practice also benefits from the expertise of Tim Leaver who is noted for his prowess in contentious, non-contentious, and advisory matters. He frequently leads on setting up LLPs, team moves, and investigations. Nick Wright stands out for his experience acting before the Employment Tribunal and the High Court in partnership disputes, as well as handling transactions, investigations, and outsourcings.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Tim Leaver and Nick Wright are our go to partners, the value in working with them is that they understand out business and how we like to operate.’

  • ‘Brilliant litigators. If you have a partnership dispute and you want the best litigation team this is it.’

  • ‘A first-rate team with excellent knowledge of the sector and a real understanding of their clients' needs.’

  • ‘Nick Wright is always prepared to go the extra mile for his clients. He is extremely knowledgeable but also a calm and level-headed presence who appears completely unflappable.’

  • ‘Tim Leaver is the person your firm wants in the corner in any partnership dispute.’
  • ‘A very commercial firm which bring a top quality full service focus to partnership and LLP work.’

  • ‘Tim Leaver is commercial and practical. He is excellent with clients.’

  • ‘Nick Wright is highly knowledgeable and inspires confidence.’

Key clients

  • Anchorage Capital
  • KPMG
  • PWC
  • Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
  • O'Melveny & Myers
  • AEW

Work highlights

  • Advising Anchorage Capital in respect of its partnership entity restructuring arrangements, including the adaptation of two existing US LLP Deeds.
  • Advising a former Senior Equity Partner at an internal law firm in relation to an investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
  • Advising TPG on a US$13.8 billion claim filed by a jailed Russian oligarch against the TPG Defendants and 15 other defendants.

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.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Malcolm Lombers, Alan Watts

Other key lawyers

Tim Leaver, Nick Wright