The ‘dedicated and knowledgeable team’ at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is well versed in cybersecurity, digital assets, as well as M&A concerning emerging technology companies. On the telecommunications side, the practice is also geared to handle data centre, fibre network, and satellite launch matters. Praised for his ’excellent partner support’, Nick Pantlin is proficient in cloud matters, e-commerce, and software development, while David Coulling is skilled at data licensing. Rachel Lidgate is experienced in data management and outsourcing disputes, and Andrew Moir combines IP and IT expertise. James Farrell brings three decades of experience in commercial disputes in the IT sector, while global TMT sector head Veronica Roberts is adept at competition and regulatory investigations. Jeremy Purton is frequently engaged in legacy systems transitions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘HSF has a dedicated and knowledgeable team with depth of experience, particularly across the partnership and senior associates. The team listens to clients and understands how market drivers impact priorities. They are willing to offer fixed fees where needed and adapt to client requirements.’
  • ‘The HSF team provide key resources, knowledge, and experience.’
  • ‘The team work in a collaborative and supportive manner, whilst providing key knowledge and expertise.’
  • ‘They are highly responsive and collaborative. The team is experienced and well-versed in technology space, and provides advice that is practical and commercially minded.'
  • 'HSF demonstrated inventiveness and flexibility in its ways of working with our in-house team - this enabled HSF to integrate seamlessly with our team to provide convenience and efficiency in our contract review processes.’
  • ‘An excellent team that provides first class legal support, both on the contract side and in relation to project management and contract negotiations.’
  • ‘Terence Lau was very responsive, concise, and pragmatic. He also had a good working knowledge of relevant regulations for the sector.'
  • 'Nick Pantlin provides excellent partner support when needed, but is excellent at delegating responsibility appropriately to his team.’

Key clients

  • Anglo American
  • AustralianSuper
  • Bharti Airtel
  • Bharti Global
  • BP and bp Pulse
  • British American Tobacco
  • ClearBank
  • Comcast
  • Facebook
  • Goldman Sachs
  • HSBC
  • IBM
  • IHS Towers
  • Inchcape
  • Inmarsat
  • Lloyds Banking Group
  • Ministry of Defence
  • OneWeb
  • Orange
  • Reliance Communications
  • Sky
  • Standard Chartered Bank
  • Stonepeak
  • Tata Communications
  • Telefonica and VMO2
  • Telefonica S.A.
  • Transport for London
  • UBS
  • VEON
  • Virgin Media O2
  • Vodafone
  • Wisetech

Work highlights

  • Represented R2 Semiconductor in UK High Court proceedings enforcing its patent against Intel relating to on-chip voltage regulators.
  • Advised AustralianSuper on its investment of €1.5 billion in Vantage Data Centers Europe, Middle East and Africa, one of the fastest growing hyperscale data centre platforms in the region.
  • Advised OneWeb, a low earth orbit (LEO) broadband satellite communications company on its merger of equals with Eutelsat Communications.

Lawyers

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 individuals: IT
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading individuals: Telecoms
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Nick Pantlin, Rachel Lidgate, James Farrell, Andrew Moir, David Coulling, Veronica Roberts  

Other key lawyers

Siddhartha Shukl, Emma Stones, Jeremy Purton, Terence Lau, David Andrews, Dominic Rowe, Malcolm Lombers, Stephen Wisking, Heather Newton, Hugh Bannister