Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s defamation and reputation management team is renowned for handling complex and high-profile litigation, drawing on the firm’s strong disputes expertise. The group provides strategic advice on both pre-action issues and during proceedings, frequently representing global corporates in sophisticated reputational matters. Led by ’formidable reputation lawyer’Alan Watts, the practice is ‘able to understand very well the specific nature and demands of a high-profile client and an extremely sensitive matter’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘HSF provides truly client-centric counsel. They are collaborative with other professional advisers to consider the legal strategy and objectives in the round with commercial considerations including reputational risk.’
‘Christopher Cox put in the hard yards before and after court during the trial to be a key voice in steering the reputation management aspects of a case that attracted significant financial media interest.'
- 'The team recognises the disruptive environment that a class action case brings to a corporate client, taking additional time to ensure that their team is able to provide relevant inputs from the legal process to enable the client to effectively manage that risk of reputational and organisational disruption.'
‘Outstanding reputation in the field and gives a clear signal of the strength of any claim defence. HSF is able to understand very well the specific nature and demands of a high-profile client and an extremely sensitive matter, and has provided outstanding legal advice and case management to date.’
‘Alan Watts is a formidable reputation lawyer and a key asset for any defence. Extremely strong advisory and advocacy skills.'
'Christopher Cox is extremely knowledgeable, yet able to translate complex legal topics and procedures into digestible advice for international clients.'
‘A very strong litigation practice with strong tactical experts.’
‘Alan Watts is exceptional. Brilliant tactician, which is essential in modern reputation management and disputes.’
Key clients
- Virgin Enterprises Limited
- The former non-executive directors of Carillion plc.
- Lord Alan Sugar
Work highlights
- Achieved a significant victory in the High Court of England & Wales (Commercial Court) for Virgin Enterprises Limited, a Virgin Group company, against Brightline Holdings LLC, in relation to the assessment of the reputation of the Virgin brand during the period 2018 – 2020.
- Advised the former non-executive directors of Carillion plc in respect of the significant press coverage and inaccurate reporting after the Secretary of State discontinued the director disqualification proceedings that it had brought against the clients in 2023, and successfully sought corrections clarifying the position.
- Advises Lord Alan Sugar in relation to various reputational matters, including in connection with false and misleading online advertising which uses his name and image to promote services without authorisation.
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.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Alan Watts