Herbert Smith Freehills

Herbert Smith Freehills
Name	Herbert Smith Freehills
Founded	2012 (merger)
Headquarters	London, Sydney
Practice areas	Corporate, Litigation, Arbitration, Finance, Employment, Real Estate, Competition, Tax
Num offices	27+
Num lawyers	~2,800
Website	Herbert Smith Freehills

Herbert Smith Freehills

Herbert Smith Freehills is an international law firm formed by the merger of two major firms with roots in London and Sydney, providing transactional, dispute resolution, regulatory and advisory services across sectors including banking, energy, technology, mining and telecommunications. The firm serves clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations and multinational corporations to state-owned enterprises and sovereign wealth funds, and competes with firms such as Linklaters, Clifford Chance, Allen & Overy and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in global markets. Headquartered in London and Sydney, the firm is notable for work on major cross-border matters involving institutions like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and multinational corporations in jurisdictions including United Kingdom, Australia, China and United States.

History

Herbert Smith Freehills was created by the 2012 merger of Herbert Smith and Freehills, bringing together legacies tied to London Law Society practice and Sydney commercial law traditions, with antecedents linked to landmark matters involving entities such as Barclays, BP, Rio Tinto and Shell. The merged firm expanded through strategic integrations and lateral hires, building a presence that intersected with global developments like the Global Financial Crisis (2007–2008), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank initiatives, and cross-border disputes before tribunals such as the International Court of Arbitration and International Court of Justice. Over time the firm opened offices and advised on transactions in regions impacted by events including the Arab Spring, Brexit, US-China trade tensions and major energy projects in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Structure and Governance

The firm operates as a multinational partnership with governance mechanisms influenced by professional structures in England and Wales and Australia, and governance bodies that interact with regulatory frameworks like the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Law Society of New South Wales. Leadership roles have included senior partners and managing partners who liaise with boards and committees similar to governance in firms such as DLA Piper and Baker McKenzie, and the firm maintains compliance with international standards tied to organizations like the United Nations guiding principles for business and International Bar Association recommendations. Its structure supports sector-focused groups aligned with markets such as banking and mining, and it collaborates with external stakeholders including stock exchanges and competition authorities.

Practice Areas and Services

Herbert Smith Freehills provides services across corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, dispute resolution, international arbitration, regulatory investigations, competition and antitrust, employment, taxation, and real estate, serving clients in industries such as energy, technology, mining, financial services, telecommunications and transport. The firm is active in international arbitration forums including the London Court of International Arbitration, International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, and commercial tribunals such as the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, and conducts regulatory work before bodies like the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Financial Conduct Authority. Its transactional teams advise on initial public offerings and debt financings on exchanges like the London Stock Exchange, Australian Securities Exchange and New York Stock Exchange.

Global Presence and Offices

The firm maintains offices across key financial centers including London, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Dubai, Johannesburg and New York, positioning itself to serve matters that span jurisdictions such as China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and South Korea. Its regional hubs support work on projects linked to multinational clients and infrastructure initiatives financed by institutions like the Asian Development Bank and European Investment Bank, and the firm often coordinates with local counsel in markets governed by legal systems such as common law jurisdictions and mixed systems present in Southeast Asia and Africa.

Major Transactions and Cases

The firm has advised on headline transactions and disputes involving major corporations and state entities, including cross-border mergers, sovereign bond restructurings, energy project financings, and high-value arbitrations involving companies like Glencore, BHP, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, ANZ and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. It has acted in arbitrations and litigation before tribunals and courts including the High Court of Justice (England and Wales), Federal Court of Australia, Singapore International Commercial Court and investor‑state dispute forums under the ICSID Convention, and has been engaged in matters concerning regulatory probes by authorities such as the US Securities and Exchange Commission and European Commission.

Corporate Responsibility and Pro Bono

Herbert Smith Freehills runs pro bono programs and corporate responsibility initiatives partnering with organizations like Amnesty International, Red Cross, UNHCR and local legal aid services, focusing on access to justice, human rights, environmental sustainability and community support in regions including Australia, United Kingdom and Asia Pacific. The firm reports on environmental, social and governance efforts aligned with frameworks such as the UN Global Compact and engages in sustainability projects related to renewable energy and climate resilience in collaboration with non-profits and industry bodies.

Awards and Rankings

The firm has received recognition in legal directories and rankings including Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, IFLR1000 and Euromoney for practice areas like international arbitration, mergers and acquisitions, and energy, competing with peers such as Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Latham & Watkins for top-tier rankings. Individual partners have been listed in legal rankings and received awards from institutions including Who's Who Legal and sector awards from industry publications and trade bodies.

Category:Law firms