Herbert Smith Freehills

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Company type	LLP
Industry	Legal services
Predecessor	Herbert Smith, Freehills, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel
Founded	October 1, 2012; 14 years ago (merger of Herbert Smith and Freehills)
Founder	Norman Herbert Smith (Herbert Smith, 1882); Freehills origins mid-1800s; Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel (merged 2025)
Fate	Merger with Kramer Levin in 2025
Successor	Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Headquarters	London and Sydney, United Kingdom and Australia
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Rebecca Maslen-Stannage (chair)
Products	Legal services, dispute resolution, corporate law, litigation, mergers and acquisitions
Owner	Partners of the LLP
Number of employees	Approximately 2,300+ lawyers (combined after 2025 merger) (2025)
Website	www.herbertsmithfreehills.com

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP (commonly known as HSF Kramer) operates as an international law firm with dual headquarters located in London, England, and Sydney, Australia. As of 2024, it holds the position of the 33rd largest law firm worldwide based on revenue. This firm emerged from the 2012 union of two established entities: UK-based Herbert Smith (established in 1882), a distinguished member of the Silver Circle, and Australian firm Freehills (established in 1852), recognized among Australia's Big Six. The 2025 combination with the American law firm Kramer Levin resulted in the formation of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, significantly broadening its international presence and elevating its status among the largest firms globally by both revenue and attorney headcount.

HSF Kramer is particularly acclaimed for its expertise in dispute resolution. Notably, former Herbert Smith partner F.A. Mann was influential in defining London's litigation landscape. In 2024, the firm advised more companies listed on the London Stock Exchange than any other, representing 116 such clients. Furthermore, it leads in providing legal representation to FTSE 100 companies within cases heard by the UK Court of Appeal.

According to data from GlobalData, HSF Kramer achieved the highest volume of Asia Pacific M&A mandates by deal value in 2023, surpassing $20 billion during the first three quarters. In the UK market, it posted the top litigation revenue in 2024, amounting to £314.6 million, outpacing rivals including Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. The firm consistently manages some of the most valuable and intricate litigation matters and has maintained a top-three ranking for average claim size in High Court proceedings since 2022.

The merger with Kramer Levin officially took effect on 1 May 2025, establishing the current Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer entity.

Beyond its core legal practice, HSF Kramer sustains a longstanding collaboration with London's National Portrait Gallery, supporting significant exhibitions such as its 2023 reopening and sponsoring the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award. Additionally, the firm is part of the Earthshot Prize Global Alliance alongside leading corporations including Arup Group, Bloomberg L.P., Microsoft, and Unilever.

Herbert Smith

Founded in 1882 by Norman Herbert Smith, Herbert Smith initially operated from offices near the Bank of England. Norman Herbert Smith, descending from notable historical ancestors, played a pivotal role in advancing the career of legal luminary Lord Atkin.

During the early decades of the twentieth century, Herbert Smith focused on advising clients on company flotations and mining industry matters before broadening its services to encompass litigation, mergers, and equity transactions. The firm participated in landmark deals such as advising on the flotation of the British Power and Light Corporation and on the merger that created EMI.

Partner F.A. Mann was instrumental in positioning London solicitors at the forefront of international litigation practice. Herbert Smith’s extensive connections with U.S. firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore secured its advisory role for Time Warner during America Online’s (AOL) £220 billion acquisition—the largest merger recorded at that time.

By 2011, Herbert Smith reported revenues totaling £465 million and profits per equity partner (PEP) reaching £900,000. The firm maintained European partnerships with German law firm Gleiss Lutz and Benelux’s Stibbe until 2011; however, plans for a merger did not come to fruition.

At the time it merged with Freehills, Herbert Smith comprised around 240 partners and employed approximately 1,300 lawyers across offices situated throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

2012 Freehills Merger

Freehills, an Australian commercial law firm active throughout the Asia Pacific region, was recognized as one of Australia's Big Six law firms. Its origins trace back to historic legal practices established in Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney during the mid-1800s. The firm was distinguished for its forward-thinking employment policies and its innovative approach to creating a national partnership framework.

At the point of merging with Herbert Smith, Freehills comprised 190 partners and employed 800 lawyers. It operated offices in four major Australian cities alongside a presence in Singapore. The firm also maintained enduring collaborations with multiple law firms across Asia.

After the Merger

The union of Herbert Smith and Freehills in October 2012 resulted in the formation of Herbert Smith Freehills, merging both entities into a single partnership and shared profit pool—an arrangement that is relatively rare in mergers of this scale. The integration process encountered difficulties due to contrasting remuneration systems: Herbert Smith utilized a lockstep model, whereas Freehills favored merit-based compensation, in addition to Freehills having a larger number of equity partners.

Following the merger, the firm expanded by establishing a German practice and inaugurating offices in New York City (September 2012), focusing on global dispute resolution, and Seoul (April 2013). Within the first year post-merger, the number of international secondees nearly doubled. In November 2015, a third German office was launched in Düsseldorf, led by a former head of litigation from Clifford Chance.

In February 2022, Herbert Smith Freehills divested its Greenwoods & Herbert Smith Freehills taxation division to PwC.

2025 Merger with Kramer Levin

In November 2024, Herbert Smith Freehills declared plans to merge with the U.S.-based Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel. This combination will establish one of the largest global law firms by headcount. The newly formed entity, called Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer in the United States), will operate from 25 offices spanning the UK, Europe, North America, and Asia. The merger is expected to finalize on 1 May 2025 and officially take effect on 1 June 2025.

Offices

As of September 2020, Herbert Smith Freehills operated from 26 locations across Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Both Seoul and Tokyo offices are staffed exclusively by lawyers qualified in Commonwealth jurisdictions and do not provide local legal services. In Tokyo, the firm avoids direct competition for domestic legal matters by collaborating through referral agreements with Japan’s Big Four law firms due to difficulties in recruiting Japanese-qualified attorneys.

Anti-Semitic Tweet

Following an arson attack on Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue, HSF partner Damien Hazard posted a contentious tweet referencing Jeremy Leibler and anti-genocide demonstrations. The tweet was quickly removed, prompting an apology from HSF chair Rebecca Maslen-Stannage who also initiated an internal inquiry. She underscored that the remarks were inconsistent with the firm’s culture of respect and treated the issue with utmost seriousness. Subsequently, Hazard was issued notice for removal from partnership. Industry observers commended the firm’s prompt handling of the incident.

Noteworthy Clients and Legal Matters

Herbert Smith Freehills has provided legal services to a wide array of distinguished clients, such as:

Sergey Podoprigorov

The firm represented Sergey Podoprigorov, a Russian judge implicated in the severe sentencing of journalist and activist Vladimir Kara-Murza. HSF prepared an appeal directed to the United States Department of the Treasury, aiming to remove Podoprigorov from the Magnitsky Act sanctions list targeting Russian officials.

Sir Alan Sugar

HSF offered counsel to Sir Alan Sugar in his legal dispute with Terry Venables concerning ownership rights of the Premier League football club Tottenham Hotspur.

Hotel Chocolat

In 2023, HSF advised UK-based chocolatier Hotel Chocolat on its £534 million acquisition by the American food conglomerate Mars Inc.

Financial Conduct Authority

HSF achieved a significant High Court victory on behalf of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which clarified entitlement to business interruption insurance claims related to Covid-19. This precedent challenges insurers and may lead to compensation for thousands of businesses impacted by the pandemic.

Google

The firm is defending Google in a £13.6 billion class action lawsuit sanctioned by London’s competition tribunal, which accuses Google of abusing its dominant position by favoring its own advertising technologies.
Additionally, HSF represents Google in its appeal against the European Commission’s €2.42 billion penalty stemming from the Google Search (Shopping) investigation.

Aercap Ireland Limited

In 2021, AerCap appointed both Cravath Swaine & Moore and Herbert Smith Freehills to advise on its $30 billion purchase of General Electric’s Capital Aviation Services.
Herbert Smith Freehills acts for Aercap Ireland Limited—the world’s largest aircraft lessor—in a major High Court dispute seeking to recover losses from insurers for over 400 aircraft immobilized in Russia due to Western sanctions. These planes, valued at nearly $10 billion, remain stranded following sanctions linked to the Ukraine conflict. Aercap is pursuing $3.5 billion under an all-risk insurance policy or $1.2 billion under a war-risk policy. This case ranks among the UK’s most prominent and expensive legal battles, with insurers contesting the claims on various grounds.

Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs is confronting a $1.2 billion claim brought by the Libyan Investment Authority related to leveraged derivatives transactions, involving allegations of undue influence and unfair contractual terms.

The Post Office

Herbert Smith Freehills has been subject to UK media scrutiny for its role representing the Post Office during the British Post Office scandal.

Iveco and Fiat Chrysler

Iveco and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles engaged Herbert Smith Freehills as lead counsel for coordinating UK competition litigation regarding follow-on damages claims arising from the European Commission’s Trucks settlement decision.

Chemist Warehouse

HSF provided advisory services to Chemist Warehouse during its merger with Sigma Healthcare, resulting in Australia’s largest pharmacy group.

Government of South Korea

The Government of South Korea participated in the initial investment treaty arbitration under the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (Jin Hae Seo v. Republic of Korea).

BHP

BHP Group Limited provided counsel on the spin-off of South32.
BHP oversaw a corporate restructuring and consolidated its dual listing on the ASX.
BHP defended against a shareholder class action connected to the Samarco Dam disaster.

Other

The Football League – a longstanding client during the establishment of the Premier League by England’s top 20 football clubs.
Lord Trefgarne, former Trade Minister, involved in the Scott 'Arms to Iraq' Inquiry during the 1990s.
Association of Conservative Peers in legal challenges to legislation removing most hereditary peers from the House of Lords.
The Government of Chile in the Pinochet proceedings. Lawrence Collins KC acted as partner shortly after becoming the first solicitor granted rights of audience in the House of Lords.
Mohamed Al Fayed concerning the acquisition of Harrods.
Time Warner on its acquisition of America Online (AOL), which was then the largest merger in history.
Arriva advised on its recommended £1.6 billion takeover by Deutsche Bahn AG.
Capital & Counties Properties on its proposed all-share merger with Shaftesbury Plc, forming a combined portfolio valued at £5 billion.
Crown Resorts regarding its A$9.3 billion acquisition by Blackstone.
OneWeb in its merger with Eutelsat Communications, valuing OneWeb at US$3.4 billion.
Coca-Cola HBC in acquiring the Finlandia brand from Brown-Forman.
British American Tobacco on its $49 billion acquisition of Reynolds American, and its $13 billion merger with Rothmans.
The Takeover Panel in relation to Softbank's £24 billion purchase of ARM.
BP during the Gulf of Mexico environmental crisis (Deepwater Horizon oil spill).
TSB Bank on its separation from the parent group, Lloyds Banking Group.
Sky on issues concerning merger control, media plurality, and broadcasting standards amid Twenty-First Century Fox’s proposed £11.7 billion acquisition.
Jon Hillary representing claims by Ocado alleging misuse of confidential data and breach of fiduciary duty.
Primark in successfully challenging a complaint against the BBC over a Panorama episode containing fabricated supply chain footage.
AO World in connection with its initial public offering (IPO).
Abbvie securing EU merger control approval for its US$63 billion purchase of Allergan.
Uber Technologies on merger control matters related to its US$3.1 billion acquisition of Middle Eastern ride-sharing company Careem.
Sinopec involved in a multi-billion dollar SIAC fraud dispute over UK North Sea oil and gas assets, including related proceedings before the Singapore International Commercial Court.
The Government of Malaysia engaged in a US$1.2 billion arbitration against Singapore concerning interpretation of a bilateral treaty.
Bernie Ecclestone, former CEO of the Formula One Group, involved in disputes linked to bribery accusations.
Binance in England’s inaugural fully contested injunction case initiated by an exchange (Piroozzadeh v Persons Unknown).
High Speed Two (HS2) Limited advising on technological and telecommunications aspects of the HS2 infrastructure project.
Tesco addressing thousands of claims under equal pay provisions from the Equality Act 2010, including expedited High Court proceedings.
ICBC Standard Bank Plc involved in the UK’s first Deferred Prosecution Agreement and related bribery offence case under section 7 of the Bribery Act 2010, alongside resolution of US criminal and civil investigations.
UBS represented during regulatory and criminal proceedings following the £1.3bn rogue trading scandal involving Kweku Adoboli.
ClearBank assisted with launching the UK’s first new clearing bank in over two centuries.
Nord Stream AG pursuing a €400 million insurance claim for damage sustained by the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in September 2022.

Associates and alumni

Francis Freehill (1854–1908), Australian lawyer and social activist.
Bernard Austin Freehill (d. 1880), Australian solicitor who established a firm that evolved into Freehills; sibling of Francis Freehill.
Norman Herbert Smith (1857–1920), founder of the legal practice Norman Herbert Smith, which later became Herbert Smith.
Francis Mann CBE, FBA, QC (Hon.) (1907–1991), British jurist of German origin and prominent legal academic.
David Malcolm AC, QC (1938–2014), former partner and Chief Justice of Western Australia from 1988 to 2006.
Garry Hart, Baron Hart of Chilton (1940–), member of the House of Lords and advisor to the Lord Chancellor.
Lawrence Collins, Baron Collins of Mapesbury (1941–), British judge and ex-Supreme Court Justice; notable as the first solicitor appointed to this court.
Bo Vesterdorf (1945–), former Danish judge who served as President of the European Court of First Instance.
David Gold, Baron Gold (1951–), ex-senior partner and founder of David Gold & Associates.
Keith Steele (1951–2009), previous senior partner at Freehills, also recognized as a New Zealand cricketer and author.
Margaret Mountford (1951–), Northern Irish lawyer, entrepreneur, academic, and television figure known for participation in The Apprentice.
Peggy O'Neal (1952–), American-born Australian lawyer who became the first female president of the Richmond Football Club in the AFL from 2013 to 2022.
Trevor Asserson (1956–), British attorney and founder as well as Senior Partner at Asserson Law Offices.
Nicholas P. Tott (1960–2017), former partner and principal advisor on UK Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
Richard Loveridge (1963–), ex-Australian rules football player for Hawthorn in the VFL during the 1980s.
Suzie Miller (1963/4–), Australian playwright, librettist, screenwriter, and practicing lawyer.
Thomas Leech (1964–), judge serving on the British High Court.
Sir Adam Johnson (1965–), High Court Judge in Britain.
Ewen Fergusson (1965–), former partner, corporate advisor, and public official.
Sir Ed Davey (1965–), British political leader heading the Liberal Democrats since 2020.
Clare McGlynn (1970–), Law Professor at Durham University and member of the UK Parliament's Independent Expert Panel.
Mark Reckless (1970–), politician from Britain.
David Allen Green (1971–), British attorney and author.
Kelly O'Dwyer (1977–), ex-Freehills solicitor turned Australian politician; served in the House of Representatives with senior ministerial appointments between 2015 and 2019.
Chuka Umunna (1978–), British entrepreneur and former MP for Streatham from 2010 to 2019.
Matt Keogh (1981–), Australian politician currently serving as Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel under the Albanese administration.
Clancy Rudeforth (1983–), former Australian rules footballer and captain of Claremont Football Club in the WAFL.
Alex Ryvchin (1983–), Australian author, advocate, media commentator, and lawyer.
Timothy McEvoy, judge on Australia’s Federal Court.
Sophie Deen, British children’s writer and CEO of Bright Little Labs, a leading organization in STEM education for young audiences.
David Kershaw, Law Professor at LSE and Dean of LSE Law School.
Kate Jenkins AO, human rights lawyer from Australia, commissioner, and sports administrator.
Kathleen Farrell, former partner at the firm and judge on Australia’s Federal Court.

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