Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability
Europe Guide 2024 : UK
Band 3
Contact number
+44 20 7374 8000About
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Our global team excels in working with corporates, financial sponsors, investment banks, investors and others to successfully execute and deliver mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, takeovers, and corporate restructurings, regardless of size or complexity or the locations of the parties or assets.
We pride ourselves on applying our outstanding technical expertise in a practical manner to ensure our clients achieve their commercial goals and the service levels they expect of us.
Our reputation for the seamless execution of the most complex cross-border deals underlines the international scope and strength of our teams and the clients who call on us for these transactions.
Through a long-embedded sector focus we fully understand our client's specific industry drivers and risks and we combine that knowledge with deep seated transactional experience to navigate successful outcomes working with specialists across the world in key practice areas such as competition, employment, IP, data protection, tax and ESG, to address issues and challenges common to those industries.
Chambers Review
Herbert Smith Freehills has a well-regarded practice that is often instructed on high-value cross-border transactions and prominent acquisition and disposal deals, earning a strong reputation for its abilities in public M&A. Its client base includes numerous well-known blue-chip companies, leading investment banks and sovereign wealth funds. The department's broad sector expertise spans financial services, technology and real estate.
Work Highlights
- Herbert Smith Freehills advised OneWeb regarding its its proposed combination with Eutelsat Communications. The combined entity is estimated to be valued at USD7 billion.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The Herbert Smith Freehills team has exceptional technical ability, along with a willingness to be a thought partner on strategy. Its lawyers bring a level of commitment and responsiveness that is really world class."
"Throughout a transaction, Herbert Smith Freehills' team members at all levels ensure they cut through the legal complexity, articulating complicated issues succinctly to support us in making the right commercial decisions."
"There is real consistency across the Herbert Smith Freehills team, both in terms of expertise and also client commitment."
"The Herbert Smith Freehills team has exceptional technical ability, along with a willingness to be a thought partner on strategy. Its lawyers bring a level of commitment and responsiveness that is really world class."
"Throughout a transaction, Herbert Smith Freehills' team members at all levels ensure they cut through the legal complexity, articulating complicated issues succinctly to support us in making the right commercial decisions."
"There is real consistency across the Herbert Smith Freehills team, both in terms of expertise and also client commitment."
Notable Practitioners
James Palmer is able to deploy a wealth of experience across a number of domestic and international corporate transactions. He has also previously sat as the chair and senior partner of the firm.
"James is incredibly knowledgeable and experienced."
Stephen Wilkinson is widely respected thanks to his excellent handling of major M&A, and other corporate transactions, on behalf of a client base of corporates and financial institutions. He is joint global head of the firm's corporate practice.
"Stephen is a class act who you would always want on your side."
Gavin Davies leads the firm's global M&A practice. He is valued for his sophisticated cross-border practice where he regularly undertakes deals in EMEA region. He often supports clients in telecommunications and industrials sectors.
"Gavin is super smooth and he can adapt his strategy of negotiating when dealing with global deals."
"Gavin is very approachable and down to earth. He is always on hand when needed and provides great oversight throughout a complex transaction."
"Gavin is our go-to person for lateral thought and perspective on the thorny issues."
Mark Bardell impresses sources with his strong handling of domestic public M&A, especially as it occurs in the manufacturing and industrial sectors. He represents a client base of international companies, and impresses with his knowledge of the City Code.
"Mark is commercial and pragmatic."
"Mark is really good with clients, he can explain complex issues at a level businesspeople can engage with."