Partnership
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 2
Contact number
+44 20 7374 8000About
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Disputes between LLP members are commonplace. With market uncertainty firms may consider this a time to re-evaluate their business model and consider reorganisation.
Whether downsizing or concentrating on recruiting in growth areas, domestically and internationally, we are the firm to which professionals turn to for partnership advice across the globe.
Our work is often behind the scenes – it is rarely in our clients’ interests for their affairs to be disclosed in public – but we have been involved in a range of high-profile advice for many well-known professional services firms.
Our lawyers are well-versed in all the issues currently affecting partnerships and LLPS and offer commercially focused and discrete advice on a range of matters including conversions, downsizing, restructurings as well as compulsory retirement, discrimination and team moves.
We can help you with the full range of corporate, financial services, tax and regulatory advice involved in the structuring of partnerships and LLPs, and draw on the strength of our global network to provide this across multiple jurisdictions.
Chambers Review
Herbert Smith Freehills is well equipped to act on large cross-border matters, particularly for clients in the legal and financial services sectors. The team is noted for its ability to harness interdisciplinary expertise to address complex regulatory and structural issues on behalf of clients including leading accountancy firms and funds. Additionally, the lawyers advise on highly sensitive contentious matters relating to alleged discrimination, professional negligence and exits, with experience in arbitration proceedings and other forms of ADR.
Work Highlights
- Herbert Smith Freehills advised TPG Group Holdings and six other TPG entities on one of the largest claims brought in the English High Court outside of the collective redress regime.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"HSF are good at identifying the key points and focusing on that which is important. They provide an excellent service, are responsive and communicate well."
"HSF have great response rates and are particularly good at providing a holistic view of matters. They bring a calm authority."
"The firm has worked through complex issues and is always ready to support you. They often make themselves available and always look for the most commercially optimal outcome."
"HSF are good at identifying the key points and focusing on that which is important. They provide an excellent service, are responsive and communicate well."
"HSF have great response rates and are particularly good at providing a holistic view of matters. They bring a calm authority."
"The firm has worked through complex issues and is always ready to support you. They often make themselves available and always look for the most commercially optimal outcome."
Notable Practitioners
Alan Watts often assists legal and financial services partnerships with sensitive disputes concerning partner exits, breaches of LLP agreements and claims of professional negligence.
"Alan is super-impressive. He is a strong litigator and user-friendly. I could pick up the phone at any time to talk to him."
Nick Wright is able to utilise his employment law expertise to support professional service firms on a range of partnership matters, particularly disputes.
"Nick is a very strong commercially focused and client-oriented legal professional."
"Nick has extensive substantive knowledge of the field and he is very good at providing effective, informed advice that works in the real world."
"Nick has real gravitas and expertise."
Tim Leaver advises professional partnership firms on misconduct allegations, team moves, whistle-blowing claims and retirements. He has particular expertise in the financial services industry.
"Tim is a pragmatic, highly intuitive legal adviser."
"When it comes to tactics, he is excellent."
"He is utterly delightful to work with. Tim is very knowledgeable, professional and a strong and confident lawyer."
Ranked Lawyers at
Herbert Smith Freehills
UK-wide
Members
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Aurell Taussig
Ben Ward
Celina McGregor
Chris Bushell
Clive Cunningham
Emma Rohsler
Gareth Thomas
Gary Horlock
Graeme Gregory
Ian Thomas
John Mathew
Mark Bardell
Mark Geday
Nick Clayton
Peter Frost
Rebecca Murtha
Siobhan Cervin
Stuart Patterson
Clients
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Anchorage Capital
Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
Gowling WLG LLP
KPMG
KPMG International
KPMG UK
Man Group plc
Marathon Asset Management LLP
PwC
Spencer House Partners
UBS Wealth
Willis Group Holdings
Industries
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
Commercial & Professional Services
Energy
Financial Services
Insurance
Media
Private Clients / Individuals
Real Estate Finance