Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, commonly known as Freshfields, is one of the world’s top international law firms, with a distinguished heritage and a market-leading position in the UK. Headquartered in London, the firm forms part of the elite “Magic Circle” of law firms, recognised for its high-profile clients, complex cross-border work, and global reach.
The firm is known for its strategic, commercially-driven advice to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments, often handling some of the most significant and sensitive transactions and disputes in the market. Freshfields’ UK office plays a pivotal role within its global network, driving major deals, regulatory matters, and litigation.
Services Offered
Freshfields offers a comprehensive range of legal services across all core business law areas, with notable expertise in the following:
- Corporate and M&A: Leading high-value mergers, acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, and restructurings, including some of the UK’s and Europe’s most significant corporate transactions.
- Dispute Resolution: Handling complex commercial litigation, regulatory investigations, international arbitration, and crisis management for global clients.
- Finance and Capital Markets: Advising on banking and finance transactions, capital markets, derivatives, securitisation, and financial services regulation.
- Antitrust, Competition, and Trade: Supporting clients through merger control, competition investigations, antitrust litigation, and trade policy matters.
- Employment, Pensions, and Benefits: Offering expertise in executive compensation, employee incentives, pensions disputes, and employment law advisory services.
- Real Estate: Providing commercial advice on real estate investment, development, finance, and corporate property transactions.
- Tax: Advising on tax planning, structuring, disputes, and compliance for corporate clients and financial institutions.
- Regulatory and Public Law: Representing clients in regulatory compliance, public law challenges, data privacy, and governance matters.
- Energy, Infrastructure, and Natural Resources: Supporting energy companies, utilities, and infrastructure funds on transactions, projects, and regulation.
Freshfields is particularly well regarded for its ability to handle multi-jurisdictional matters, integrating expertise across legal disciplines and borders.
Company History
Freshfields’ history can be traced back to 1743, making it one of the oldest law firms in the world. Founded by Thomas Woodford, the firm later became Freshfields in the 19th century, with James William Freshfield establishing its reputation as legal advisers to the Bank of England and other prominent institutions.
In 2000, Freshfields merged with German firm Bruckhaus Westrick Heller Löber and a leading Austrian firm, creating Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer — one of the first truly integrated international law firms in Europe.
Today, Freshfields operates from more than 25 offices worldwide, maintaining its position as a global leader, with its UK practice remaining a cornerstone of its international business.
Awards and Recognition
Freshfields is consistently ranked among the top firms in the UK and globally, receiving extensive industry recognition, including:
- Regularly named in the Chambers UK and The Legal 500 UK top rankings across Corporate, Dispute Resolution, Competition, and Banking & Finance categories.
- Awarded UK Law Firm of the Year and Legal Adviser of the Year titles by major industry bodies such as Legal Business Awards and British Legal Awards.
- Recognised in the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Europe report for groundbreaking legal innovation, client solutions, and pro bono work.
- Frequently shortlisted for M&A Team of the Year and Competition Team of the Year in various UK legal award programmes.
- Highly commended for diversity, social mobility, and mental health initiatives within the legal profession.
These accolades underline Freshfields’ standing as a trusted adviser to major corporations and governments on market-leading matters.
Freshfields Reviews – Client & Industry Sentiment
Freshfields enjoys a strong reputation among clients, industry peers, and legal commentators for its intellectual rigour, client commitment, and ability to manage highly sensitive, complex, and high-value legal matters. Key themes emerging from Freshfields reviews from clients include:
- Technical excellence and legal depth, with clients consistently praising the firm’s ability to navigate complex regulatory and transactional landscapes.
- Global reach and seamless cross-border coordination, particularly valuable for international mergers, investigations, and disputes.
- Trusted adviser status, with many clients highlighting the firm’s ability to act as a long-term, strategic partner beyond transactional advice.
- High partner involvement and responsiveness, setting Freshfields apart from other large international law firms in terms of relationship management and accessibility.
- Commercially astute, pragmatic advice, blending legal precision with a deep understanding of business priorities and market dynamics.
While Freshfields is often perceived as premium-priced and highly selective, clients frequently cite the exceptional value delivered through its depth of expertise and ability to resolve mission-critical legal issues.
Address:
100 Bishopsgate, London, EC2P 2SR
Tel: +44 20 7936 4000
www.freshfields.com