The merged firm began operating as its new entity yesterday
Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin have completed their combination into Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer as of yesterday 1 June.
This concludes a merger plan that was first announced last November. The new entity will comprise approximately 2,700 lawyers in 26 offices worldwide - including a partnership of 630.
"Today we embark on an exciting new chapter. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer unites two firms with complementary strengths, shared values, and a bold vision for the future. We are delighted by the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our clients and our people. Together, we will focus on our strategic vision and build on this fantastic platform", HSF chair Rebecca Maslen-Stannage said.
She emphasised the firm's aim to cater to the US market. Plans calll for HSF Kramer to bolster its presence in New York and its regulatory and technology practices in Washington DC and Silicon Valley.
"We know many of our clients have strong ties and established operations in the US or have growth ambitions in the US. We can now provide an elite offering to support our clients in the US on their most critical matters", Maslen-Stannage said. "From day one, we provide leading capability in the US in M&A, private equity, disputes, restructuring, real estate, IP and employment. We already have plans to expand our US presence to grow further in areas such as energy, infrastructure and technology to deliver for our clients".
The merged entity, which has more than US$2bn in revenues, will concentrate on growth and investments and expanding its transactional offering. It will also focus on private equity, bankruptcy and restructuring, disputes, real estate and securitisation offerings.
"In today’s fast-evolving and uncertain macroeconomic landscape, clients need a truly global law firm with deep local insight across all their key markets. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional outcomes in an increasingly complex and interconnected world", HSF Kramer CEO Justin D'Agostino said.
D'Agostino heads up the HSF Kramer executive, working with executive partners Kristin Stammer (Asia and Australia), Jeremy Walden (UK and EMEA), Paul Schoeman (US), Alison Brown (US growth and strategic integration) and Anna Sutherland (practices).
