Herbert Smith Freehills merged with Kramer Levin in 2025. Discover what the firm is called now, its US offices, and practice areas.
Today I’ll be honest with myself for the first time . I asked myself,“ Look Herbert Smith Freehills,“ I wrote. The name I Google and hit search. I immediately felt confused. Half the results so Herbert Smith Freehills. The other half Something said that HSF Kramer. What did the firm rebrand? Did it agree with anyone? Did the original firm still exist?
If you’ve landed here after searching ‘Herbert Smith Freehills,’ you’ve probably hit that same fork in the road. Maybe you’re in-house counsel vetting outside counsel. Maybe you’re a law student wondering where you’d even sit if you got hired. Or maybe you just heard the name somewhere , in Legal News, in a deal announcement, from a friend in the legal world , and you want the plain-English version of who these people actually are.”
Herbert Smith Freehills: Quick answer
You don’t need to browse. Five paragraphs of history to get a straight answer, So here is the front.
Herbert Smith Freehills is a major international law firm. I was formed in 2012, when UK firm Herbert Smith merged with Australian firm Freehills. In 2025, In collaboration with the company U. S. Solid Kramer Levin To create a new, fully integrated one global entity: Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer. In the American market, people shorten it. HSF Kramer.
So if you applied. ” Herbert Smith Freehills” Hope to discover the firm, You found it. Just wear a bigger name tag these days.
Picture two well- known regional grocery chains merge The sign out front Changes, though the staff, culture, and everything What made you shop there? The first place stays intact. Here, apart from groceries, this firm handles billion- dollar M& A deals and international arbitration.
How Herbert Smith Freehills became What This is Today
Every major law firm takes an origin story. This one is two, sewn together more from a century ago.
Herbert Smith traces Back to 1882 I London. Free Hills started. 1852 I Australia. For the most part of their history, these firms operated separately. Each made a serious reputation in its own region, Herbert Smith across the UK and Europe, Free Hills as a dominant player in the Australian legal market.
In 2012, two Merged and established companies Herbert Smith Freehills. It still is. The name most people affiliated with the brand today. Integration gave. The combined firm has real strength across the UK, Europe, Asia- Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.
One thing the company is still missing: a strong standalone presence in the United States. Think of it as running one of the best restaurants in the world without a location in the city where most of your customers actually survive. That gap Absolutely what go 2025 Integration with Kramer Levin of The 2025 Merger: Herbert Smith Freehills See you.
Kramer Levin
Made by the company its own strong reputation, Especially in court cases private equity, real estate, and bankruptcy and restructuring work, with additional offices I Washington, D. C. And Silicon Valley.
Here’s What a swift timeline the merger open:
Ultimate 2024: The two firms announced plans to merge.
Quickly 2025: Both contributions are voted” excellent”. Favor of the deal
June 1, 2025: The merger Official finisher, creator. Herbert Smith Freehills Cramer, HSF Kramer In short the U. S.
I find this kind of integration very interesting the same way I find it fascinating when two rival sports teams decide to be. One franchise. Culture must match. Egos Do you need management? All must be purchased. Somehow, this one the state is clean.
The firm runs as a fully integrated unit day one. That means it works. A single global profit pool, Instead of the loose financial arrangements you sometimes see. Cross- border law firm combinations. This detail is critical. More than it sounds. A single profit pool signals in general a firm that is serious about working. One company, not two Sharing of companies a name Tag
Herbert Smith Freehills of the Numbers
If you aspire to have difficult data before creating. An opinion, And me the legal world, you should here’s where the combined firm stands today:
- Offices: Around 26, Spread out the UK, go Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East
- People: More from 6, 000 professionals
- Fixed general Lawyers: Over 2, 700
- Partners: Roughly 630
- Income: More from US$ 2 billion annually, when placed between the companies the top 20 law I fixed the world of that measure
These numbers set Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer for real elite territory.
In Australia, The firm consistently ranks among the so- called” Big Three”, the top tier of Australian law International companies, people often mention it too. The UK’s” Magic Circle” And” Silver Circle” companies, even if they are not formally affiliated with any classification.
What That means U. S. Clients and Job Seekers
Here’s the part that most US- based applicants actually care about: what does this firm look like on American soil?
Thank you to the Kramer Levin side of the merger, HSF Kramer now has a real, substantial U. S. Footprint. The company anchors its footprint in New York, with additional offices in Washington, D. C. And Silicon Valley.
It isn’t. A token presence, it’s a conscious strategy. Firm leadership Growth has been openly discussed. The New York base and strengthening regulatory and technology- focused work D. C. And Silicon Valley
Specifically If you are internal and are considering whether to bring this business in. A matter, The US Footprint Plus the firm’s very large global network does the pitch simple: you procure New York- caliber litigation And transactional talent, Supported by deep expertise I London, Sydney, Hong Kong, And a dozen other major markets. For agreements across national borders, and now more than ever, this combination delivers real value.
If you are a law student or lateral attorney Road where you will construct a career, Know this: the firm markets itself around a collaboration, single- profit- pool culture instead of a patchwork Of semi- independent regional offices. It is not so. A small detail When you try to portray your actual everyday experience.
The key Practice Areas
But Herbert Smith Freehills The firm’s work is normally distributed. Two broad categories, with everyone in serious depth.
Business and Commercial Work
Cross- border mergers and acquisitions
Private equity
Capital Markets
Corporate restructuring and bankruptcy
The conflict Resolution
Complex commercial litigation
International arbitration
White- collar and government investigations
On top of that, the firm has specially designed strong names in a handful of industry sectors: energy, infrastructure, natural resources, and technology, media, and telecommunications( TMT).
If your business I’m sitting in one of these sectors, that’s a good chance HSF Kramer already has a team. This has been handled something similar to your situation.
A Quick Personal Take
I’ll be True, when I started digging in this organization. A client project, I expected. The merger to experience like a marketing exercise, new logo, New slogan, same traditional enterprise below.
What really struck me was reading statement after statement on both sides, and how each firm described it consistently. A long- term, rather than structural determinism, a branding refresh.
Justin D’Agostino, of the enterprise Global CEO, And Rebecca Maslen- Stannage, his chair, both framed As it is shared a foundational shift, Not a side project. Kramer Levin’s own leadership echoes the same sentiment about the hunt for shared long- term growth.
When the leadership on both sides repeats language Therefore, publicly and continuously, the integration usually goes deeper than skin depth.
Often Asked Questions
Is Herbert Smith Freehills Seam HSF Kramer?
After the June 2025 merger with Kramer Levin, The combined firm operates globally. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer. It uses” HSF Kramer Seam”, its U.S.-market name.
How significant is Herbert Smith Freehills I United States?
The firm is anchoring its American presence. New York, with additional offices I Washington, D. C. And Silicon Valley, basically inherited from the Kramer Levin side of the merger.
What is Herbert Smith Freehills Known for?
Historically and today, The organization is best known for large cross- border M& A, private equity, capital Bazaar etc high- stakes commercial litigation And international arbitration.
This applies in particular. Deep experience in energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors.
When did Herbert Smith Freehills merged with Kramer Levin?
Both institutions announced. The merger Lately 2024. It was officially completed. June 1, 2025.
Key Takings:
- If you apply” Herbert Smith Freehills” expecting a straightforward firm profile, Hope that clears up more of the confusion.
- The firm that you’re looking for is still there.
- It just grew a lot and really picked up a strong American presence along the way.
- Whether you test.
- The firm Seam potential counsel, Do the research for it. A career move, Or just satisfactory? your curiosity After watching the name in the news, Kastelinja remains.
- The same: The firm decided to stop being just international and obtain real. Global, U. S. Market Including
Additional Resources:
- HSF Kramer , Official Firm Website: current practice group details, office locations, and firm news straight from the source.
- Global Legal Post: HSF’s Merger with Kramer Levin Goes Live: independent legal industry coverage of the completed merger.