Freshfields Forum

[Anonymous User]

I believe it, particularly in the U.S. The lit practice opened in 2009 and it is already chambers ranked. It is the top ranked European (and British) firm, with, among other things, the most M & A deals. The partner during my callback told me the U.S. is now the firm's main expansion focus ( the new managing partner is American) and that it is happening very very quickly http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdail ... .html#more . It is sort of a sick opportunity since they have such few midlevels and the best global clients. If I got the offer, I would take it in a heartbeat.

It's not that difficult to become "chambers ranked." However, the firm's goals would call for it beating out top litigation shops and to become the go-to M&A shop in the US. That won't happen. At the very least, it won't happen while you're an associate there. There's simply a long list of firms that are already dominant in those fields, and then there's an even longer list of firms that are trying to beat them out (and not doing super well at that). There's no reason to believe Freshfields will encounter any more success than those firms.

Sorry to hear about your dingaling. The way that law firms usually make significant gains in the U.S. in terms of new business and moving up in the rankings is by stealing top partners from other firms. Freshfields has lockstep pay for partners and purports to have one of the highest profit per partner in the world. I don't think it will be too difficult for Freshfields to keep attracting new talent, if it is actually what the law firm wants to do.

I don't think the OP was saying that Freshfields is going to become the top M&A shop in the U.S. But it doesn't take a genius to see that the firm is growing very quickly and you would be at a huge advantage as a young associate to jump on that ship.

I don't know that being lockstep necessarily helps in that regard.

In any event most major M&A transactions today tend to be cross border and require a complex understanding of global legal issues. You can maybe count with one hand the number of firms that are considered truly great at that. FF is like the Cravath of London and Berlin and so I am surprised FF hasn't placed more emphasis in expanding in the US before.

[Anonymous User]

I believe it, particularly in the U.S. The lit practice opened in 2009 and it is already chambers ranked. It is the top ranked European (and British) firm, with, among other things, the most M & A deals. The partner during my callback told me the U.S. is now the firm's main expansion focus ( the new managing partner is American) and that it is happening very very quickly http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdail ... .html#more . It is sort of a sick opportunity since they have such few midlevels and the best global clients. If I got the offer, I would take it in a heartbeat.

It's not that difficult to become "chambers ranked." However, the firm's goals would call for it beating out top litigation shops and to become the go-to M&A shop in the US. That won't happen. At the very least, it won't happen while you're an associate there. There's simply a long list of firms that are already dominant in those fields, and then there's an even longer list of firms that are trying to beat them out (and not doing super well at that). There's no reason to believe Freshfields will encounter any more success than those firms.

Sorry to hear about your dingaling. The way that law firms usually make significant gains in the U.S. in terms of new business and moving up in the rankings is by stealing top partners from other firms. Freshfields has lockstep pay for partners and purports to have one of the highest profit per partner in the world. I don't think it will be too difficult for Freshfields to keep attracting new talent, if it is actually what the law firm wants to do.

I don't think the OP was saying that Freshfields is going to become the top M&A shop in the U.S. But it doesn't take a genius to see that the firm is growing very quickly and you would be at a huge advantage as a young associate to jump on that ship.

I don't know that being lockstep necessarily helps in that regard.

In any event most major M&A transactions today tend to be cross border and require a complex understanding of global legal issues. You can maybe count with one hand the number of firms that are considered truly great at that. FF is like the Cravath of London and Berlin and so I am surprised FF hasn't placed more emphasis in expanding in the US before.

at $2,675,000 it does

[NYAssociate]

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[Anonymous User]

http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdail ... afone.html

[Anonymous User]

This is just a small list. Growing isn't as easy as opening an office, hiring a punch of associates, and throwing cash on the table for partners to come.

It may be almost that easy when you already have many of the world's biggest companies as your clients.

[NYAssociate]

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[Anonymous User]

If Cravath wanted dedicate significant resources to expanding its London offices, I am sure it would be very successful. Cravath can do anything.

[Anonymous User]

Any offers go out yet??

[Anonymous User]

Friend got an offer yesterday morning, interviewed earlier this week.

[Anonymous User]

any offers/rejections today?

[Anonymous User]

grrr....why are they taking so long.

Dear Freshfields,

If you give me an offer, I am going to turn down my V7 offer for you. Please respond soon.

k, thanks, bye.

[Anonymous User]

[]

[Anonymous User]

has anyone heard anything from these guys?

[Anonymous User]

I had my interview today and they told me that all the partners are at a retreat in Paris and they won't be looking at any files until at least mid week next week.

[Anonymous User]

edit

[Anonymous User]

Mentioned this in another thread, but my friend interviewed last week and got an offer on Saturday morning.

[Anonymous User]

I interviewed and had an offer within a few days.

[Anonymous User]

Partners (including the hiring partner) were not in NY the end of last week. Delays are to be expected, but they are still giving offers.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone who interviewed since mid-week last week heard anything?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone get an offer here that's interviewed in the past week-two weeks?
Anyone accepted with this firm?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone get an offer this week?

[Anonymous User]

I'm about to have an interview with this firm. From what I understand, their litigation department is lumped under "dispute resolution," which also includes arbitration work. Does anyone have any further insight on that?