What's going on at Freshfields? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Their M&A/CM team has been on a tear recently. Seems like outside of the usual V10 suspects I see them on mega deals the most. (Relatively) new up and coming firm to watch out for?

Can any current FF associates shed some light on how they're winning all these mandates/what culture is like?

[Anonymous User]

Their M&A/CM team has been on a tear recently. Seems like outside of the usual V10 suspects I see them on mega deals the most. (Relatively) new up and coming firm to watch out for?

Can any current FF associates shed some light on how they're winning all these mandates/what culture is like?

They're not new - been in NY for decades now. They managed to break their (UK-set) lockstep a couple of years ago and so lured away some real NY heavy-hitters (at least in M&A) in recent years. A few years ago it was Lyons (Shearman) and Presser (ex-WLRK). The big change looks like it happened in 2019, when Ethan Klingsberg came across with a team from Cleary. That's brought in a bit of Google work, among other things. And then they went to the Bay Area and took on a number of laterals, before the Zoubek move from Cravath earlier this year (along with a bunch of other lateral associate and partner hires).

Before all this they were known for managing international deals - the US piece of a global pharma acquisition, or some European industrial entity buying a chemical factory in Detroit - without necessarily getting on big PE buyouts or doing bet the company public-M&A deals. (This is still, I think, the story for Linklaters and Clifford Chance in the U.S., which are Freshfields' close competitors in London. Allen & Overy tried to do something similar to what Freshfields has done recently a few years ago with Shube and others moving from Cravath. I'm not sure how/what they're doing now.)

Basically the story seems to be the same as any otherwise profitable firm that's trying to get a bigger piece of the NY corporate pie, whether it was Kirkland or Latham 15 years ago into the present, Paul Weiss five years ago, or less successfully Dewey LeBoeuf 15 years ago. They've dug deep into their coffers and decided to pay top dollar for talent that they think can grow or bring business with them. At least at this point, that seems to have come off with the Cleary team's arrival, at least with dealflow and visibility. (Realization and profitability may be another matter, of course.)

Not sure about culture now, but Klingsberg did a drinks with the deal podcast a little while ago that you might want to check out if you're keen (at https://www.thedeal.com/podcasts/drinks ... lingsberg/). He talked a bit about what they tried to do to keep moods up during the pandemic there.

[AntipodeanPhil]

Their M&A/CM team has been on a tear recently. Seems like outside of the usual V10 suspects I see them on mega deals the most. (Relatively) new up and coming firm to watch out for?

Can any current FF associates shed some light on how they're winning all these mandates/what culture is like?

Why does this post make me suspicious?

[Anonymous User]

Their M&A/CM team has been on a tear recently. Seems like outside of the usual V10 suspects I see them on mega deals the most. (Relatively) new up and coming firm to watch out for?

Can any current FF associates shed some light on how they're winning all these mandates/what culture is like?

Why does this post make me suspicious?

I'm OP. V5 M&A associate. Only reason I mention them is b/c I was between the V5 and Freshfields offer during recruiting. Obviously turned down FF for V5, but I loved their team. Considering lateraling if they're a growing practice.

[Anonymous User]

Not OP, but what I have heard is that our work is complex at Freshfields, and while it can be difficult, it’s enriching. We work with high-profile organisations on mandates that can set new precedents, so you’ll make an impact and leave your mark, empowering you and those around you. You’ll get the recognition you deserve and, whether you’re a lawyer or working alongside them in our Business Services teams, you’ll have opportunities to develop, giving you the confidence to grow both professionally and personally.

[Anonymous User]

Not OP, but what I have heard is that our work is complex at Freshfields, and while it can be difficult, it’s enriching. We work with high-profile organisations on mandates that can set new precedents, so you’ll make an impact and leave your mark, empowering you and those around you. You’ll get the recognition you deserve and, whether you’re a lawyer or working alongside them in our Business Services teams, you’ll have opportunities to develop, giving you the confidence to grow both professionally and personally.

Lol

[Anonymous User]

Also not OP, but I think Freshfields may be doing so well because it's an elite magic circle firm and one of the oldest in the world. How many other firms can say the Bank of England has been a client since the 18th century? Also, associates are exposed to the business side of the firm, including opportunities to partake in business development and have the autonomy to develop client relationships. Furthermore, Freshfields is a very welcoming place with encouraging and positive colleagues.

[CanadianWolf]

Their M&A/CM team has been on a tear recently. Seems like outside of the usual V10 suspects I see them on mega deals the most. (Relatively) new up and coming firm to watch out for?

Can any current FF associates shed some light on how they're winning all these mandates/what culture is like?

Why does this post make me suspicious?

This.

[tlsguy2020]

Not OP, but what I have heard is that our work is complex at Freshfields, and while it can be difficult, it’s enriching. We work with high-profile organisations on mandates that can set new precedents, so you’ll make an impact and leave your mark, empowering you and those around you. You’ll get the recognition you deserve and, whether you’re a lawyer or working alongside them in our Business Services teams, you’ll have opportunities to develop, giving you the confidence to grow both professionally and personally.

the fuck dude

[Anonymous User]

This made me laugh.

[Anonymous User]

Also not OP, but it’s people who make our firm. Whatever your background, whether you think differently, laterally, logically or practically, we look for talented people, driven by excellence. As a firm we believe collaboration makes us stronger, and so we want team players too. All we ask is that you share the values that make us Freshfields, wherever we are in the world: respecting and being open with each other, supporting one another, and being positive role models. We’re international but very much one firm. We share our expertise to ensure the best outcome for our clients. We’re connected globally, working in cross-border, cross-functional teams, giving you the chance to experience new cultures, places and ideas.

At Freshfields, we value difference and it’s our diversity that powers us. We’re absolutely committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone achieves their potential. We want everyone to feel they can belong, engage and excel. We still have more to do, and we work closely with external partners to support our goals. We’ve a wide range of initiatives and objectives across disability, gender, LGBTQ+, mental health and wellbeing, race and ethnicity, and social mobility. We’re proud of our extensive pro bono work too, because we believe everyone deserves justice and opportunity. Wherever you work, you’ll have the chance to get involved.

Challenge. At Freshfields, we thrive on it. Challenging ideas, challenging you, challenging ourselves. We want you to be a part of our journey. Don’t think, “I’ll do it tomorrow”. Do it today. Challenge today.

[Anonymous User]

Not OP, but what I have heard is that our work is complex at Freshfields, and while it can be difficult, it’s enriching. We work with high-profile organisations on mandates that can set new precedents, so you’ll make an impact and leave your mark, empowering you and those around you. You’ll get the recognition you deserve and, whether you’re a lawyer or working alongside them in our Business Services teams, you’ll have opportunities to develop, giving you the confidence to grow both professionally and personally.

what a cringe post. holy hell.

[Anonymous User]

Not OP, but what I have heard is that our work is complex at Freshfields, and while it can be difficult, it’s enriching. We work with high-profile organisations on mandates that can set new precedents, so you’ll make an impact and leave your mark, empowering you and those around you. You’ll get the recognition you deserve and, whether you’re a lawyer or working alongside them in our Business Services teams, you’ll have opportunities to develop, giving you the confidence to grow both professionally and personally.

what a cringe post. holy hell.

I think they're just memeing

[Anonymous User]

Because here at Freshfields, we’re better than you, and we know it!

[legalpotato]

Hello fellow attorneys! I don't work at Freshfields, but I have heard that Freshfields is the leading firm for complex US M&A, litigation, governance and regulatory work, ranked by Chambers in Band 1 across the six areas of antitrust, corporate/M&A, dispute resolution, international arbitration, tax and public international law.

[Anonymous User]

What am I even reading? Is Freshfields recruiting department so hard-up for associates that they all converged on this thread to make an incredibly blatant marketing pitch?

[ExpOriental]

Sounds more like a grocery store than a law firm tbh

[Anonymous User]

This thread has potential for some high quality copypasta.

[otisreadingcomp]

Sounds more like a grocery store than a law firm tbh

Was thinking a brand of (for some reason) strawberries.

"Freshfields Strawberries"

[Anonymous User]

I’m waiting for PW to poach some former FF (US) attorneys from FF (UK) so I can say “did you hear that Paul Weiss purchased some Fried Frank’s from Freshfields?”

[Wanderingdrock]

Also not OP, and I don't work at Freshfields, but I hear that like other international law firms, we have offices in many capital cities, and we have busy, sometimes long, working days. We serve demanding clients, with needs in every possible corner of the world.

Big or small, commercial or institutional, what our clients all have in common is the sheer ambition and complexity of what they want to achieve. Put simply, they hire Freshfields when it matters most.

A career at Freshfields carries a few promises. You will not be bored. You will face problems you haven’t seen before. You’ll meet interesting and friendly people, and you’ll always work in teams. Teamwork calls for a genuine interest in other people and acceptances of differences. It also means an exceptional willingness to pitch in to get the job done.

The country sites below provide access to current opportunities in those countries or regions as well as access to information about life at Freshfields, our people and the work we do.

[Anonymous User]

Not OP, but am a current Freshfields associate. I joined the firm to really be apart of the amazing culture here and for the fantastic clients we serve. Freshfields is a global leader in SPACs (special purpose acquisition companies) and the de-SPAC process. We recently launched a SPAC resource center on the latest trends in this area. We handle all elements of the SPAC—from the SPAC's formation and IPO to the subsequent business combination—with top-tier M&A, capital markets, corporate governance, tax and benefits lawyers.

In short, we offer everything our clients need to make decisions quickly and with confidence: a global perspective, local knowledge, and sophisticated advice in any jurisdiction.

[Rule23andMe]

A few months ago I saw a guy in central park wearing a Freshfields t-shirt.

Didn't talk to him, but could tell from his demeanor that Freshfields values diverse experience, styles, and backgrounds to deliver client-centric, business-savvy legal expertise that clients can act on with confidence.

[Anonymous User]

What I want to know, is does Freshfields have collegiality? Unlike all those other nasty biglaw firms where people yell and stuff. I like that word, collegial. It means something.

[Pneumonia]

Like and subscribe. Very good work here. 175.