Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP > New York, United States > Firm Profile

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 1

A global leader in arbitral disputes, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is noted for its impressive market share of ICSID cases, with a particularly prominent record in complex investment disputes involving Latin American states. Alongside its dominant investor-state practice, the group is also routinely engaged to handle commercial arbitrations, where it is primarily active on behalf of multinational corporations in the energy and natural resources, infrastructure, pharmaceutical, and technology sectors. From Washington DC, Nigel Blackaby co-heads the firm’s Latin America practice and is highly regarded for his expertise in LatAm-related arbitral proceedings, especially mining and energy disputes. Blackaby recently acted alongside Caroline Richard, also in DC, to represent Canada-based Eco Oro Minerals Corporation in bringing a claim against Colombia under the Canada-Colombia Fair Trade Agreement. New York-based Elliot Friedman heads the international arbitration practice in the Americas and advises on major multi-jurisdictional commercial and investment treaty disputes; he is notably representing ConocoPhillips in a series of cases relating to the 2007 expropriation of three major oil investments in Venezuela, one of the largest expropriations in history. Rounding out the senior partners is Buenos Aires- and New York-qualified Noiana Marigo, who co-heads the international arbitration and Latin America groups; she is acting for BBVA in an ICSID arbitration against Bolivia concerning the nationalization of the country’s pension fund administration industry. The group also includes New York-based Thomas Walsh, who was promoted to partner in May 2022.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Corporate governance Tier 1

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP‘s team is described as offering ‘excellent client service’ and as ‘very responsive and clear’. The large and steadily expanding corporate advisory and governance practice group is praised for its ‘grasp of corporate governance matters and trends’. Pamela Marcogliese, who ‘gives very client-focused, practical advice’, leads the team out of Silicon Valley and New York alongside capital markets expert Sarah Solum and corporate partner Ethan Klingsberg. Another key team member is counsel Elizabeth Bieber, who provides ‘has an excellent grasp of corporate governance matters’ and regularly advises key clients such as Buzzfeed on corporate governance, capital markets and securities law matters on an ongoing basis. The versatile team spans the country and includes experts on disclosure, securities litigation, shareholder activism defense, executive compensation, capital markets and securities, among other areas. Unless otherwise mentioned, all named practitioners are based in New York.

Tax > International tax Tier 1

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP supports both US and international clients on major, complex and transformative transactions with knowledge and experience in legal and tax regimes across developing markets. The team advises corporations in several sectors, PE, investment funds and financial institutions on issues such as carve-outs and demergers, joint ventures and partnerships, flotations and group restructuring. Claude Stansbury leads the practice from Washington DC and advises multinational companies and private equity funds on acquisitions, financings, restructurings and disposals. Robert Scarborough operates out of New York with the rest of the team and advises financial institutions on optimizing their global group structure, supply chains, ownership of intangibles and intercompany transactions. Dennis Caracristi focuses on M&A, public and private offerings of stock, debt and other financial products while David Mitchell handles tax issues relating to financial products transactions and capital markets.

Dispute resolution > International litigation Tier 2

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP focuses its attention on parallel proceedings and regulatory investigations, advising both US-based and international clients on a multi-jurisdictional basis, leveraging the firm’s global reach. The firm is recognized for this expertise in parallel matters involving regulatory bodies such as the DOJ, SEC and FCA, as well as litigation in diverse locations on issues such as personal jurisdiction, extraterritorial application of law, enforcement of judgements and arbitral awards. Section 1782 applications are another area of focus for the firm, and both New York’s Timothy Harkness and David Livshiz are experienced in this area. Eric Bruce is the head of the practice based in Washington DC and has a background as a federal prosecutor in the SDNY, consolidating his experience in global investigations as well as criminal trials, particularly relating to white-collar defense. Also with previous experience at the Attorney’s office for SDNY is Aaron Marcu, based in New York, who concentrates on the application of criminal law to corporations facing anti-corruption and money laundering investigations by multiple regulatory bodies. Kimberly Zelnick and Olivia Radin are key names to note in New York for their experience in investigations, particularly those involving companies in the TMT and financial services sector. Linda Martin is recognized for her international commercial litigation practice and senior associate Paige von Mehren represents clients on arbitration matters and enforcement of arbitral awards.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 2

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP continues to blaze a trail for Magic Circle firms in US litigation, and clients and peers alike recognise that the firm has ‘built a real presence in this space over the last few years, and is a rising star‘. The firm has an impressive roster of clients, among them AstraZeneca, Cargill, BP, Pinterest and Tesla. Meredith Kotler (who is ‘a wonderful advocate with great judgment, presence and poise‘) and Mary Eaton (who is ‘smart, engaged, excellent with clients and judges, just top-notch‘) lead the practice from New York. The firm also has a major presence in Silicon Valley thanks to standout partner Boris Feldman, who leads the US technology practice and has ‘unparalleled experience and great relationships across the industry‘, and emerging talent Doru Gavril, who is ‘razor-sharp, masters all details and is truly tenacious‘.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 2

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in New York continues to blaze a trail for Magic Circle firm in US securities litigation, thanks to its ‘whip-smart, creative lawyers who are very focused on getting the best result for the client’. Indeed, clients praise the firm’s ‘extraordinary creativity, experience and domain expertise in the fields of securities litigation and corporate governance litigation’. Meredith Kotler and Mary Eaton are co-heads of the securities and shareholder litigation practice, which was founded only three years ago, but is already at the forefront of the market. Kotler and Eaton successfully represented AstraZeneca, its CEO, and several other executives in a putative securities class action challenging disclosures regarding its COVID-19 vaccine, including alleged problems with its clinical trials and prospects for FDA emergency use authorization. Boris Feldman in Silicon Valley, who is noted for ‘a very celebrated career as a brilliant and creative lawyer’, gives the firm a strong presence on the West Coast and in the technology sector. Among his clients is Google’s parent company Alphabet. In the same office, emerging partner talent Doru Gavril is a key advisor to the technology and electric vehicles industries. Together, they secured a complete victory in a putative securities class action for image-sharing platform Pinterest.

Tax > Financial products Tier 2

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 3

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP continued its growth in the United States with the arrival of Jamillia Ferris from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in September 2022, contributing significant agency experience of complex merger review processes, including both the DOJ and FTC. Alongside growth in its bench, the team also expanded its share of household-name clients, representing Google, Verizon, and eBay in new antitrust mandates during 2022. The team has experience in representing major domestic and global clients in US merger control proceedings, as well as co-ordinating global approvals in concert with its international offices, including in the UK and Europe, and representing clients facing regulatory action by agencies, encompassing investigations and litigation. Practice head Bruce McCulloch continues to be highly successful in merger mandates, notably representing Aerojet in its $4.4bn acquisition by Lockheed Martin, while Mary Lehner is also highly active, advising Cargill on its take-private of Sanderson Farms. Meghan Rissmiller  is another key team member, and is a regular antitrust counsel to major clients such as eBay, while Justin Stewart-Teitelbaum is noted for his work on complex merger investigations. All lawyers mentioned are in Washington DC.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense Tier 3

Noted for its ability to manage international investigations for global corporations and financial institutions, the white-collar practice at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP regularly handles enforcement actions brought domestic and overseas regulatory authorities and enforcement agencies. The group, which takes an interdisciplinary approach and frequently works together with other teams such as litigation and corporate, is led by Adam Siegel and Eric Bruce. Aaron Marcu has significant experience in previous government positions and is noted for his involvement in matters pertaining to corruption and money laundering. Managing partner of the New York office Olivia Radin, counts several Fortune 500 companies among her clients, while Kimberly Zelnick‘s activity includes matters related to cybersecurity and sanctions. All named attorneys are based in New York.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has a fine record in bulge-bracket bond offerings. It continues to make an impression in convertible debt and green bond offerings, and boasts a prominent team in New York and Silicon Valley. Well-known for investment grade offerings, it is gaining ground in high-yield debt. It has an exceptional issuer client base, but also gains many engagements from underwriters. The exceptionally experienced Valerie Ford Jacob is global co-head of the capital markets team and consistently advises issuers and underwriters on high-value offerings. In Silicon Valley, Sarah Solum is head of US capital markets and has an excellent record with tech businesses, including advising Oracle on its $7bn SEC-registered offering of senior notes. Michael Levitt is also noted for convertible debt offerings and Silicon Valley/New York partner Pamela Marcogliese for green bonds, among other capital markets offerings and corporate governance engagements.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has a women-led and women-dominated capital markets group. It continues to make a strong impression on both sides of the Atlantic and is noted for its connections to start-ups right through to established public companies. It has a particularly strong record with issuers, though has strong relationships with all the major underwriters. In addition, through Silicon Valley partner Pamela Marcogliese the team has extensive expertise in corporate governance and has made an impression in the creation of public benefit corporations. It has continued to be prominent in SPAC IPOs and de-SPAC transactions. New York’s Valerie Ford Jacob is co-head of the global capital markets group and remains active in large-cap and mid-cap equity offerings. In Silicon Valley, Sarah Solum remains a prominent practitioner in tech and SPAC deals. New York partner Michael Levitt is another key member of the group, including in SPAC deals.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 3

Advising clients from the technology, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP handles employee benefit and executive compensation aspects of complex M&As, IPO and de-SPAC transactions, as showcased by the firm assisting Google in its $5.4bn acquisition of Mandiant. In New York, both Lori Goodman and Nicole Foster co-head the department, with the former regularly leading on the employee benefits elements of many large global transactions, and the latter focusing on providing cross-border executive compensation advice. In the Silicon Valley office, Brandon Gantus  was promoted to partner in August 2022, and is highly experienced at supporting clients on the design, drafting and administration of equity-based compensation programs, while counsel Sarah Ghulamhussain  works with technology and life sciences companies.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 3

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, which has recently made waves in the US M&A market, continues to ‘invest in top-notch legal talent‘, including core corporate and transaction specialists from elite firms in this space. The New York-based team is now prepared to handle numerous high-end, bet-the-company M&A on behalf of household-name clients from the worlds of tech, energy, manufacturing, life sciences and private equity, among other sectors. Standing out for its ability to navigate sensitive issues in the context of hostile M&A, takeover defense and shareholder activism, the group is led by the powerhouse duo Damien Zoubek, ‘a very powerful negotiator and asset in any M&A transaction‘, and Ethan Klingsberg, a leading figure in cross-border and domestic deals. Other key individuals include Paul Tiger, whose experience also covers private equity investments, and Sebastian Fain, who takes the lead on several contested and negotiated transactions, as well as joint ventures involving a range of industries. The highly-rated Jenny Hochenberg joined from Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP in May 2022. All members are based in New York.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Shareholder activism Tier 3

Based in New York, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is notable in its full-service offering, running the gamut of shareholder activism defense and preparation, including negotiations, navigating wolf-packs, settlement agreements and proxy fights with activists. Clients turn to the group for complex shareholder activism matters, a recent example of which was advising Euronav on its pending merger with Frontline Ltd, a reflection of the  group’s abilities to handle complex activism matters in the context of contested M&A situations and cross border transactions. Ethan Klingsberg, who also co-leads the firm’s M&A department, leads the team alongside Elizabeth Bieber, who stands out for her ‘expert, relevant, timely, nuanced, and actionable’ advice. Another influential team member is Damien Zoubek who is also co-head of the firm’s M&A practice and specializes in matters arising from complex and contested transactions.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 3

Regarded for its tax advice on bulge-bracket M&A and capital markets transactions, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP underscores its reputation with a stream of instructions for corporations, investment funds and other financial institutions, including several global technology leaders. Washington DC-based practice head Claude Stansbury is a regular port of call for large multinationals and private equity funds on acquisitions, financings, and restructurings; his cross-border experience includes structuring joint ventures and operating arrangements in developing economies. Joseph Soltis, who joined from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP in June 2022, works across a number of industries and focus areas, including bankruptcy reorganizations, securities issuances, and real estate matters. Also recommended for his transactional expertise is Robert Scarborough, whose far-reaching skillset spans financial instruments and derivatives. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 4

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP offers clients ‘significant geographic reach and a diverse team of highly competent attorneys’ with recent work involving claims in the tech and consumers products sectors, for a growing client base consisting of global industry leaders such as Google and MIT. Practice head Eric Mahr has considerable experience in defending clients in civil and criminal investigations, enforcement actions and regulatory proceedings in the US and in Europe, and is currently acting as lead counsel defending Google in a multidistrict litigation. Julie Elmer is an active trial lawyer, representing the likes of United Airlines while Andy Ewalt has previously litigated as counsel to the Director of Litigation at the antitrust division of the DOJ and recently led the team which won the dismissal of antitrust claims concerning an open bidding agreement between Google and Apple. All the attorneys listed are based in Washington DC. Jamillia Ferris joined the firm in September 2022 from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Richard Snyder  left the firm in January 2023.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 4

Sought out by clients for ‘best results in substantial, high profile, and complex US and international litigation matters’, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP‘s multidisciplinary practice is particular strong in cross-border litigation in the US, and is recommended for its expertise on multiple international jurisdictions. ‘Stand-out individual’ Scott Eisman is well-versed in representing financial institutions and corporations in securities and shareholder litigation. With a focus on international arbitration and the enforcement of arbitral awards, associate and ‘future star’ Paige von Mehren is described by clients as ‘poised, strategic, thoughtful and articulate’. Tim Harkness and David Livshiz are also recommended. Timothy Howard joined the practice in April 2022 from the United States Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York. All mentioned lawyers are based in New York.

Finance > Commercial lending Tier 4

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 4

With the April 2022 addition of cyber breach and cryptocurrency fraud expert Timothy Howard, based in New York, and the consolidation Christine Lyon, stationed in Silicon Valley, and former NSA official Brock Dahl, posted in Washington DC, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a name for major clients who suffer large-scale and global data breaches. The US data privacy and security team, led by Lyon, leverages its global network to assist clients on breach responses and assessments of data risks as part of data-driven corporate deals.

International Trade > Customs, export controls and economic sanctions Tier 5

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s multidisciplinary practice is distinguished by its ability to resource complex regulatory, transactional and litigation work within one team. Washington DC-based department co-chair Nabeel Yousef routinely engages with government agencies on sanctions, export control, and anti-corruption matters; he recently advised BT on regulatory compliance issues, with a focus on the Commerce Department’s Entity List restrictions on Huawei. Litigator Kimberly Zelnick co-chairs the department from New York, and is noted for her financial institutions expertise. New York-based counsel Stephanie Brown Cripps brings to bear strong transactional experience.

Healthcare > Life sciences

Transport > Aviation and air travel: litigation and regulation

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy Tier 4

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has an established reputation in Latin America project finance and project development, frequently representing commercial lenders, ECAs, multilaterals and borrowers in large-scale energy and infrastructure projects. This includes power and renewables, energy transition, mining, oil and gas, and transport infrastructure projects. Melissa Raciti-Knapp is co-head of the Latin America group, a fluent Spanish speaker, and has extensive experience in multiple Latin American jurisdictions from large economies such as Brazil and Mexico, to smaller nations including Honduras.

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP’s global standing in international arbitration is very much in evidence in Latin America, where it has an unrivalled record in investor-state arbitrations over recent years; it typically represents investors against states and state-owned entities. It has represented parties in some of the largest and most high-profile cases to involve the region, notably expropriation and nationalisation-related cases, including representing ConocoPhillips in a series of cases relating to the 2007 expropriation of three major oil investments in Venezuela under then-President Chávez. The firm is active in cases involving parties from across the region and has an array of native Spanish and Portuguese speakers in the team. ‘Brilliant senior practitioner’ Nigel Blackaby KC (in Washington DC) is co-head of the Latin America group alongside Noiana Marigo, who ‘directs the practice in Lat Am in an exceptional way’. Also in Washington DC, Caroline Richard (‘an outstanding international arbitration expert’) is another notable name in investor-state disputes, as is Lee Rovinescu, who was promoted to the partnership in 2020, and is highlighted for mining, energy and natural resources cases, as well as his expertise in damages. Blackaby and Richard (along with Americas practice head Elliot Friedman) are currently co-leading advice to Glencore in the first ever ICSID case against Colombia; while Marigo is acting for the same client in an UNCITRAL case against the Plurinational State of Bolivia. Counsel Natalia Zibibbo (an ‘excellent professional’); DC-based special legal consultant Maria Julia Milesi (who was promoted to counsel in May 2023); and senior associates Santiago Gatica (‘remarkable intelligence, legal knowledge and great capacity for work’), Hinda Rabkin and Madeline Snider (in Madrid), are also noted and further illustrate the practice group’s strength-in-depth. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise. Former counsel Alex Wilbraham has left the firm to become an independent arbitrator in January 2023.