Praised for its ‘deep legal expertise combined with a very pragmatic approach’, Freshfields maintains a leading role in complex equity capital markets transactions across the UK and Europe. The firm is a trusted adviser to both issuers and underwriters on major IPOs, rights issues, and secondary offerings, with a standout track record on transatlantic deals. Its London-based team is particularly well known for advising European corporates on listings in the US. Helming the practice is Chris Mort, who has recently led the team on high-profile mandates, including the IPO of CVC Capital Partners plc on Euronext Amsterdam. Julian Makin has extensive experience acting on secondary offerings from both sponsor and underwriter perspectives. Doug Smith is a cross-border specialist with expertise in handling the US aspects of ECM transactions, while David Boles, who joined the firm in May 2024, is widely lauded as ’one of the clear market leaders among US ECM lawyers in Europe’. Tom Godwin focuses on public and private capital markets, skillfully advising issuers, shareholders, and underwriters on international equity deals. Richard Ho, Ethan Magid, Jennifer Brokamp and Egor Marisin also come recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Egor Marisin is an exceptional associate. Technically astute, forward thinking, excellent communicator and consistently delivers to the highest standard with pragmatic advice. Egor has a solid understanding of our business, our history, our challenges and our strategy and what we need to achieve it.'
‘We have been working for some time with the practice on equity markets because of their interpersonal skills. What matters for us is the ability of the team to understand our weaknesses, our doubts and work sincerely with us to remedy those and to bring out the best of our Company.'
Key clients
- Ashtead Group Plc
- Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
David Boles
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Ethan Magid
Practice head
Chris Mort
Other key lawyers
Julian Makin; Doug Smith; David Boles; Tom Godwin; Richard Ho; Ethan Magid; Jennifer Brokamp; Egor Marisin