Praised for its ‘exceptional responsiveness, deep commercial insight, and seamless execution’, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP is a go-to firm for complex, high-stakes transactions, regularly acting for listed companies, major financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. Known for its cross-border capabilities, the team is active across a range of sectors, including technology, real estate, and financial services, with its public M&A offering continuing to attract headline mandates on both the buy and sell side. Spearheading the team is Gavin Davies, who advises on complex cross-border M&A and investments across the TMT, financial services, real estate, and industrial sectors. James Palmer brings significant transatlantic expertise, particularly on mandates involving the US and Europe, while Caroline Rae is frequently instructed on public takeovers. Stephen Wilkinson advises on high-value corporate matters with an emphasis on governance, and Heidi Gallagher maintains an active corporate finance practice. Mark Bardell specialises in premium cross-border M&A and public company situations, while Harriet Forrest has particular experience in advising corporate clients on public M&A transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘HSFK has a truly excellent set of capabilities across M&A and general corporate advice. We have turned to them consistently on some of our most complex transactions in the UK and Europe, and they are very comfortable thinking strategically across multiple dimensions. They have become one of our most trusted advisors on PE situations.'
- ‘Gavin Davies and Mark Bardell are a tremendous deal-making team, delivering for us time after time.’
- 'Alex offers strategic clarity and sound judgment under pressure, Meera is impressively responsive and detail-oriented, and Sarah stands out for her thoughtfulness, clear communication, and ability to manage complexity with poise and precision. Their professionalism, discretion, and seamless integration with internal teams consistently elevate the quality of support.’
- ‘What sets the Herbert Smith Freehills LLP team apart is the exceptional calibre of individuals like Alex Kay, Meera Thakrar, and Sarah Ries-Coward, each of whom brings a unique blend of technical excellence, commercial insight, and calm, solutions-focused leadership.'
- ‘Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer's M&A team brings exceptional value to complex, high-value transactions through their strategic insight, responsiveness, and deep understanding of board-level priorities. Their ability to navigate sensitive regulatory and governance issues with clarity and discretion has been particularly impactful in recent cross-border matters. The team’s collaborative approach make them a standout partner for sophisticated corporate activity, especially where discretion and precision are paramount.’
- ‘Wide-ranging expertise. Can-do attitude. Listens to the needs of the client. Team approach with the client.’
Key clients
- Abbott Adriatic Metals Airtel Africa Altice AlTi Global Altra Industrial Motion Corp. Amsted Industries Anglo American Ardonagh Group ArcelorMittal Associated British Foods Atlassian Corporation AustralianSuper Biotage Blackstone BP British American Tobacco British Land BTG Pactual Captain Fresh Capital & Countries Properties Cash Converters Certares CHP ClearBank Coca-Cola HBC Comcast (formerly Sky) Diageo DawsonGroup Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd Easyjet Ecora Resources Elementis Elliott Ferrexpo General Mills Glencore GIC Infra Holdings Pte Ltd Global Switch Go-Ahead Group Hammerson Hiscox Hotel Chocolat IBM Inchcape Interpath Advisory Johnson Matthey JP Morgan Jubilant Bharti Group JSW Kin + Carta Kestrel Partners Liberty Global Link Group Ma'aden Man Group Marex Group Maurel & Prom Mercuria Energy Mitsubishi Corporation Miller Morgan Stanley National Grid Norlake Hospitality OneWeb OSI Group Panmure Gordon Pearson PJT Partners PZ Cussons Qatar Investment Authority Reliance RTW Biotech Saga Severn Trent Green Power Limited Sinopec Softbank Spaldy Investments Stagecoach Stephens Stonepeak Sumitomo Sustainable Development Capital Synthomer plc Telefónica Tryg Tullow Oil plc The UNITE Group UPL Virgin Media O2 Willis Towers Watson Waverton Investment Management Weir Group WHSmith Wincanton
Work highlights
Assisted Wincanton plc on the recommended £960 million all cash takeover by GXO Logistics.
Acted for Altice UK on the sale of its 24.5% stake in BT Group.
Assisted National Grid on the disposal of National Grid Electricity System Operator to the Department of Energy and Net Zero for £630 million.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Harriet Forrest
Practice head
Gavin Davies
Other key lawyers
Caroline Rae; Stephen Wilkinson; Mark Bardell; Alex Kay; James Palmer; Heidi Gallagher; Siddhartha Shukla; Harriet Forrest; Alan Montgomery; Shaun Williamson; Charles Steward; Mehdi Tedjani