Freshfields provides ‘best-in-class advice’, and clients praise the firm’s ’dedicated team and in-depth expertise’. The firm’s stellar corporate client-base puts it in pole position to advise on equity-related matters such as margin loans, collar financings, and derivatives-based stake-builds, as well as hedging solutions. In addition to blue-chip corporates and banks, the firm is increasingly acting for private capital providers on their usage of derivatives and structured products. Richard Hart leads the derivatives and structured products group. Hart, and standout partner James Duncan, are heavily involved in strategic equity financing transactions, including margin loans, derivatives, and structured share buyback transactions. Hart also works on OTC derivatives, and both cash and synthetic prime brokerage trades for major financial institutions, corporates and sponsors. Structured finance specialist Flora McLean frequently assists on bespoke transactions with regulatory capital or tax angles, including secured lending, stock lending, repos and prime brokerage matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Technically extremely strong, good office network through Europe, very responsive and always meet often demanding deadlines. Work hard to understand how our team works and integrate themselves into our workflow.'
- 'Richard Hart and Matthew Dodwell offer technical and pragmatic advice.'
- 'Richard Hart stands out in his ability to look at the commercial requirements of his clients - finding solutions / ideas to reflect those in the contracts, in an effective / simple way.'
- 'Derivatives and structured finance team offer the best-in-class advice.'
- 'Trusted experts with detailed knowledge that is clearly explained to clients. Identification of pragmatic solutions to complications.'
- 'What stood out for me was willingness to represent us in commercial discussions very powerfully and to be very focused on our key points rather than all points just for the sake of it.'
- 'Their approach was very diligent and attentive, they ran the process well and represented us and our interests very well.'
- 'James Duncan is an exceptional derivatives partner. He is always responsive, technically accurate but also responsive to commercial and client needs. He works hard to understand how we work and how best to operate across legal and business teams. Outstanding!'
Key clients
- UBS AG
Work highlights
Advised UBS on the impact of the merger and subsequent cross-group integration on the derivatives and other traded product arrangements for both the legacy UBS and CS groups.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Richard Hart
Other key lawyers
James Duncan; Flora McLean; Matthew Dodwell