Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP specialises in high-risk matters for private clients. The team maintains a strong presence in commercial development work, with a particular focus on solar-related projects. Catherine Howard now leads the team and is described as a highly committed and client-focused partner, who has grown the energy and infrastructure side of the practice. Matthew White is well regarded for his experience advising private sector developers on large scale commercial regeneration projects and mixed-use masterplan developments. Charlotte Dyer advises on a variety of schemes with a particular focus on energy infrastructure and solar and battery storage DCO practice. Ian Mack regularly advises on development consent orders and is leading on two airport DCO expansion plans, and Ben Hazenberg brings expertise in highway-related agreements. Martyn Javis left the team in early 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Matthew White provides clear succinct advice and understands our needs.'
- 'They are flexible in their approach to allow us to achieve our goals and programmes while still protecting us from future risk.’
‘Elizabeth Tones and Charlotte Dyer are fantastic to work with. We have a great working relationship and share thoughts and views consistently. We have worked on a challenging project for the past year and a half so have got to know one another well.’
‘The HSF team is perfectly balanced. Every base - from high level strategy to the finest of detail - is covered and the quality of advice, regardless of which team member is delivering it, is always spot on.’
‘Fantastic team. Knowledgeable, pragmatic, responsive. All you can you want to be by your side on the most important issue for our business.’
‘Catherine Howard is brilliant, knowledgeable and commercial.'
Key clients
- EDF Energy
- British Land
- GIC
- Gatwick Airport Limited
- Lendlease
- Uniper
- Greater London Authority (GLA)
- London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC)
- Evolution Power
- Breedon Cement Limited
- Schroders Capital
- Indaver
Work highlights
Advising British Land on their development proposals for the Canada Water Masterplan in the London Borough of Southwark and British Land and a sovereign wealth fund on all planning matters in relation to its 32-acre, iconic Broadgate campus in the heart of the City of London.
Advising EDF on the £46bn Hinkley Point C and £26bn Sizewell C new nuclear power stations
Advising on the promotion of Gatwick Airport's development consent order (DCO) to authorise a £500m airport reconfiguration project to turn the existing emergency runway into a second operational runway and related plans for enhanced airport infrastructure.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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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.
Practice head
Catherine Howard
Other key lawyers
Matthew White; Charlotte Dyer; Ian Mack; Ben Hazenberg; Elizabeth Tones; Naomi Hoggett