Freshfields’s tax offering is widely recognized for its strong abilities in the management of tax issues in connection with a range of high value international transactions, such as acquisitions, capital market transactions and divestitures. The practice is jointly led by Claude Stansbury in Washington DC and Steven Matays in New York. Stansbury’s expertise encompasses the structuring of transactions, regulatory issues and other cross-border tax issues, he has extensive experience advising corporations, private equity funds and international multinational. Alongside Matays, Joe Soltis is also well-regarded for his work on both public and private M&A matters. Likewise, Sarah Katz specializes in the structuring and negotiation of taxable and tax-free M&A and is also based in New York. Katz’s expertise extends to a wide spectrum of domestic and cross-border transactions, including spin-offs, joint ventures and partnerships as well as restructurings and financing transactions.
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Key clients
- Alphabet/Google
- Allwyn International
- Ashtead Group
- AstraZeneca PLC
- BASF
- Celsius Holdings
- Continental AG
- CrowdStrike
- Hitachi
- Honeywell (Quantinuum)
- Japan Tobacco/JT International SA
- Johnson & Johnson
Work highlights
Google on its pending $32 billion acquisition of Wiz, an American-Israeli cybersecurity firm.
Ashtead Group plc on its proposed redomiciliation to the U.S. and primary listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
Sanofi S.A. on numerous transactions, including its exclusive negotiations with CD&R for the sale of a 50% controlling stake in its consumer healthcare business Opella at a €16 billion enterprise value.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Claude Stansbury; Steven Matays
Other key lawyers
Joe Soltis; Sarah Katz