The legal sector is once again abuzz with the announcement of a major transatlantic merger, marrying U.K.-based Herbert Smith Freehills with New York’s Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, forging a colossus expected to post revenues of at least $2 billion. The merged entity, to be named Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, or HSF Kramer, is projected to leap into the top 25 of global performers, as reported by Above the Law. The alliance consolidates 2,700 lawyers, spanning operations across 16 countries for HSF, with Kramer Levin’s U.S. offices and its single overseas office in Paris, which has interestingly been excluded from this deal, according to Bloomberg Law.
This merger underscores an increasing interest in transatlantic partnerships, a trend that has gained considerable momentum following the merger between Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling earlier this year. The firms’ leaders emphasize “close cultural alignment and shared vision,” describing the merger as “transformational” for their corporate trajectory. HSF’s chair, Rebecca Maslen-Stannage, highlighted their strategic expansion in the U.S., describing the union as an immediate growth catalyst. Meanwhile, Kramer Levin’s Howard T. Spilko expressed enthusiasm about the merger’s strategic advantages, such as deepening practice expertise and expanding geographic reach, a sentiment echoed by both firms in their joint statement.
The formalization of this merger hinges on partner votes scheduled for February 2025. As these plans unfold, stakeholders from both sides of the Atlantic are watching closely, anticipating the full impact of this formidable partnership on the legal landscape. For further insights into the merger, Law.com International provides additional reporting on this development.