In a seismic shift across the legal landscape, Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin have merged, forging a powerhouse of 2,700 attorneys and crossing the $2 billion revenue threshold. This freshly minted titan, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, is now ranked among the globe’s top 20 law firms.
The union, officially in motion since Sunday after securing partner approval in April, marries Kramer Levin’s New York roots with Herbert Smith Freehills’ established UK and Australian heritage. It’s the latest ripple in an ongoing wave of consolidation as law firms bulk up to command greater influence across multiple markets and specialties.
Justin D’Agostino, the firm’s global CEO, laid out an ambitious vision focused on expanding U.S. presence, especially in private equity, litigation, arbitration, and white-collar defense. Texas looms as a potential new frontier, driven by energy sector opportunities. With a strategic growth plan underway, D’Agostino — who splits time between London and Hong Kong — is steering the firm toward international prominence.
This merger echoes last year’s headline-grabber when Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling fused, forming a 4,000-lawyer juggernaut. Meanwhile, New York’s Schulte, Roth & Zabel and Chicago-based McDermott, Will & Emery are reportedly nearing their own merger deal, underscoring a broader trend toward scale.
Industry watchers point to talent wars and market muscle as the key drivers. Larger firms offer stability when partners depart, reducing partnership tremors and boosting confidence. The race to attract and keep top legal minds is intensifying, with cross-border mergers becoming more common — though cultural clashes and client conflicts mean not every match sticks.
While some UK-origin giants like Freshfields, Clifford Chance, and Linklaters have favored aggressive hiring in U.S. hubs over mergers, others watch for the perfect transatlantic opportunity to expand their reach.
In this evolving chessboard of legal power, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is making its opening move with bold ambition and heavy firepower. The game is on.
