Julian Pritchard

Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) announces that Giancarlo D'Ambrosio, a leading private equity and M&A practitioner, has joined the firm in Milan, Italy as partner in the private capital group and global transactions practice. D'Ambrosio joins the firm following seven years as partner at his prior firm. He brings broad transactional experience covering M&A, JVs, investments, divestitures, strategic transactions, corporate governance and capital markets, across industries including infrastructure, sports, fashion, entertainment and media. D'Ambrosio has recently been recognised as a Next Generation Partner for Corporate, M&A and Private Equity in Legal 500 EMEA 2023. Head of Global Transactions Julian Pritchard said: "Giancarlo is a welcome addition to our European private capital practice and broader global transactions team. Our private capital offering is unique and market-leading, with the firm servicing a diverse base of clients globally. We are now in an even stronger position to support our existing clients and take advantage of the opportunities borne from private capital markets around the world." Office Managing Partner for Italy Francesco Lombardo said: "We're delighted to welcome Giancarlo to the firm. He is a high calibre candidate with a strong track record of advising private equity funds and their portfolio companies, with his complementary experience aligned to our private capital practice in Italy and globally. We look forward to working with Giancarlo in the years ahead." The firm is a recognised market leader for private equity and was ranked first place by Bloomberg for European private equity deals by value in 2023. Over the past 18 months, the firm has expanded its private capital offering globally with a number of senior appointments in private equity, leveraged finance and private funds and secondaries across Europe, the US and Asia. Most recently, this includes the appointments of Neal J. Reenan and Ian N. Bushner in New York.

Apr 2

1 min

Clients to Benefit from Combination of New Partner’s Financial Institutions and Fintech Experience with Firm’s Global Financial Regulatory Strength Freshfields announced today that Christopher (Chris) DeCresce has joined the firm as a capital markets partner based in New York. Chris’s practice focuses on capital markets, SEC reporting and securities law compliance. He has extensive experience representing companies in capital markets transactions, including SEC-registered and exempt equity and debt offerings, with a focus on clients in the financial services, banking and fintech sectors. U.S. Managing Partner and U.S. Head of Capital Markets Sarah Solum said: “Chris brings to the firm a wealth of experience in the financial services, banking and fintech sectors, representing companies on a wide variety of transactions through both frothy and challenging economic cycles. His relentless dedication to clients and infectious entrepreneurialism align perfectly with our team, and we’re thrilled he has joined Freshfields.” Head of Global Transactions Julian Pritchard added: “Chris is an outstanding addition to our top tier transactions talent bench. Clients in the financial institutions and fintech spaces will benefit greatly from the combination of Chris’s experience and expertise with our unparalleled, global financial regulatory practice. His former positions in investment banking, alongside his significant experience leading the full spectrum of capital markets matters across the financial institutions sector and other key industries further strengthens our capital markets offering for clients in the U.S. and around the globe.” On joining the firm, Chris noted: “The collaborative culture at Freshfields was immediately attractive and I am excited to join my practice with the firm’s market leading capital markets and global financial regulatory practices. I am excited to partner with clients from global financial institutions to early stage fintech innovators – each of whom will benefit from Freshfields’ energy, dynamism and global platform over the coming years.” Chris joining Freshfields follows the recent addition of capital markets partner Jackie Marino, as well as financial services regulatory partners David Sewell and Alison Hashmall in New York this past year. The wider U.S. transactions practice has also continued to grow with the recent additions of tax partner Steven Matays and private equity M&A partners Neal Reenan and Ian Bushner in New York and M&A partner Denny Kwon in Silicon Valley.

Sep 4

2 min

Global law firm Freshfields are advising Property Finder International Ltd. (Property Finder), the Middle East’s leading property portal, on a new $170 million investment from the Mubadala Investment Company, alongside another UAE sovereign wealth fund and BECO Capital. Mubadala and the UAE sovereign wealth fund will each invest $75 million, with BECO Capital committing $20 million. This commitment follows the $525 million investment led by funds advised by Permira, with significant participation from Blackstone Growth in 2025. Property Finder has also raised a further $250 million in debt financing from Ares Management and HSBC. The Freshfields cross-border team was led by partners Julian Pritchard and Maria Ledeneva, counsel Adam Halewood, senior associate Stephanie Paterson and associates Chelsea Burns, Brandon Thompson and Lisha Xu. Financing advice was provided by partner Toby Bingley, senior associates Christina Banz and Sonam Cheema, and associate Joanna Ma. Antitrust advice was provided by partner Paul Van Den Berg, principal associate Jan Jeram and associate Gisela Santos. Tax advice was provided by partner May Smith and associate Ian Galvin.

Jan 29

1 min

Freshfields secures top position for global cross-border deals valued at $161.3bn (Bloomberg) and ranked sixth leading legal advisor for global M&A by deal value, advising on 246 deals valued at $344.6bn (Mergermarket) Freshfields ranked eighth in the US for deal value with deals totalling $194.8bn, and tenth in the US Announced Deals - By Principals table - this marks three out of the last four years in the top 10 for US announced M&A representing principals (Bloomberg). Freshfields named leading legal advisor in Europe (Mergermarket, Refinitiv, Bloomberg), advising on 167 M&A deals in Europe valued at $168.2bn (Bloomberg) Freshfields was additionally ranked in first place for European private equity deals by value, advising on 62 deals valued at $75.9bn (Bloomberg), and advised on the second largest buyout globally (Refinitiv). Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) has secured the top position for global cross-border deals by value (Bloomberg) and ranked sixth for global M&A by deal value in 2023 (Mergermarket), recognising the firm’s leading client service across a host of complex global transactions last year. The firm placed first for European M&A by deal value*, marking eight years in a row** that the firm has held the top position. Freshfields was the highest ranking in the UK, having advised on 70 deals worth $78.7bn (Mergermarket). Freshfields was additionally ranked in first place for European private equity deals by value, advising on 62 deals valued at $75.9bn (Bloomberg). Julian Pritchard, Head of Global Transactions at Freshfields, commented: "Our positioning in the league tables reflects our commitment to our clients and helping them achieve their commercial objectives on their most challenging M&A transactions globally.  We are proud of the trusted partnerships that we have developed with so many of the world’s great businesses. The results show the depth of our expertise across our global M&A team and how we bring together those teams with our recognised global regulatory capability to help our clients get the best outcomes on their deals." He added: “One prediction is that we may expect to see an uptick in cross border activity this year as global markets are showing interesting trading multiple differentials.” Freshfields among elite law firm advisers for one of the biggest private equity deals of the year Freshfields was highlighted for advising on a private equity consortium’s acquisition of eBay-backed listings company Adevinta, the second-biggest leveraged buyout of the year (Refinitiv). Freshfields placed first in Europe, the UK, DACH, Benelux, the Nordics and Switzerland Freshfields has topped both the European and UK mergers and acquisitions adviser rankings. The firm completed 186 deals in Europe, worth $193.9bn, and 72 deals in the UK worth $51.65bn, according to data from Refinitiv. Freshfields secured 71 deals in DACH valued at $101.7bn; Germany closed 53 deals valued at $52.9bn; Switzerland saw 18 deals valued at $49.8bn (Mergermarket). While in the Nordics and Benelux the firm completed 26 and 36 deals respectively, valued at $45.3bn and $29.2bn (Mergermarket). Freshfields ranks among top 10 in the US Freshfields’ US rankings increased across all three tables (Bloomberg, Mergermarket, Refinitiv). The firm moved to 8th position in Bloomberg with 102 deals totalling $194.8bn. The firm also moved to 9th position in Mergermarket (from 21st), with 93 deals valued at $213bn. Freshfields retains second place position in Asia Pacific In Asia, (excl. Australasia & Japan), Freshfields ranked second with 34 deals valued at $40.6bn (Mergermarket), while in Asia Pacific (excl. Japan), the firm ranked in fourth place with 36 deals valued at $42.6bn (Mergermarket). *Data for FY23 results according to Bloomberg, Refinitiv and Mergermarket. **Data for eight consecutive years according to Mergermarket. All currency is denominated in USD

Jan 10

3 min

Global law firm Freshfields announces that Benoit Marpeau will join the firm as partner in its Corporate and M&A team in Paris. Marpeau is a transactional specialist bringing broad experience advising listed and non-listed companies on high-profile mergers, carve-outs, spin-offs and business reorganisations. He is known for his negotiating acumen and creative problem-solving and has built a successful practice advising major French corporates on strategic mandates that align with Freshfields’ ambitions as a leading firm in the market. With the firm advising both French clients on domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions and international clients on their strategic transactions in the country, his arrival supports Freshfields’ commitment to investing in strategic talent to help clients navigate their most important local and cross-border matters. Hervé Pisani, co-head of Freshfields' Global Transactions team in Paris, stated: “The French market is an important market for the firm, which has always supported an ambitious – and successful – strategy of development in Paris. The arrival of Benoit Marpeau, a recognised expert combining technical skills that are highly regarded by clients and their peers, with strong interpersonal skills, is part of a genuine desire to root our growth strategy in the long term.” Freshfields’ head of Global Transactions Julian Pritchard adds: “It’s great to welcome Benoit to our market leading global M&A practice, as we continue to invest in our capabilities across major markets. Our clients expect our lawyers to show the highest level of expertise, commerciality and teamwork to deliver their most challenging mandates and we are ready to support them at every turn."

Jul 18

1 min