Andrew Hutchings

Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) has today announced that Doug Bryden, a leading practitioner in environment, regulatory and governance law, will join the firm’s global ESG and sustainability practice as a partner based in London. Bryden joins Freshfields from Travers Smith, where he served as Head of Environment & Operational Regulatory, and as co-head of its ESG and Impact Group. Bryden’s practice focuses on a range of ESG and regulatory issues, with a focus on helping boards and investors with ESG and governance strategies, navigating ESG transparency, obligations and responding to ESG crisis events. Bryden’s sector expertise extends to energy, petrochemical, manufacturing, consumer products and technology, advising asset managers and owners on EU and UK sustainable finance regimes and ESG risks. Bryden will work closely with Freshfields’ global sustainability group to enhance the firm’s global ESG offering. London Transactions Head, Andrew Hutchings, commented: "The appointment of Doug is part of Freshfields’ wider strategic focus on investing in core areas, including private capital. He will enhance our existing ESG and environmental practice, where clients increasingly require support on navigating ESG investment strategies and frameworks.” Commenting on Bryden’s appointment, Vanessa Jakovich, also an ESG partner based in London said: “As our client’s ESG needs continue to grow and evolve, Doug’s market leading expertise will expand our ability to deliver both excellent service and creative new solutions. I look forward to working with Doug to help our clients design and implement their ESG strategies.” Freshfields Global Partner for Client Sustainability, Tim Wilkins said: “With legislation advancing around the world designed to support net zero targets, and investors assessing ESG risk and pushing for more transparency, Doug increases our strong bench of advisors with decades of market-leading experience on sustainability solutions that are innovative and commercial." The appointment of Bryden to Freshfields’ London office follows the 2022 hire of Jake Reynolds, the Cambridge academic who joined the firm as the Head of Client Sustainability & Environment, to support the firm as it provides strategic legal advice for clients as it transitions towards more sustainable operating models.

Oct 5

2 min

Freshfields guided JD Sports Fashion plc to the closing of its all-cash acquisition of NASDAQ-listed Hibbett, Inc. The transaction was announced on April 23, 2024, and closed on July 25, 2024, following the receipt of regulatory and Hibbett stockholder approvals. More information is available here. The Freshfields team is led out of New York by M&A partners Paul Tiger and Tomas Rua and associates Victor Ma, Casey Hagen and Connor Lang and included London M&A partners Claire Wills and Andrew Hutchings, senior associate Ellie Dunne and associate Amadita Garcia on UK corporate matters. Additional team members, all based in the U.S., included partner Lori Goodman, senior associate Andrew Herman and associate Sonia Bennett on executive compensation and employee benefits matters; partner Meghan Rissmiller, senior advisor Christine Wilson, counsel Laura Onken, senior associate Vadim Egoul and associate L.B. McCaskey on antitrust matters; counsel Jeremiah Nelson on real estate matters; partner Kyle Lakin on finance matters; partner Mena Kaplan on intellectual property matters; partners Christine Lyon and Brock Dahl and associate Christine Chong on data privacy and cybersecurity matters; partner Claude Stansbury and associate Hannah Golden on tax matters; and partner Stephanie Brown Cripps and associate Keian Razipour on compliance matters.

Jul 25

1 min

The firm ranked #1 for European Private Equity (Bloomberg). Freshfields remains the #1 legal adviser for European M&A and the #1 adviser in the UK (Bloomberg). Freshfields ranks #3 globally for cross-border M&A in Bloomberg’s YTD 2025 league table, underscoring its strength in multi-jurisdictional dealmaking. (#2 LSEG, #3 Mergermarket).The firm ranked #1 for European Private Equity (Bloomberg). The firm is #6 globally for overall M&A (Bloomberg), maintaining a top-tier position across regions. (#6 LSEG, #5 Mergermarket). In the US, the firm remains within the top 10, ranking #10 in Bloomberg’s M&A table, reflecting its ongoing growth across transatlantic mandates. In the Middle East and Africa, Freshfields ranks #3, maintaining its strong market position across the region (Bloomberg). Global law firm Freshfields has reaffirmed its leadership in complex, cross-border M&A, securing standout positions in the Q3 2025 rankings. The firm remains a top performer in Europe, Asia and MENA and continues its growth trajectory in the US. Andrew Hutchings, Freshfields’ Co-Head of Global M&A, commented: “These rankings reflect the continued strength of our global platform and our ability to deliver for clients on their most strategic, cross-border matters. From public M&A to private capital, we’re advising at the forefront of market activity, helping clients navigate complexity and unlock opportunity across regions.” Top-tier cross-border M&A performance Global M&A value in the first nine months of 2025, was the highest since 2021, with a strong rebound in megadeals and private equity activity. Freshfields continues to rank among the world’s top advisers for cross-border M&A, placing #3 globally in Bloomberg’s 2025 year-to-date table, reaffirming its strength in complex, multi-jurisdictional dealmaking. The firm also ranks #6 globally for overall M&A by Bloomberg. European leadership sustained Europe saw an 11 per cent rise in value (LSEG), with Freshfields leading the region by value (Bloomberg). Freshfields remains the #1 legal adviser for European M&A, topping Bloomberg’s 2025 rankings for the region. The firm also holds the #1 position in the UK and #2 in Germany, reflecting its deep market presence and integrated European network. Strong showings across Italy, Spain, the Nordics and Benelux further underscore its pan-European capability. US momentum continues to build Freshfields continues to strengthen its US presence, ranking #10 in Bloomberg’s US M&A table. This sustained top-10 position highlights the firm’s expanding role on major transatlantic and US-driven mandates, particularly in the technology, energy and financial sectors. MENA performance In the Middle East and Africa, Freshfields is ranked #3, reflecting its continued strength on cross-border mandates and strategic regional investments. Private equity Private equity deal value increased by 27 per cent year-on-year (LSEG) with Freshfields #1 in Europe by value (Bloomberg). The firm ranks #13 globally and #1 in Europe for private equity M&A in Bloomberg’s YTD 2025 tables, and #1 for European exits according to Mergermarket — confirming its strength in sponsor-driven dealmaking and secondary processes.

Oct 14

2 min

Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) has today announced the appointment of leading funds practitioner Mary Lavelle as a partner to its Private Capital team and Global Transactions practice in London. Lavelle will be appointed as Global Co-Head of the firm’s Private Funds & Secondaries (PFS) group alongside Tim Clark in the US. Lavelle joins from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and advises investment managers and financial institutions on a broad range of investment fund formation and asset management matters, as well as related carry and co-investment structures, private equity-driven transactions using fund structures and investor representation on fund investments and co-investments. She focuses equally on secondary transactions and has built up an established practice advising secondary buyers and sellers on a wide range of secondary transactions, including portfolio sales and GP-led continuation fund deals, with secondaries experience in multiple asset classes including private credit. London Transactions Head, Andrew Hutchings, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Mary to our London team and Global Transactions practice. She will work closely with Tim Clark to drive forward the growth of our Private Funds and Secondaries team in particular in order to enhance further the delivery of excellent client service. This latest appointment forms part of the firm’s wider plan for strategic growth in the private capital space.” Global Head of Private Funds & Secondaries, Tim Clark, said: “Mary is a highly experienced secondaries and fund formation lawyer with an impressive market reputation and track record. Her secondaries and funds practice will complement our global M&A, private capital, and corporate practice. I am very pleased to welcome her to our growing team and look forward to working closely with her as Private Funds and Secondaries (PFS) practice co-heads in building a leading PFS practice within the firm’s global footprint.”

Jan 17

1 min

Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) has today announced the appointment of leading equity capital markets (ECM) practitioner and US qualified partner, David Boles, who will join its Global Transactions practice and ECM team in London. A market-leading practitioner on capital markets and securities regulation matters, Boles will join Freshfields from US firm Cooley. Boles advises issuers, investment banks and investors on initial public offerings, private placements and other equity capital markets transactions across Europe, including US listings by foreign private issuers. He has extensive experience representing clients active in a wide range of areas, including life sciences, technology, e-commerce, financial services, fintech, retail and consumer. Boles will work closely with London partners Chris Mort, Julian Makin, Doug Smith, Tom Godwin and colleagues across the firm to drive forward the growth of Freshfields’ market-leading ECM practice. Partner Chris Mort said: “We look forward to working closely with David to strengthen further our leading equity capital markets practice. David’s focus on helping European companies list, either in their home market or in the US, coupled with our recent capital markets partner hires in New York and Silicon Valley, will put us in a fantastic position to advise companies, owners, and investment banks wherever they choose to list. In addition, David’s experience advising in the technology and life sciences industries will serve as an important adjunct as they align with two of our firm’s growth areas and are sectors in which IPOs are an important part of our offering.” Sarah Solum, US Managing Partner and Head of US Capital Markets, said: “We are delighted to welcome David to our growing capital markets team. His impressive experience and ability to advise European companies on US listings make him the ideal addition to our active practice, which sits within an elite, globally integrated law firm. Our strategic focus on delivering excellent client service means ensuring we provide high quality talent that differentiates our capital markets practice in the US and beyond.” London Transactions Head, Andrew Hutchings, commented: “I am delighted to welcome David, a leading individual for equity capital markets and securities regulation work, to our Global Transactions practice. Our ECM practice is an integral part of our offering. David’s appointment is part of our strategic priority to continue delivering excellent client service across jurisdictions and capture the opportunities ahead.”

Apr 15

2 min