Several major law firms in New York are moving their offices from their current location to the Freshfields of Midtown Manhattan. During the second quarter of 2022, leasing activity increased by 43% over the first quarter. This indicates the increasing demand for office space in the city, according to a report by real estate and construction firm CBRE.
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Competition law
In Brussels and London, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (Freshfields) has a highly regarded reputation for activity in all aspects of UK competition law. Its lawyers have been involved in various high-profile disputes and investigations.
The London Olympic Organising Committee selected the firm as the official legal services provider for the 2012 Olympics. Its lawyers have been involved in some of the most significant recent banking and corporate transactions. They advise on high-profile state aid cases and are highly sought after by international companies from various sectors. For example, they have advised Crest Nicholson on its financial restructuring and Porsche on its Scania acquisition. They also reported on the EUR7.9 billion debt facility for Suez and Calyon. In addition, they have been asked to write on a potential sale to Total.
Real estate practice
Whether it’s a development deal or an investment transaction, Freshfields has the experience to help you achieve your real estate goals. The firm’s real estate practice advises on various matters, including office complex leases, sale and leaseback transactions, co-investment structures, and recreational real estate. The team is also recognized for its market-leading global credentials.
Juan Gomez-Acebo joined the firm in 1991 and became its first Spanish partner in 1995. He specializes in commercial aspects of international real estate transactions, as well as the negotiation of deals. He also works with private equity and sovereign wealth funds. He has been involved in some of the most significant recent banking transactions.
Freshfields is also active in the US market, with 28 offices nationwide. The firm advises on various property transactions, including development, acquisitions, leasing, co-investment structures, and debt financing.
Labour and employment law
Despite the recent departure of a few notable alumni from its previous incarnation, Freshfields remains one of the most formidable law firms in the world. The firm – which has offices in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the US – boasts a well-deserved reputation for handling high-profile employment matters and has an impressive trove of expertise in cross-border and transatlantic issues. The legal department also conducts investigations and boardroom disputes, amongst other things.
As for its lawyers, the firm is rife with star-quality talent. The list includes three partners listed in the top 10 of their respective jurisdictions – the US, the UK, and the Netherlands. Another star performer is Sandy Shandro, who is the star of the firm’s restructuring practice. In addition, aome other high fliers are listed in the legal department, including Kent Rowey, who gives the firm a bit of a leg up in the New York market.
Leasing activity jumped more than 43% in the second quarter of 2022
Despite the stumbling economy, the legal services industry is on a sound footing. Several prominent law firms have retooled their portfolios for the coming years. Among them is Freshfields, which moved into Redwood City, California, in June. The firm hired more than 200 lawyers in the US over the past three years. It’s also no stranger to Silicon Valley. The company is set to move into 3 World Trade Center shortly.
While a recent report showed that the best deal in the first half of 2022 was in the form of a merger, that isn’t the only thing coming from the region. Some companies have a knack for reselling their intellectual property to other companies. So this could be the beginning of a golden age for legal services.
New York office move in 2024
Having grown over the last three years, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP plans to relocate its New York office to a larger, modern building in the World Trade Center complex. Currently, the firm’s Midtown offices are bursting at the seams. To accommodate this growth, the firm is taking over a four-floor portion of the 3 World Trade Center building.
The new office will be located in a vibrant and thriving complex of office buildings. The building features a variety of amenities for tenants, including a hospitality program, an outdoor terrace, and several foods and drink options. It is also home to the World Trade Center, which offers access to several social events.
The New York office of Freshfields specializes in corporate transactions, capital markets, civil litigation, and securities litigation. The firm has more than 300 U.S.-qualified lawyers in 27 offices worldwide. The firm’s clients include financial institutions, government and public sector entities, and consumer goods companies. It also focuses on dispute resolution and is renowned for its antitrust expertise.
