Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin merge to form top 20 global law firm by revenue

Reading time: two minutes

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP and New York-based firm Kramer Levin have officially completed their transatlantic merger, forming a new global legal powerhouse with more than 2,700 lawyers across 26 offices worldwide.

The merger, which went live on Sunday 1 June 2025, marks one of the most significant transatlantic tie-ups in recent years. The combined law firm will operate under the name Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and boast more than $2 billion in global turnover and a single profit pool, making it a top 20 global firm by revenue.

The chair and senior partner of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, Rebecca Maslen-Stannage, said the merger “unites two firms with complementary strengths and a bold vision for the future”. The combined firm will focus on growing in key practice areas such as bankruptcy and restructuring, disputes, private equity, real estate and securitisation as well as its broader transactional offering.

The synergies of the combined firm will also solidify the firm’s US presence. Prior to the merger, Herbert Smith Freehills maintained a modest presence in the US with its New York office, whereas Kramer Levin brought a more substantial presence with around 120 partners across offices in New York, Washington, DC, and Silicon Valley.

The global CEO of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, Justin D'Agostino said that the merger comes with “a very clear growth plan for the United States and internationally”. D’Agostino added: “In today’s uncertain macroeconomic landscape, clients need a global law firm with local insight across all their key markets. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional outcomes in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.”

The merger highlights a growing trend in the legal industry of law firms scaling to compete across major markets and practice areas.