Our values
Our firm shares a vision: to become the number one international law firm; the firm that is widely recognised as standing apart, for the quality of our advice and for our unswerving commitment to our clients.
But it’s not just our legal advice and client service that set us apart.
It’s the way we work together – our teamwork – with our clients, other firms and with each other, our character and our values.
Our values capture a shared sense of what’s important to us and what you can expect from us, whether you’re a client or colleague.
We go above and beyond
We never stop thinking. We understand our clients – that’s our focus. And we find ways through the legal problems they face. We don’t give up easily; if there’s a way, we’ll find it.
We keep it simple
We cut through complexity to provide clear, precise and insightful answers. We see the entire iceberg, but we know many of our clients only need the tip above the water.
We’re composed
No matter how hard we work or how difficult the challenge, we never lose our cool under pressure. Good grace, teamwork, consideration and humour are essential to the way we work.
We’re forward-thinking and intellectually rigorous
We think ahead and anticipate issues before they become problems for our clients. And we apply our thirst for knowledge about law and business worldwide for the benefit of clients, colleagues and the wider community.
We work as one team
Our power lies in our combined strength. We work as one team - with clients, other law firms, advisers and each other - managing clients’ issues efficiently, anywhere in the world. We’re in this together and aim to build enduring relationships: so we tackle a client’s or colleague’s challenges as if they were our own.
Our history
We were formed in 2000 through the three-way merger of UK-based Freshfields and the German firms Deringer Tessin Herrmann & Sedemund and Bruckhaus Westrick Heller Löber.
This merger of equals combined the three firms' renowned reputations and hundreds of years of experience (dating back to 1743 in the UK and 1840 in Germany) with the shared ambition to become the world's leading international law firm.
Now, we’re one firm with shared values and a shared culture. Where every client receives the same exceptional service in every part of the world.
Belgium
Established in 1989, our Brussels office is one of the most respected business law firms in Belgium with a team of over 80 lawyers of whom 16 are partners. Our team provides technical and commercial advice to national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments, helping them deal with their most challenging and complex business issues and transactions.
LLP conversion
Since 1 May 2008, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has converted its business and assets to an English limited liability partnership (LLP). This means client relationships are with the new LLP, rather than its partners, and the LLP is responsible to clients for all work.
This change affects all our offices except those in Hong Kong, Japan and the US, where clients continue to deal with our Hong Kong or Japanese entities or our US LLP.
