Frequently asked questions

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How large is the U.S. corporate group in London, Europe and Asia?

We operate this group on an integrated basis from three hubs: London, Frankfurt and Hong Kong. As of August 1, 2008, in London, we had four partners (one of whom is on temporary secondment to Hong Kong), two counsel and 15 associates in the US Corporate Group in London. Three first year associates will join the team in October 2008. We also have one partner and three associates in Frankfurt, one counsel in Paris and two partners and four associates in Hong Kong (one of whom is currently on secondment to Beijing).

The U.S. corporate group is busy and growing. We have a market leading securities practice in Hong Kong and China and are actively recruiting U.S. lawyers to significantly expand the number of U.S. corporate group lawyers based in Hong Kong.

Is there a summer associate program in London?

Yes. Up to four summer associates can participate in the U.S. summer associate program in London. These summer associates spend 10 to 12 weeks working in the U.S. corporate group in London and, if appropriate, may spend time in Frankfurt or another European office. Candidates should be seriously considering beginning their careers as permanent associates in London or Europe. In addition, a limited number of summer associates from New York can spend two weeks in the London office.

What is the reputation of the London U.S. group in the market?

We have a reputation (both as described in legal periodicals and as expressed by a number of our investment banking clients) as the best U.S. team in the ’Magic Circle’ (the major international firms based in London).

Our U.S. partners in London are among the most experienced and best respected U.S. lawyers in London. For example, U.S. group head Sarah Murphy has been practicing in London for 21 years and Don Guiney has been in London for 18 years.

What deals do the U.S. lawyers work on?

Our primary businesses are equity capital markets and high yield debt. We also advise on the U.S. law aspects of major cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions.

Equity capital markets

Our U.K.-based equity capital markets business is one of the best in the world and has consistently appeared at or near the top of published league tables for London Stock Exchange-listed equity capital markets transactions. We represent issuers and all the major investment banks. Our U.S. lawyers regularly work on and lead many of these deals. U.S. lawyers in London are also playing leading roles in our rapidly expanding equity capital markets business in Russia, Kazakhstan and other emerging markets. Finally, our London based U.S. team works on equity capital markets deals across Europe, particularly in Germany, Spain and France, but also in the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy.

High yield debt

Our high yield debt practice is based in London and our high yield team is widely regarded as one of the best in the European market and top among non-U.S. firms. Lawyers in the London U.S. corporate group represent private equity sponsors, corporate issuers and underwriters in high yield debt transactions. Our U.S. lawyers work closely with lawyers in our banking and M&A teams to provide high yield debt financing for complex leveraged buyouts throughout the U.K. and Europe. Our high yield team is also extremely active in the area of corporate refinancings and restructurings.

M&A

Lawyers in the London U.S. corporate group also advise on the U.S. law aspects of cross-border public takeovers and mergers involving companies in the U.K. and throughout Europe.

Can London-based associates work in other offices?

Yes. Our London-based associates regularly work on transactions in western Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Asia. They visit our offices in the regions to work on deals and may have the opportunity to be seconded to other offices for longer periods.

Is there a training program for the U.S. corporate group in London?

Yes. Summer associates participate in regular weekly training sessions (given by partners, counsel and senior associates) covering key U.S. securities law topics relevant to our day to day practice. Summer associates also attend a weekly London U.S. corporate group lunch meeting where we discuss recent developments in the market and other topics of interest.

What is the compensation package for summer associates in London?

Summer associates in London receive the same weekly compensation as our summer associates based in the U.S. In addition, we provide accommodation during their stay and cover the cost of one economy class round trip air fare from the U.S. to and from London.

What is the interview process for summer associate positions in London?

Successful candidates in on-campus interviews will be offered call back interviews in our New York office. Call back interviews for the London summer program will be held in September 2008.

Call back interviews for the London summer program will be held on September 15/16 and September 25/26, 2008.

Successful candidates in the call back interview stage will be offered a position in the summer associate program in London. Candidates who are offered summer associate positions will be offered the chance, at our expense, to fly to London, visit the London office and meet other members of the London U.S. corporate group in person.

Can London summer associates split their time between two firms?

We strongly discourage split summers. In exceptional circumstances we will allow a summer associate to split his or her summer with a law firm outside of the U.K.

Must associates in London be fluent in a language other than English?

While fluency in a western European language (particularly German, French or Spanish) or Russian can be very helpful in our day to day practice, it is not mandatory.

Is there a requirement that permanent associates in the London U.S. corporate group be a member of a specific State Bar?

All permanent associates in the London U.S. corporate group must be members of the New York Bar.

London candidates please contact Alicia Nicholl (alicia.nicholl@freshfields.com) or Jacqueline Bulmer (jacqueline.bulmer@freshfields.com).

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