Freshfields advises Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild and selling shareholders on sale of 26.9% stake in The Economist

Global law firm Freshfields has advised Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, her family and associated entities on the sale of a 26.9% stake in The Economist Group to Canadian entrepreneur and investor Stephen Smith and his family holding company, Smith Financial Corp.

The transaction represents the first significant ownership change in the company in over a decade, the most recent change being in 2015 when Pearson (also advised by Freshfields) sold its stake to Exor.

The deal follows Freshfields’ recent role advising on Axel Springer’s acquisition of The Telegraph Media Group, placing the firm at the centre of the most high-profile UK media transactions in recent weeks.

The Freshfields team was led by partners Oliver Lazenby and Alastair Mordaunt, assisted by Jordan Camilleri and Yannis Karakitsios.