Freshfields US LLP
UnverifiedNew York, NY
About
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a Magic Circle titan that has been aggressively building one of the most formidable US practices in the market. With approximately 2,800 attorneys globally and a rapidly expanding New York office, Freshfields brings the depth of a top-five global firm to the American legal market with a level of ambition that is impossible to ignore.
Freshfields holds Chambers Band 1 rankings in antitrust and international arbitration, two fiercely competitive practice areas where the firm has no peer. The firm's corporate M&A, dispute resolution, and financial regulatory practices are equally elite, and its global reach means associates regularly work on matters spanning multiple jurisdictions. Freshfields has been one of the most active Magic Circle firms in hiring top US lateral talent, signaling long-term commitment to the American market.
The culture at Freshfields blends British precision with a growing American energy. The firm has been intentional about shedding the Magic Circle label in favor of positioning itself as a truly global firm with deep US roots. Associates benefit from a structured training environment and genuine international mobility opportunities.
The US summer program uses a rotation system with approximately 35 summers. PPP is approximately $3.0 million. Freshfields recruits from the top US law schools with a focus on candidates who bring intellectual firepower and cross-border interest. If you want to work on international disputes, global M&A, or antitrust matters at the highest level, Freshfields is building something genuinely exciting in the US market.
Recruiting & Summer Program
Assignment System
Free Market
Summer Class Size
94 associates
Summer Offer Rate
97%
Billable Hours
2,000 hours
Practice Areas & Rankings
Source: Chambers USA 2026 Rankings
| Practice Area | Band | Jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| International Arbitration | Band 1 | Nationwide |
| Restructuring / Bankruptcy | Band 1 | New York |
| Capital Markets / Securities | Band 2 | Nationwide, New York |
| Commercial Litigation | Band 2 | New York |
| Corporate / M&A | Band 2 | Nationwide, New York |
| White Collar Defense | Band 2 | Nationwide |
| Privacy / Data Security | Band 3 | Nationwide |
| White Collar Defense | Band 3 | New York |
| Labor & Employment | Band 4 | New York |
| Banking & Finance | Band 5 | Nationwide, New York |
| Life Sciences / FDA | Band 5 | Nationwide |
| Tax | Band 5 | New York |
Firm Profile
Vault Rank (2026)
#50
Founded
2000
Chair / Managing Partner
Sarah Solum
Attorneys
~2,800
Partnership Track
9 years
Billable Hours Target
2,000 hours
Summer Class Size (2025)
~90
Revenue per Lawyer (FY2025)
$1.25M
1st-Year Total Comp (2026)
$245,000+
Offices (12 locations)
Data sources: Financial data from AmLaw 200, FY2025. Practice area rankings from Chambers USA 2026. Summer program data from Chambers Associate 2026. Office locations from firm websites. Last verified: March 27, 2026. View our data methodology