Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has appointed a new executive partner, UK and EMEA ahead of its merger with US firm Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel. 

HSF lifer Jeremy Walden will begin his three-year term in the role 1 June 2025, the same day the firm’s merger with Kramer Levin is set to go live. The tie-up will catapult HSF into the top 20 global law firms by revenue, with revenue of more than $2bn. 

HSF said Walden would be expected to oversee the firm’s strategy implementation and performance across its 12 offices in the UK and EMEA regions. He succeeds Alison Brown, who has been appointed to a new role as executive partner, US growth and strategic integration. In that role Brown will focus on progressing the firm’s post-merger US investment plan and integration programmes. 

For his part London-based Walden has practised at HSF for more than 30 years and was the managing partner of the firm’s UK and EMEA real estate practice from 2018 to 2024 and a member of its UK and EMEA executives. 

He has a well-regarded practice as a private capital real estate lawyer and has a particular focus on structured investment transactions involving private equity and sovereign fund investors. He has worked with clients including Goldman Sachs and Macquarie Capital, among others. 

HSF’s global CEO Justin D’Agostino said Walden’s appointment “comes at an important moment for our firm, particularly with the new opportunities for our UK and EMEA offices as key corridors with our new US practices. Jeremy is uniquely placed for the role given his background, experience and passion for our firm and his ambitious vision of our future”.

D’Agostino added: “I would like to thank Alison for her tremendous contribution to the firm as the executive partner for the UK, US and EMEA and especially for her leading role in our combination with Kramer Levin. I look forward to continuing to work with her to realise our ambitions in the US.”

HSF’s tie-up with Kramer Levin hands it the sizeable US footprint so coveted by large international firms. Kramer Levin has around 120 partners across three US offices and in 2023 boasted profit per equity partner (PEP) of $2.4m, significantly higher than its merger partner’s. 

HSF reported record revenue, profit and PEP for the year ended 30 April 2024, with turnover rising 10% to hit £1.3bn ($1.6bn) and PEP up 12% to £1.3m ($1.6m).

The firm announced earlier this month that Rebecca Maslen Stannage had been appointed to serve a second term as senior partner and chair of the global LLP council. The appointment, which followed a partnership vote, was effective immediately until 30 April 2029.