Laura Orlando: “Joining the global elite strengthens our position”
Following the announcement of the merger between Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin, MAG met with the managing partner of HSF’s Italian office and global co-head of IP. “We will pursue lateral hires here as well”
by nicola di molfetta
“Growth is an essential strategic objective at this stage, especially considering the complexity and continuous transformation of the global landscape”. Following the merger between Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling, 2024 concluded with the announcement of another global merger, an operation that, like the previous one, will also impact the Italian market: the upcoming fusion between Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) and Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel. “It’s evident that, at this historical moment, there’s a consolidation trend in the legal landscape”, Laura Orlando, Italy managing partner, global co-head of IP, and EMEA co-head of life sciences at Herbert Smith Freehills, tells MAG.
Orlando played an active role in this operation, and we decided to meet her not only to understand its effects on Italy but also to delve deeper into how such significant operations function. “In our case, it was natural to look to the United States. HSF was born from the 2012 merger between Herbert Smith—part of the so-called silver circle of the UK’s most prestigious law firms—and Freehills, one of Australia’s big six. The merger that created Herbert Smith Freehills established one of the strongest international entities in the Asia-Pacific region. The next step could only be to strengthen our presence in the United States, a dynamic market with strong economic growth and a destination for increasing investment flows,” Orlando tells MAG.
What about Europe?
In our strategy, we have a clear focus on Europe, which remains central to the firm’s investments. Europe continues to offer significant opportunities, particularly in key sectors such as finance, regulation, and private equity. Additionally, litigation remains an area where HSF is a powerhouse at both European and international levels. In this region, there are jurisdictions like Germany and Italy where we are still in the midst of building and growth phases. Our strategic approach aims to consolidate the pan-European network, as demonstrated by the recent announcement of the opening of the Luxembourg office (see dedicated box). In a highly competitive market, growth means not only adapting effectively to change but also investing in key jurisdictions. Italy is one of these.
What opportunities can only be seized by structuring appropriately?
Structuring appropriately means being prepared to capture global opportunities that require a well-distributed, interconnected, and highly specialized organization. The opening of the new office in Luxembourg, for instance, addresses the growing demand for legal services in the financial and regulatory sectors. This initiative will allow us to internalize activities previously outsourced, offering our clients a more comprehensive and integrated service. A local presence represents a strategic advantage, particularly in areas such as investment funds and cross-border operations, where proximity to the market is crucial.
What about the merger with Kramer Levin?
The merger with Kramer Levin positions us among the Global Elite of the top 20 international law firms in terms of size and revenue. This further strengthens our ability to attract talent and expand our presence in strategic markets. Being appropriately structured means having multidisciplinary teams, covering key jurisdictions, and ensuring genuinely global integrated international advice. The complementarity between HSF’s and Kramer Levin’s expertise makes us more competitive in critical sectors such as private capital, M&A, and high tech, positioning us among the global leaders in the industry.
