Freshfields has continued its seemingly relentless Wall Street recruitment drive, hiring leading M&A partner Keith Hallam in New York from White & Case.
Hallam previously spent almost a decade at Cravath, where he built a reputation advising on some of the market’s biggest corporate transactions before joining White & Case in 2022. His arrival further strengthens Freshfields’ corporate and dealmaking bench as the Magic Circle firm continues its long-term campaign to establish itself among New York’s elite legal firms.
The move is the latest sign that Freshfields has no intention of slowing its US expansion, despite an increasingly competitive lateral market and reports that Magic Circle firms have moderated overall hiring.
Instead, the firm continues to target proven Wall Street talent capable of winning premium M&A mandates, reinforcing a strategy that has already transformed its US practice into one of the strongest international challengers to the traditional New York legal establishment.
The Freshfields’ media release is below –
Global law firm Freshfields announced today that Keith Hallam will join in New York as a partner in the Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and corporate practice.
Keith’s practice covers a broad range of M&A transactions, including public and private M&A, carve-outs, joint ventures, strategic investments, structured equity and cross-border transactions. He has experience representing corporates, private equity sponsors and strategic and financial investors across numerous industries, with notable experience in activism defense and shareholder-engagement matters.
“I had the pleasure of working with Keith previously for many years, and I know firsthand that he is a world-class lawyer and a phenomenal colleague — hardworking, laser-focused on client service and a truly wonderful person,” said U.S. Managing Partner Damien Zoubek. “His impressive deal sheet shows a broad skill set that aligns with the core of our firm’s U.S. M&A business. His addition to our M&A team will further accelerate the incredible momentum we have seen in our M&A business, adding to what we believe is already one of the best M&A practices in the United States and globally. I’m thrilled to be working together again.”
Keith has been recognized as a leading M&A lawyer by Law360, The Legal 500, IFLR1000, Lawdragon and The Legal 500 Latin America. His experience spans key industries including technology, telecom, industrials, financial services, life sciences and consumer & retail.
Patrick Cichy, Global Co-Head of M&A and Capital, added: “Keith is a strategic addition for our top-tier U.S. and global M&A practice. His deep experience across public and private M&A, combined with his market reputation, adds meaningful firepower to our team.”
Keith said: “I’m excited to be joining Freshfields. For me, this is about more than a role — it’s a professional home where I can practice at the highest level on the most complex mandates, alongside trusted colleagues I’ve worked with before and genuinely enjoy collaborating with. What the Freshfields team has built is remarkable – a true destination transactional practice with a deep bench of practitioners at the top of their game. When you see how that’s integrated with a world-class antitrust and regulatory practice and its global reach, I know this is the best platform to serve clients at the highest level. The chance to contribute to the continued growth of the M&A practice, in a culture built on excellence, collaboration and teamwork, is exactly the practice I’ve been looking for.”
