Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has seemed to be on a roll since the 2012 Anglo-Australian merger that created it, with positive financial results, ambitious international expansion and significant investment in a series of international legal services centres.
Last week, however, saw two exits from the firm’s City base – high profile finance partner Malcolm Hitching quit for Ropes & Gray in London, while financial regulatory partner Nick Bradbury is set to join Allen & Overy to help plug the gap left by Bob Penn’s exit for Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton earlier this year.
