The Freshfields Podcast is produced by Freshfields, a global law firm that advises leading corporations, financial institutions, and governments on complex legal matters. The podcast likely covers topics related to business law, regulatory changes, and high-profile legal cases. It provides insights from the firm's experts on ground-breaking and business-critical mandates.
Episodes
Essential Antitrust – The Italian Voice #4: Tutto quello che avreste voluto sapere sull’antitrust, ma non avete mai osato chiedere
Per il quarto episodio di Essential Antitrust – The Italian Voice, incontriamo Andrea Pezzoli, storico dirigente dell’Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, con cui abbiamo ripercorso oltre trent’anni di antitrust in Italia, proiettandoci al contempo, verso le prossime sfide per la politica della concorrenza.
Dai casi che hanno segnato la storia dell’Autorità ai mercati digitali, dal co
No Worse Off #28: What the New EU Insolvency Directive Means for Creditors, Directors and Distressed Investors
The EU Insolvency Directive marks a significant step towards greater harmonisation of insolvency laws across Member States. While the reforms introduce common standards in areas such as pre-pack sales, avoidance actions, director filing duties and creditor protections, the directive leaves considerable discretion to national legislatures.
In this episode, Jamie Murray-Jones is joined by colleagues
Tax Matters: Autumn Budget 2026 – Fiscal frights or boring Budget?
The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey, has delivered the Autumn Budget 2026, promising to provide “breathing space” amid “global economic storms”.
With ‘military-style’ security protocols reportedly in place, there were far fewer pre-Budget leaks than in recent years. Consequently, although some key revenue-raising measures announced were largely expected, including the increase in the
Essential Antitrust #52: EU cartel enforcement – where are we? Taking stock now that there is a new Director Cartels
EC fines in cartel cases jumped to approximately EUR 860 million in 2025, up from just EUR 50 million the year before, with four cases closed compared to only one in 2024. Yet the number of cases remains well below the levels of five or ten years ago, and not a single cartel case has been closed so far in 2026.
At the same time, the European Commission is pursuing a growing pipeline of investigati
Perspectives from Paris #1: IA et infrastructures digitales, un nouveau cycle d’investissement
Dans cet épisode, Pascal Cuche et Sami Jebbour, associés en charge de la pratique Infrastructure du bureau de Paris, reviennent sur la manière dont l’IA est devenue un puissant moteur d’investissement dans les infrastructures digitales, à commencer par les campus d’IA et les centres de données. Des attentes des investisseurs au rôle de l’État, en passant par l’approvisionnement en énergie et la so
No Worse Off #27: Hunkemöller, Selecta and the US Challenge to European LMEs
From Selecta to Hunkemöller and other cases, disputes around liability management exercises are no longer confined to the jurisdictions in which they are implemented.
As US litigation becomes an increasingly common feature of European restructuring transactions, understanding the procedural landscape on both sides of the Atlantic has never been more important. In this episode, Craig Montgomery is
Essential Antitrust – The Italian Voice #3: Catch Me If You Can
Cosa accade quando una concentrazione è troppo piccola per essere notificata secondo i criteri tradizionali, ma non troppo piccola per produrre effetti significativi? In questa puntata di Essential Antitrust – The Italian Voice, cercheremo di rispondere anche a questa domanda, analizzando le concentrazioni sottosoglia, ossia quelle piccole operazioni di M&A che sfuggono alle tradizionali sogli
No Worse Off #26: Finding Your Voice
In this special episode, we step away from the technical content to talk about something every professional grapples with: finding your voice.
Lindsay is joined by senior associate Sally and first-year apprentice Evie to share candid reflections on building confidence, communicating with impact, and developing a professional presence early in your career - from imposter syndrome and mentorship to
Well-Caffeinated: Not Just a Speed Bump — Identifying and Managing Conflicts of Interest in Private Funds
In this episode of Well-Caffeinated, host Tim Clark is joined by David Nicolardi, a Private Funds and Secondaries partner in Freshfields' Washington, DC office, to examine one of the first principles of fund management: identifying and managing conflicts of interest.
The conversation explores how regulators think about conflicts and investment adviser fiduciary duties, drawing on David's experienc
No Worse Off #25: From burnout to buy-out: the Bulb Energy story
In this special joint episode with Sequoia's Infra a Penny podcast, key figures from the insolvency - SIMCo’s Steve Cook, Interpath's Richard Heis, and Freshfields' Jamie Murray Jones - join host Lindsay Hingston to tell the inside story: from the unique challenges of the energy special administration regime, to a creative asset realisation strategy that delivered for customers, creditors and gove
No Worse Off #24: Minority protection in English LME
In this episode, Lindsay Hingston and Alex Thomson dive into one of the most fiercely debated questions in European liability management: how far does the minority protection principle go? By reference to the expert opinion of Lord Neuberger and Dame Gloster — submitted as evidence in the ongoing Selecta litigation in New York — the team unpacks a fundamental disagreement between two of England's
Essential Antitrust – The Italian Voice #2: La dura legge del goal
Chi fa l'arbitro quando la partita riguarda la concorrenza? In questo episodio di Essential Antitrust – The Italian Voice guardiamo allo sport da una prospettiva diversa, esplorando il ruolo del diritto antitrust in un settore sempre più rilevante dal punto di vista economico. Dal caso Superlega alla recente sentenza ROGON, passando per il pattinaggio, il calcio europeo, le regole sugli agenti spo
'EUnpacked' #5: The EU ETS Revision – what’s next for Europe’s carbon market?
Tune in to the latest episode of our EUnpacked podcast series, where we unpack the forthcoming revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) – the EU’s flagship climate policy and one of its most consequential regulatory frameworks for business. With the European Commission’s legislative proposal which has just been postponed for publication on 17 July. The debate is intensifying around key
No Worse Off #23: Restructuring in the Netherlands
In our latest episode of "No Worse Off," host Lindsay Hingston is joined by Amsterdam partner Michael Broeders and senior associate Huub Boekhorst for a deep dive into the Dutch restructuring market.
The Netherlands is one of Europe's most versatile restructuring jurisdictions - and this episode explains why. How does the WHOA compare to Chapter 11 and the UK scheme? How powerful is Dutch share pl
Well-Caffeinated: What the Retail Moment Means for Private Capital
In this episode of Well-Caffeinated, host Tim Clark is joined by four Freshfields colleagues to examine one of the most significant trends impacting Private Capital today: the increasing focus on “retail” sources of capital for Private Capital investment strategies. Melissa Hodgman, David Nicolardi, Andrew Gladstein and Jeremy Barr unpack what it means for a Private Capital managers to add a retai
Essential Antitrust #51: Inside the new EU Merger Guidelines with Daniele Calisti: policy, economics and practice
Twelve months ago, Daniele Calisti, Head of Unit for Merger Policy and Case Support at the European Commission, joined us to discuss the launch of the Commission's public consultation on the revision of the EU Merger Guidelines. Now, with a draft text on the table, host Jenn Mellott welcomes him back — alongside economist David Foster of Frontier Economics and Brussels partner Thomas Janssens — to
Essential Antitrust - The Italian Voice #1: Il posto fisso (obbligato)
In questo episodio, analizziamo come il mercato del lavoro sia diventato un nuovo campo d’azione anche per l’enforcement antitrust in Europa e in Italia. Dalle recenti linee guida della Commissione Europea che contemplano anche gli accordi c.d. no-poach e wage-fixing, fino alle prime sanzioni in diversi Paesi del mondo, esploriamo come le pratiche che limitano la mobilità dei lavoratori stiano ent
Global Shareholder Activism Insights #1: The Rise of the First-Time Activist
Activists are not monolithic and it is critical that companies today understand how activist types and styles impact engagement and campaigns. In this inaugural episode, Julian Pritchard and Leza Bieber are joined by Lauren Odell, Partner at Gladstone Place Partners to examine the nuances of engaging with first-time activists.
Moving beyond established funds, our experts analyze new entrants and t
Essential Antitrust #50: New safe harbours, sharper teeth - the EU's new merger playbook
The European Commission's draft merger guidelines land at a moment of real geopolitical flux — and its changes cut both ways. Scale, resilience, innovation and supply chain security are now embedded in the competitive assessment as key factors, and a new "theory of benefit" framework enables parties to argue efficiencies in novel and more comprehensive ways. At the same time, the Commission has eq
No Worse Off #22: Welcome to Hot Topics: charting global restructuring, one jurisdiction at a time
In our latest episode of "No Worse Off," we launch an exciting new series: Hot Topics. Host Lindsay Hingston is joined by Ken Baird, Freshfields' global head of restructuring, and senior associate Jamie Murray-Jones to introduce this fresh approach to exploring the world of restructuring.
This inaugural episode sets the scene for the series, which will take listeners across our international netwo
Introducing the AI Drop
Join host Anna Gressel to unlock the future of artificial intelligence with The AI Drop, a podcast dedicated to delivering cutting-edge insights on how AI is transforming industries worldwide. Each episode features expert interviews and actionable strategies to help you harness AI, drive business value, and navigate evolving legal challenges. Fresh drops every week so you never miss a beat.
🎧 Ep
Well-Caffeinated: Private Capital at the AI Inflection Point: What to Look for in 2026 and Beyond
In this episode, Sanjay Murti discusses all things AI with partners Anna Gressel, Eva Mak and Tim Clark, covering topics such as the commercialization of AI agents, AI governance, AI on the investment committee and AI as an accelerant for retailization. The panel also shares its reactions to Matt Shumer's viral post, 'Something Big Is Happening,' which explored the implications of AI development.
No Worse Off #21: Asset-Backed Finance under stress
In our latest episode of “No Worse Off,” host Emma Gateaud is joined by Mus van Hien, Head of Private Markets Capital Solutions at M&G Investments, and Freshfields partner Andy Heathcote, from our structured finance practice.
Together, they explore Asset-Backed Finance and how it is used , as well as how distress and enforcement can play out in such structures. They examine the recent fraud ca
ESG trends to watch in 2026: Part 2: How AI, climate transition planning, supply chains and environmental rules are evolving
Part 2 explores AI’s expanding ESG implications, uncertainty in climate transition planning, evolving supply‑chain obligations and the ongoing complexity of environmental and product‑specific rules, despite efforts to simplify regulatory frameworks.
Recorded as at 29 January.
ESG trends to watch in 2026: Part 1: ESG litigation risk in a fragmented regulatory world
Part 1 explores how geopolitical divergence and shifting regulatory approaches are reshaping ESG risk in 2026. It highlights a more complex litigation landscape, growing use of novel arguments including attribution science and increasing claims linked to climate impacts, supply chains, human rights and allegations of greenwashing.
Recorded as at 30 January.
Essential Antitrust #49: Clarity in Antitrust: inside the 10 key themes shaping 2026
From shifting geopolitical agendas to a transformed merger control landscape and AI‑driven investigations, our experts unpack the forces reshaping global antitrust in the coming year.
Antitrust is increasingly impacted by geopolitical priorities, with regulators using competition policy to advance national security, industrial resilience, and economic goals. Companies operating across major jurisd
Essential Antitrust #48: Antitrust meets AI: How regulators approach AI-driven pricing and predictive analytics
AI-driven pricing and analytics tools are transforming markets, but they’re also drawing intense scrutiny from antitrust authorities worldwide. In our latest Essential Antitrust episode, Freshfields experts Maria Dreher-Lorje, Nicholas Frey, Heather Lamberg and Jenn Mellott explore how regulators in the US, UK, and EU are responding to algorithmic pricing and what this means for global businesses.
Well-Caffeinated: What’s Past is Prologue — Assessing the Changed Legal Landscape from Year 1 of the Second Trump Administration and Looking Ahead at What Year 2 May Bring
As 2025 draws to a close, and sitting on the precipice of a new year, it seems like a good time for us to assess where the second Trump Administration has taken us so far and where we may be headed.
Listen to Tim Clark's interview of Jennifer Loeb, Austin Evers and David Nicolardi regarding what we got right about the second Trump administration; what surprised us; and what to expect from the adm
No Worse Off #20: 2025 in Review
To close the year, in this episode of “No Worse Off” hosts Emma Gateaud, Lindsay Hingston and Alex Thomson look back at the key developments in the restructuring market in 2025. In a monthly run-down they spotlight new trends in liability management and out-of-court solutions, and pivotal court decisions that have reshaped the UK restructuring plan. The team also highlights headline bankruptcy c
No Worse Off #19: Restructuring “à la francaise”
In our latest episode of “No Worse Off,” we take a deep dive into one of Europe's most dynamic and distinctive restructuring markets: France. Host Emma Gateaud is joined by Marc Sénéchal a highly respected French court-appointed conciliateur and mandataire ad hoc and Freshfields Paris restructuring partner Guilhem Bremond and counsel Antoine Rueda.
Listen in as our panel discusses recent ‘jumbo’ c
Tax Matters: Autumn Budget 2025 – a stealthy smorgasbord?
The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has delivered the Autumn Budget 2025.
In her much-anticipated second Budget, the Chancellor announced a broad spectrum of tax measures which she said were designed both to secure public finances and make the UK tax system fairer. After much press speculation, rumours and reported U-turns, there is now some welcome clarity on how the government int
No Worse Off #18: Innovative Capital Solutions Tools in the Italian Market
In our latest episode of “No Worse Off,” our cross-jurisdictional restructuring and capital solutions team, Nick Fortune, Francesco Lombardo and Valentina Armaroli dive into the innovative capital solutions and restructuring tools reshaping the Italian market.
Italy is quickly emerging as a key market, offering a wealth of opportunities for global credit and other investors. Listen in as our team
Human-Centered Innovation – A conversation with Stephanie Toney, CBO at Diatiro Health
In this episode of the MedTech Podcast, partner Vinita Kailasanath speaks with Stephanie Toney, Chief Business Officer at Diatiro Health, about the company’s mission to transform kidney transplantation. They explore the importance of equity and patient access in MedTech. Stephanie also shares her perspective on emerging trends such as AI, digital health, and precision medicine—and their potential
Well-Caffeinated: Private Capital Goes Retail: the Global Push to Democratize Access to Private Capital Investments
As retail investor access to Private Credit gains global momentum, stay informed with our latest podcast.
Tim Clark, Mary Lavelle (Global Co-Chairs, Private Funds and Secondaries) and Ivet Bell (Private Funds and Secondaries partner) delve into key market and regulatory shifts, including potential US regulatory changes that will facilitate "retail investor” investment in Private Capital investment
No Worse Off #17: Distressed disposals and LMEs – Hunkemöller and Selecta
In the latest episode of “No Worse Off,” the Freshfields restructuring team—Emma Gateaud, Nick Fortune, Madlyn Primoff, and Jamie Murray-Jones—delve into the legal, strategic and market implications of cutting-edge restructuring tactics.
From up-tiering strategies to intercreditor agreement debt release mechanics, the episode features insights drawn from the recent Hunkemöller and Selecta transact
The Arbitration Act 2025 is now in force. What are the key things you need to know?
The English Arbitration Act 2025 came into force on 1 August, introducing welcome and long-awaited reforms to the English Arbitration Act 1996. In this bite-size podcast, the head of Freshfields’ London arbitration team Oliver Marsden, counsel Ashley Jones and associate Rebecca Zard highlight the key reforms — including provisions on summary dismissal, interim relief against third parties, court
No Worse Off #16: Petrofac in the Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn the sanction of Petrofac’s restructuring plans marked a pivotal moment in restructuring law, with significant implications for how future restructurings will be approached in practice.
In the latest episode of our "No Worse Off" podcast series, restructuring team members Lindsay Hingston, Craig Montgomery and Caroline Platt, unpack this landmark decision,
Reward(ing) Half Hour - Episode 5 Navigating Employment Claims: Share Plans, Bonuses and Beyond
Keeping you up to date on executive compensation matters.
In this podcast series, the Freshfields People & Reward team discusses key topics in the executive reward space for publicly listed and private companies in 2025, including transatlantic considerations, ways to structure executive incentives and the developing trend for democratising equity arrangements.
In the fifth episode of this ser
No Worse Off #15: UK restructuring plan turns five
In our latest podcast episode of "No Worse Off," Freshfields partners Lindsay Hingston, Ken Baird, and Emma Gateaud, along with senior associate Emilio Salice, come together for an in-depth discussion as the Restructuring Plan (RP) turns five.
Drawing on their extensive experience, our speakers share valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of restructuring plans. They delve into the powerful
Eureka: Fresh Takes on Capital Markets with Freshfields Episode #4: Midseason Proxy Review
In episode four of the Eureka series, Former SEC Director of CorpFin and Freshfields partner Erik Gerding is joined by partners Leza Bieber, Heather Brookfield and Sarah Ghulamhussain who unpack the trends this Proxy Season, including:
What we are seeing in terms of shareholder proposals, management proposals and early voting results including trends in ISS and Glass Lewis voting recommendations
Eureka: Fresh Takes on Capital Markets from Freshfields Episode #3: What to expect from SEC Enforcement
In this episode of the Eureka series, partners and former senior SEC officials Melissa Hodgman and Erik Gerding share insider perspectives on what to expect from SEC enforcement, including:
Direction of travel for key areas such as crypto, fraud, individual liability, China, ESG and insider trading
Insights into personnel and priorities changes at the agency and what this means for enforcement
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Tax matters: Trump 2.0 - the intersection of US tax and trade policy
The second Trump administration has made numerous announcements on trade and tariffs, but US tax policy is increasingly woven into the discussion on international trade. This includes the possibility of retaliatory US action against “discriminatory or extraterritorial taxes” imposed by other countries.
The US House Budget Reconciliation Bill, officially titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act", was
Looking Forward: How AI is Transforming Healthcare and MedTech
Listen to the latest episode of our MedTech podcast featuring host Vinita Kailasanath and guest Alya Sulaiman, Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer at Datavant. Vinita and Alya discuss Alya’s unique career path, how AI and machine learning will impact the US’ regulatory landscape, deploying AI in healthcare, and MedTech innovations to watch.
Essential Antitrust #47: Chat with EC’s Daniele Calisti: More room for procompetitive efficiencies?
On 8 May 2025, the European Commission launched a public consultation to review the Merger Guidelines. In this episode, our host Jenn Mellott speaks with Daniele Calisti, Head of the Mergers Case Support and Policy Unit at DG Competition, who is leading the consultation process. They are joined by David Foster, Director at Frontier Economics, and fellow antitrust partner Thomas Janssens, to explor
'EUnpacked' Episode #4: The EU’s first Omnibus - simplification or deregulation?
Tune in to the latest episode of our EUnpacked podcast series in which we try to untangle the famous or rather infamous ‘Omnibus I’ package unveiled by the European Commission on 26 February this year. The proposal aims to simplify ESG reporting and due diligence obligations, responding to new political and geopolitical imperatives pushing a simplification and burden-reduction drive to boost the E
No Worse Off #14: Managing consumer redress liabilities: recent restructuring experience and the motor finance sector
In our latest podcast episode of "No Worse Off," Freshfields partners Emma Gateaud and Craig Montgomery are joined by two industry experts for an in-depth discussion on motor finance claims and consumer redress restructuring.
Drawing on our extensive experience in recent consumer redress restructurings, we consider the potential impact of the upcoming Supreme Court Judgment on motor finance commis
Securing the Digital Future #4: A Conversation with Athina Tsitsou and June Lowry
In this episode of our Securing the Digital Future podcast series, Freshfields partner Rachael Annear talks with June Lowry and Athina Tsitsou, from the European Commission, about measures in the EU aimed at children’s online safety as well as broader initiatives around accessibility.
Eureka: Fresh Takes on Capital Markets with Freshfields Episode #2: IPOs and other Routes to Capital and Liquidity: “The Garden of Forking Paths”
In episode two of the Eureka series, Former Director of CorpFin at the SEC and Freshfields partner Erik Gerding and Freshfields partners Calise Cheng and Jacqueline Marino explore IPOs in the face of uncertainty, including alternative paths to capital and liquidity. They discuss:
The state of the market and what the SEC might do to help
Alternative paths for companies seeking capital and liquidit
Eureka: Fresh Takes on Capital Markets from Freshfields: Episode #1: Disclosure and Governance During a Trade War
In this episode of the Eureka series, Former Director of CorpFin at the SEC and Freshfields partner Erik Gerding and Freshfields partners Pamela Marcogliese and Leza Bieber discuss how to think about disclosures and governance during a trade war, including:
What to do about guidance and meaningful cautionary language under extreme uncertainty?
How is this situation similar to COVID and the Russia
Ethan Klingsberg Explores the Global Secondaries Trend with Ivet Bell
As part of his predictions for 2025, Ethan Klingsberg focused on the expected dominance of the fund secondaries market. Listen in as he speaks with Private Funds and Secondaries partner Ivet Bell about the phenomenal rise of these transactions—including market drivers, key terms, impact on the market, and where secondaries growth may be headed in both up and down markets.
Essential Antitrust #46: UK’s DMCCA consumer protection reforms: Key changes and how to prepare
On 6 April 2025, key consumer protection provisions set out in the landmark UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) entered into force.
In addition to introducing some significant substantive changes to the law, the DMCCA provides the CMA with powers to directly enforce consumer protection law for the first time, and the ability to fine businesses up to 10% of global turnover for
No Worse Off #13: Spotlight on the Middle East
In our latest "No Worse Off" podcast episode, Freshfields partner Lindsay Hingston and Tabasam Faqir, Head of Restructuring and Capital Solutions for MENA, welcome special guest Naveen Sabharwal, Managing Director at Davidson Kempner. Together, they explore the key themes shaping the restructuring landscape in the Middle East.
Drawing on their extensive market experience, they examine the evolving
Well-Caffeinated: Playing the Long Game: A Conversation with Val Jacob
Join Nathalie Kupfer and Rosie Jiang as they sit down with Val Jacob to explore her remarkable career in the legal industry. With decades of experience in Big Law, Val has navigated the complexities of the legal world and emerged as a respected leader. In this episode, Val will share her journey, from her early days as a young attorney to her rise through the ranks.
Securing the Digital Future #3: Balancing Act: Regulatory Approaches to Privacy in Content Moderation
In this episode of our Securing the Digital Future podcast series, partner Rachael Annear is joined by Lorna Christie from the UK’s data regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), to discuss how the ICO is collaborating with Ofcom to ensure a coherent approach to regulation where online safety and data protection intersect.
No Worse Off #12: Meet Paul, Mark and Nick: our new London private credit and capital solutions trio
As you may already know, our three new London Private Credit and Capital Solutions partners joined us last month. We are very excited to introduce you to them in the latest episode of our “No Worse Off” Podcast series!
Paul, Mark and Nick tell us about their practice, what Private Credit and Capital Solutions really means, as well as revealing a few interesting facts about themselves!
Listen now
Managing Risk in Asia #10: Powering the change in Asia’s energy transition
As the world intensifies its efforts toward Net Zero, Asia stands at the forefront of the global energy transition, representing half of global energy demand and emissions. With heavy dependence on fossil fuels across most large Asian economies, the path to Net Zero will be both challenging and full of opportunities for forward-thinking companies.
In this episode, Ninette Dodoo is discussing the e
Securing the Digital Future #2: Navigating the UK’s Approach to Online Safety
In our latest podcast episode of Securing the Digital Future, Freshfields partner Rachael Annear is joined by Suzanne Cater and Amy Jordan from the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, for an in-depth look at how online safety legislation is being applied in the UK and what businesses and organizations need to know.
MedTech - Innovation & Inclusion: How Nada Hanafi advocates for diversity in MedTech
In this episode of our MedTech podcast series, partner Vinita Kailasanath sits down with Nada Hanafi, Co-founder of MedTech Color, to discuss Nada’s career, how diversity impacts the MedTech industry, and advice for future MedTech leaders.
No Worse Off #11: International sanctions
Join partners Lindsay Hingston, Jonathan Kelly, and associate Madeleine Wall in our first "No Worse Off" episode of 2025.
In this episode, they explore the intersection between international sanctions and restructuring and insolvency, covering UK and EU developments while providing practical guidance on implementing restructuring solutions within sanctions frameworks.
Stay tuned for more insights
Essential Antitrust #45: Antitrust agency leadership: stepping onto a new stage
The recent and upcoming changes to the heads of key antitrust agencies, and in particular the Chair of the UK Competition and Markets Authority, may signal a shift in approach to merger control.
In our latest Essential Antitrust podcast, our host Jenn Mellot is joined by fellow partners Thomas Janssens, Martin McElwee and Colin Raftery to discuss how this and other recent developments will affect
Essential Antitrust #44: Redefining the role of antitrust in 2025: our Ten Key Themes forecast
The transitions taking place across agency leadership will maintain competition law and policy at the forefront of regulatory developments in 2025. In particular, antitrust policy will be shaped by political influences and growing pressure to consider domestic growth, security and economic resilience concerns, alongside other industrial policy goals.
In our latest Essential Antitrust podcast, our
Securing the Digital Future #1: Insights on online safety in the US
In our latest podcast episode of Securing the Digital Future, Freshfields partner Rachael Annear is joined by Michelle Ramsden from the US Department of Justice for an overview of the status of online safety regulation in the US. They discuss the complex patchwork of laws and regulations at both the state and federal levels, as well as how civil liberties and freedom of expression are impacting th
Life Sciences x Technology – A conversation with Derek Underwood
In this episode of the MedTech podcast, Freshfields partner Vinita Kailasanath and Cimbal Capital Group principal Derek Underwood talk about his experience at the intersection of life sciences and tech, developing trends, and innovation in the space.
No Worse Off #10: 12 Headlines from 2024
In the latest episode of "No Worse Off," hosts Lindsay Hingston and Emma Gateaud review 2024's key legal headlines. This year-end special showcases legal milestones, team achievements, and landmark events that have transformed the restructuring landscape throughout the year.
Stay tuned for more insights into the world of restructuring in 2025, and thank you for listening to "No Worse Off."
Reward(ing) Half Hour: Episode 4 Applying Malus and Clawback in practice
In this podcast series, the Freshfields People & Reward team discusses key topics in the executive reward space for publicly listed and private companies, including considerations for remuneration committees, transatlantic regulatory concerns, and the structure of specific incentive arrangements.
In the fourth episode of this series, Applying Malus and Clawback in practice, partners Alice Gree
Essential Antitrust #43: EU welcomes Teresa Ribera as new Competition Commissioner: business impact
On 01 December 2024 the new European Commissioner for Competition Teresa Ribera took office. A refreshed approach to competition policy has been tasked to her by President Ursula von der Leyen including tackling killer acquisitions, speeding up state aid and antitrust enforcement as well as a new approach to mergers that could help to boost the EU’s competitiveness.
In this edition of the Essentia
Well-Caffeinated: What’s Brewing for the 2025 Funds Regulatory Environment?
Changes at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) resulting from the 2024 election will have significant implications for the private funds industry.
Tim Clark, Freshfields’ Global Co-Head of Private Funds and Secondaries, and David Nicolardi, a counsel at Freshfields and former SEC Branch Chief, discuss the expected impacts on SEC regulation, exams, and enforcement priorities related
No Worse Off #9: Managing Litigation Risk in Restructurings
In our latest podcast episode of "No Worse Off," Freshfields partner Craig Montgomery is joined by colleagues Madlyn Primoff from New York, Kristina Weiler from Hamburg, and Mijke Sinninghe Damsté from Amsterdam for an in-depth look at how litigation risk impacts restructurings from start to finish.
They delve into the complexities that arise in cross-border multi-process restructurings, focusing
Tax Matters: Autumn Budget 2024 – Delivering difficult decisions
The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has delivered the Autumn Budget 2024.
In the first Budget delivered by the Labour Party since 2010, Reeves announced an extensive array of tax reforms designed to 'stabilise' public finances and facilitate increased government spending. Altogether, tax rises totalling £40 billion were announced - some expected, others less so.
In our latest podc
Essential Antitrust #42: HSR rules changes: how to successfully navigate the new US merger control filing
On October 10, 2024 the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the US Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a final rulemaking implementing the most significant update ever to the US HSR merger control filing. While these changes won’t be effective until the end of January 2025 at the earliest, understanding now how tackle new features such as expanded document requirements and new substantive narrati
No Worse Off #8: LMEs in England
In our latest podcast episode, Freshfields partner Lindsay Hingston and Senior Associate Alex Thomson are joined by Georgina Peters, Barrister at South Square, for a further look at of Liability Management Exercises (LMEs).
They examine how LMEs might be shaped by different legal regimes, with a particular focus on potential issues under English law.
Stay tuned for more insights into the world of
Episode #3: EU elections - What you need to know about the von der Leyen II Commission
As we enter the final stretch of the set up of a new European College of Commissioners, tune into our latest EUnpacked podcast to hear insights from our policy team on the ground in Brussels. Together they discuss what the new Commission structure reveals about what lies ahead, who are likely to be the big personalities driving forward policy and legislation, and what steps remain to be taken befo
Out of the shadows: The growing regulatory spotlight on private capital
Over the past few years, the function and scope of private credit within financial markets has increased greatly. As private credit funds play a greater role in activities traditionally undertaken by banks, they are attracting growing scrutiny from both regulators and governments who are concerned about heightened risks to the financial system.
In this special podcast, a selection of senior Freshf
No Worse Off #7: Women in Restructuring
In our latest podcast episode, Freshfields partner Lindsay Hingston hosts a candid discussion on the subject of women in restructuring, featuring Katharina Crinson, counsel at Freshfields, and Jo Hewitt, managing director at Alvarez & Marsal.
Drawing on personal experience as well as insights from Katharina and Jo’s former and current leadership roles for the London chapter of the Internationa
No Worse Off #6: Liability management
The sixth episode of our restructuring podcast series, No Worse Off, which provides legal and commercial insights, and practical tips, on the world of restructuring.
Liability management has become a key strategy in the US distressed markets as the restructuring community seeks alternatives to bankruptcy. These transactions can enhance liquidity, restructure debts, and extend runway via an out-of
Essential Antitrust #41: Vertical restraints enforcement: trends to watch
Two years have elapsed since the introduction of new vertical block exemptions and guidelines in the EU and the UK. Since then, the European Commission has imposed the highest record fine on file for unlawful territorial restrictions imposed by a supplier on its resellers, in contravention of EU competition law. On the opposite side of the Atlantic, key developments in the US include increased enf
Navigating Cybersecurity Risks in the Healthcare Sector
The healthcare industry is one of the most vulnerable sectors to cybersecurity risk. In this episode of the MedTech podcast, Freshfields partners Vinita Kailasanath and Brock Dahl explore some recent examples of credible threats to the industry and how companies can implement technological innovation to help mitigate these risks.
Episode #2: EU elections - A business outlook
In this second episode of our EUnpacked podcast series that looks at key hot topics being tackled in Brussels, podcast host Natalie Pettinger Kearney is joined by her colleagues Léa Bareil and Victor Garcia Lopez to talk about the EU elections and what it means in terms of the outlook for business.
No Worse Off #5: Cross-border restructurings
The fifth episode of our restructuring podcast series, No Worse Off, which provides legal and commercial insights, and practical tips, on the world of restructuring.
The cross-border restructuring landscape has transformed in recent years, with the introduction of the UK restructuring plan and the arrival of similar, Chapter-11 inspired processes in jurisdictions across Europe. This has driven a r
Essential Antitrust #40: America’s impending outbound investment controls: what investors need to know
Two former CFIUS Chairs discuss Treasury’s recently released draft rules and impending U.S. capital controls.
In this episode of our Essential Antitrust podcast, host Jenn Mellott is joined by Freshfields’ Aimen Mir and Brian Reissaus to analyze some breaking news out of the U.S. Department of the Treasury: draft rules operationalizing controls on outbound investment. Though targeted at China, the
