Pensions
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 3
About
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills
As pensions-related issues continue to take centre-stage across the corporate world, it is more important than ever that legal advice is technically accurate and comprehensible, recognises a clients' own business imperatives along with the challenges of the industries and markets in which they operate.
The HSF Pensions Team works with corporates and trustees across all industries, and with professional advisers and public and regulatory bodies on the most complex, strategically important and reputationally risky pensions matters across finance (employer covenant), insolvency, tax (including tax disputes), general and public law, dispute resolution, state aid, and financial services law globally.
Chambers Review
Herbert Smith Freehills has a well-regarded pensions practice that is acknowledged for its work on de-risking and for overseeing the pensions implications of corporate transactions. The team is also respected for its strength on equalisation and funding, as well as for its knowledge of the pensions issues facing energy sector clients.
Work Highlights
- Herbert Smith Freehills advised Marsh McLennan as sponsor of the MMC UK Pension Fund on the scheme's entry into a £2 billion longevity hedge, backed by reinsurer Munich Re.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"HSF's advice has always been comprehensive, clear and delivered efficiently."
"Most of the matters I worked on with HSF have required input from various teams, and I am very impressed by the breadth and depth of their practice."
"They provided excellent services during the buy-in process, in many areas leading the transaction and ensuring any risk to the scheme was highlighted and considered."
"The HSF team are able to quickly and adeptly disentangle challenging matters and provide clear and concise advice as to how to proceed."
"HSF's advice has always been comprehensive, clear and delivered efficiently."
"Most of the matters I worked on with HSF have required input from various teams, and I am very impressed by the breadth and depth of their practice."
"They provided excellent services during the buy-in process, in many areas leading the transaction and ensuring any risk to the scheme was highlighted and considered."
"The HSF team are able to quickly and adeptly disentangle challenging matters and provide clear and concise advice as to how to proceed."
Notable Practitioners
Samantha Brown is head of Herbert Smith Freehills' UK pensions team. She has significant experience in the field and is well known for her expertise when it comes to advising clients on the complex pensions implications of corporate transactions.
"Sam is a great all-rounder. She has fantastic commercial instincts."
"Samantha is someone you definitely want in your corner in all things pensions."
"Not only is she exceptionally commercially sharp, she is an expert negotiator and fantastic in front of clients."
Rachel Pinto advises trustees and employers on high-level pensions issues. She is especially experienced in de-risking transactions.
"Rachel is technically excellent and a skilful negotiator."
"I very much enjoyed working with Rachel; she is pragmatic, clear and cuts through complexity."
Ranked Lawyers at
Herbert Smith Freehills
London (Firms)
Members
Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills