In 1743, what would become Freshfields began with a simple yet powerful insight: as business expanded across borders, legal advice needed to transcend local limitations. Samuel Dodd and James William Freshfield founded a practice built on the belief that seamless, coordinated legal support could help ambitious enterprises grow beyond their home markets. This vision propelled the firm through nearly three centuries of evolution, from advising the Bank of England as one of its first clients to becoming a fully integrated global powerhouse positioned at the heart of the world's most important markets.
Today, Freshfields stands as a leader in cross-border transactions, competition law, corporate transformation, and dispute resolution, with over 5,700 people across 33 offices worldwide. The firm's landmark 2000 merger formalized Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer as a truly borderless partnership, enabling clients to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and seize new opportunities with confidence. Beyond legal expertise, Freshfields serves as strategic partners and trusted advisors, combining deep industry knowledge with fresh perspectives to solve the toughest challenges. The firm's commitment to responsible business is embedded in its core values, driving pro bono work that expands access to justice, environmental initiatives targeting net zero by 2050, and inclusive culture programs that empower all colleagues to thrive.