How Freshfields Won ‘Insolvency Law Firm of the Year’ at the TRI Awards

This recognition reflects the firm’s leadership in cross-border restructurings, contributions to policy and industry reform, and wide-ranging expertise across creditor, debtor, and officeholder mandates. 

Despite strong competition, judges praised Freshfields for its impressive client portfolio, industry influence, and innovative work on headline restructuring cases.

Restructuring reform

Freshfields has consistently led on landmark restructurings across Europe and beyond. 

The firm was central to the multi-billion euro restructuring of Casino Guichard-Perrachon via a French sauvegarde accélérée, the Takko Fashion debt-for-equity swap involving a New York law-governed process, and the Dutch WHOA restructuring of McDermott. 

Freshfields partner Michael Broeders’ role as restructuring expert in the McDermott WHOA showcased the firm’s influence in defining new legal ground under emerging regimes.

Supporting the profession
Beyond client mandates, Freshfields’ lawyers play prominent roles in shaping the industry. 

Partners and team members actively contribute to leading bodies: Catherine Balmond chairs the City of London Law Society, Lindsay Hingston serves as Vice President of the Insolvency Lawyers’ Association, and Craig Montgomery is a fellow of INSOL. 

Freshfields professionals are also highly visible on the conference circuit, speaking at events such as INSOL San Diego, the ABI Bankruptcy Conference in New York, and R3 & INSOL Europe’s joint event.

A versatile practice
Freshfields demonstrated strength across all areas of restructuring by advising creditors, debtors, officeholders, and shareholders. 

High-profile cases included GTLK, Cazoo, OQ Chemicals, and Thames Water. The firm’s global network and deep bench of talent supported these complex transactions across domestic and international jurisdictions. 

Judges’ reflections
Judges highlighted Freshfields’ “great work done, cross border and leading the profession,” noting their role as the “go-to firm in the UK for restructuring” and praising the firm’s “strong contribution to the wider profession” and breadth of practice.  

Though judges noted the entry could have been further enhanced by the inclusion of more detailed client outcomes and testimonial, the casework alone affirmed Freshfields’ go-to status in UK restructuring.

All details are based on the firm’s TRI Awards 2024 submission and public information at the time of judging.