Freshfields offers partnership to lure Shearman capital markets star

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has poached Shearman & Sterling finance counsel Linda Hesse as partner for its Paris office, a rare example of an associate being hired straight into the partnership.

The firm took on Linklaters’ banking and restructuring associate Chris Howard in January, its first ever associate hire into the partnership in London.

It is telling that both Howard and Hesse are finance lawyers, an area which Freshfields is trying to strengthen.

Hesse is a US-qualified securities lawyer who has advised both issuers and underwriters on debt and equity offerings.