PRESS RELEASE
12 December 2025

Welcome From Senior Alumni Ambassador

KL
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP logo
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years. As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas. We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.
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Just over a year ago, we announced our combination with Kramer Levin. After months of dedicated work, the combination officially took effect on 1 June 2025, marking the launch of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer.
United States

Alumni Matters 2025: Introduction with Ben Ward

Our Senior Alumni Ambassador shares his thoughts on the latest developments from the firm and alumni network

Just over a year ago, we announced our combination with Kramer Levin. After months of dedicated work, the combination officially took effect on 1 June 2025, marking the launch of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer.

It was a particularly rewarding experience for me, having been part of the internal team advising the firm — and yes, the client was a pleasure to work with. 

This edition's theme is Transformative Change: Shaping the Future. Every day we read about disruptive innovation and there is no shortage of commentary on what it means. We are very grateful to the contributors for sharing their personal experiences and insights into what transformative change means for them and how it is shaping their organisations.

I'm delighted to welcome our many new colleagues in the US to the Alumni Network. I hope you enjoy reading the reflections of Paul Schoeman and Howard Spilko on their journey joining a global firm. Bec and Justin also share their vision for the future and the many benefits this combination brings to our clients and our people."

Looking ahead, we're excited to once again be hosting the Grand Reunion in May 2026 at the German Gymnasium in London. Invitations will be sent in February 2026, and we look forward to reconnecting with old and new friends. We'll also be organising various events in other cities to bring our alumni family together.

We are committed to making the Alumni Network as relevant and valuable as possible. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me or anyone on the alumni team with your thoughts — we'd love to hear from you. And if this edition inspires you to share your story, let us know!

Finally, I would like to express my thanks to Kym Somers and Olivia Troop, our editors, for bringing this magazine to life.

Ben Ward
Senior Alumni Ambassador

Featuring

  1. A charmed life and career
  2. Why we should all embrace AI
  3. In-house in-touch
  4. 12 questions with Oliver Elgie
  5. The energy trilemma
  6. It's all ABC for the ADB
  7. A new era: Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
  8. Personal perspective on responsible business
  9. Off the dance floor and onto the balcony
  10. Lawyer to founder
  11. Why I came back
  12. Firm highlights 2025

Contributor

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP logo
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years. As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas. We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.
Explore Firm Details
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