Contact us
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Email our crisis team
With you at every stage
Ready
The most effective crisis response starts well before an issue arises. While some risks are unavoidable, many can be anticipated and mitigated through strong governance, robust controls and thorough preparation. We work with you to identify vulnerabilities, strengthen your risk framework and enhance systems, policies and controls. Through tailored training, simulations and scenario planning, we equip your teams to respond with confidence under pressure.
Respond
When a crisis hits, swift, clear and decisive action is critical. We mobilise immediately, integrating with your team to provide pragmatic advice at every stage. Our cross-disciplinary teams manage legal, regulatory and reputational risks in a coordinated way, from the initial response through to stabilisation. We help you maintain control of the facts, support decision-making and ensure consistent stakeholder communication. With full-service capability and 24/7 global support, we are ready to respond wherever and whenever needed.
Resilience
The end of a crisis marks the start of recovery and improvement. We help stabilise the situation, address ongoing risks and turn experience into action. By analysing root causes and embedding practical improvement – whether in governance, controls or response frameworks – we strengthen your organisation for the future. The result is not just resolution, but a more resilient, better-prepared business.
Experience
A Cayman fund manager
Advising on crisis response and restructuring after the indictment of its former director and substantial shareholder, negotiating a regulator approved solution that preserved the business, retained all investors, and enabled the establishment of a new investment vehicle
Ferrexpo plc
Advising on various matters including its crisis management response to the incursion by Russian armed forces into Ukraine, the sale of its interest in Ferrous Resources (owner of an iron ore mine in Brazil), two bond exchange offers, an independent review into charitable donations made to a Ukrainian charity, on-going matters relating to allegations in Ukraine concerning its controlling shareholder and corporate governance matters
Chevron
Successfully defending a US Supermajor oil company in a multi-faceted defence of a sham 'arbitration' for US$18 billion. This is a classic example of crisis management, where a major disruptive event has a long and complicated "tail" of legal demands.
QBE Insurance Europe
Advising on the first response and subsequent criminal proceedings following a major train crash, resulting in 80 fatalities and more than 180 seriously injured
BHP
Advising on strategic matters and two class actions arising from the Samarco Dam in one of the largest shareholder class actions in Australia, in terms of claim period, number of group members and share trades. It raises several novel issues including the breadth of group membership, multiplicity of proceedings and parallel criminal proceedings in Brazil
A number of large clients
In respect of Scattered Spider originated incidents, including on notification strategy and ICO investigations, insurance recoveries, and litigation. This included acting for Marks & Spencer on their recent high-profile data breach
Accolades
Band 1, Crisis & Risk Management, UK-wide
Chambers 2022 - 2026
Band 1, Crisis & Risk Management, Global-wide
Chambers 2022 - 2026
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer are the first firm to be ranked Band 1 by Chambers for Crisis & Risk Management in both Global and UK practice guides.
"Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has the advantage of their reputation, which is thoroughly deserved. Having HSFK representing you is, in itself, a massive advantage. It has huge experience and an ability to work very well between partners in the firm and to blend the skills and experience they have. They have a breadth of ability that they can blend together for your case."
(Chambers Global 2026)
"The firm is very good for crisis management. They look at our matters in a multi-faceted manner, have a great depth in expertise and are super accessible and responsive."
(Chambers Global 2025)
"The team seamlessly integrates into the crisis response and delivers advice with care."
(Chambers Global 2025)
Key contacts
James Baily
Partner, London
Ajay Malhotra
Partner, London
Paulino Fajardo
Partner, Head of Disputes, EMEA, Madrid
Jilan J. Kamal
Partner, New York
Paul H. Schoeman
Executive Partner, US and Managing Partner, Disputes, US, New York
Kyle Wombolt
Partner, Head of White Collar Crime and Government Investigations, Hong Kong
Kate S Cahill
Partner, Sydney
Eunice Park
Partner, Sydney