Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP is a company.
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Key people at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP is a company.
Key people at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP is a full-service American law firm headquartered in New York City, specializing in areas like corporate law, litigation, white-collar defense, intellectual property, land use, corporate restructuring, bankruptcy, and emerging fields such as drone law.[2][3][4] With approximately 324 lawyers across offices in New York, Silicon Valley (Menlo Park, CA), Paris (35 lawyers focused on finance and corporate law), and Washington, D.C., the firm serves diverse clients from Global 1000 companies to startups and individuals, delivering proactive, creative, and pragmatic legal solutions.[1][2][3] It emphasizes pro bono work, community service, and diversity, earning recognition from outlets like Best Lawyers, Chambers, and the National Law Journal, while fostering public involvement.[1][3]
In 2025, Kramer Levin merged with a British Silver Circle firm to form Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, marking a significant expansion in its global footprint and capabilities.[2]
Founded as a New York-based firm, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP evolved into a prominent full-service practice with international reach.[2][4] Key expansions include acquiring a Paris office in 1999 from Rogers & Wells (avoiding a merger with Clifford Chance), which now houses 35 lawyers specializing in finance and corporate law, and opening a Silicon Valley office in Menlo Park in September 2011 to bolster its intellectual property practice.[2] The firm grew to 324 lawyers by 2021, maintaining strong ties with global networks.[2]
Pivotal moments include pioneering drone law in 2013, led by special counsel Brendan Schulman, representing clients like Raphael Pirker (challenging an FAA fine) and Texas EquuSearch (against FAA drone restrictions for search operations).[2] Its pro bono legacy features high-profile cases, such as aiding Uighur Muslims' release from Guantanamo and co-counsel in *Hernandez v. Robles* on same-sex marriage rights.[3]
Kramer Levin rides trends in intellectual property and emerging tech, exemplified by its Silicon Valley office and early drone law practice, positioning it to advise startups and innovators amid FAA regulations and IP disputes.[2] The 2011 Menlo Park expansion tapped Silicon Valley's tech boom, supporting IP protection crucial for AI, drones, and hardware ventures.[2] Market forces like global tech expansion favor its Paris finance expertise for cross-border deals, while pro bono work in tech-adjacent areas (e.g., nonprofit tech for housing/homelessness) influences ethical legal standards.[1][3]
Post-2025 merger into Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, it amplifies influence in transatlantic tech M&A and litigation, bridging U.S. innovation hubs with European markets amid rising U.S.-EU data privacy tensions.[2]
The 2025 merger into Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer propels Kramer Levin toward greater global scale, enhancing tech/IP capabilities for AI, drones, and fintech amid regulatory shifts like evolving FAA rules and EU AI Act enforcement. Trends in cross-border tech litigation and startup funding will shape its path, with Silicon Valley and Paris offices driving growth. Its pro bono ethos and innovative track record suggest expanding influence in ethical tech governance, solidifying its role from New York powerhouse to transatlantic leader—building on decades of pragmatic solutions for tomorrow's challenges.[1][2][3]
Key people at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.
