It's been about a year since Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer decided to expand its U.S. operations outside of the I-95 corridor, setting up shop in Silicon Valley with an eye for increased work with tech clients. According to the firm, things are going quite well, fueled by an active IPO and M&A market, expanding antitrust work, the ability of the firm to recruit local talent and, as it turns out, a bit of curiosity on the part of prospective clients.  

Sarah Solum, with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Courtesy photo

According to Sarah Solum, who heads the new office as well as Freshfields' U.S. capital markets practice, and Ethan Klingsberg, head of the firm's U.S. corporate and M&A group, the above factors drove a first year that exceeded the firm's expectations and fostered the belief that they can succeed where other firms have had issues in the past.