Brit-Based Law Firm Takes 108K Feet at Boston Gem

The halo around Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has grown so big lately that the firm seems no longer able to fit into its Madison Avenue offices.

Freshfields, with its signature angel logo, is so beloved by the legal press that the word “beatification” has indeed been used. Now, the beloved Brits will take 108,000 square feet at 601 Lexington Avenue, a big jump from the firm’s current 70,000-square-foot space at 520 Madison.

The 2,400-person Magic Circle firm invaded U.S. legal territory more than a decade ago and recently has gone on yet another hiring spree here. It’s launched a global investigations practice and has also been anointed legal counsel for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

Freshfields U.S. managing partner Julian Pritchard had characteristically lovely things to say about the space. “We are delighted,” he said, “that we will be housing our New York practice in this iconic New York building.”

Asking rents on high floors in the building are as high as $91 a square foot, according to the New York Post, which first had news of the deal.

Studley‘s Mitchell Steir, Michael Colacino, Matthew Barlow, David Goldstein and Colm Ralph represented the tenant. Frank Doyle and David Kleiner of Jones Lang LaSalle represented landlord Boston Properties.