Hogan Lovells
About
Hogan Lovells
Hogan Lovells is one of the world’s largest international law firms. The firm was formed in 2010 through the merger of US firm Hogan & Hartson and UK firm Lovells.
The merger created a global law firm with a significant footprint in both the US and Europe.
Today the firm has more than 2,800 lawyers, including 800 partners, in over 35 offices across the world, and a dozen in the US alone.
It now consistently ranks among the biggest UK law firms (ok, technically it’s "transatlantic") with revenue of £2.32 billion in 2024 and profit per equity partner (PEP) that's as high as any Magic Circle firm (except Slaughter and May’s based on best estimates as it’s not publicly disclosed) at a market-leading £2.4 million.
The firm is dual-headquartered in Washington D.C. and London and has a presence in all of the world’s key financial centres, including New York, London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo.
Both of its predecessor firms - Lovells and Hogan & Hartson - have long histories dating back to the early 20th century.
Hogan & Hartson began its journey in 1904 in Washington, D.C., founded by Frank J. Hogan. Over the years, it grew into one of the largest law firms in the US, known for its litigation, regulatory and corporate practices.
Lovells was founded in London in 1899 and became recognised for its expertise in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and financial services. Lovells expanded internationally during the 2000s through mergers with several European firms.
The formation of Hogan Lovells marked a significant moment in the legal industry. At the time, Lovells was the sixth-biggest UK law firm, while Hogan & Hartson had revenues of $864.5 million. The merger was hailed as “the legal sector’s biggest” and a key test of whether a tie-up between a British and American law firm could succeed.
Since then the merged firm has gone from strength to strength and today Hogan Lovells is well and truly a global player.
The firm’s global ambitions took another step forward at the end of 2025 with the announcement of a merger with New York firm Cadwalader, a finance heavyweight and Wall Street’s oldest law firm. Set to complete in 2026, the combination will create a $3.6 billion revenue firm - and, crucially for Hogan Lovells, one with a meaningful footprint in the legal capital of the world: New York.
Hogan Lovells is renowned for its strong reputation in corporate/M&A, banking and finance, litigation and arbitration, intellectual property and regulation. The firm's global footprint helps it to handle complex, cross-border transactions and disputes.
Hogan Lovells makes our ranking of the UK's most prestigious law firms.
Recent work highlights
Recent deal and industry highlights for Hogan Lovells include:
IonQ's $1bn acquisition of Oxford Ionics: In June 2025, Hogan Lovells advised British quantum computing startup Oxford Ionics on its $1.08bn acquisition by US-based IonQ.
US-Ukraine minerals deal: In May 2025, Hogan Lovells advised the Ukrainian government on its minerals agreement with the US. The deal sets up a joint fund giving the US preferential access to Ukraine’s mineral wealth.
£9bn Rolls Royce Contract: In January 2025, Hogan Lovells advised Rolls Royce Submarines on a £9 billion contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to power the next generations of nuclear submarines for the Royal Navy. The "Unity" deal is one of the largest ever signed by either Rolls Royce or the MoD.
Recent coverage
What is Hogan Lovells known for?
Hogan Lovells is a full-service law firm advising companies, financial institutions and governments across a wide range of practice areas. It’s particularly known for its work in the following areas:
Litigation and Disputes
The firm has a strong reputation in dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration, and investigations. Hogan Lovells is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers for commercial litigation. It also has a leading civil fraud practice.
Banking and Finance
Hogan Lovells has a strong finance practice that covers banking and finance, project finance, capital markets, and restructuring and insolvency. It is particularly known for its advice on mid-market deals where it has a Band 1 ranking by Chambers for its advice to lenders.
Regulation
Hogan Lovells has a very strong global regulation practice. It is ranked in Band 2 and Band 3 by Chambers for its contentious and non-contentious regulatory advice, respectively.
Corporate/M&A
Hogan Lovells has a highly-regarded corporate practice, advising clients on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures. It is ranked in Band 4 by Chambers for the highest-value M&A deals.
Financial performance
Hogan Lovells consistently ranks among the biggest law firms in the UK by revenue. In 2025, its revenue was £2.49 billion.
In 2025, its profit per equity partner (PEP) was £2.6 million. Hogan Lovells has among the highest reported profit per equity partner of any UK law firm.
London salaries
Here’s what Hogan Lovells pays its London trainees and newly qualified (NQ) lawyers:
Who does Hogan Lovells compete with?
Hogan Lovells is considered to operate in the "upper mid-market", with a significant global footprint. Its main competitors include the likes of:
Trainee information
Other things to know
Merger with Cadwalader: In December 2025, Hogan Lovells and New York firm Cadwalader announced their intention to merge in a combination that will create a $3.6 billion global law firm and give Hogan Lovells a credible claim to a place among the industry’s global elite.
Office Closures: In September 2024, Hogan Lovells announced that it was withdrawing from Warsaw, Sydney and Johannesburg to focus on more important “strategic markets” including London, New York and California. A total of 123 lawyers and support staff were let go as part of the closures.
In-House Legal Tech Arm: Hogan Lovells has its own 100-person legal tech subsidiary called ELTEMATE which develops legal tech tools for use by the firm and its clients.
Explore related firms
