Global legal giant Hogan Lovells has unveiled its latest round of partner promotions, maintaining a steady pace of internal advancement as it stands on the brink of a transformative transatlantic merger. The firm has elevated 28 lawyers to its partnership worldwide, a figure identical to the number promoted in the previous year.
A Strategic Hold in Promotion Numbers
The announcement, made internally and confirmed on Tuesday, reveals a promotion cohort that is slightly smaller than the 34 new partners announced in 2022. This consistency in numbers arrives at a critical juncture for the firm, which is deep in the planning stages of a landmark combination with New York-founded firm Shearman & Sterling. The merger, set to be put to a partner vote later this year, would create a legal behemoth with approximately 3,900 lawyers and combined revenues nearing $3.5 billion.
The promotions are geographically diverse, with 13 new partners based in the United States, nine in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and six in the Asia-Pacific region. Within the firm's London headquarters, a key financial and legal hub, five lawyers have been promoted to the partnership. This London contingent represents a significant portion of the EMEA promotions and underscores the city's continued importance within the firm's global structure.
London and Practice Area Highlights
The newly promoted partners in London span a range of specialisms, reflecting the firm's broad service offering. The list includes lawyers from the finance practice, the intellectual property, media, and technology (IPMT) group, and the litigation and arbitration practice. This spread indicates a strategic reinforcement of core areas in a competitive market.
Globally, the promotions heavily favour the firm's contentious practices. Of the 28 new partners, a substantial 16 specialise in litigation, arbitration, and investigations. The remaining 12 promotions were distributed across corporate, finance, and regulatory practices. This tilt towards dispute resolution lawyers may signal a strategic prioritisation or reflect internal talent strength as the firm prepares for its next chapter.
"Our new partners represent the future of our firm," said Hogan Lovells' chief executive, Miguel Zaldivar, in a statement accompanying the announcement. He emphasised that the promoted individuals exemplify the firm's commitment to client service, collaboration, and excellence—qualities deemed essential for the impending merger integration.
Merger Context and Future Trajectory
The steady promotion round occurs against the backdrop of one of the legal world's most watched potential mergers. The union with Shearman & Sterling, first revealed in May 2023, is designed to bolster Hogan Lovells' presence in the lucrative US market and enhance its corporate and finance capabilities. A successful vote would mark one of the largest law firm mergers in recent years.
Industry analysts often scrutinise partner promotion rounds for signals about a firm's health and strategy. A maintained level of promotions, rather than a cut, suggests confidence in current and future performance. It also serves as a crucial tool for retaining top talent during a period of uncertainty and change, assuring rising stars of their future within the enlarged entity.
The final partner vote on the Shearman & Sterling merger is anticipated in the coming months. If approved, the combined firm will operate under the name Hogan Lovells, though the Shearman brand is expected to be retained in certain contexts for a transition period. The integration of two substantial partnerships will be a complex task, making the cohesion and morale of the existing partnership, including its newest members, more important than ever.
For now, Hogan Lovells projects an image of business as usual, rewarding internal talent while steering towards a historic consolidation that aims to reshape the global legal landscape.
