Hogan Lovells named among the most innovative law firms in Europe by the Financial Times

Earlier this year, the FT recognized the firm as the #1 law firm for the most consistent track record of innovation, and #2 for Top 10 appearances across the Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific awards over the past 20 years. At this year’s Innovative Lawyers Europe ceremony, the firm was commended in the following three categories:

• ‘Commended’ - Innovative lawyers in private finance – for developing an impressive bid and moving swiftly to advise private equity firm CVC on its co-investment alongside KKR in the acquisition of festival giant Superstruct Entertainment. The deal, which closed in October 2024, was the culmination of a team effort led by partners John Connell, John Livesey, and Wouter Jongen, who brokered the connection between CVC and Superstruct.
• ‘Commended’ - Innovative lawyers in sustainability – for pioneering legal rights for rivers and establishinga groundbreaking charter for the River Ouse, which sets a precedent for nature’s legal personhood. This marked the first time in England that a local council had formally supported the inherent rights of a river, advancing the growing movement to have the legal rights of nature recognized in law across the UK.
• ‘Commended’ - Innovative lawyers in responsible business - for supporting the Refugee Paralympic Team’s historic journey to Paris 2024, underscoring the firm’s commitment to supporting the incredible resilience of refugee athletes.

Additionally, the firm was featured prominently in the accompanying FT Innovative Lawyers Europe report, which profiled its extensive work for pioneering the legal rights of rivers, and included quotes from Emily Julier, counsel knowledge lawyer at Hogan Lovells, and Emma Montlake, Co-Executive Director of the Environmental Law Foundation. Yasmin Waljee OBE, the firm's International Pro Bono Partner, was also quoted in a feature on the rise of the pro bono professional alongside Helen Boniface Counsel for her pro bono inquest work.

The full FT report can be found here.