Hogan & Hartson and Lovells Merge to Form Hogan Lovells

LONDON and WASHINGTON, May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The first 'merger of equals' of Top 30 global law firms in the legal sector launches today with the combination of Hogan & Hartson LLP and Lovells LLP to create Hogan Lovells.

The new Hogan Lovells will have about 2,500 lawyers in more than 40 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

The combination is seen by both firms as a progressive response to the increasing need by large, multinational clients for high-quality legal advice on complex, cross-border transactions, disputes, and commercial matters.

The creation of the new firm also reflects the increased emphasis on regulation in the global market place and the complex legal issues involved, in the U.S. and European Union markets, but also in other markets such as China. Hogan Lovells is led by former Hogan & Hartson Chairman, Warren Gorrell, and former Lovells Managing Partner, David Harris, as Co-CEOs of the new firm.

The new firm is based around five practice groups and a series of industry sector practice areas. The practice groups are: Corporate; Finance; Government Regulatory; Intellectual Property; and Litigation, Arbitration & Employment. Industry sector practice areas include: Aerospace, Defense and Government Services; Automotive; Consumer; Education; Energy & Natural Resources; Infrastructure; Financial Institutions; Industrials; Life Sciences & Healthcare; Real Estate; Sports and Recreational Facilities; Telecommunications, Media and Technology; and Transportation.

Using historic figures for Hogan & Hartson and Lovells for 2009, the new Hogan Lovells would be a top 11 adviser on M&A transactions by deal volume figures. The firm would also be a top 10 adviser by volume and value of buyouts worldwide. Estimates by Global Arbitration Review put the strength of the new firm's arbitration practice in third place worldwide by volume of activity.

According to Warren Gorrell and David Harris: "The creation of the firm is a direct response to the more complex and integrated global economic environment. Hogan Lovells presents a compelling proposition to our clients and to the market more generally. We are very excited about the opportunities that present themselves to our new firm, in terms of client development, but also in terms of the opportunities the new firm presents for our people.

"We have a series of investment plans designed to continue the growth and development of the firm, with a particular focus on building our capabilities in the Finance area in New York and our Corporate strength in London and New York. At the same time, we are committed to the continued development of our practice in Asia and the Middle East, which we consider to be areas for additional investment and reflect the changing balance of the world's economy. In Europe we are concentrating on selectively reinforcing the range of services we provide from our offices. There are also some potential opportunities in emerging markets which are also being explored."

Notes to Editors

www.hoganlovells.com

Hogan Lovells is a new law firm combining the breadth of business-oriented legal advice and high-quality service that clients have come to expect through working with its two founding firms – Hogan & Hartson and Lovells.

Hogan Lovells (the "firm") refers to the international legal practice comprising Hogan Lovells International LLP, Hogan Lovells US LLP, Hogan Lovells Worldwide Group (a Swiss Verein), and their affiliated businesses, each of which is a separate legal entity. Hogan Lovells International LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC323639. Registered office and principal place of business: Atlantic House, Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2FG. Hogan Lovells US LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in the District of Columbia.

The word "partner" is used to refer to a member of Hogan Lovells International LLP or a partner of Hogan Lovells US LLP, or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications, and to a partner, member, employee or consultant in any of their affiliated businesses who has equivalent standing. Rankings and quotes from legal directories and other sources may refer to the former firms of Hogan & Hartson LLP and Lovells LLP. Where case studies are included, results achieved do not guarantee similar outcomes for other clients.

SOURCE Hogan Lovells