Finance

Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader plan merger to create law firm with $3.6 billion in revenue

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on December 18, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 20, 2026

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Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader plan merger to create law firm with $3.6 billion in revenue
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By Sara Merken NEW YORK, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Global law firm Hogan Lovells and New York-based Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft have agreed to merge, they said on Thursday, creating a combined group with

Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader Announce $3.6B Merger

By Sara ‌Merken

NEW YORK, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Global law firm Hogan Lovells and ‍New ‌York-based Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft have agreed to merge, they said on ⁠Thursday, creating a combined group with ‌3,100 lawyers and $3.6 billion in annual revenue.

The merger will bring together Hogan Lovells' international business and finance clientele with that of Wall Street's oldest law ⁠firm, they said. The proposed transaction is subject to a partnership vote, set to ​be held in 2026.

The firms said the deal, ‌which follows a string of major ⁠transatlantic and U.S. law firm tie-ups, would create the world's fifth largest law firm by revenue.

Cadwalader's co-managing partner Pat Quinn in ​a statement said the merger would make it part of "one of the world's most formidable legal platforms."

Cadwalader has lost several groups of partners in the past year.

The New York firm was one of ​nine law ‍firms that reached deals ​with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year, after the White House issued executive orders against other firms that restricted access to government buildings and officials and federal contracting work

Mirroring the other firms' agreements, Cadwalader pledged $100 million in pro bono legal work to causes supported by ⁠the administration.

Hogan Lovells CEO Miguel Zaldivar is set to lead the combined group, which will be named ​Hogan Lovells Cadwalader.

On Monday, Chicago-founded Winston & Strawn and UK firm Taylor Wessing said they expect to combine in May. The UK's Ashurst and Perkins Coie said last month that they ‌plan to merge in the third quarter of next year.

(Reporting by Sara Merken in New York; Editing by David Bario and Jane Merriman)

Key Takeaways

  • Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader plan a merger, creating a $3.6 billion revenue firm.
  • The merger will form the world's fifth largest law firm by revenue.
  • The combined firm will have 3,100 lawyers globally.
  • The merger is subject to a partnership vote in 2026.
  • Hogan Lovells CEO Miguel Zaldivar will lead the new entity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a merger?
A merger is a business strategy where two companies combine to form a new entity, often to enhance competitiveness, expand market reach, or achieve economies of scale.
What is annual revenue?
Annual revenue is the total income generated by a company from its business activities in a fiscal year, before any expenses are deducted.

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