Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader Merge, Launching New Global Law Firm
Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader merged June 1, 2026, forming a $3.9B global law firm.
Why it matters: Why it matters: The rapid merger underscores BigLaw's push toward global scale and efficiency, affecting competition and the availability of cross-border legal expertise. Legal ops and clients can expect broader service offerings and streamlined delivery as firms consolidate to meet complex, multinational demands.
- Merger approved by partners in April 2026, combining about 3,100 lawyers globally.
- Projected revenue for the new firm is $3.9 billion, positioning it among the largest worldwide.
- Q1 2026 partner hires in top U.S. firms rose 9.4%, the highest in six years, signaling intensified competition for senior talent.
- Market trends show multiple Am Law firms exploring mergers to boost cross-border services and operational scale.
On June 1, 2026, Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader officially completed their merger, creating a law firm with approximately 3,100 lawyers and expected revenues near $3.9 billion. Above the Law described the integration as completed at "record speed," emphasizing the firms' swift alignment.
The newly combined firm aims to provide legal services across a wide range of industries and jurisdictions, particularly focusing on G20 countries. Hogan Lovells CEO Miguel Zaldivar stated the firm intends to advise clients on complex, cross-border matters efficiently, highlighting the importance of global reach.
Bill Malley of Perkins Coie noted the merger creates "a truly differentiated global legal platform," reflecting a strategic response to the increasingly international nature of legal work.
The merger fits within a larger U.S. legal market trend. In Q1 2026, the 200 largest U.S. law firms hired 3,521 laterals, a 5.5% increase year-over-year, with partner moves up 9.4% to 979 — the highest in six years, according to Perkins Coie's analysis. This indicates firms are aggressively competing for top legal talent to bolster practice areas and geographic coverage.
Moreover, other Am Law firms have signaled interest in mergers as a key strategy to enhance service breadth and scale. These consolidations aim to meet growing client expectations for integrated, cross-border legal solutions delivered with improved operational efficiency.
Clients and legal operations teams should anticipate evolving dynamics in service models, as firms invest in integration technology and leverage merged expertise to handle complex multinational transactions and litigation more seamlessly.
By the numbers:
- 3,100 lawyers — combined headcount of merged firm
- $3.9 billion — projected revenue for the new Hogan Lovells-Cadwalader firm
- 9.4% increase — Q1 2026 partner hiring growth among top U.S. law firms
Yes, but: While the merger adds scale and global reach, integration challenges and cultural alignment are typical hurdles that could impact short-term service consistency.
What's next: Watch for further announcements from other Am Law firms on potential mergers through late 2026 as consolidation continues.