Praised for its ‘non-hierarchical, collaborative, and collegiate’ way of working, Hogan Lovells International LLP is well positioned to handle major projects for financial services clients, regularly advising on commercial agreements and arrangements with consumers and retail. The far-reaching offering further encompasses fundraisings, investment transactions and work at the intersection of payments and digital assets. John Salmon, Michael Thomas and the Dublin-based Eimear O’Brien jointly head up the team.  Salmon frequently leverages his digital assets and blockchain experience to advise on complex commercial matters, while Thomas assists clients such as trading venues, clearing houses and data repositories with outsourcing arrangements and distribution deals. Bryony Widdup‘s practice extends to sustainable finance, including advice on green, social and sustainability-linked instruments. Anthony Doolittle is a key contact for M&A work in the fintech space.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Hogan Lovells is unique in the way in which the whole team works together in a non-hierarchical, collaborative, and collegiate manner - while still providing an outstanding level of client oriented service.'

  • 'In particular, John Salmon and James Sharp are a truly great duo who provide clients an unparalleled combination of knowledge and practical advice.’
  • ‘Communication from the team has been very clear throughout every engagement and we have always remained aligned on objectives and deliverables. They worked efficiently and we benefitted from their commercial experience in identifying contract areas to review or query.’

  • ‘Rachel Dale was fantastic to work with - very clear in her explanation of relevant matters and in all her communications with us throughout.’

  • ‘Hogan Lovells is quickly becoming a leader in the digital assets space. The firm has a number of senior lawyers providing sound legal advice and direction to their buy-side clients, as well as inputting into industry papers and reports.’

  • ‘We have had to opportunity to work with Bryony Widdup; Michael Thomas; John Salmon and Sharon Lewis all incredible lawyers with a deep understanding of their subject matter, approachable, pragmatic and thought leaders. They are our go-to team as we embark on our digital assets journey.’

Key clients

  • Allica Bank
  • Zopa
  • Enviroconomy Limited
  • Fiinu
  • Fidel API
  • Sabre Payments
  • Payhawk
  • Wagestream
  • CapitalRise
  • Carmoola
  • Gaia Fertility
  • Clay Technologies
  • Playter
  • Outward VC
  • Timeline Holdings Ltd
  • Perenna
  • Keep Me Posted Ltd t/a Yurtle
  • Finverity Ltd
  • Vestra Ventures
  • Kennek Solutions Ltd
  • Global Currency Exchange Network Ltd
  • Pontoro
  • StumpUP
  • Stenn
  • Xvoucher
  • Yonder
  • GB Bank
  • Copper
  • Philip Goffin/Zilo
  • SweatCoin
  • Oaknorth
  • InvestEngine
  • Pokt Network
  • PayRic
  • Flagstone
  • Car credible
  • Penfold
  • FNZ
  • Apron
  • Barclays
  • NatWest
  • HSBC
  • RBS
  • Metro Bank
  • Clydesdale Bank
  • TSB
  • Santander
  • AIB
  • HSBC Innovation Bank (previously Silicon Valley Bank UK)
  • Uncapped
  • Moneyhub
  • FNZ
  • Legal & General
  • Coinbase
  • Klarna
  • ClearScore
  • Blenheim Chalcot
  • Anacap
  • Global Growth Capital
  • JP Morgan
  • Parmenion Capital Partners
  • Charles Taylor InsureTech
  • Pension Insurance Corporation
  • Hastings
  • Property Partner
  • Elfin
  • Wayhome
  • Goji
  • Envestors
  • Hazy
  • Arivu
  • ApprovalMax
  • Archax
  • ARM
  • Baselime
  • BitQuest
  • Buildacy
  • Cent Finance
  • Cerebreon
  • Circularr
  • Dashly
  • Deontic Data
  • Distributed Finance
  • Ethin
  • FundAdminChain
  • Globacap
  • ClearBank
  • Tandem Money
  • FourAid Limited
  • LendInvest
  • 11:FS
  • Reefknot Investments
  • Huozhi
  • Invesco
  • The Big Exchange
  • EML Payments
  • Optal Limited
  • AxiCorp
  • FNZ Group
  • Comcast Corporation
  • Block.One
  • Moneysupermarket
  • TSB
  • BNPP
  • Credit Agricole
  • UBS
  • Santander
  • KodyPay
  • WiseTech
  • Huozhi
  • Hotelbeds
  • Beat Capital
  • Aura Blockchain Consortium
  • Ava Labs
  • Amazon
  • AXA PPP Healthcare Group Limited
  • Bloom
  • Banked
  • Bitpanda
  • Covertech
  • Clearpay
  • Credit Karma
  • Credit Kudos
  • Curve UK Limited
  • Communion
  • Cordoba Capital Markets
  • Fairscore / Updraft
  • Floww
  • Fygo
  • Fluro Platform Limited
  • Global Digital Finance
  • Gaia Family
  • Habito
  • Moneyfold
  • Monzo Bank
  • Open Banking Limited
  • Offgrid Finance
  • PayPal
  • Pitchedit
  • PropElle
  • Paysafe
  • Pivotal Group
  • Santander Innoventures
  • Stripe
  • WeCovr
  • Updraft
  • Zopa

Work highlights

  • Advising a high street bank on the development of a new embedded finance product to be offered as a new payment option for retailers.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

John Salmon, Michael Thomas, Eimear O’Brien

Other key lawyers

Bryony Widdup, Louise Crawford, Simon Grimshaw, Anthony Doolittle, James Sharp, Rachel Dale