Miguel Zaldivar becomes new CEO of Hogan Lovells

Miguel and Michael replace former CEO Steve Immelt and former Deputy CEO David Hudd, who have both served six years in their roles since 1 July 2014.

According to Miguel Zaldivar earlier this year: “I see my priorities as focusing on client service, investment in our key markets, incentivizing collaboration across the partnership, managing our profitability and supporting diversity & inclusion. I am extremely passionate about the firm and its success and that starts with its clients and ensuring the service we deliver to them is consistently of the highest quality. We are in a unique position with the depth of our practices worldwide to be the adviser of choice for clients who need their lawyers to be tuned into the financial, commercial, regulatory and political dynamics of their industries and markets.”

Background on Miguel Zaldivar and Michael Davison

Miguel Zaldivar 

Widely recognized as a guiding light in complicated international cross-border transactions, Miguel Zaldivar is a partner and serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) responsible for the firm’s overall global direction and strategic leadership. He is one of only a handful of Latino leaders of any major global law firm.

Before taking up the role of CEO, he served as Regional Chief Executive for the Asia, Pacific Middle East region. He had been a member of the Global Board of Directors, served as Co-leader of our Infrastructure, Energy, Resources and Projects practice area and co-founded our Latin American Practice. Miguel’s versatility, determination and ability to rise to a challenge were evident throughout.

His leadership is focused on driving the firm's vision to provide clients with valuable solutions and superior client service. As CEO, he puts an emphasis on delivering our vision by leveraging our global reach, industry sector knowledge, and unique capability to advice at the intersection of business and government. He is passionate about collaboration, actively listening to clients’ needs and mentoring lawyers to build deep and enduring relationships wherever they practice. Pro bono work, citizenship and the creation of a truly diverse and inclusive workplace are also among Miguel’s top priorities. He has put in place a plan to foster the development and progression of the firm’s diverse lawyers, and to increase the number of diverse lawyers the firm hires.

As a practicing lawyer he brings many years of experience in project development and finance, complex sovereign debt (including linked to commodity sales) and cross-border corporate transactions. He has facilitated multi-billion-dollar investments aimed at the development of projects across Latin America. He has also advised U.S., European, and Asian multinational corporations in business dealings in the Americas, as well as Latin American state-owned companies and governments in a wide variety of international matters. He has many years of hands-on experience with global export-credit and development banks.

Miguel brings a strategic and unique approach to solving complex transactional problems, offering clients creative solutions that not only meet their legal needs, but also take into account business considerations. Miguel's distinct background underscores his approach to conflict resolution. Miguel is trained as a lawyer in both the common and civil law systems. Recognizing that focusing on differences in law is not the single driver in negotiating cross-border deals, he appreciates the importance of culture and familiarity with each country's unique political and legal systems.

Michael Davison

Michael Davison is Deputy CEO of Hogan Lovells. For close to 30 years, he has been helping clients avoid disputes and from 2014 to 2020 he was the sole head of the firm's global Litigation, Arbitration and Employment practice, comprising 200 partners and 800 lawyers across 45+ offices. The team has advised 73 of the Fortune 100, 40 of the FTSE 100 and 24 of the DAX 30. As a London arbitration lawyer he has handled some of the most complex international cases. Michael has tried cases under the rules of all 10 major arbitration centers – in Latin America, Europe, Russia, Ukraine, the Middle East, and South East Asia. Before relocating to London, Michael worked in the firm's Paris office for six years, where he qualified as a French avocat. He is also a Solicitor Advocate and trained mediator.

Michael acts regularly in arbitrations for clients in the automotive, aerospace, defense, energy, and telecom industries. He has a particular interest in energy and commodities law. Michael sits as an arbitrator, acts as a mediator, and lectures on arbitration topics.

Described by The Legal 500 as "undoubtedly one of the leading practitioners in Europe", and by Chambers UK as "absolutely brilliant", Michael is frequently invited to speak at conferences on arbitration issues.