Hogan Lovells Appellate partners Neal Katyal and Jess Ellsworth named Most Innovative Supreme Court practitioners in The Financial Times North America 2023 Awards

Katyal argued several high profile cases at the U.S. Supreme Court this year, including the landmark voting rights case Moore v. Harper and a notable decision on behalf of cryptocurrency platform Coinbase, a major victory for parties seeking to compel arbitration. Ellsworth led the Hogan Lovells team in another landmark voting rights case heard last Term, Allen v. Milligan; obtained an emergency stay in the Supreme Court of a lower court’s injunction of the FDA approval for Mifepristone, a drug commonly used in medical abortion, and will argue a separate case for Coinbase at the Court this Term. The Appellate practice argued nearly 10% of the Court’s entire docket last Term; this included Katyal’s 50th oral argument before the Court, the first time in history a minority lawyer has reached this milestone.

“I’m extremely proud of our Appellate team, who this year has delivered outstanding legal excellence on some of the country’s most complex, consequential legal challenges on behalf of our clients,” said Katyal. “I especially want to thank my brilliant colleagues Jess Ellsworth and Cate Stetson, whose diligent and innovative contributions in cases involving voting rights, reproductive justice, financial services, the death penalty, and more has resulted in several notable and impressive wins this year.” 

Cate Stetson, the co-head of Hogan Lovells’ Appellate practice, was shortlisted for her work across multiple appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, and for her co-leadership of a practice group that has changed the face of appellate work. Stetson has championed several initiatives – for example including younger appellate lawyers early in litigation and creating one of the most diverse practice groups in the industry – that have made Hogan Lovells’ Appellate practice arguably the nation’s leading source of innovative appeal work.

In addition to Katyal, Ellsworth, and Stetson, Hogan Lovells’ Appellate practice includes partners Sean Marotta (Washington, D.C.) and Katie Wellington (Boston); counsel Jo-Ann Sagar; senior associates Will Havemann, Matthew Higgins, Danielle Desaulniers Stempel, Reedy Swanson, Patrick Valencia, Michael West, and Nathaniel Zelinsky; associates Dana Raphael, Keenan Roarty, and Eric Roytman (all Washington, D.C.); and law clerks Johannah Walker (San Francisco) and Kristina Alekseyeva (Washington, D.C.). 

Hogan Lovells’ Sports practice leader Matt Eisler was also recognized as a “Highly Commended” legal practitioner in the Deals and Financing category for his role at the forefront of multiple historical sports transactions, including advising private equity magnate Josh Harris on the US$6bn acquisition of the Washington Commanders in May, marking the largest sports acquisition in history. Eisler also advised the Walton-Penner family on its US$4.6bn acquisition of the Denver Broncos, at the time the largest sale in NFL history.

The firm was ranked 17th overall among the most Innovative Firms in North America and also shortlisted in several categories: 

• ‘Standout’ – Innovative Lawyers in Healthcare and Life Sciences – An antitrust team including partners Logan Breed, Justin Bernick, and Chuck Loughlin were recognized for their role UnitedHealth Group in its US$13 billion acquisition of Change Healthcare, defeating a trial challenge from the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust division.
• ‘Highly Commended’ – Innovative Lawyers in Technology – The firm advised virtual reality technology company Within Unlimited in its acquisition by Meta, defeating a challenge from the Federal Trade Commission. Antirust practice lead Logan Breed and former FTC Chief Trial Counsel Chuck Loughlin led the firm’s legal efforts.
• ‘Commended’ – Innovative Lawyers in Energy Transition – The firm’s Energy practice and Energy and Natural Resources industry sector, led by partners Amy Roma and Brian Chappell, were recognized for their role advising nuclear fusion company Helion Energy in its breakthrough agreement with Microsoft that will build the world’s first commercial fusion power plant.

The awards were announced at a ceremony at Gotham Hall, New York on 4 December; rankings were determined based on a number of submissions, showcasing innovative legal work, new technology developed in-house, and modern approaches to professional development.

These results highlight the firm’s strong position as an innovator in the legal market. 

The full Financial Times Innovative Lawyers North America 2023 report can be found here.