Hogan Lovells wins Law360 Practice Groups of the Year for Government Contracts, Real Estate, and Sports & Betting

This recognition highlights the firm’s exceptional work and leadership across these practices:

Government Contracts

For the third consecutive year, our Government Contracts team earned top honors for its ability to deliver results in high‑stakes matters. The team secured a rare win for KBR Wyle Services, LLC, when a bid protest led by partner Mike Mason prompted NASA to take voluntary corrective action in a US$1 billion competition within just 10 days — reopening a major opportunity for the client. The team, including partners Stacy Hadeka and Mike Scheimer, also advised Lockheed Martin on government contracts diligence for its US$450 million acquisition of Terran Orbital, successfully defended a US$1 billion‑plus award in a GAO protest, guided Stonepeak’s US$3.1 billion acquisition of Air Transport Services Group, and supported ICAT Logistics on its acquisition of a cleared freight‑forwarding provider, navigating complex national security and regulatory considerations.

Real Estate

Our Real Estate practice delivered exceptional results across strategic transactions and transformative developments, demonstrating an unmatched ability to guide clients through complex, high‑value work spanning hospitality, REITs, mixed‑use development, and landmark urban projects. A standout highlight was advising Playa Hotels & Resorts on its US$2.6 billion acquisition by Hyatt — one of the largest hospitality deals of the year — led by partners Katherine Keeley, Michael McTiernan, and Paul Manca, reflecting the breadth of the team’s hospitality and corporate real estate capability. Additional achievements include advising Elme Communities on its US$1.6 billion portfolio sale and plan of liquidation; representing Kite Realty Group Trust in its joint venture with GIC and US$785 million acquisition of Legacy West, a premier mixed‑use destination in Texas; and advising Resorts World New York City in obtaining final approval for a historic casino license in New York City, unlocking its planned US$5.5 billion expansion and an additional US$2 billion in community benefit commitments. The team also counseled the Special Committee of Howard Hughes Holdings on Pershing Square’s US$900 million equity investment, a transaction signaling a major strategic shift for the company. In addition, the team continues to represent Cirrus Real Estate Partners and LCOR as co developers of Pacific Park, a US$6 billion, 22 acre transit oriented redevelopment in Brooklyn that is poised to deliver housing, jobs, and community amenities at a transformative scale.

Sports & Betting

Hogan Lovells reinforced its reputation as a go to advisor for high profile sports matters and received Law360 Practice Group of the Year for the fifth time. The firm guided the formation of the America’s Cup Partnership — a historic new governance structure uniting all competing teams under a shared commercial and management framework for the first time in the event’s 174 year history — in a matter led by partners Michael Kuh, James Cross, and Amelia Stawpert, and counsel Steven Palyca. Through partners Mark Kurtenbach and Christopher Weigand, our sports team also advised Inter Miami on extending Lionel Messi’s contract through the end of the 2028 MLS season, building on the firm’s role in advising the club since its inception. Additionally, Hogan Lovells’ sports group, through partners Eric Andalman, Paola Barometro and Patrizio Messina, advised Presidio Investors on its acquisition of 100% of Hellas Verona FC, navigating cross border structuring, governance approvals, and leadership transition to position the club for long term financial and commercial growth. In 2025, the Hogan Lovells sports group advised on control acquisitions and minority investments for teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS) and National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

Law360’s Practice Group of the Year awards series recognizes the most prominent groups throughout the legal profession, honoring “teams behind litigation wins and major deals that resonated throughout the legal industry this past year.” Winners were picked from more than 800 entries.

The full list of Practice Groups of the Year can be found here.