Financial Times names Freshfields Most Innovative Law Firm in Asia
- Freshfields wins Most Innovative Law Firm in Asia award
- Standout in dealmaking and highly commended in responsible business
- Commended in two categories: dealmaking and strategic direction
Global law firm Freshfields has been recognised as the Most Innovative Law Firm in Asia at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards Asia-Pacific 2026. The firm also received a series of additional honours across dealmaking, responsible business, strategic direction, and individual practitioner recognition — representing one of the firm's strongest performances at the awards to date.
Now in its 12th year, the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards Asia-Pacific is widely regarded as the benchmark for innovation in the legal profession across the region. Winners are selected by the Financial Times and research group RSGI through a rigorous assessment of case study submissions and independent interviews evaluating the originality, impact, and execution of legal work.
Matt O’Callaghan, Regional Managing Partner – Asia, Freshfields, said:
"This recognition reflects our ambition and the drive to continue innovating how we serve our clients and position our business. Freshfields has a rich history extending back three centuries – our clients depend on us for high quality execution, insights and consistency through uncertain times – we have never been more forward-looking than we are today. The breadth of our achievements at this year's awards, reflects the depth of talent and commitment across our Asia Pacific teams and the firm. We are thrilled to be recognised as the most innovative firm in this region, but know that the law never stops moving forward – constantly innovating will keep us at the forefront of law. "
Award Highlights
Most Innovative Law Firm (Headquartered Outside Asia-Pacific) – Winner
Freshfields was recognised for its broad programme across innovation, digital maturity, people management and social responsibility.
Innovative Lawyers in Dealmaking – Standout
The firm received Standout recognition in the Dealmaking category for advising China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK), the Hong Kong arm of Chinese state-owned telecoms enterprise China Mobile, on its HK$6.3bn (US$800mn) acquisition of HKBN, a local telecommunications provider. Freshfields managed highly contentious deal dynamics, advised on essential stake-building, helped CMHK through a competing offer, and secured approval from Hong Kong's Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) for what became a rare hostile takeover in the city. The transaction established a significant precedent in the application of OFCA's telecoms-specific merger control regime – a regulatory framework that had rarely been tested at this scale.
Innovative Lawyers in Dealmaking – Commended
Freshfields was also commended in the Dealmaking category for its advice to technology group NEC on a complex global carve-out sale of its communications business outside Asia. The transaction was executed through a series of parallel and interrelated deals. The firm consolidated NEC's intellectual property under a single buyer while replicating licensing and service agreements for others, ensuring seamless business continuity throughout a highly intricate cross-border process.
Innovative Lawyers in Responsible Business – Highly Commended
The firm received Highly Commended recognition in the Responsible Business category for its contribution to the Child Protection Toolkit, developed in collaboration with the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and business advisor FTI Consulting, among others. The Toolkit provides documents and training to help financial institutions identify and stop payment flows that facilitate online child sexual exploitation – work that demonstrates Freshfields' commitment to deploying legal expertise in the service of wider societal impact.
Innovation in Strategic Direction – Commended
Freshfields was commended for its launch of a joint operation with Chinese law firm RuiMin, enabling both firms to market their services together and provide clients with more integrated legal advice under a unified brand. The collaboration reflects the firm's commitment to deepening its capabilities and presence in one of the world's most important legal markets.
Innovative Practitioner – Finalist
Xin Liu, head of Freshfields' dispute resolution practice in mainland China, was shortlisted among the top ten practitioners across Asia Pacific recognised for breakthroughs in their legal work – a testament to the quality and ambition of the firm's individual lawyers across the region.
