Strategic Operations, Agreements and Regulation

Our business is taking care of your business – aligning strategy, operations, and regulation so you can adapt and thrive.

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Our internationally recognized Strategic Operations, Agreements, and Regulation (SOAR) team provides practical, commercially relevant advice informed by a deep understanding of suppliers, customers, as well as other stakeholders along the entire supply and value chain, including regulators. We combine commercial and regulatory capabilities to your competitive advantage – helping you design strategies that are resilient to change and achieve business goals.

We help clients move their business forward.

With more than 50 lawyers operating across key global hubs, we help clients develop successful business models, foster strategic relationships, navigate evolving regulations, and anticipate and manage risks. With an eye on what’s coming next, we equip you to respond early, build resilience, and capture opportunities in shifting markets.

We bring extensive experience evaluating purchasing or distribution structures, restructuring business operations, optimizing supply chains, deploying AI-driven solutions, and advancing e-commerce platforms.

We advise regarding commercial, distribution, and foreign trade law, as well as implementing product-regulatory obligations and sustainability along the supply and value chain. Clients turn to us to coordinate and run major projects across the globe; many of the matters we work on have a cross-border, regional, or global element. JUVE Handbook praises the team’s ability to provide “extensive support of major international projects, especially for major international clients.”

A client in Chambers Europe noted: “They’re extremely good. They display brilliant teamwork and their strategies are very pragmatic. They are very good on tactics and they work fast, all with a good sense of humor which is always very refreshing.”

Our sector experience and knowledge distinguishes us.

We advise clients across a wide range of industries, including: Aerospace and Defense; Automotive and Mobility; Consumer (incl. Food and Beverages); Energy; Financial Institutions; Insurance, Life Sciences and Health Care; Manufacturing and Industrials; Sports, Media and Entertainment; Technology; Transportation and Logistics.

The practice combines comprehensive legal advice offering in distribution law with deep regulatory expertise and close interdisciplinary and cross-border collaboration.”

JUVE Handbook 2025

Hogan Lovells simply provided those practical things that make your life easier.”

Chambers Europe

Hogan Lovells is able to provide precise and concise answers to complex problems.”

Chambers Europe Guide 2025: Italy

They have excellent knowledge to define contracts and negotiate legal points in favour of their clients. I received the usual high-standard input that I have become accustomed to."

Chambers & Partners, UK Guide, 2025

Hogan Lovells take a practical business approach in providing their advice. They understand our tolerance for risk, help us evaluate potential outcomes and recommend alternative business approaches."

Chambers & Partners, Germany Guide, 2025

This is a team that possesses unparalled depth and breadth. They have excellent experts that are proactive, pragmatic, business oriented and available. The quality of advice and work that is delivered is excellent."

Legal 500 UK, 2025

Hogan Lovells are very responsive to clients’ enquiries and resolve issues for clients in a practical and efficient manner. It provides one-stop-shop services in advising on cross-border matters."

Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide 2025: Asia-Pacific Region

A wealth of experience advising high-profile multinational companies on crucial commercial matters."

Chambers Global Guide 2024: Global Market Leaders

Hogan Lovells offers good support for big projects that cross multiple borders. They are really strong for global work."

Chambers Global Guide 2024: Global Market Leaders

JUVE Handbook praises the team’s ability to provide “extensive support of major international projects, especially for major international clients."

JUVE

They’re extremely good. They display brilliant teamwork and their strategies are very pragmatic. They are very good on tactics and they work fast, all with a good sense of humor which is always very refreshing."

A client in Chambers Europe

Awards and recognitions

Spotlight - Global Market Leaders: Commercial Contracts

Chambers Global Guide

2026

Winner – Trade and Distribution Team of the Year

Legal 500 Germany

2026

Band 1 for Commercial Contracts in Germany

Chambers Germany Guide

2021-2026

Band 2 for Commercial Contracts in the UK

Chambers UK Guide

2021-2026

Band 1 for Product Liability Food in the UK

Chambers UK Guide

2021-2026

Band 1 for TMT: Information Technology in Italy

Chambers Europe Guide

2009-2025

Band 1 for Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) (International Firms) in Asia-Pacific

Chambers Asia Pacific Guide

2021-2025

Band 1 for Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) (International Firms)

Chambers Greater China Region Guide

2026

Band 2 for TMT: Data Protection & Privacy (International Firms)

Chambers Greater China Region Guide

2026

Band 1 for Life Sciences in Germany

Chambers Europe Guide

2021-2026

Tier 1 for Trade, Distribution, Logistics in Germany

Legal 500 Germany Guide

2021-2026

Tier 1 for Product-related Regulatory Law in Germany

Legal 500 Germany Guide

2021-2026

Tier 1 for Commercial Contracts in the UK

Legal 500 UK Guide

2021-2026

Tier 1 for TMT in Italy

Legal 500 EMEA Guide

2014-2025

Tier 1 for TMT and Data Protection & Cybersecurity in Hong Kong

Legal 500 Greater China Guide

2026

Tier 1: TMT Foreign Firms and Data Protection Foreign Firms

Legal 500 Greater China Guide

2026

Tier 1 for TMT in China

Legal 500 Asia Pacific Guide

2021-2025

Tier 1 for Industry Focus Healthcare and Life Sciences in Germany

Legal 500 Germany Guide

2021-2026

Tier 1 for Industry Focus Healthcare and Life Sciences in the UK

Legal 500 UK Guide

2021-2026

Tier 1 for Industry Focus Healthcare and life sciences in France

Legal 500 EMEA

2021-2025

Band 1 for Distribution/Trade/Logistics in Germany

JUVE Handbook of German Commercial Law Firms

2020-2025

Band 1 for Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Law in Germany

JUVE Handbook of German Commercial Law Firms

2020-2025

Representative experience

Advise on commercial contracts of all kinds (including R&D, manufacturing, purchase, sale, distribution, marketing, advertising, transport and logistics, cooperation, leasing, and licensing).

Advise on framework agreements, standard contracts, and general terms and conditions.

Advise on drafting (including digital contract creation), revision, negotiation, and conclusion of contracts.

Advise on smart contracts.

Advise on cross-border contracts, international sales and commercial law, and localization of contracts into national law.

Advise on differences of major legal systems (including civil law versus common law).

Advise on contract management and the termination of commercial contracts.

Advise on introduction and restructuring of supply chains and introduction and restructuring of distribution systems (including selective distribution and franchise).

Advise on creation and launch of e-commerce platforms and design of web shops, including terms and conditions, and relevant online policies.

Advise on national and international regulatory requirements for manufacturing, purchasing, sale, distribution, marketing, advertising, transport, and logistics, as well as on foreign trade law.

Advise on regulatory processes regarding market access, including type approval and certification requirements, as well as breaches of regulatory requirements.

Advise on dealing and communication with authorities and other actors in the supply chain, including consumers with respect to regulatory requirements.

Advise on interface of regulatory requirements and contract drafting.

Advise on codes of conduct.

Advise on legal assessment of the operative business, contractual relationships, and regulatory requirements in due diligences.

Advise on drafting, revision, and negotiation of transaction-related commercial contracts.

Advise on out-of-court disputes with contractual partners and authorities and associated settlement agreements.

Other ways we can help you

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Key contacts

Dr. Patrick Ayad, M.Jur. (Oxford)

Partner

Dr. Patrick Ayad, M.Jur. (Oxford)

Partner

Munich, Berlin

Penny Powell

Partner

Penny Powell

Partner

London

Meet the Strategic Operations, Agreements and Regulation team

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Strategic Operations, Agreements and Regulation

Our business is taking care of your business – aligning strategy, operations, and regulation so you can adapt and thrive.

Hear from our clients and industry leaders

The practice combines comprehensive legal advice offering in distribution law with deep regulatory expertise and close interdisciplinary and cross-border collaboration.”

Hogan Lovells simply provided those practical things that make your life easier.”

Hogan Lovells is able to provide precise and concise answers to complex problems.”

They have excellent knowledge to define contracts and negotiate legal points in favour of their clients. I received the usual high-standard input that I have become accustomed to."

Hogan Lovells take a practical business approach in providing their advice. They understand our tolerance for risk, help us evaluate potential outcomes and recommend alternative business approaches."

This is a team that possesses unparalled depth and breadth. They have excellent experts that are proactive, pragmatic, business oriented and available. The quality of advice and work that is delivered is excellent."

Hogan Lovells are very responsive to clients’ enquiries and resolve issues for clients in a practical and efficient manner. It provides one-stop-shop services in advising on cross-border matters."

A wealth of experience advising high-profile multinational companies on crucial commercial matters."

Hogan Lovells offers good support for big projects that cross multiple borders. They are really strong for global work."

JUVE Handbook praises the team’s ability to provide “extensive support of major international projects, especially for major international clients."

They’re extremely good. They display brilliant teamwork and their strategies are very pragmatic. They are very good on tactics and they work fast, all with a good sense of humor which is always very refreshing."

Awards and recognitions

Spotlight - Global Market Leaders: Commercial Contracts

Winner – Trade and Distribution Team of the Year

Band 1 for Commercial Contracts in Germany

Band 2 for Commercial Contracts in the UK

Band 1 for Product Liability Food in the UK

Band 1 for TMT: Information Technology in Italy

Band 1 for Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) (International Firms) in Asia-Pacific

Band 1 for Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) (International Firms)

Band 2 for TMT: Data Protection & Privacy (International Firms)

Band 1 for Life Sciences in Germany

Tier 1 for Trade, Distribution, Logistics in Germany

Tier 1 for Product-related Regulatory Law in Germany

Tier 1 for Commercial Contracts in the UK

Tier 1 for TMT in Italy

Tier 1 for TMT and Data Protection & Cybersecurity in Hong Kong

Tier 1: TMT Foreign Firms and Data Protection Foreign Firms

Tier 1 for TMT in China

Tier 1 for Industry Focus Healthcare and Life Sciences in Germany

Tier 1 for Industry Focus Healthcare and Life Sciences in the UK

Tier 1 for Industry Focus Healthcare and life sciences in France

Band 1 for Distribution/Trade/Logistics in Germany

Band 1 for Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Law in Germany

Representative experience

Other ways we can help you

Aerospace and Defense

Automotive and Mobility

Consumer

Energy

Financial Institutions

Insurance

Life Sciences and Health Care

Manufacturing and Industrials

Sports, Media and Entertainment

Technology

Transportation and Logistics

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Regulatory Inflation in the EU Digital Ecosystem

EU Consumer Protection Law Update: New mandatory withdrawal button – what online traders need to know

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