Leadership Changes Unveiled at Hogan Lovells' Washington, D.C. and New York Offices

Leadership Changes Unveiled at Hogan Lovells' Washington, D.C. and New York Offices

Hogan Lovells, a renowned global law firm, has announced a series of leadership changes set to commence on July 1.

Ajay Kuntamukkala, a partner at the firm, has been appointed as the new Office Managing Partner for Hogan Lovells' Washington, D.C. office, succeeding Michele Farquhar. Similarly, Michael Kuh, another partner, will assume the position of Office Managing Partner for the firm's New York office, taking over from Michael DeLarco. Additionally, Carine Stoick, currently serving as the Northern Virginia Office Managing Partner, will also take on the role of Administrative Partner for the D.C. office.

“Ajay and Michael bring a tremendous amount of energy and vision, and take the leadership reigns at a time of growth, both for our flagship Washington, D.C. office and in New York, a strategic market for the firm,” said Richard Lorenzo, Hogan Lovells Regional Managing Partner for the Americas.

“I want to thank Michele and Mike for their tremendous contributions over the past several years. We are very appreciative of their efforts, particularly in helping to steer these offices through the pandemic,” Lorenzo added.

Having initially joined the firm as a summer associate in 1999, Ajay Kuntamukkala brings extensive experience to his new role. As a co-leader of the firm's International Trade & Investment practice, he specialises in providing strategic counsel to clients on intricate national security matters involving economic sanctions, export controls, and compliance with government licenses and authorisations.

Kuntamukkala’s expertise also extends to advising clients on federal investigations and enforcement proceedings. Notably, he served as a Senior Advisor in the U.S. Department of Commerce from 2003 to 2005 and became a partner at Hogan Lovells in 2008.

Throughout his tenure, Ajay has held various leadership positions within the firm, including serving as a member of Hogan Lovells' D.C. leadership team, co-chair of the D.C. office Recruitment Committee, and co-lead for the Asian American & Pacific Islander Affinity Group.

“I am excited to have been appointed to this position as we continue to build on our proud legacy as one of Washington’s leading law firms,” Kuntamukkala said.

“Our strengths as a regulatory hub, a litigation powerhouse, and one of the few firms to have a strong corporate practice in Washington, place us at the intersection of government and business in many of the most complex, high-profile matters our clients face across industries that include financial institutions, life sciences, technology, media and telecoms, mobility, and energy,” he added.

Kuntamukkala further stated that he was grateful to Michele Farquhar for her leadership during the last three years. “Under her stewardship, the Washington, D.C. office has achieved its most successful financial results in the firm’s history, weathering unprecedented challenges, including the effects of Covid-19, increased economic uncertainty, and historically high competition in Washington, D.C.’s legal market.”

Michael Kuh, who joined Hogan Lovells in 2019, brings a wealth of expertise to his role at the firm's New York office.

As a Corporate & Finance partner, he is a key member of the highly regarded Sports, Media & Entertainment practice. With nearly two decades of experience, Kuh has established himself as a trusted advisor in the sports industry, working closely with top sports teams and major international ventures. In addition to his focus on sports law, his corporate practice encompasses private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and venture capital transactions.

“I am honoured to have been entrusted with the leadership of the New York office at an exciting time of growth for our office,” Kuh said.

Kuh further added that in recent years, the firm has significantly expanded its corporate practice in areas that include M&A, tax, and private equity. “On the disputes side, clients count on us for a broad array of support in areas that include international arbitration, product liability, commercial litigation, investigations and defense of white collar and fraud claims, and business restructuring and insolvency. I am grateful to Mike for his guidance and leadership, and look forward to building on his momentum.”

Carine Stoick, a highly accomplished M&A partner at Hogan Lovells, will take on the role of Administrative Partner for the Washington, D.C. office, in addition to her current position as Northern Virginia Office Managing Partner.

Having joined the firm in 1999 and becoming a partner in 2008, Carine brings extensive experience and a strong track record in M&A transactions. She has played a pivotal role as the head of the firm's Aerospace and Defence M&A Group and is a valued member of the Global M&A Leadership Team.

Carine's dedication to professional development and diversity is evident through her roles as Americas Professional Development and Diversity partner and her involvement in the firm's Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.