In 2026, the definition of an exceptional legal practitioner has evolved to emphasize strategic acumen alongside traditional legal expertise, according to a panel of judges tasked with selecting the top lawyer from a shortlist curated by research partner RSGI. The panel awarded the FT Innovative Lawyers 2026 prize to Oliver Howley, a partner at Proskauer and co-head of the firm’s technology strategy committee, recognizing his leadership in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with legal frameworks and client advisory.
Howley’s portfolio includes advising prominent AI ventures such as Perplexity, an AI search engine company, as well as investors like Hg and Atomico. His role as Hg’s “AI legal partner” involves creating governance platforms for the private equity group’s $100 billion portfolio, focusing on scalable AI adoption through standardized protocols, procurement models, and legal frameworks. Over the past year, Howley has guided more than a dozen AI product launches, often developing contract models from the ground up to address uncharted legal issues relating to AI capabilities.
The judges highlighted Howley’s approach as illustrative of a broader shift in legal practice, one where success hinges on combining deep legal knowledge with strategic thinking to meet client needs in a rapidly changing environment.
Among other notable finalists, Louise Dalton of CMS stands out for her expertise in clean energy and climate change. She advised on the 1.45GW Thorpe Marsh battery energy storage system (BESS) project in northern England, the largest of its kind agreed in the UK to date, involving nearly £1 billion in financing. Dalton has been instrumental in introducing long-term tolling agreements as innovative alternatives to traditional power purchase contracts, facilitating investment in renewable infrastructure. She is also the founder of Women in Energy Storage, a network promoting increased visibility and participation of women in the sector.
Cliff Fluet, a partner at Lewis Silkin and co-head of its media and entertainment group, brings over 25 years of experience advising technology and innovation clients in the entertainment industry. He has supported AI music startups like Jukeddeck and AI Music through acquisitions by ByteDance and Apple, respectively. Fluet’s consultancy, Eleven Advisory, pioneered non-traditional fee structures in the legal sector, emphasizing success fees and equity participation. His extensive background in computer-generated music informed his contribution to a UK government consultation on copyright and AI.
Alejandro Huertas of Garrigues adopts a preventative legal strategy aimed at avoiding disputes before they arise. His work focuses on applying lessons from prior litigation to improve client operations and legal positions. Huertas estimates that around 80% of his cases involve repeat advisory clients. When disputes do occur, he remains a skilled litigator, recently representing US private equity fund JZI in Spain and defending Correos, Spain’s national postal operator, against a €300 million predatory pricing claim.
Claire Jeffs, head of competition at Slaughter and May, has played a central role in some of Europe’s most prominent antitrust and merger cases. She advised Activision Blizzard during its $75 billion acquisition by Microsoft, helping navigate regulatory challenges in the UK, and supported Vodafone in its £16.5 billion merger with Three, overcoming competition concerns. Jeffs regularly advises major technology companies including Google, Meta, OpenAI, and Getty Images amidst ongoing regulatory scrutiny and proposals of significant fines in Europe.
These profiles reflect a legal landscape where innovation, sector-specific expertise, and proactive strategies define leadership, illustrating the evolving demands placed on top legal professionals in 2026.