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Cleveland & Co is pleased to announce that Louise Howard will be joining the firm as General Counsel, Pension Funds & Institutional Investors. Louise joins Cleveland & Co following more than a decade at Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), the UK’s largest private sector pension scheme, where she most recently served as Chief Legal Officer. Widely regarded as one of the leading legal figures in the pensions sector, Louise has advised through some of the most significant governance, regulatory and strategic developments affecting UK pension schemes over the last decade. Her appointment reflects a broader evolution in the legal market. As pension schemes and institutional investors face increasing complexity, many are seeking access to senior legal advisers who combine deep technical expertise with first-hand experience of operating within large, sophisticated institutions. Throughout her career, Louise has worked at the heart of one of the UK’s most important pension organisations, advising boards and senior stakeholders on complex legal, governance and strategic matters. She brings a rare combination of institutional insight, commercial judgement and market credibility that has traditionally been difficult to access outside a permanent in-house role. Louise’s arrival further strengthens Cleveland & Co’s External In-House Counsel model, which provides pension schemes, […]

Cleveland & Co has been Highly Commended for Best Use of Technology at the Modern Law Awards 2026, recognising organisations that have successfully harnessed technology to deliver measurable impact across client service, efficiency and performance. This recognition reflects the firm’s continued focus on embedding technology into the way legal services are delivered, rather than treating it as an add-on. Over the past 18 months, the firm has developed and implemented proprietary platforms that bring together automation, data analytics and AI enabled workflows, enhancing efficiency, transparency and consistency across its operations. Products such as Attica and Reformat have played a key role in this approach, supporting a more scalable way of working by streamlining processes, reducing administrative demands and enabling a more seamless experience for both clients and teams Being Highly Commended in this category recognises both the effectiveness of this approach and its contribution to shaping how legal services continue to evolve. It also highlights the role of technology in supporting sustainable growth and long term client value. Congratulations to all recognised firms. You can view the full winner list here.    

Cleveland & Co has been awarded Law Firm of the Year (0–49) at the Modern Law Awards, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s continued growth and development. Selected from a highly competitive field, this award celebrates firms that combine quality of work, strong client relationships and a distinctive approach to growth. Cleveland & Co’s recognition reflects the momentum the firm has built and the clarity of its positioning within the investment management and financial services sector. Over recent years, the firm has established a distinct position within the investment management and financial services sector, developing a model that operates seamlessly across jurisdictions, supporting institutional clients on complex mandates while maintaining a high level of responsiveness and consistency. This combination of specialisation and agility has enabled Cleveland & Co to establish itself as a trusted partner to clients navigating increasingly complex markets. This achievement belongs to the Cleveland & Co team, whose expertise and commitment drive our continued progress. We look forward to continuing to build trusted partnerships and further developing our position within the industry. You can view the full winner list here.    

Cleveland & Co has been shortlisted for the Innovation Award at the Modern Law Awards 2026, recognising organisations that are reshaping the legal landscape through bold and effective change. This category highlights those challenging established approaches and introducing new ways of thinking that deliver real impact. From the outset, our approach has been to rethink how legal services are structured and delivered. Rather than layering technology onto traditional models, we have built a model where innovation is embedded from the ground up, influencing how we operate, how we engage with clients and how we scale. This approach has supported measurable improvements in both performance and delivery, while positioning the firm to adapt to the evolving needs of the market. Being shortlisted in this category is an encouraging moment for the firm and for the direction we are taking. It reflects a continued focus on building something different and sustainable within the market. Congratulations to all firms shortlisted. View the full shortlist here.