Asia-Pacific legal innovation awards spotlight region’s legal transformation
The Asia-Pacific Innovative Lawyers Awards 2025 recognized the law firms, in-house teams, and individuals reshaping legal practice across the region. Hosted in Hong Kong and organized by the Financial Times in collaboration with RSGI, the event celebrated those advancing digital transformation, ESG strategy, and client innovation in one of the world’s fastest-evolving legal markets. The Asia-Pacific legal innovation awards reinforced the region’s emergence as a global legal trendsetter.
Background: Honoring bold legal leadership
Each year, the awards showcase lawyers leading transformative change across the Asia-Pacific region. The 2025 edition emphasized:
The integration of AI into legal workflows
Knowledge innovation in legal teams
Leadership in sustainability and capital unlocking
Client-centric digital strategies
This year’s winners highlighted how law is being reimagined—not just as a service, but as a strategic and technological function aligned with business transformation.
Among standout individual recognitions:
Bijal Ajinkya (Khaitan & Co) was named Innovative Practitioner for pioneering succession planning in Indian business families.
Maki Kadonaga (Anderson Mori & Tomotsune) won Legal Intrapreneur for overhauling internal knowledge systems.
Law firms leading the innovation charge
Two firms topped the leaderboard:
Gilbert + Tobin won Most Innovative Law Firm headquartered in Asia-Pacific
Ashurst claimed the same honor for international firms operating in the region
Category leaders reflected a broad range of focus areas:
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Sustainability & Unlocking Capital | A&O Shearman |
| AI Strategy | Khaitan & Co |
| People Strategy | Nishimura & Asahi |
| Deal Making | Freshfields |
| Disputes & Crisis Management | Trilegal |
These firms are reshaping how legal services are delivered—through AI adoption, ESG leadership, and dispute innovation, all within increasingly complex regulatory environments.
Editorial insight: In-house legal teams step into strategy roles
In-house legal departments are evolving from risk managers to innovation partners. HSBC led the charge this year, taking home:
Most Innovative In-House Legal Team
New Products & Services
Commercial & Strategic Advice
Other notable winners include:
Asian Development Bank (Sustainability & Impact)
Telstra (Digital Solutions)
DBS Bank (People & Skills)
BHP (Operational Transformation)
These recognitions underscore how corporate legal teams are embedding themselves deeper into product development, strategic M&A, and digital transformation efforts.
Future outlook: Asia-Pacific sets new benchmarks in legal innovation
From AI frameworks to sustainable finance structures, the Asia-Pacific legal sector is rapidly embracing change. Law firms and legal departments are investing in tech infrastructure, talent development, and cross-border collaboration.
The 2025 award winners reveal a future where legal innovation is no longer a differentiator—it is a strategic imperative. As regional integration deepens and regulation becomes more complex, legal practitioners in Asia-Pacific are not just keeping pace—they’re setting global standards.
