Some career paths are not explained solely by the position held, but by the way one approaches their work. María del Mar Navarro belongs to that generation of business development and legal communication professionals who understand the legal sector from within, but also from the perspective of the people who sustain it.

María del Mar Navarro, Marketing & Business Development Manager at Hogan Lovells, has been building her career from a less visible but profoundly strategic position: that of someone who listens before speaking and observes before deciding. Her work navigates between words and intentions, between what a firm aspires to be and how it conveys that aspiration without losing its authenticity.

That way of being -attentive, reflective, close- is what gives meaning to this conversation, which is part of the special “Voices of Development, Communication and Legal Marketing” , and which seeks to give voice to those who understand the legal sector from experience, sensitivity and judgment.

“Empathy has allowed me to build relationships based on trust”

Talking about herself isn’t easy for her. Even so, when she does, the story flows naturally and coherently. María del Mar defines herself as someone who adapts to change and new environments, a quality that, she acknowledges, has allowed her to face challenges with strength. But there’s one trait that runs through her entire career: empathy.

“It helps me put myself in other people’s shoes—clients, colleagues, and teams—and build relationships based on trust and collaboration.” In a sector like the legal field, where relationships are long-term, this ability to listen becomes a real competitive advantage.

From a professional standpoint, she is recognized as organized, with the ability to manage projects strategically and with a broad vision of the legal business.

“Combining analysis with a more creative approach has helped me identify growth opportunities and foster collaboration across departments,” he explains.

Listening, understanding needs, and executing with discipline appear as the pillars on which he has built his development.

“Consulting taught me to learn quickly and add value from scratch”

Before entering the legal sector, his time in consulting provided him with a structural learning experience. Working with clients from very different sectors—from financial institutions to utilities and SMEs—allowed him to understand how organizations function and what they truly expect from those who advise them.

“That sectoral diversity gave me a very practical vision and taught me to learn quickly and to contribute strategic solutions from scratch.”

Today, he acknowledges that this foundation has been key to navigating the legal field effectively, where value lies not only in the message, but also in its alignment with the firm’s strategy and the client’s needs.

“Communicating in an international firm requires precision and consistency”

Her experience at Hogan Lovells marks a turning point in her career. “I’ve always wanted to work in communications, and doing so in such a demanding environment has been a great opportunity,” she says.

Working at an international firm means understanding that every message must be clear, consistent, and aligned with a global strategy. “The diversity of areas and the scale of the projects have forced me to be more precise, to anticipate needs, and to coordinate efforts with different teams.” A constant learning experience in rigor and strategic vision.

“The challenge is to give visibility without losing the sobriety of the sector”

Legal communication has its own codes. Confidentiality, technical precision, and discretion coexist with the need for positioning and differentiation. For María del Mar, the challenge lies in finding that balance.

“Transforming highly technical topics into clear and accessible messages requires sensitivity and adaptability.” Added to this is the firm’s international dimension: maintaining global consistency while remaining mindful of local nuances. In this context, communication means building trust without sacrificing visibility.

“Madrid is a strategic hub and a natural bridge to Latin America”

From the Madrid office, the communications department has played a key role in Hogan Lovells’ international expansion. Spain holds a prominent position within FRIS and serves as a connection point with Latin America.

“Madrid has become a benchmark, capable of projecting the firm’s reputation beyond our borders.” Adapting complex messages to diverse audiences and maintaining consistency with the global narrative has been key to consolidating that role.

“International coherence, making the complex understandable and reputation”

The communication strategy rests on three clear pillars. The first is ensuring that every message is aligned with the global narrative. The second is translating complex information into understandable stories without sacrificing accuracy. And the third is building a sustainable reputation. “Connecting the global with the local is fundamental, and Spain plays a key role as a growth engine within the firm.”

“Each message must reinforce international coherence and sectoral positioning”

Looking ahead to 2026, María del Mar focuses on a clear and well-structured strategy. “The primary objective is to reinforce the brand’s international consistency, ensuring that every message issued from Madrid is aligned with the global narrative while also being adapted to local contexts.” Within this balance, Spain plays a central role for FRIS.

In addition to this focus, there is a second priority challenge: sectoral positioning. Energy, Automotive, Defense, and Life Sciences account for a significant portion of the economic, regulatory, and technological transformation in Europe, and communication plays a key role in showcasing the firm’s experience in these areas.

“It’s about projecting confidence and differentiation in sectors where the context demands much more than legal knowledge.”

The third objective is to consolidate Hogan Lovells’ international reputation, combining creativity and strategic vision to strengthen its global positioning by 2026.

“Sector-specific communication and new formats are a great opportunity”

In such a dynamic context, María del Mar sees clear room for growth. “There is a great opportunity to strengthen sector-specific communication and to demonstrate how our expertise is enhanced through ongoing collaboration with international teams.” This connection allows for an integrated vision and cross-border solutions, positioning Spain and Madrid as a strategic hub within the global network.

Innovation also extends to formats. Interviews, webinars, visuals, and digital content allow us to build more relatable and accessible narratives. “We aim to clearly convey both our legal rigor and our ability to support clients in the transformation of their sectors.”

“Legal marketing is evolving towards digital, sector-specific, and global marketing”

From his experience, legal marketing in Spain and Latin America is moving towards a more specialized, digital, and international model. The opportunity, he explains, lies in better communicating the combination of global presence and local knowledge.

The firm’s capabilities in Latin America, from offices in Miami and Mexico, along with Madrid’s role as a European hub, allow it to build an integrated narrative. “We can clearly demonstrate that we are an international firm capable of combining local expertise and global reach to respond to an increasingly complex environment.”

“Differentiation begins with an authentic narrative”

When it comes to positioning and business development, María del Mar is clear on this. The first step for any firm is to build an authentic narrative.

“It is not enough to say ‘we are experts’; you have to show how the firm contributes to transforming specific sectors and provides real solutions to business challenges.”

The second step involves leveraging the international dimension strategically. For global firms, this means communicating how that network translates into tangible advantages for the client; for smaller firms, it means exploring alliances that broaden their reach.

The third step is to innovate in the customer experience, using digital formats, data, and interactive content that fosters closeness and trust. “Communication has to become a true added value.”

“The best is the enemy of the good”

On a more personal level, María del Mar shares lessons that have shaped her work style. “It has taken me a while to understand that a good result gives you the time and perspective to keep moving forward,” she acknowledges.

She fondly remembers Lucía Lorente, a key figure in her career, and champions teamwork as the true engine of success: “Together we don’t just add up, we multiply.” Outside of her professional life, she finds inspiration in people, in listening, and in values.

Strength, adaptability, and constant learning are recurring themes in her story. Because, for her, communicating in the legal sector is not just a strategic function, but a way of being present and understanding the people who uphold the brand.

In short

What piece of advice or wise phrase have you received that you still apply in your work today?

“The best is the enemy of the good,” a phrase that has been very difficult for me to understand and apply throughout my life, because I have always tried to seek the best result in everything, without realizing that a good result gives you time and perspective to find many other successes in life.

Who has been the person who has most influenced your career and why?

Without a doubt, Lucía Lorente, co-founder of Hogan Lovells in Madrid, COO of the firm in Madrid and later in Europe. Lucía gave me the great opportunity to enter this sector, and she trusted me. She passed away several years ago, but she will always be a role model for many of us lawyers and business services professionals. We owe Lucía a great deal, and I, in particular, owe much of what I have learned in this sector to her.

Define your work style or personality in one word and tell us something that inspires or motivates you outside of the professional sphere.

Teamwork. Together we don’t just add up, we multiply. I have immense respect for individual successes, but those same successes become even greater when we combine everyone’s experience, perspectives, and hard work. There’s no comparison.

Outside of work, many things inspire me, but especially people. I consider myself a very sociable person, and I believe that in this life we should all know how to listen and learn from others.

What word defines you?

I would say strength. I believe that problems make me stronger, and that the best ideas and results have emerged during difficult times. Throughout my life, I think I’ve learned more from mistakes than from great accolades. It’s a fact of life, and you have to try to make the most of critical moments.

A sport?

Cycling and dancing. I can’t say that they’re equal parts; I’d say dancing, and flamenco in particular, much more so.

A song?

It’s a Beautiful Day by U2. Since I was 20, I’ve listened to this song once or twice a week. Everyone has a go-to song, and for me, this wonderful U2 song is definitely mine.

Are you good at cooking? What’s your signature dish?

I’ll pass. I’d rather not open this can of worms.

A childhood memory?

My time in Colombia, though very short, was spent in Cali. I lived there when I was very young, as my entire maternal family is from there. I was eight years old and attended school in Cali for a year and a half. I can honestly say I remember my experiences there perfectly, and how warmly everyone welcomed me. These are memories and experiences I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.

[En pocas palabras0] A key to success?[/En pocas palabras0]

Strength and adaptability. I find it hard to believe you can reach the goal without making any changes to your plan along the way.

[En pocas palabras1] What inspires you?[/En pocas palabras1]

It might sound nice, but I’m inspired by noble people, people with strong values, who achieve professional and personal success in this world. These are the people who leave a lasting impact, and we should all draw inspiration from them every day.

[En pocas palabras2] A book?[/En pocas palabras2]

One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel García Márquez. An essential classic, for everyone of all ages. I read it when I was very young, and I reread it a few years ago.