Latham & Watkins LLP

Client Satisfaction

Thomas Forschbach is a partner in Latham & Watkins' London and Paris offices. He has advised international clients on mergers and acquisitions and private equity for over 25 years and is one of Europe’s most experienced and renowned lawyers in his field.

Aaron Gilbride

Aaron Gilbride advises clients on complex matters involving federal securities and banking laws. Leveraging over 15 years of experience across government and private practice, including with the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Investment Management, Aaron represents: Investment advisers Private funds Registered funds Fund directors Financial institutions Aaron regularly advises clients on SEC examination and enforcement investigations. He also counsels corporate clients on matters that could give rise to regulatory issues under the Advisers Act and 1940 Act, including mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, financings, and emerging company matters. Before joining Latham, Aaron spent nearly six years in senior leadership roles at the SEC, including as Branch Chief in the Chief Counsel’s Office of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management, where he oversaw no-action letters, exemptive applications, and interpretive guidance. Aaron also collaborated closely with the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (now Division of Examinations) and Division of Enforcement, with a focus on examinations and enforcement actions involving investment advisers and private funds. While at the SEC, Aaron also served as Senior Counsel to the Director of the Division of Investment Management and as a principal staff member on the Volcker Rule Interagency Group, where he focused on issues relating to private funds. Aaron also served on the staff of three Members of Congress, where he focused on a variety of regulatory matters including financial services, economic policy, budget, and trade. Aaron is an active thought leader and has spoken at numerous events, including conferences hosted by the Investment Adviser Association, Investment Company Institute, and NSCP. He has also served as a member of the New York City Bar Investment Management Regulation Committee and as a member of the Investment Company Institute Outside Counsel Advisory Committee.

Aaron Chiu

Aaron Chiu defends sophisticated clients in complex, enterprise-defining antitrust disputes and advises on emergent and antitrust issues. Aaron leverages experience litigating marquee matters that test antitrust law’s boundaries and his acutely commercial focus to represent market-leading clients in precedent-setting cases involving: Antitrust risks for digital platforms Issues at the intersection of sports and antitrust Sprawling class actions He advises household names on preserving their ability to innovate while limiting the risk of litigation or investigation. Aaron regularly handles complex cases in sports, entertainment, and technology, defending clients from plaintiffs’ evolving theories. Aaron maintains an active pro bono practice, regularly handling appeals through the Ninth Circuit’s Pro Bono Program. As an active member of the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Section, he serves on its Joint Conduct Committee and on the Editorial Board for its Antitrust Law Developments treatise. Aaron also participates on the Education Subcommittee of the California Lawyers Association’s Antitrust and Unfair Competition Law Section. Aaron served as a law clerk to Judge Johnnie B. Rawlinson of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Aaron Friberg

Aaron Friberg is a counsel in the San Diego office of Latham & Watkins. Aaron represents clients in real estate, mergers and acquisitions, and financing transactions, particularly in the hospitality, gaming, and energy industries. These transactions have included real estate acquisitions and dispositions of: Hotels Senior living communities Multifamily housing Hospitals Office buildings Shopping malls Casinos Sites for riverboat gaming and retail developments Power generation facilities

Aaron S. Hullman

Counsel

Abdullah Alsaeed

Abdullah Alsaeed represents Saudi and international clients in a range of commercial disputes and enforcement actions, and he advises government clients on significant regulatory projects. Mr. Alsaeed draws on his knowledge of Shari’ah law and Saudi laws and regulations, his bilingual fluency, and his ability to translate between the Saudi and international contexts to help clients minimize risk and succeed in Saudi Arabia. He assembles and leads teams of experts from across the firm’s global platform to advise on sophisticated regulatory and commercial litigation matters Mr. Alsaeed regularly represents or advises clients on: Litigation, including commercial disputes, securities and bankruptcy litigation, and white collar investigations, before Saudi regulators and judiciary bodies Regulatory projects, including drafting and updating laws and regulations Governance matters for government and government-owned entities, including advice on internal policies, procedures, and charters, as well as regulatory due diligence Mr. Alsaeed complements his commercial work with an active pro bono practice, advising Saudi non-profits on organizational matters. He formerly taught Islamic jurisprudence and law at Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University.

Abigail Smith

Abigail C. Smith represents clients in their highest stakes capital markets transactions, with a primary focus on the real estate investment trust (REIT), financial services, and hospitality industries. Abigail draws on substantial experience to guide issuers and underwriters on SEC-registered and exempted capital markets transactions, including: Initial public offerings (IPOs) Preferred and common equity offerings Debt offerings, including investment grade, high yield, and green bonds Beyond the transactional context, Abigail cultivates trusted relationships with her clients to advise on ongoing disclosure, reporting, and broader corporate governance matters. Abigail is a recognized thought leader in the capital markets space and has co-authored LexisNexis’ Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Guide for Capital Markets and Equity Capital Markets in the USA. She serves as a member of the board of directors of 826DC, a nonprofit organization that supports students ages 6 to 18 with developing their creative and expository writing skills and helps teachers inspire their students to write. Before joining Latham, she was a partner at another global law firm, where she served on the firm’s US Opinions Committee and frequently contributed to client publications related to securities law developments.

Achraf Farraj

Achraf Farraj advises clients on a broad range of real estate and finance transactions. Achraf takes a pragmatic, business-minded approach to guide companies, developers, and lenders through transactions at the intersection of real estate and finance, including: Real estate acquisitions and dispositions Secured lending Hospitality and gaming projects, including hotels, casinos, and racetracks, both on and off tribal land Energy projects, including wind, solar, and geothermal Real estate joint ventures Commercial leasing, including industrial, manufacturing, and laboratory facilities He leverages extensive experience in both the real estate and finance industries to devise creative solutions that help clients successfully close deals. Achraf creates efficiencies for clients across the firm’s multi -disciplinary platform by advising on the real estate aspects of broader transactions, including involving M&A and private equity. A recognized firm leader, he has served on the Pro Bono Committee and the Training and Career Enhancement Committee. Achraf maintains an active pro bono practice, including working with Casa Cornelia Law Center to represent victims of domestic violence and help them obtain permanent legal status in the US. He also serves on the board of San Diego-based Housing Innovation Partners, a nonprofit developer of affordable housing.

Adam Perlman

Adam Perlman, a nationally recognized first-chair patent trial lawyer and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, represents brand-name pharmaceutical manufacturers and leading life sciences companies in intellectual property litigation. Adam leverages more than 25 years of experience and a solutions-oriented approach to guide clients through every stage of major IP litigation, particularly Hatch-Waxman trials and Federal Circuit appeals. He advocates across a broad range of technologies and sectors, including: Pharmaceuticals Biotechnology and biologics Medical devices As lead counsel in major patent litigation in US district courts and before the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, he distills complex concepts into compelling advocacy before judges and juries across the country. Adam also routinely litigates life sciences inter partes review proceedings before the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Adam has argued 11 times before the Federal Circuit since 2012, including before the en banc court in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International. A recognized thought leader, Adam frequently speaks on patent litigation issues, including before the Association of Corporate Patent Counsel, the American Conference Institute Paragraph IV Disputes Master Symposium, the American Law Institute course “Trial of a Patent Case,” and other industry groups. Adam has served on the firm’s Associates Committee and Training and Career Enhancement (TACE) Committee.

Adam Shamah

Adam Shamah is a trial lawyer who represents clients in high-stakes, complex commercial litigation. Adam combines his client commitment and trial-focused intensity to guide market-leading technology companies, financial institutions, and multinational public corporations in: Complex commercial disputes Class actions M&A litigation Securities litigation He approaches each stage of a dispute with a trial-oriented mindset and crafts responsive litigation strategy that matches clients’ commercial objectives. A recognized leader at the firm, Adam serves on Latham’s global Ethics Committee. Adam maintains an active pro bono practice, including successfully petitioning a federal court for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a hard-of-hearing client. Before joining Latham, Adam clerked for Judge I. Leo Glasser of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Adam Goldberg

Finance Partner

Adam L. Kestenbaum

Tax Partner

Adrian C. Grocock

Adrian Grocock has extensive experience advising a broad range of clients on the formation, management, and structuring of their private funds across a variety of asset classes, including buyout, credit, infrastructure, and real estate. His experience ranges from advising first-time fund sponsors on their maiden fund launches to prominent sponsors on multi-billion-dollar products. Adrian also advises sponsors on a variety of bespoke structures, including funds of one and separate managed accounts, as well as on their internal management, regulatory, sponsor co-investment, and carried interest arrangements. In addition, Adrian has advised a number of clients on secondary transactions — both sponsor-led secondaries (on both sponsor and investor sides) and limited partner portfolio transactions (on both buyer and seller sides). Adrian also has an active investor-side practice in which he advises major institutional investors in relation to their investments in private funds and other bespoke structures. Previously, Adrian was a strategy consultant at the Boston Consulting Group and spent six months on secondment at a direct secondary fund sponsor in London.

Ahmed el-Gaili

Ahmed el-Gaili leads the corporate M&A practice in the Riyadh office of Latham & Watkins, and represents clients on the full spectrum of Saudi and global transactions. Mr. el-Gaili leverages his keen commercial acumen and extensive experience across legal disciplines to guide sovereign wealth funds, companies, and private equity firms on complex cross-border: Mergers and acquisitions Private equity Joint ventures Large-scale energy projects and energy legislation Project finance and development International dispute resolution He partners with clients on each transaction to efficiently navigate business challenges, craft commercial advice, and mitigate against potential risk. A recognized leader, he serves on the Pro Bono Committee and previously served on the Technology Committee and the Training & Career Enhancement (TACE) Committee. He has also served on the Alumni Board of Dhahran Ahliyya Schools and as President of the Harvard Arab Alumni Association.

Alain Traill

Alain Traill is a member of the Data & Technology Transactions Practice. Alain advises on outsourcing projects, platform and technology solutions (business and consumer facing), and complex commercial contracts and renegotiations, regularly advising clients on both the customer and supplier side. Alain works with a broad range of clients across various sectors from early stage companies to major global financial institutions. Alain’s practice includes: Outsourcing (business processing and IT) Complex commercial contracts and renegotiations Platforms, SaaS, and cloud computing Fintech and payments Ecommerce and consumer Data protection

Alan J. Devlin

Alan Devlin, former Acting Deputy Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, represents world-leading clients in their most sophisticated antitrust and competition matters, with a particular focus on merger control. Alan combines his understanding of economics with commercial pragmatism to advise on all aspects of antitrust law, including: Global merger clearance Antitrust litigation and appeals Government investigations, including FTC 6(b) industry studies Leveraging his extensive FTC experience, he infuses an awareness of agency priorities into the earliest stages of a client’s merger agreement and guides them through their most sophisticated antitrust matters. A recognized thought leader, Alan has authored three books — Reforming Antitrust (Cambridge Univ. Press 2021), Antitrust & Patent Law (Oxford Univ. Press 2016), and Fundamental Principles of Law & Economics (Routledge 2014) — and over 30 law review articles, many of which have been cited in cases or have won awards. Alan teaches antitrust as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center and has previously taught courses on law and economics, innovation policy, competition, and intellectual property. Alan received a doctorate (J.S.D.), focusing on antitrust law and economics, under the supervision of Judge Richard A. Posner. He subsequently clerked for the late Judge Richard D. Cudahy of the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and for Judge Amy J. St. Eve of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (now of the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit).

Alejandro Ortiz

Alejandro Ortiz advises clients on their most valuable mergers and acquisitions and international private equity transactions. Mr. Ortiz draws on decades of public and private M&A experience, having helped clients navigate more than 30 takeover bids in Spain in recent years. He regularly acts for major international and domestic fund managers on leveraged buyouts and exits from their Spanish investments. His experience bridges multiple market sectors, including: Private equity Energy and infrastructure Retail, including food and beverage A recognized thought leader, he is a lecturer on commercial law at the Complutense University and M&A at ICADE and IE, in Madrid. Before joining Latham, Mr. Ortiz spent more than two decades as a partner at another global law firm, where he most recently served as co-head of its financial sponsors sector.

Alena McCorkle

Dr. Alena McCorkle represents German and international clients from a wide range of industries in complex and cross-border disputes, both in and out of court, as well as in arbitration proceedings. Dr. McCorkle handles a full spectrum of litigation and arbitration matters, including: International disputes with a focus on cross-border discovery Consumer litigation and mass actions Complex commercial litigation and arbitration, including post-M&A disputes Securities litigation Constitutional complaints Over the years, she has established trustful relationships with long-standing clients. International clients benefit from Dr. McCorkle’s strong intercultural skills, which she developed through her work on international matters as well as in the firm’s global recruiting and associates committees, during a client secondment in Milan, and during her legal training in Latham’s Chicago office. Since then, Dr. McCorkle has built strong ties into Latham’s US litigation practice. Dr. McCorkle is a member of the firm’s Global Legal Professional & Paralegal Committee. She maintains an active pro bono practice focused on enforcing the rights of persons with disabilities and fostering inclusion in education and society. Standard commentaries on the German Code of Civil Procedure and the German Federal Court of Justice have cited her doctoral thesis on internet research that judges perform in civil litigation.

Alex Kassai

Alex Kassai represents high-growth emerging private and public companies, as well as institutional and corporate venture capital investors, on a wide range of complex transactions. Alex counsels companies at every stage of their life cycle, including: Pre-incorporation planning Company formations Fundraising strategies Private financings IPOs Follow-on equity and debt offerings M&A, spinoffs, and other complex business collaborations Corporate governance and SEC reporting He has advised clients in hundreds of private financings and M&A transactions, as well as many high- profile IPOs and public offerings, including Corsair, Pure Storage, Roku, Snap, Snowflake, and Zoom. Alex’s practice spans the full spectrum of high growth industries, including biotechnology, medical devices, software, social media, and technology.

Alexander Buckeridge-Hocking

Alexander Buckeridge-Hocking represents sponsors, governments, and lenders on a range of matters across the capital structure in complex cross-border project development and finance transactions, particularly relating to transitional energy industries and infrastructure sectors. Alexander draws on experience consummating award-winning deals across industries to advise international energy companies, export credit agencies (ECAs), multilaterals, commercial and investment banks, and non-traditional lenders and investors on developing and financing energy and infrastructure projects, including: Batteries and energy storage systems Hydrogen and ammonia Liquefied natural gas (LNG) Solar Mining and metals He leverages his international education and comprehensive understanding of the commercial and cultural frameworks under which his clients operate to effectively negotiate transactions. A recognized industry leader, Alexander serves as a member of a specialist working group participating in the EU-funded LNGnet project on the LNG market’s future transition. He has also collaborated with legal, government, industry, development finance, and civil society leaders to develop Green Hydrogen Contracting for People and Planet, a Green Hydrogen Organisation (GH2) initiative to create standardized contracting practices for renewable energy and green hydrogen projects. Alexander maintains an active pro bono practice, including through the Windrush Legal Clinic initiative, which helps individuals navigate the complex application process to claim financial compensation from the Windrush Compensation Scheme. He has also advised an African government in negotiations with developers regarding green hydrogen projects and investments, and the drafting of legislation for a green hydrogen economy.

Alexander Traum

Alexander Traum advises insurance and reinsurance companies, insurtechs, insurance-related service providers, and other financial services entities on insurance regulatory and transactional matters. Alexander helps clients navigate: Mergers and acquisitions of entities regulated under state insurance laws Insurance company, reinsurer, and captive formation and licensure Insurance producer, adjuster, third-party administrator (TPA) and managing general agency (MGA) licensing and exemptions, and the rules and regulations governing such entities, including with respect to compensation, advertising, and rebating issues Regulatory issues relating to emerging technologies, such as big data, AI, and the sharing economy Insurance investment law compliance State insurance laws and enforcement actions by state insurance departments, as well as financial and market conduct examinations Surplus lines insurance placements and non-admitted insurance issues A recognized thought leader, he writes extensively on insurance regulatory issues focusing on new technologies and the sharing economy. Before joining Latham, Alexander was special counsel at another global law firm.

Alexander Welch

Alexander W. Welch represents clients in complex restructurings, liability management, governance, and distressed financings. Alex has experience advising debtors, creditors, equity holders, sponsors, and other interested parties in a broad array of industries, including: Retail and consumer goods Financial services Technology Energy Manufacturing He has also represented clients in connection with reorganizing, financing, and acquiring distressed companies and assets. Before joining Latham, Alex was a partner at another global law firm.

Alexander A. Gomonov

Alexander Gomonov is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member the firm’s Corporate Department. Alexander advises Russian and international clients on a variety of complex cross-border acquisitions, disposals, and joint ventures, with a particular focus on the oil and gas and mining sectors. Alexander also has significant experience advising companies and executives on a range of regulatory, compliance, and general corporate law matters.

Alexander Stefan Rieger

Dr. Alexander Stefan Rieger is widely recognized for advising clients on complex M&A transactions and projects in the international infrastructure and energy sector. The Legal 500 ranks him in 2022 and 2023 as one of the leading partners of the next generation for M&A in Germany. JUVE lists him as frequently recommended for M&A. Mr. Rieger’s clients include leading infrastructure funds, pension funds, insurances, private equity investors, and corporates from around the globe. By utilizing his background as a straight-forward infrastructure lawyer, Mr. Rieger adds value rarely available in the market at the interface between infrastructure and M&A. What Mr. Rieger does best: understanding complex industry specific issues and translating them into legal or commercial solutions. In advising his clients, Mr. Rieger emphasizes practicality, striving to achieve his clients’ business objectives by leveraging his “perfect understanding of the market and related transaction dynamics” (The Legal 500 2023).

Alicia Jovais

Alicia Jovais represents market-leading companies in all aspects of antitrust litigation and related counseling. Alicia draws on extensive experience and her solutions-focused approach to devise actionable strategies for clients relating to: Consumer class actions Monopolization, conspiracy, and unfair competition claims Distribution policies Licensing disputes and other IP-related antitrust claims California state claims, including under the California Unfair Competition Law Arbitration-related matters She helps multinational companies navigate the nuances inherent in complex antitrust litigation, and partners with clients to fully understand their commercial objectives. Bringing a wealth of litigation experience to each matter, Alicia regularly conducts witness examinations and argues pre-trial matters in court. Her first-chair deposition experience includes deposing economic experts, fact witnesses, and corporate representatives. Alicia maintains an active pro bono practice, with a focus on representing clients in asylum proceedings. Before joining the firm, Alicia served as a law clerk to Judge Mary M. Schroeder of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. During law school, she was a judicial extern to Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero of the Northern District of California and a law clerk in the Civil Division of the US Attorney’s Office in San Francisco.

Alli Stillman

Alli Stillman represents industry leaders in their most complex copyright challenges, with a particular focus on digital media platforms. Alli draws on extensive experience helping clients navigate and shape the copyright regimes governing digital media, including in connection with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and the Music Modernization Act. She partners with clients to devise and execute strategies around copyright licensing issues and disputes — ranging from day-to-day counseling to bet-the-company litigation — to achieve their business objectives. Alli regularly garners recognition from leading industry authorities, including Crain’s New York Business, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Law360. She is also an alumna of Leadership Music, a fellowship program for leaders across the music industry. She serves on the New York City Bar Association’s Committee on Copyright and Literary Property and on the Board of Directors of Lawyers for Children, a nonprofit legal corporation dedicated to protecting the rights of children in foster care in New York City and promoting system-wide child welfare reform in New York State. Alli began her career as a law clerk to Judge Richard R. Clifton, US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Allison Harms

Allison Harms focuses on intellectual property litigation, both state and federal, at the trial and appellate levels, with a primary focus on patent litigation. Allison has experience in various stages of patent litigation including pre-suit investigations, pre-trial, trial, and post-trial. She has assisted in infringement and invalidity contentions, claim construction, expert discovery, discovery management, depositions, and various briefing at the pre-trial, trial, and post-trial stages, including discovery motions, summary judgment, motions in limine, motions for reconsideration, motions for judgment as a matter of law, as well as drafted appellate briefing in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Ninth Circuit. She has argued motions in court, including a motion for default judgment and a motion for summary judgment. Allison has litigated a variety of patented technologies, including speech transcoding, hard disk drives, wireless data transfer, liquid crystal displays, semiconductor processing, organic light emitting diode displays, dental implants and abutments, medical stents, automotive design, and network communications. In addition to her work in patent litigation, Allison also has experience in other areas of intellectual property including trade secret litigation, as well as trademark and copyright litigation and enforcement. Allison received her JD from University of California, Hastings College of Law. She received a BS in Electrical Engineering from University of San Diego.

Allison Hyeyeon In

Allison In advises clients on all aspects of environmental and safety matters, with a particular focus on automotive compliance as well as chemical and product stewardship. Allison leverages her sophisticated technical background to help clients navigate complex environmental and safety-related regulatory issues concerning: Air quality Chemical use and manufacturing Oil and gas Water pollution Land use Soil contamination She regularly represents clients in enforcement defense, internal investigations, regulatory advocacy, and compliance counseling. Allison serves as chair of the Communications Committee for the Korean-American Bar Association of Washington, D.C. She also served as vice chair of the Climate Change, Sustainable Development, and Ecosystems Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (ABA SEER), as well as vice chair of ABA SEER’s Pesticides, Chemical Regulation, and Right-to-Know Committee. Prior to joining Latham, Allison was a senior associate at another large law firm in Washington, D.C., where she advised clients in the automotive, energy, retail commerce, and manufacturing sectors on environmental and safety matters. Before that, she was a law clerk in the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics and clerked for an international law firm in Seoul, South Korea.

Alyssa Galinsky

Alyssa Galinsky advises private equity funds and their portfolio companies on corporate transactions. Alyssa helps sophisticated clients execute complex cross-border transactions, including: Mergers, acquisitions, and dispositions Joint ventures Co-investments Carve-outs Reorganizations Alyssa serves clients across a range of industries. She combines an insatiable intellectual curiosity and an understanding of her clients’ perspectives to quickly focus on the right questions to execute a deal in a fast-paced environment. She also advises clients on general corporate matters, drawing insight from her experience on secondment to Credit Suisse, where she advised the board of directors and corporate secretary. As part of her pro bono practice, Alyssa has represented victims of domestic violence in obtaining protection under VAWA, individuals seeking asylum in the United States, and nonprofit organizations on general legal matters. She has served on Latham’s Recruiting Committee.

Amanda Fortuna

Amanda Fortuna is a counsel in the London office of Latham & Watkins and advises clients in the infrastructure and core plus sectors. Amanda focuses on all aspects of core and hybrid infrastructure, acting for a wide range of infrastructure funds, bank lenders, institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, and pension funds. She has experience across a broad range of debt capital structures. She has significant experience advising clients on the acquisition and financing of digital, transport, and energy infrastructure.

Amit Makker

Amit Makker represents clients in complex intellectual property disputes across a range of high technology sectors. Amit guides clients through the full life cycle of patent disputes in a broad range of technical industries, including: Networking technologies, both wired and wireless Cellular systems Internet and cloud technologies Semiconductors Computer hardware Medical devices Automotive Amit has experience in all phases of patent litigation, including claim construction proceedings, summary judgment proceedings, and trial. His background as an electrical engineer for a large defense contractor and his broad technical knowledge allow him to communicate effectively with engineers and distill complex concepts for judges and juries. He represents clients in district courts, the International Trade Commission (ITC), and in post-grant proceedings including inter partes review (IPR) at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). While in law school, Amit was a senior copy editor for the Southern California Law Review and Co-Chair of the Intellectual Property and Technology Society. He also served as a judicial extern for Judge Christina A. Snyder of the District Court for the Central District of California. As part of his active pro bono practice, Amit was part of the Latham team that led the 2020 US Census litigation (for which the team won the firm’s Robert M. Dell Prize for Extraordinary Pro Bono Service), successfully petitioned the Obama administration for clemency on a client’s behalf, and successfully sought expungement of a client’s criminal record.

Amy Hargreaves

Amy Hargreaves, San Diego Local Litigation & Trial Department Chair, helps clients navigate internal investigations, False Claims Act defense, and compliance-related matters within the healthcare industry. She assists clients within the healthcare industry with internal investigations, government investigations, OIG and CMS self-disclosures, compliance program development, and referral source/HCP relationship advising. Amy spends the majority of her time defending her clients against False Claims Act qui tam investigations and litigations. Her clients include large hospital systems as well as medical device and pharmaceutical companies at varying stages of development. Amy has advised clients on a wide range of compliance issues, from the proper structuring of physician arrangements, to the development of compliant billing and coding processes, to the development of pharmaceutical and medical device promotion practices.

Amy E. Speros

Amy Speros is Counsel in the San Diego and Washington, D.C. offices of Latham & Watkins. She advises clients on regulatory, compliance, and transactional matters in industries overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other federal health agencies, including the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, food, dietary supplement, cosmetic, and tobacco industries. Amy assists clients with all aspects of the FDA-regulated product life cycle, including, among others: Pre-market development and testing FDA product submissions Market exclusivity strategies, including orphan drug issues Labeling and post-market safety concerns, including Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) programs FDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulation of product marketing and promotion FDA and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) export and import requirements Clinical trial, manufacturing, distribution, and other corporate contracts FDA inspections and recalls Civil and criminal compliance and enforcement In the transactional area, Amy provides regulatory advice on diligence and disclosure matters for large public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and private transactions. She has also been involved extensively in Administrative Procedure Act litigation. Amy is a former long-time member of Latham’s Global Training and Career Enhancement (TACE) Committee. As part of her pro bono practice, she has advised non-profits on employment and compliance matters and represented veterans in association with the National Veterans Legal Services Program.

Amy R. Rigdon

Amy Rigdon advises clients on the formation and operation of a variety of traditional and non-traditional private investment vehicles, including private equity funds, co-investment funds, GP-led secondaries, and sponsor arrangements and governance. Amy delivers creative and pragmatic counsel to a variety of participants in the funds space, including private equity firms, established and emerging fund managers, and institutional investors. Her experience ranges across fund types and investment areas, with a particular focus on energy and renewable funds, infrastructure funds, real estate funds, and private credit funds. Amy’s work includes: Fundraising private investment funds and co-investment vehicles, both in the US and internationally Internal sponsor arrangements and governance GP-led secondary transactions Portfolio company acquisitions and divestitures, and management equity arrangements Compliance issues Drawing on her experience advising SPACs since 2015, Amy frequently handles arrangements in connection with SPAC IPOs. Her work encompasses more than US$3 billion in SPAC IPO proceeds, including the first-ever Mexican SPAC. Amy regularly speaks and writes on topics related to investment funds, institutional investing, and securities issues. Amy has served in several firm leadership roles, including as Co-Chair of the Women Enriching Business Committee in the Washington, D.C. office. Amy also actively supports a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia. Among her efforts, she served as Co-Chair of the organization’s Generous Associate Campaign for several years. Amy ’s involvement in this initiative earned her recognition as part of the group that won the Young Lawyers Section of the Bar Association of Washington, D.C.’s 2018 Young Lawyer of the Year award. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Stetson University.

Ana O'Brien

Tax Partner

Andrew Bishop

Andrew Bishop, as Local Chair of the firm’s Finance Department in Asia, has built a team that advises global market-leading funds and strategic investors on complex financings throughout the Asia-Pacific market. Mr. Bishop delivers strategic and commercially driven counsel to private equity, venture, and credit funds, as well as other institutional and strategic investors on a range of cross-border finance and high-value mandates. He regularly helps clients navigate: Leveraged acquisitions, including back-leverage financings Take-private and real estate finance transactions Bank/bond and bridge finance transactions Margin loans Subscription and capital call financings Refinancing and recapitalization matters Restructuring matters Mr. Bishop has been resident in Asia for more than a decade, so has developed an intricate understanding of international legal regimes in the region. Drawing on qualifications and experience practicing in London and Hong Kong, he regularly helps clients execute market-defining transactions spanning Asia, Europe, and the United States, including novel and precedent-setting financings in Australia, China, India, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.

Andrew Sorkin

Andrew Sorkin advises companies and other stakeholders on all facets of restructuring matters, in- and out-of-court. Andrew helps public and private companies, their boards and management, as well as creditors, shareholders, debtor-in-possession lenders, and asset purchasers and investors to navigate a full range of scenarios involving financial distress, including: Prepackaged, prearranged, and traditional chapter 11 proceedings Debtor-in-possession financings Distressed asset sales, including Section 363 sales Cross-border insolvency As a candid advisor to his clients and effective negotiator with other stakeholders, Andrew excels at building consensus in the most challenging and contentious matters. He draws on his experience advising parties from every vantage point in a restructuring to develop innovative solutions to novel problems. Andrew also regularly writes and speaks on restructuring topics.

Andrew Strelka

Andrew Strelka is counsel in the Tax Practice, drawing on significant government experience to advise clients on tax-related disputes and litigation. Andrew most recently served as Senior Tax Counsel in the Biden White House, providing advice on all manner of issues relating to federal taxation, as well as overseeing the vetting and Senate confirmation process. Previously, he served in the Department of Justice Tax Division (DOJ), where he litigated a variety of civil tax matters involving tax-exempt organizations, tax refund suits, matters concerning the Administrative Procedure Act, and transfer pricing disputes. While with the DOJ, Andrew was detailed to the Obama White House, where he served in a similar tax advisory role. In 2013, he received the DOJ Tax Division’s Outstanding Attorney Award, and in 2012 he received the FBA Younger Federal Lawyer Award. Prior to his time at DOJ, Andrew was a Presidential Management Fellow, splitting his time between the Internal Revenue Service, where he issued rulings and guidance on tax-exempt organizations, and the D.C. US Attorney’s Office, representing the United States in complex civil litigation. Andrew represents clients across industries, including global nonprofits, private equity, oil and gas, technology, and international financial institutions. He advises on a full range of tax controversy matters with particular focus on district court tax litigation, IRS appeals, summonses and enforcement, exempt organizations, Administrative Procedure Act issues, and federal excise tax issues. Prior to joining Latham, Andrew served as counsel at a tax boutique law firm, representing taxpayers in all manner of tax litigation and tax controversy. Andrew has held numerous bar association positions, including the 2013/2014 National Chair of the FBA Section on Taxation.

Andrew Taggart

Andrew Taggart represents clients in secured lending and structured finance transactions with a focus on asset-backed structures involving a broad range of asset classes. Andrew advises emerging and mature companies, financial institutions, and investment funds on a full spectrum of complex transactions, including: Repurchase, whole loan sales, and secured loan facilities involving residential real estate Warehouse facilities for a variety of asset classes Account receivable facilities Warehouse facilities, synthetic leases, and 144a securitizations involving rail cars Secured and asset-backed lending facilities, particularly for emerging company borrowers Public and private securitizations He draws on experience working in London to advise on cross-border and foreign law impacted transactions. He brings a commercial sensibility and particular experience with respect to structures involving residential real estate, railcars, accounts receivable, and unusual asset classes.

Andrew Moyle

Partner

Andrew Lundberg

Litigation Partner

Andrew D. Prins

Andrew Prins represents clients in complex high-stakes litigation matters, including disputes with the government and consumer class actions. Andrew is a versatile litigator who represents clients before trial courts, appellate courts, administrative agencies, and arbitrators. He works with clients in a number of highly regulated industries, especially: Pharmaceuticals Healthcare Biotechnology Telecommunications Technology His government-facing matters often involve challenges to the legality of government regulatory actions that raise precedent-setting questions of constitutional law, administrative law, federal preemption, jurisdiction, and statutory interpretation. In addition to litigating these issues on both the plaintiff and defense side in court, he provides pre-dispute counseling to clients in regulatory matters that may result in litigation. Within his complex litigation practice, Andrew regularly defends clients in consumer class actions, and a contested class has never been certified in one of his cases. He also frequently represents clients in arbitration proceedings in matters that typically involve a complex regulatory overlay. He possesses a sophisticated understanding of the statutory and regulatory regimes under which his clients operate, including the Administrative Procedure Act (APA); Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA); Controlled Substances Act (CSA); Plant Protection Act (PPA); Endangered Species Act (ESA); National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA); and various consumer protection statutes. A recognized leader at the firm, Andrew serves on the Technology Committee and the Finance Committee. Before joining Latham, Andrew served as a judicial law clerk to Judge J.L. Edmondson of the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. For 10 years prior to practicing law, he served in various senior-level engineering and management roles at a large multinational internet and telecommunications company, where he was responsible for network architecture and data security.

Andrew P. Galdes

Andrew Galdes advises clients on compliance and enforcement issues involving US laws and regulations related to economic and trade sanctions, as well as export controls. Andrew helps clients, including companies, financial institutions, private equity firms, and global private foundations, navigate: Internal compliance investigations Regulatory, congressional and other government investigations, and enforcement actions Day-to-day corporate compliance matters Transactional due diligence He advises clients on the complex legal, policy, and enforcement issues arising under: Economic and trade sanctions programs administered by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) The State Department’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) The Commerce Department’s Export Administration Regulations (EAR) Andrew draws on extensive technical knowledge and experience to help clients secure governmental guidance and approvals, including OFAC authorizations and interpretive rulings, and crafts pragmatic solutions to obstacles that international trade laws often present in cross-border transactions. He excels at helping US and global clients design and implement sanctions and export controls compliance programs. He regularly writes and speaks on topics related to sanctions and export controls.

Angel Quek

Angel Quek represents private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, borrowers, and other financial institutions on a broad range of financing transactions. Angel focuses on cross-border acquisition and leveraged finance. She has in-depth knowledge and experience over a variety of debt capital structures, including: Senior / mezzanine financings First lien / second lien financings High yield bond transactions (including bridge to bond and super senior revolving facilities) Bridge facilities Unitranche financings Holdco / PIK facilities Post-IPO financings Angel was a former member of the BVCA Legal & Accounting Committee. She has also served on the firm’s Associates Committee.

Anna Ngo

Anna Ngo represents a mix of UK and international companies, investment banks, and investors, including private equity sponsors, in cross-border capital markets and M&A transactions, as well as in general corporate matters. Combining sophisticated product knowledge and technical skills, Anna regularly navigates multifaceted capital market offerings and M&A transactions involving a range of jurisdictions and industries. She offers particular experience in cross-border equity offerings, including dual listings. Anna also leverages her strong understanding of UK company and securities law and regulations to anticipate potential obstacles that may arise in complex and cross-border transactions. Anna’s capital markets work includes: Initial public offerings Rights offerings Secondary and follow-on offerings Debt/equity swaps American and Global Depositary Receipts Private placements and registered transactions Equity-linked securities, including convertible, and exchangeable bonds Spin-offs Anna frequently handles listings and capital raisings around the world, including in the UK, the US, France, Italy, Spain, and Saudi Arabia, drawing on her prior secondment experience in the equity corporate finance team at Credit Suisse. Anna also regularly advises international companies in a range of public cross-border M&A matters. Additionally, she provides general corporate advice to public companies, including in connection with corporate governance matters and compliance with ongoing regulatory requirements. Anna serves as a Vice Chair of Latham’s Diversity Leadership Committee and is a member of the firm’s Ethics Committee and Mentoring Committee. She previously served as London Co-Chair of the firm’s Asian & Middle Eastern Lawyers Group.

Anna M. Rathbun

Anna Rathbun represents companies in high-stakes antitrust litigation and investigations. Anna combines extensive trial experience with her ability to craft holistic litigation strategy to help clients achieve optimal results in a wide variety of criminal and civil antitrust matters, including: Government investigations by the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), state attorneys general, and global antitrust regulators Class actions Business-to-business litigation Merger challenges She leads clients through a dynamic regulatory landscape and positions clients for success in the face of uncertainty. Anna works closely with antitrust colleagues across the firm’s global platform, particularly in Brussels and London, to align on strategic considerations for parallel proceedings. Anna maintains an active pro bono practice, including leading the Latham trial team that, after a week-long evidentiary hearing, secured federal habeas relief for an inmate on Alabama’s death row, for which the team received the 2022 Robert M. Dell Prize for Extraordinary Pro Bono Service. Before law school, Anna served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Anna Rachel Biegelsen

Anna Biegelsen advises energy marketing and trading firms, as well as financial institutions that participate in US energy markets, on regulatory, enforcement, compliance, and transactional matters. Anna helps clients navigate a broad spectrum of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) enforcement inquiries and regulatory proceedings relating to: Allegations of market manipulation and violations of FERC orders and market rules Complaint proceedings Market-based rate applications and related proceedings Regional transmission organization (RTO) and independent system operator (ISO) tariff amendments Acquisition and disposition of FERC-jurisdictional facilities under section 203 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) Petition for declaratory order Certificiation of Qualifying Facility (QF) and Exempt Wholesale Generator (EWG) status and related issues under the Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA) Her extensive experience includes successfully resolving several nonpublic investigations, as well as obtaining a FERC decision not to pursue further action against an individual defendant at the order to show cause phase of a market manipulation investigation. She also works with clients to implement compliance programs and develop trainings on the Federal Power Act, the Natural Gas Act, and FERC regulations. Before joining Latham, Anna advised clients on FERC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) matters at another global law firm. Anna is a member of the Energy Bar Association.

Anne Löhner

Dr. Löhner represents clients in complex commercial disputes before German courts and international arbitral tribunals. She guides market-leading companies and private equity funds through all aspects of bet-the-company litigation. Dr. Löhner counsels clients on: Complex commercial disputes and mass actions Post-M&A and shareholder litigation Controversies involving cross-border components or multi-jurisdictional parallel proceedings Dr. Löhner draws on extensive experience to help clients achieve optimal resolutions to their most challenging disputes. She regularly advocates for her clients in arbitration under DIS and ICC rules, and before trial and appellate courts across Germany. She is also well versed in amicable dispute resolution, including expert determination proceedings and mediation. Ms. Löhner previously worked as an associate in the firm’s New York office and is admitted to practice law in Germany and New York. She is a member of the firm‘s global Ethics and Diversity Leadership Committees. She maintains an active pro bono practice, including representing Ashoka and other non-profits in disputes and contract negotiations related to charitable projects around the globe.

Anne Mainwaring

Anne Mainwaring is a financial services regulatory attorney with a focus in ESG. Anne has extensive experience advising on UK and EU regulatory developments relevant to ESG. Anne also handles the implementation of ESG transition projects in accordance with multiple regulatory regimes and requirements. A thought leader in ESG, Anne co-authored the Latham and AFME White Papers: Governance Conduct and Compliance in the Transition to Sustainable Finance and ESG Disclosure Landscape for Banks and Capital Markets in Europe.

Anne W. Robinson

Anne Robinson, partner in the White Collar Defense & Investigations and Complex Commercial Litigation Practices, counsels clients on government contracts and litigation, as well as white collar and government investigations. Anne represents government contractors in high-stakes enforcement matters in federal court and before federal regulatory agencies. She has particular knowledge in allegations involving the False Claims Act, and has in-depth experience advising clients in the defense, technology, healthcare, and financial services industries in False Claims Act investigations and litigation. She combines deep regulatory knowledge with extensive experience in all phases of False Claims Act investigations and litigation to secure successful resolutions for her clients. She pursues creative legal solutions to help resolve matters at the earliest possible stage. Anne regularly advises companies on compliance with government contracts requirements and regulations, including mandatory disclosure obligations. She helps clients successfully navigate voluntary and mandatory disclosures, as well as suspension and debarment proceedings. Anne has litigated dozens of bid protest cases involving procurements of most every size and industry. Anne is the firm’s Global Pro Bono Chair, managing one of the largest pro bono legal services providers in the world. Anne also serves on Law360’s Government Contracts Editorial Board. Prior to joining Latham, she served as a law clerk to Judge Edith Brown Clement of the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.

Annemarie Reilly

Annemarie Reilly is a member of the firm’s Restructuring & Special Situations Practice. Annemarie represents distressed companies, agents, lenders, creditors, and shareholders in all aspects of the restructuring and reorganization process. She has particular experience representing debtors and secured agents in chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganizations and out-of-court debt restructurings. Annemarie has also served in leadership roles as a global leader of one of the firm’s Diversity Affinity Groups and a member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee.

Anthemis Economou

Anthemis Economou advises clients on all aspects of EU competition law, with a particular focus on complex mergers and acquisitions and antitrust procedures. Ms. Economou combines sophisticated economic analysis and her international perspective to represent multinational companies and private equity funds before the European Commission and other competition authorities globally in: Merger control clearances Antitrust investigations Behavioral advice matters She guides clients across industries on merger and antitrust investigations around the globe, leveraging the firm’s robust platform and spearheading efforts with local counsel and economic advisors to efficiently navigate multiple regulatory filing processes for complex deals, including the new EU Regulation on Foreign Subsidies (FSR). Ms. Economou is the local leader of the Parent Lawyers Group and previously served as a member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and as local leader of the Women’s Lawyers Group. Before joining Latham, Ms. Economou practiced at another international law firm in Brussels and trained at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Competition. Her experience also includes advising on Greek competition, regulatory, and corporate law.

Anthony Gostanian

Anthony Gostanian represents both public companies and underwriters, with a focus on the life sciences industry, in a variety of capital-raising and M&A transactions, as well as securities law compliance and corporate governance matters. Anthony advises a number of leading San Diego-based clinical-stage public biotech and life sciences companies on their most important strategic transactions, as well as public company representation matters, including: Equity and debt offerings, including IPOs, follow-on offerings, and at-the-market offerings Securities law compliance and corporate governance Mergers and acquisitions Public and private financings Anthony also advises investment banks on capital market offerings by biotech and life sciences companies.

Antonio Del Pino

Antonio Del Pino, Global Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Latin America Practice, advises companies, private equity firms, and financial institutions on cross-border acquisitions, divestitures, financings, and restructurings involving Latin America and the United States. Antonio brings almost three decades of experience navigating complex transactions on behalf of sophisticated clients doing business in Latin America. His practice focuses on M&A and private equity transactions in the region, leading Latham to the top of the market in the space. The firm regularly tops the regional league tables for M&A and private equity transactions in the region. He combines keen market insights with bilingual language skills to handle matters across industries, with a particular focus on the infrastructure, energy, and financial services sectors. In recognition of his commercial work and industry leadership, Antonio was an appointed member of the United States State Department’s Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Council of the Americas. Antonio regularly advises on pro bono matters involving Latin America, Africa, and Asia. His work includes representing Acción International in connection with investments in microfinance institutions around the world. He is also a former member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee.

Anupama Yerramalli

Anupama Yerramalli represents companies, bondholders, lenders, official and ad hoc committees, and other creditors and investors in some of the market’s most complex and multifaceted bankruptcies and restructurings, both in and out of court. A solution-driven and creative problem solver, Anupama advises constituents across the capital structure, on matters throughout every stage of a restructuring. Her practice encompasses a range of bankruptcy cases, out-of-court restructurings, and other distressed situations, with a particular focus on company-side representations. She regularly counsels leading domestic and multinational corporations across major industries, including healthcare, shipping, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, and retail. She draws on her broad corporate governance and liability management experience to help public and private companies navigate a variety of sensitive issues that arise in connection with high-stakes insolvency matters. Anupama complements her company-side practice with her experience representing creditors, including banks, special situation lenders, and asset acquirers. An effective consensus builder, she helps bridge the diverse interests of various parties while enabling clients to achieve their business objectives. Anupama frequently writes and speaks on restructuring topics. She has previously served as coordinating editor for the ABI Journal’s diversity and inclusion column and Benchnotes column. Anupama currently serves as a member of the Junior Advisory Board of Her Justice, and a member of the board of the City Bar Fund. Following her graduation from law school, Anupama clerked for United States Bankruptcy Judge Donald H. Streckroth of the District of New Jersey. Anupama serves on the firm’s Diversity Leadership Committee. Accolades The Deal’s Top Women in Dealmaking 2023 Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers New York Metro Top Women 2012-2022 Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers New York Super Lawyers 2013-2023 Law360 Rising Star 2018 ABI 40 Under 40 Honoree 2017 M&A Advisor’s Emerging Leaders Award 2017 Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers New York Rising Stars 2011-2012 Speaking Engagements Facilitator and Advisory Board Member, American Bankruptcy Institute Views from the Bench, “Great Debates: Examiners” (September 29, 2023) Speaker, Financial Restructuring Roundtable, “The New Mass Torts Bargain” (April 13, 2023) Speaker, AIRA Bankruptcy & Restructuring Conference, “Mass Tort Bankruptcies and Third-Party Releases - Navigating These Complex Issues” (June 9, 2022) Speaker, The Fordham Law Review, “Mass Torts Evolve: The Intersection of Aggregate Litigation and Bankruptcy” (February 22, 2022) Facilitator and Advisory Board Member, American Bankruptcy Institute Views from the Bench, “Confirmation: The Rest of the Story” (September 23, 2021) Speaker, District of Guam’s Virtual Bankruptcy Seminar Series (September 24, 2020) Speaker, American Bankruptcy Institute’s Winter Leadership Conference: Current Issues Facing Unsecured Creditors’ Committees (December 07, 2018) Advisory Board Member and Speaker, American Bankruptcy Institute’s Mid-Level Professional Development Program: The Ins and Outs of Plan Solicitation (November 6, 2018) Speaker, 2018 NCBJ Conference: Mission Critical – Know How to Close Before Starting the Surgery (October 30, 2018) Speaker, IWIRC’s 25th Annual Fall International Conference: Being on a Board Without Getting Nailed - The Ins and Outs of Board Membership (October 28, 2018) Moderator, American Bankruptcy Institute Capital Connection 36th Annual Spring Meeting: Rights Offering Introduction and Overview (April 20, 2018)

Aoife McCabe

Aoife McCabe advises clients on a full spectrum of complex UK and international transactional tax matters. Aoife leverages a depth of experience using a commercial approach to guide financial institutions, private equity funds and their portfolio companies, and multinational corporations on the tax aspects of: Mergers and acquisitions Capital markets (debt and equity) transactions Private equity transactions Finance transactions Real estate transactions Restructurings She helps clients navigate the rapidly evolving regulatory and market conditions that affect corporate and finance transactions, multijurisdictional tax planning, and tax-related financing and structuring. A recognized leader at the firm, Aoife is a Latham Mentoring Star and has served on the Training and Career Enhancement (TACE) Committee.

Arielle Singh

Arielle Singh advises a full spectrum of technology clients on intellectual property, commercial, and corporate transactions. Arielle advises emerging, mid-size, and public companies, in industries including: Software Internet services E-commerce Autonomous vehicles Commercial products Semiconductor design and manufacture Medical devices She regularly advises clients on: Strategic alliances, partnerships, and joint ventures M&A transactions Technology and intellectual property transfers and licensing Technology development Manufacturing, supply, and distribution arrangements Marketing and advertising agreements Service provision agreements Arielle provides clients with practical commercial and business advice, drawing on broad experience working with companies at all stages of the business lifecycle.

Arlene Chow

Arlene Chow, a first-chair litigator and trial lawyer, represents companies in the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries on patent, trade secret, and licensing disputes. She serves as Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry Group. Ms. Chow routinely litigates IP matters directed to small molecule and biologic drugs for the treatment of a wide variety of indications, as well as medical devices and dosage forms. Leveraging her background in biochemistry, Ms. Chow is able to frame matters from the perspective of a judge or jury in order to achieve the best solutions for her clients. Ms. Chow thrives on interaction with scientific experts, both in-house and externally. Ms. Chow is a United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) registered patent attorney, and one of a select few who has been first-chair not only in district court trials and hearings, but also federal circuit arguments, and inter partes and post grant review hearings before the USPTO. Ms. Chow previously served as Co- Chair of the firm’s Women Enriching Business (WEB) committee in the New York office.

Ashley Wagner

Ashley Wagner provides seasoned counsel to public and private companies on a broad range of executive compensation and employee benefits matters. Ashley advises employers and executives with respect to establishing: Equity incentive plans Employee stock purchase plans Phantom equity, carveout, and other retention plans Deferred compensation, bonus, and other incentive compensation plans Severance and change in control arrangements Employment agreements She regularly advises on the employee benefits and compensation aspects in a variety of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, financings, spin-offs, and initial public offerings. Ashley also maintains an active pro bono practice. Her work includes helping people obtain permanent restraining orders against domestic abusers and advising non-profits on employment and benefits matters, employee handbooks, worker classification, and executive compensation. She is Co-Chair of the firm’s Silicon Valley Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee and formerly served on the Recruiting Committee.

Barrie VanBrackle

Barrie VanBrackle advises industry leaders on complex fintech transactions, specifically regarding payment technology and consumer financial services compliance. Barrie helps merchants, payment processors and fintech vendors navigate key areas at the intersection of technology and finance, including: Consumer-facing financial and banking Regulatory counseling and investigations, including for new US market entrants Payment card industry regulations, including brand operating rules and data security standards Money transmission Prepaid card access An authority on payments and consumer financial services compliance, she regularly guides clients on transactions involving payment systems participants, including large merchants and financial technology companies, with respect to payment acceptance, payment issuance, co-brand agreements, payment card industry data security issues, and payment regulatory matters. Barrie ’s deep experience also includes advising corporate and private equity clients within the context of mergers and acquisitions and other fintech investments. She frequently speaks at industry events and writes on the evolving regulatory and compliance issues relating to payments and other e-commerce matters. Barrie is active in the community and regulatory volunteers with Merchant Acquirers’ Committee (MAC), a nonprofit trade association in the payment processing ecosystem. She holds a leadership position within MAC’s Government Relations Strategic Insights Group.

Beatrice Lo

Beatrice Lo advises corporate and private equity clients on their most complex transactions, often within highly regulated industries and with a cross-border element. Beatrice draws on extensive experience representing clients on their key transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, reorganizations, carve-outs, and equity investments, as well as providing general corporate law advice. Beatrice’s work spans across a number of industries, including: Power, energy transition, and renewables Financial services and fintech Insurance and insurtech She understands the markets in which her clients operate and crafts effective solutions that help them achieve their ultimate business objectives.

Beau Brashares

A nationally regarded funds lawyer, Beau Brashares advises clients on a full range of matters involving fund formation and management. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Beau serves as a trusted advisor to key players in the global investment funds market. He primarily counsels fund sponsors on the formation, structuring, and operation of private investment funds. Beau also works with both sponsors and limited partners on seed investments, spin-off transactions, co-investments, secondary transactions, and the purchase and sale of minority interests in management companies. In addition, he routinely advises sponsors on critical firm-level issues, including succession planning, carry plan structuring, and governance matters. Beau handles matters involving all types of private investment vehicles, including: Buyout funds Mezzanine and senior debt funds Industry-specific funds Funds-of-funds Real estate funds Venture capital funds Hedge funds Hybrid funds Investment management firms Creative and technically skilled, Beau works closely with clients in implementing innovative and flexible fund structures and maximizing fundraising opportunities. He advises clients on the structuring and documentation of firm-level internal arrangements and continues to assist clients throughout every phase of the fund life cycle, with a focus on helping them achieve both their immediate and long-term business goals.

Becky Critchley

Becky Critchley advises a range of financial institutions on matters of complex UK financial services regulation, particularly relating to consumer protection, structured finance transactions, and benchmark regulation. Becky leverages a keen understanding of the regulatory and market landscapes, as well as trusted relationships with industry bodies, to help investment banks, corporate finance houses, regtech and fintech companies, fund managers, lenders, and online trading business navigate: UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Conduct of Business Rules MiFID and MAR Regulated consumer lending, including the extensive proposals for change to the UK’s existing consumer credit regime Consumer Duty Consumer Rights Act Benchmark regulation Culture and Conduct Cross-border issues She interprets complicated and technical laws and regulations and distills them for clients in an easy-to-comprehend and commercially focused way. Becky collaborates closely with the firm’s Structured Finance team to bring her extensive experience in consumer protection and regulated lending to clients’ transactions. Becky maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising on regulated lending for social enterprises and nonprofit organizations.

Ben Kaplan

Ben Kaplan represents clients in a range of sophisticated public and private corporate matters, with a focus on large-scale, cross-border transactions involving the technology sector. Ben advises public and private companies, investment funds and financial institutions on a variety of complex corporate matters and corporate governance. He draws on his broad experience, including as in-house counsel to a leading financial services firm and serial acquirer, to provide pragmatic and commercially driven advice on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures. He helps clients across a wide range of industries navigate: Complex carve-outs Affiliate transactions Bankruptcy-related restructuring transactions Leveraged buyouts Negotiated and contested M&A transactions, including bankruptcy-related Public and private investments, including SPAC-related considerations Deal architecture and risk mitigation Corporate governance matters in preparation for M&A activity Demonstrating his commitment to giving back to the community, Ben maintains an active pro bono practice, including most recently advising a client through Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, a legal aid and education organization dedicated to New York artists and cultural organizations. At a previous law firm, Ben participated in legal clinics at various homeless shelters and support groups in Manhattan through Homeless Experience Legal Protection (HELP) and provided formation, regulatory, and corporate advice to small business owners and entrepreneurs in Upper Manhattan through the Business Resource & Investment Service Center (BRISC), which was established by the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and the US Small Business Administration. Prior to joining Latham, Ben served for more than a decade as senior in-house counsel at a global financial services firm. Before that, he worked at two leading global law firms in New York. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Rockland County Bar Association, and he received the Legal Aid Society’s 2003 Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award.

Benjamin Han

Benjamin Han is an associate in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Data & Technology Transactions Practice. Mr. Han assists in the representation of leading Japanese and multinational companies on a variety of intellectual property and commercial matters, including: Intellectual property licensing, sale, and other transactions Joint development, joint venture, strategic alliance, and outsourcing arrangements Product manufacturing, supply, and distribution arrangements Mr. Han has assisted in the representation of clients in a variety of industries, including companies in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications sectors. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Han was an associate at a leading international law firm in Tokyo.

Benjamin Lee

Benjamin Lee advises insurers, financial institutions, and insuretech start-ups on sophisticated insurance regulatory issues, particularly relating to credit insurance policies used by banks for capital risk-weighted substitution. A former Army officer, Benjamin delivers straight-forward solutions to clients’ complex, cross-border insurance matters relating to: Risk-weighted asset (RWA) substitution under the applicable Basel Accord rules Trade credit insurance Financial guaranty insurance law issues Regulatory compliance analysis communication with regulators General insurance regulatory matters, including licensing matters, formation of insurance producers, regulatory filings, risk-based capital analysis, and insurance transactional matters Insurer investments He strategically advises clients on developing their insurance-related businesses and coordinates seamlessly across the firm’s global network to execute on those plans. Benjamin has negotiated hundreds of credit insurance policies on clients’ behalf. A recognized thought leader in the credit insurance market, he co-authored a standardized industry template for trade credit transactions published by the International Trading & Forfaiting Association (ITFA) and speaks regularly at industry conferences, such as for the International Association of Credit Portfolio Managers. Benjamin maintains an active pro bono practice, including leading a 50-state survey for Start Small Think Big on benefits and resources available to veteran-owned businesses.

Benjamin Gibson

Ben Gibson defends corporations in the chemicals, defense, and manufacturing sectors against environmental claims. Ben helps clients navigate litigation and administrative proceedings involving contaminated properties, as well as regulatory compliance matters concerning water quality, air quality, and hazardous waste. He advises on the full life cycle of environmental issues, including: Cost recovery and contribution litigation under Superfund regulations and state counterparts Site investigation and remediation Environmental litigation Consent decrees Private-party settlements Emerging chemicals, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Storm water compliance Hazardous waste management Waste water compliance Pre-transaction due diligence Administrative enforcement matters Environmental permitting He draws on his experience as a public affairs consultant within the environmental space to mitigate regulatory risk and advance clients’ business objectives. Ben combines technical acumen and extensive legal experience to design effective strategies to clients’ most sensitive environmental challenges. Ben negotiates with supervising agencies, including the US Environmental Protection Agency and state analogs, to identify opportunities to minimize or avoid client liabilities. Ben’s active pro bono practice in immigration and family law includes representing clients in asylum and guardianship matters, advising nonprofits on compliance and internal governance issues, and developing model language for future African mining laws’ environmental provisions. While in law school, Ben interned at the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association and served as a student attorney with the Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic, where he focused on public trust issues and the Clean Water Act.

Benjamin Rosemergy

Ben Rosemergy, Chair of the Chicago Tax Department, advises clients on the executive compensation and employee benefits aspects of corporate transactions. Ben advises private equity funds and public and private companies on a full spectrum of transactions, including: Stock and asset acquisitions and divestitures Mergers Add-on and carve-out transactions Bankruptcy-related transactions Joint venture formation and termination Spin-offs and large equity investments He regularly devises innovative solutions for funds, companies, executives, and management teams in: Executive complex compensation matters Equity-based compensation arrangements Incentive compensation arrangements Nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements Drafting and negotiating employment, severance, retention, and change-in-control agreements He draws on significant experience with the tax laws that govern executive compensation arrangements, including Internal Revenue Code sections 409A and 280G. He formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Legal Council for Health Justice, which works with Illinois communities to overcome barriers to accessing medical and social services (formerly the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago).

Benjamin Berman

Ben Berman, Co-Chair of the Global Fund Finance Group, represents borrowers in secured lending and other financing transactions, including fund finance and acquisition financing. Ben guides borrower-side clients through the full spectrum of: Private equity and private debt subscription lines of credit Acquisition and carve-out financings Corporate financings, including in aviation and technology ESG-linked credit facilities Fund-level NAV financings, cash-flow, receivables financings, and asset-based loans Ben leads Latham’s fund finance practice and he regularly helps clients navigate complex financings at the forefront of the market, leveraging his extensive private capital experience and deep relationships across the industry. Ben draws on close ties across the Latham platform — particularly with the corporate, investment funds, and tax teams — to strategize solutions that allow clients to achieve their commercial objectives. A recognized thought leader on fund finance and an innovator in the fund finance practice, Ben has spoken at industry events and panels and has been quoted in industry publications and authored a chapter on subscription facilities for GLI – Fund Finance. He is also a member of the Fund Finance Association’s US Advisory Committee. Ben maintains an active pro bono practice, recently working on matters through the Legal Counsel for the Elderly and for election protection.

Benjamin Naftalis

Benjamin Naftalis is New York Deputy Office Managing Partner and previously served as Global Co-Chair of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice. Ben, a former federal prosecutor, represents companies, boards, executives, and cryptocurrency market participants in government and internal investigations, regulatory enforcement matters, high-profile disputes, and other sensitive situations throughout the US and internationally. He also counsels private fund managers and clients on compliance, trading, and deal-related diligence. Ben draws on his experience before a range of US regulators, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), related to allegations of securities and commodities fraud, insider trading, market manipulation, accounting and healthcare fraud, bribery and corruption, sanctions, and money laundering. He also regularly represents clients in high-stakes business disputes and securities litigation. Leading publications, including Chambers and The Legal 500 US, consistently recognize Ben for his skill in white collar defense and investigations. Since bringing the first of its kind securities fraud prosecution related to a cryptocurrency in 2014, he has been a recognized leader in the digital asset space — where he is ranked Band 1 by Chambers FinTech. Earlier in his career, Ben served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York. As a member of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force, he prosecuted financial and investment fraud matters, including corporate and securities fraud, insider trading, and market manipulation. His DOJ and SEC matters involved extensive coordination of cross-border and multi-agency investigations. In 2012, he received the US Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service — the DOJ’s second-highest award. During his tenure at the DOJ, he tried eight federal jury trials and briefed and argued more than 10 appeals before the Second Circuit. Ben clerked for Judge Jed S. Rakoff of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York and Judge Dennis Jacobs of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He began his career as a corporate development analyst at DoubleClick, later acquired by Google. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a trustee of the Citizens Budget Commission.

Betsy Mukamal

Finance Counsel

Betty Pang

Dr. Betty Pang advises clients in the healthcare and life sciences industry on regulatory matters and corporate transactions. Betty brings a comprehensive view of the industry to advise clients on complex and sensitive issues pertaining to: Fraud and abuse Self-referral and government program reimbursement compliance Facility and provider licensing Corporate practice and fee-splitting She represents a full spectrum of clients in the healthcare ecosystem, including: Hospitals and health systems Physician practice management companies and affiliated practices Clinical laboratory and diagnostic service providers Telehealth, digital health and wellness companies Life science companies, including pharmaceutical, medical device, biotechnology, and medical suppliers Private equity firms Investment banks With a seasoned understanding of the industry drawn from prolific deal flow, and a complementary understanding of the scientific and medical issues drawn from her medical degree, she efficiently and effectively support clients through: Mergers and acquisitions Initial public offerings Financings Joint ventures Government investigations Day-to-day regulatory and compliance issues Betty has focused her entire career on the healthcare and life sciences industry, and is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association, the California Society for Healthcare Attorneys, and the American Bar Association Health Law Section. She serves as a Bay Area Local Office Leader for Latham’s Asian and Middle Eastern Lawyers Group and has served as an advisor for the firm’s Diversity Scholars Program.

Blake Davis

Blake Davis represents clients in high-stakes patent infringement and trade secret litigation in federal courts and the International Trade Commission. Blake leverages his background in electrical engineering and significant trial experience to distill highly complex technologies into simple, courtroom-ready concepts. He has represented clients in a broad range of technologies and industries, including: Semiconductor fabrication and packaging Wireless charging Organic light emitting diode (OLED) display technology Speech and video coding standards Image processing RF transmitters and receivers RF generators and matching networks Multimedia distribution systems Medical devices and vascular implants Blake has experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in all phases of federal court and International Trade Commission (ITC) litigation, USPTO inter partes review proceedings, and Federal Circuit appeals. Blake maintains an active pro bono practice, including working with asylum applicants in removal proceedings in immigration court and advising on veterans’ rights.

Blanca Vázquez de Castro

Blanca Vázquez de Castro is an associate in the Tax Department of Latham & Watkins’ Madrid office. She represents large Spanish corporates and global private equity firms in strategic cross-border tax matters related to M&A, finance, and restructuring deals. She has particular experience advising on complex transactions in the real estate, telecoms, and financial services industries.

Bora Bozkurt

Bora Bozkurt is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Bora focuses on US federal income taxation with a particular emphasis on international and corporate tax. His practice encompasses a wide range of cross-border and US domestic transactions, including financing transactions, derivatives, private and registered securities offerings, mergers, acquisitions, and cross-border tax planning and restructuring. Bora is a member of the Executive Committee of the Tax Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), Vice Chair of the Financial Institutions and Products Committee of the American Bar Association, and a member of the Tax Forum.

Brandon John Glenn Bortner

Partner

Bret Stancil

Bret Stancil regularly advises leading corporate and private equity clients on significant M&A transactions and related corporate matters. Bret represents private and public companies and private equity firms across a wide range of industries, including technology and software, life sciences, internet and digital media, and retail and consumer products. He advises clients on a full spectrum of general corporate matters and strategic transactions, including: Public and private mergers Acquisitions Dispositions Carve-outs Growth equity investments Leveraged buyouts Leveraging the resources of the firm’s global platform, Bret delivers pragmatic and solution-oriented advice that allows clients to quickly execute on significant transactions and achieve their business objectives effectively and efficiently. Before joining Latham, Bret practiced at a leading international law firm in New York.

Brett Sandford

Brett Sandford represents clients in high-stakes intellectual property cases, with a focus on trial. Brett draws on experience — in more than a dozen trials and at every stage of the litigation process — to help clients pursue and defend a range of intellectual property claims, including patent infringement and trade secret misappropriation. Brett has had success representing both plaintiffs and defendants in all of the patent-heavy districts. He has a highly developed team ethos, informed by a prior career in professional baseball, and an ability to play the long game to achieve success for his clients. Brett has developed expertise in the trial phase and handling intellectual property damages. He has successfully led damages cases for clients on the plaintiff and defense side, including achieving a unique result of zero damages for established direct infringement that was affirmed by the Federal Circuit on appeal. Brett represents clients in every forum, including in district court and before the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, the International Trade Commission (ITC), and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). He also maintains an active pro bono practice, with a focus on helping clients win at trial. Prior to joining Latham, Brett was a judicial extern for Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Corley of the Northern District of California. He also served as a judicial intern for Judge Thomas P. Anderle and Judge Brian E. Hill in the Santa Barbara Superior Court. During law school, Brett was a member of the Giles Sutherland Rich Memorial Moot Court Competition and an executive editor of the Berkeley Business Law Journal.

Brett Rosenblatt

Brett Rosenblatt is the former Managing Partner of the San Diego office. He previously led the San Diego office's Finance Department and was a founding Co-Chair of the firm's Hospitality, Gaming & Leisure Industry Group. Brett's practice includes: Representing public and private sector clients, including financial institutions Domestic and international (including Indian) gaming, hotel, hospitality, and leisure interests Leveraged, mezzanine, acquisition, and project financings Development and operation of (and investment in) gaming, hotel, hospitality, and leisure properties and companies Acquisitions and dispositions Advice in connection with distress scenarios Representation of issuers and underwriters in connection with 144A offerings and private placements Joint venture and other development/management relationships

Brett Cassidy

Brett Cassidy is a corporate partner in Latham & Watkins’ London office where he has practiced law since 2000. Brett was previously in the Los Angeles office and has practiced law with the firm since 1998. He is a member of the firm’s Capital Markets Practice and Leveraged Finance Practice. Brett advises clients on capital market securities matters and leveraged finance, which to date has included a variety of public and private securities offerings (including Rule 144A offerings), leverage and acquisition financing, bridge financing, restructuring and tender offers, exchange offers, and other liability management transactions, with an emphasis on representing investment banking clients and private equity portfolio companies with respect to high yield debt products. He also advises corporate clients concerning compliance with registration and reporting provisions of the US Securities Act of 1933 and the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Brian Meenagh

Brian Meenagh is a partner in the Riyadh office of Latham & Watkins. His practice focuses primarily on: Complex technology transactions, projects, and joint ventures Procurement and sourcing, including outsourcing and offshoring Data privacy and cybersecurity compliance Financial technology (fintech) and blockchain technology He primarily represents customers procuring technology and services in such transactions and has significant experience advising against major technology and software vendors such as accenture, IBM, HP, Oracle, SAP, and TCS as well as numerous other vendors active in the Middle East. He has additional experience advising on: Cloud computing Complex technology and data separation issues in M&A transactions Distribution and procurement of goods and services Data protection, security, and privacy E-commerce, m-commerce, and mobile apps Facilities management Financial services regulations applicable to technology and outsourcing Government procurement Global business services Media distribution and licensing Online gaming Open-source software Technology development (including traditional and Lean and Agile development methodologies), distribution, and licensing Before he trained as a solicitor, he worked as a business and IT analyst at Accenture on a variety of outsourcing, business transformation, systems integration, and software development projects for blue chip companies and UK central government. Mr. Meenagh has also previously been the technology, media, and telecommunications law editor at Lawtel (now part of Westlaw) and has co-written a number of articles and spoken at seminars and client events on the law and best practices in technology contracts and privacy and cyber-security compliance.

Brian Patterson

Brian Patterson, Global Vice Chair of the firm's Emerging Companies & Growth Practice, advises emerging companies through all stages of growth, as well as the venture capital and private equity funds that invest in them. Brian combines more than two decades of experience and his passion for entrepreneurship to counsel clients — from solo founders to seasoned fund managers — on a full spectrum of emerging company and venture capital and private equity-related topics, including: Corporate formation and governance Deal structuring Equity and debt financing Public offerings M&A transactions, joint ventures, strategic, partnering, licensing, and commercial transactions Venture capital and investment fund formation He serves as a trusted advisor to clients and unlocks the firm's robust global platform to connect founders and management teams with the resources they need to navigate complex engagements with boards and investors, cutting-edge product development, and go-to-market strategy. A recognized leader both within and outside the firm, Brian serves on the board of the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology, where he has presented on startup and venture capital law and business. He teaches a regular module on investment fund-backed boards for Santa Clara University's Black Corporate Board Readiness program, which accelerates diverse representation in corporate governance through structured executive education, and regularly speaks on public board issues for the African American Directors Forum.

Brian Rock

Brian Rock represents lenders and borrowers on high-complexity financing transactions, particularly relating to secured lending issues arising under the Uniform Commercial Code. Brian draws on experience advising on hundreds of global matters every year and a comprehensive understanding of financing structures to craft and negotiate debt, collateral, and intercreditor documentation, as well as advise clients on various issues of commercial law, including under: Article 9 (secured transactions) Article 8 (investment securities) Article 2 (sales of goods) Article 3 (negotiable instruments) Article 5 (letters of credit) Article 7 (documents of title) Guaranty and suretyship law He regularly presents on intercreditor agreements, including for the American Bar Association Business Law Section’s Commercial Finance Committee. Brian also leads on drafting the Loan Syndications and Trading Association (LSTA) forms of intercreditor agreements. A recognized leader at the firm, Brian has served on the Diversity Leadership Committee. Brian maintains an active pro bono practice, including helping transgender people achieve legal name and gender marker changes. Publications "Expert Q&A on Current Issues with Intercreditor Agreements," Thomson Reuters Practical Law, August 2024 “Form of First Lien / Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement,” LSTA, American Bar Association, May 2024

Brian Mangino

Corporate partner. Focuses his practice on private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, minority investments, strategic partnerships, spin-offs and joint ventures, representing private equity firms and public and private companies. Also advises on corporate governance issues, defensive strategy, securities law compliance and other general corporate matters. Clients include private investment funds managed by Goldman, Sachs & Co.; Permira Advisors LLC; and Citadel Investment Group and their portfolio companies, and other public and private companies.

Brian T. Mangino

Brian Mangino represents clients in high-value, strategic private equity and M&A transactions. Brian advises private equity firms and public and private companies on a variety of issues including: corporate governance, defensive strategy, minority investments, strategic partnerships, spin-offs, joint ventures, securities law compliance, and other general corporate matters. He advises clients in highly regulated, key industries including: Aerospace, defense, and government services Healthcare and life sciences Technology Telecoms Entertainment, sports, and media Brian maintains an active pro bono practice, representing organizations dedicated to fighting food insecurity in the Washington, D.C. region. Brian serves on the alumni board of the University of Virginia Undergraduate – College of Arts & Sciences and is a member of The John S. Mulholland Family Foundation.

Briana Oller

Brianna Oller represents financial institutions and corporate borrowers in a broad range of leveraged finance transactions. Brianna draws on her broad understanding of the debt financing market to help clients navigate syndicated leveraged finance and direct-lending transactions, debt restructurings, and cross-border transactions. She formerly served as a member of the firm’s Associates Committee.

Britt Lovejoy

Britt Lovejoy represents technology companies in copyright, music royalty rate-setting, and other high-stakes litigation related to the use of digital content. A skilled litigator, Britt works with her clients to develop winning strategies and is recognized for her ability to translate complex technologies and subject matter into compelling themes before both judges and juries. Britt also has experience counseling software companies, internet platforms, and streaming services on product development and licensing matters, including advising on the unique legal risks associated with user-generated content and generative AI. From early-stage startups to platforms with global reach, Britt provides her clients with nuanced legal advice informed by her deep knowledge of the issues that technology companies face in acquiring and distributing digital content. Britt frequently helps clients at the absolute technological cutting-edge mitigate risk through pragmatic, business-minded solutions. Britt regularly speaks and writes on legal developments relating to copyright, generative AI, and other intellectual property matters. Britt currently serves on the Bay Area Women Enriching Business Committee. She has previously served in a number of other management roles at the firm, including on the Pro Bono Committee, as Co-Chair of the San Francisco Women Lawyers Group, as Chair of the Bay Area Parent Lawyers Group, and on the Bay Area Mentoring Committee.

Britton Dale Davis

Britton Davis counsels clients on business-critical antitrust clearance issues, including Hart-Scott-Rodino Act compliance, for high-value joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and other transactions. Britton advises companies and private equity clients on transactions across all industries. He represents clients in filings before the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Trade Commission, and numerous international competition agencies. He regularly counsels companies regarding: Premerger notification compliance International merger control regimes, including clearance strategy Antitrust compliance auditing and training Britton excels at simplifying complex rules, often wading through complicated, non-intuitive processes to mitigate risk for a broad range of repeat clients. He draws on experience from a previous career in revenue management for Marriott International. He maintains an active pro bono practice, representing clients in asylum matters before US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Britton is a member of the University of Virginia Serpentine Society and previously served on the alumni organization’s board.

Brook Roberts

Brook Roberts is the former Managing Partner of the firm’s San Diego office. He previously served as a Global Co-Chair of the Insurance Counseling & Recovery Practice. Brook advises clients on complex insurance coverage and bad faith disputes, involving a wide range of environmental, property, casualty, investment, and professional liability matters. Brook has represented a host of Fortune 500 companies in a variety of complex business litigation matters in federal and state courts, and before domestic and international arbitration panels. He has extensive experience securing coverage for policyholders under virtually every type of insurance available, including: Business interruption claims Comprehensive general liability Directors and officers (D&O) liability Errors & omissions coverage Environmental impairment liability Intellectual property and theft Builders risk Property and casualty policies Political risk Prior to joining Latham & Watkins, Brook served as law clerk to Judge Barry G. Silverman of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Camilla Kehler-Weiß

Dr. Camilla Kehler-Weiss advises issuers and investment banks on initial public offerings and other capital market transactions. From 2020 to 2022, she served as Global Co-Chair of Latham’s Global Women Lawyers Group. Dr. Kehler-Weiss advises on: IPOs Spin-offs Capital raisings Block trades Equity-linked transactions

Candace Arthur

Candace Arthur represents clients in a broad range of complex corporate matters with a focus on distressed situations. Candace draws on extensive experience to advise debtors, creditors, equity holders, and investors on: Out-of-court and in-court US and international corporate restructurings Distressed financings and acquisitions Strategic alternatives to liability management Prior to joining Latham, Candace was a partner at another global law firm. Before that, she clerked for Judge Robert E. Gerber of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

Carles Esteva Mosso

Carles Esteva Mosso is a partner in the Antitrust & Competition Practice in Latham & Watkins’ Brussels office. He is one of the leading figures in the global antitrust community, focusing his practice on complex EU and international competition law matters. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Esteva Mosso has worked at the European Commission for more than 25 years, last as Deputy Director-General of the Directorate General for Competition, in charge of Merger Control (from 2014-2019) and State Aids (from 2019 – 2021). He has also held a number of other leadership posts relating to merger enforcement and competition policy since joining the Cabinet of former Commissioner Mario Monti in 1999. In these capacities, he has overseen a variety of high profile antitrust, merger control, and State aid matters. Mr. Esteva Mosso’s experience includes working in cooperation with senior government representatives of EU Member States on matters of national importance and with prominent enforcement agencies across the world. He is widely recognized as a sophisticated antitrust practitioner who combines a deep understanding of law and policy matters, with commercial acumen and a unique understanding of complex decision making and appreciation for ‘big picture’ issues. Mr. Esteva Mosso offers unparalleled breadth of enforcement agency experience to clients from across global industries.

Carlos Betoret

Carlos Betoret is an associate in the Madrid office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s Global Antitrust & Competition Practice. His practice focuses on all aspects concerning EU and Spanish competition law. Mr. Betoret represents international companies before the European Commission and the Spanish Competition authority in merger control, cartel, abuse of dominance, horizontal and vertical agreements, and state aid proceedings. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Betoret worked in a major international law firm, acting for numerous big Spanish and International corporations of different industries, such as healthcare, financial institutions, waste management, and infrastructures, among others. Mr. Betoret has also represented his clients before the Spanish courts, including, regional courts, the High Court, and the Supreme Court.

Carlos Ardilla

Carlos Ardila advises clients on cross-border corporate and financing transactions in the US and Latin America, with a focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors. Mr. Ardila brings more than a decade of experience representing corporate sponsors, private equity firms, lenders, developers, multinational corporations, and governmental entities on complex financings, acquisitions and divestitures involving: Renewables Traditional power Oil and gas Sovereigns and multilaterals Mr. Ardila forges trusted relationships with clients and local counsel to devise creative solutions to complex challenges. With deep roots in the Latin America market, he leverages a global perspective and broad transactional experience across jurisdictions to execute strategic corporate and finance deals. Mr. Ardila has practiced in New York; Buenos Aires; São Paulo; and Washington, D.C. Originally from Bogota, Colombia, he is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and proficient in Chinese. Mr. Ardila maintains an active pro bono practice, including working on a first-of-its-kind “blue bond” issuance to support sustainable marine and fisheries projects in the Seychelles and representing clients in developing countries through the International Senior Lawyers Project.

Carlos Ardila

Carlos Ardila advises clients on cross-border corporate and financing transactions in the US and Latin America, with a focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors. Carlos brings more than a decade of experience representing corporate sponsors, private equity firms, lenders, developers, multinational corporations, and governmental entities on complex financings, acquisitions and divestitures involving: Renewables Traditional power Oil and gas Sovereigns and multilaterals He forges trusted relationships with clients and local counsel to devise creative solutions to complex challenges. With deep roots in the Latin America market, he leverages a global perspective and broad transactional experience across jurisdictions to execute strategic corporate and finance deals. Carlos has practiced in New York; Buenos Aires; São Paulo; and Washington, D.C. Originally from Bogota, Colombia, he is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and proficient in Chinese. Carlos maintains an active pro bono practice, including working on a first-of-its-kind “blue bond” issuance to support sustainable marine and fisheries projects in the Seychelles and representing clients in developing countries through the International Senior Lawyers Project.

Carmen Esteban

Carmen Esteban advises global private equity funds and multinational companies on their most sophisticated M&A transactions. Ms. Esteban leverages trusted relationships across the Spanish private equity market and extensive transactional experience to guide clients on: Mergers and acquisitions Asset acquisitions Joint venture investments She approaches each matter with pragmatism and a clear understanding of clients’ commercial goals. Ms. Esteban seamlessly integrates with the firm’s global platform and regularly leads on cross-border European transactions.

Caroline Phillips

Caroline Blitzer Phillips advises public and private companies on mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on the power and renewables, energy transition, and infrastructure sectors. Caroline has more than two decades of experience guiding clients through mergers and acquisitions, private investments, joint ventures, and other complex transactions within many facets of the power and renewables, energy transition, and infrastructure industries. Caroline serves on the board of trustees of the John P. Laborde Energy Law Center at Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center, where she teaches an M&A course as an adjunct professor. She is a frequent speaker and author on mergers and acquisitions. Caroline also previously served on the firm’s Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee. Caroline served as a judicial clerk to Judge Jacques L. Wiener, Jr. of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Prior to joining Latham, Caroline practiced at another leading global law firm where she served as the Co-Chair of the New York Women’s Initiative.

Carolyn Wong

Carolyn Wong advises Asian and international clients on corporate transactions, with a particular focus on energy and infrastructure projects. Ms. Wong helps clients execute on a broad range of commercial arrangements, including: Mergers & acquisitions Divestments Joint ventures Infrastructure use and ownership Operating, transportation, and offtake arrangements Ms. Wong bring clients a pan-Asian perspective, drawing on her experience practicing in multiple jurisdictions, including Australia and Hong Kong, and advising on large-scale, cross-border transactions.

Carsten Loll

Dr. Carsten Loll, one of the leading German real estate lawyers, advises clients on complex real estate and private equity transactions. Carsten Loll draws on extensive experience to guide private equity funds, institutional investors, and asset managers on their highest-value domestic and cross-border real estate matters, including: Asset and share deals Portfolio transactions across all asset classes, including office, retail, and logistics Joint ventures and real estate M&A He is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and a member of the Advisory Board Germany. From 2012 to 2018, he was Local Chair of the ULI in Munich and a member of the ULI Executive Committee Germany. He is also a member of the gif Gesellschaft für Immobilienwirtschaftliche Forschung e.V. / International Real Estate Society (IHRES), the German-British Lawyers Association and the German-American Lawyers Association.

Catherine Hein

Catherine Hein advises clients on national security matters, including related to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).* Catherine helps clients across industries to identify and strategically address potential issues that may implicate CFIUS authorities. She draws on significant experience in cross-border investments and US national security regulatory regimes. Prior to joining Latham, she served as Acting Principal Deputy Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement & Intelligence at the US Department of the Treasury (Treasury), where she supported OFAC and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). She previously served as the CFIUS Managing Counsel at Treasury, where she led a team of more than 20 lawyers on foreign investment reviews by CFIUS. In her public service, Catherine advised Treasury leadership and administration stakeholders on policy issues and legal authorities and requirements in connection with foreign investment reviews, economic sanctions, and other US national security matters. She worked extensively on all aspects of CFIUS cases, including non-notified transactions, negotiating complex mitigation agreements, and compliance and enforcement actions. Catherine has worked for US government agencies on financing for international development and infrastructure projects. She began her career as a banking and finance attorney at an international law firm.

Cathy A. Birkeland

Corporate Partner, Deputy Office Managing Partner

Cecilia Peniza

Cecilia Peniza represents clients across all phases of patent and trade secret litigation and arbitration proceedings in a wide range of technologies, including medical devices, automotive parts, industrial machinery, mobile applications, and computer and other handheld electronics, and consumer goods. Cecilia brings experience in jury trials in US District Courts as well as hearings before the US International Trade Commission, examining fact and expert witnesses and arguing numerous issues in court ranging from preliminary injunction and evidentiary motions, to claim construction and post-trial issues. Cecilia's practice also includes counseling clients on IP issues in pre-product launch or business acquisitions, as well as advising clients on licensing issues. Prior to joining Latham, Cecilia served as a presenter at various legal workshops on licensing, a co-editor on a weekly publication on IP licensing issues at the Licensing Executive Society, and as an adjunct professor teaching licensing at George Washington University Law School. Cecilia leverages her engineering background to help clients navigate: Pre-trial, discovery, trial, and post-trial phases of complex patent litigation in federal court International Trade Commission (ITC) hearings Patent prosecution and US Patent and Trademark Office proceedings, including inter partes reviews Licensing and settlement agreements Cecilia maintains an active pro bono practice, which includes advising in landlord-tenant, Social Security disability, immigration, and criminal matters, often on behalf of Spanish-speaking clients.

Chad G. Rolston

Chad Rolston delivers solution-oriented counsel to private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and strategic clients in complex transactions. Chad guides clients on their highest profile mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, carve-outs, joint ventures, controlling and minority investments, growth equity, and general corporate matters across a range of industries, including: Software Internet and digital media Healthcare and life sciences Semiconductors Retail and consumer products Drawing on prior software sales and engineering experience and complementary skill s representing both strategic and private equity buyers and sellers in public and private M&A, he has a keen sense of parties’ needs and interests on all sides of a deal.

Chad M. Jennings

Chad Jennings helps FDA-regulated companies and financial institutions navigate complex transactions, particularly relating to life sciences and biotechnology. Chad approaches each matter with a data-focused perspective and leverages a comprehensive understanding of his clients’ business objectives to assess risk associated with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation within the transactional context. He advises clients across the drug, biologics, medical device, food, and dietary supplement sectors in: Capital markets offerings Public and private financings Mergers and acquisitions Strategic transactions Loan transactions and debt facilities Public company representation matters He draws on a breadth of regulatory advisory experience to advise clients on risks associated with pre-commercial product development and clinical and pre-clinical testing, product promotion and labeling, and product manufacturing and quality matters. Chad served as a judicial intern for Judge Norman K. Moon at the US District Court for the Western District of Virginia. Before law school, Chad performed consulting work for a liberal arts college developing undergraduate business curriculum and research materials relating to finance and international investment. A recognized thought leader, he participates with the Food and Drug Law Institute, including speaking at industry events.

Charles Claypoole

Charles Claypoole, a leading arbitration and international trade law practitioner, advises governments and investors on public international law, with a particular focus on investment treaty arbitration and trade sanctions. A seasoned advocate with an impressive track record, he draws on more than two decades of experience representing clients before a range of international courts and tribunals. Charles advises clients on a full spectrum of public international law, international trade, and dispute resolution issues. He regularly helps clients navigate disputes related to: Investment treaty arbitrations under bilateral and multilateral investment treaties including the Energy Charter Treaty International commercial arbitration Free trade agreements State immunity issues International humanitarian and human rights law International law on territorial and maritime boundaries, including the Law of the Sea International trade sanctions and export control laws An experienced advocate, Charles has successfully represented clients before the International Court of Justice, the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, ICSID, ICC, LCIA, and UNCITRAL arbitral tribunals. Charles regularly publishes and speaks about international law, arbitration, as well as trade and finance sanctions. He has lectured on international boundary law at King’s College London since 2003.

Charles Armstrong

Charles Armstrong is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and is a member of the Banking Practice. He focuses on domestic and cross-border leveraged finance and restructuring transactions acting for both sponsors and corporate across multi-tiered capital structures including the full range of bank and bond/bridge, first and second lien, bank and mezzanine, and holdco PIK transactions.

Chris Lester

Chris Lester is a corporate partner based in the Dubai office of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Lester specializes in public and private mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and restructurings.

Chris Craige

Christina (Chris) Craige represents debtors, creditors (including bond insurers), and other parties-in-interest in a variety of restructuring and insolvency-related matters, including out-of-court refinancings, corporate modernizations, liability divestitures, and chapter 11 and chapter 9 proceedings. Chris has particular experience in restructurings involving products liability and mass tort litigation. Chris co-chairs the board of the IWIRC Washington DC Network. Chris regularly prepares and guides companies through complex chapter 11 proceedings. Her work includes: Providing strategic advice to boards and in-house counsel in connection with pending and potential restructuring transactions and proceedings Negotiating, drafting, and implementing chapter 11 plans of reorganization Drafting and negotiating sale documents and requests for court approval of section 363 asset sales Chris advises clients in distressed situations across industries including: Automotive Energy exploration and production, and related services Hospitality Industrials and manufacturing Print and film media Real estate Retail and consumer products

Chris Horton

Chris Horton is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Capital Markets Practice. He has a broad range of experience advising on IPOs, secondary offerings, and M&A transactions by listed companies for over twenty years. He regularly advises investment banks, listed companies, and asset managers on the UK Listing Rules, Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules, the Prospectus Regulation, and the AIM Rules.

Christian McDermott

Christian McDermott, an experienced technology lawyer, advises clients on large-scale technology contracts, commercial collaborations, as well as fintech and payments transactions. He advises global and UK-based clients — including major financial institutions as well as publicly listed, private, and emerging companies — on the development, use, and commercialization of technology, in particular: Large-scale technology and outsourcing projects Complex commercial collaborations Fintech contracts Established and emerging payments technologies Licensing and distribution arrangements Diligence on technology and fintech M&A and IPOs Transitional services arrangements General commercial law and intellectual property matters Christian draws on more than a decade of experience with technology and fintech matters. He has a keen sense of what is at market, utilizes effective collaboration strategies, and has developed a reputation as a skilled negotiator who knows how to get deals done.

Christian Adams

Christian Adams represents corporates, sponsors, and lenders on a broad range of complex matters across the financing spectrum. Drawing on his varied financing experience, Mr. Adams regularly advises clients on their most significant transactions across the Middle East and internationally. His work spans a multitude of industries, with a particular focus on the investment, hospitality, leisure and entertainment, energy, infrastructure, and real estate sectors. Mr. Adams’ practice includes: Leveraged and acquisition financings Real estate financings General conventional and Islamic lending Refinancings and complex restructurings Distressed debt matters Creative and commercially focused, Mr. Adams brings a proven track record of helping clients successfully navigate significant deals in the Middle East, including those involving bespoke deal structures. Mr. Adams previously served as Vice President at the global investment company Dubai Holding, where he was responsible for financing, restructuring, and strategic transactional matters involving members of the Dubai Holding group and Dubai Holding affiliates. Mr. Adams worked in the firm’s Dubai office from 2008 to 2017 and is a former member of the firm’s Associates and Pro Bono Committees.

Christina Mann

Christina Mann represents clients in complex cross-border transactions, particularly involving carve-outs and joint ventures. Ms. Mann leverages extensive in-house experience and a sophisticated understanding of her clients’ commercial drivers to guide private equity funds and corporates on: Carve-outs Joint ventures and strategic partnerships Mergers and acquisitions She skillfully negotiates highly technical commercial documentation and contracts, forging collaboration that bridges cultural gaps and efficiently closes deals. A recognized thought leader, Ms. Mann regularly writes and presents on transactional trends. She is also a member of the firm’s local Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee. Ms. Mann maintains an active pro bono practice, including joint venture work on behalf of a charity organization in Germany. Before joining Latham, she worked for a global automotive supplier and another international law firm in Germany and New York.

Christoph W.G. Engeler

Christoph Engeler advises a full spectrum of healthcare and life sciences clients on corporate, transactional, and regulatory matters. Mr. Engeler advises clients at all stages of the business or product lifecycle. He regularly advises on: M&A transactions and restructurings Privatizations and joint ventures Regulatory matters across the full product lifecycle Committed to the healthcare and life sciences industry, Mr. Engeler speaks the industry language of his clients, offering specialized and pragmatic solutions. He is regularly recognized in leading legal publications, including Chambers, JUVE, and LMG Life Sciences. Clients note “he is very quick at grasping industry-specific concepts covered in negotiations.” He regularly speaks at conferences, including Germany’s leading healthcare conference, Gesundheitswirtschaftskongress.

Christopher Armstrong

Chris Armstrong advises private equity, private capital, and banking clients on structured and bespoke financing opportunities and solutions across companies’ life cycles. He draws on his extensive experience across a broad range of asset classes to help clients devise and implement structures relating to: Preferred equity and hybrid capital Asset-backed financing Litigation funding Sports financing Esoteric structures He unlocks the resources across the firm’s robust global platform to provide clients with integrated solutions to monetize assets and manage risk in borrowing and lending opportunities. Chris maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising on commercial contracts through Runnymede Trust, an organization challenging structural racism in the UK.

Christopher Yu

Christopher Yu is a member of the firm’s Corporate Department. Christopher's practice focuses on equity derivatives and equity-linked products, including convertible notes and related derivative overlays, structured share repurchase transactions, hedging and monetization transactions, and margin loans and other equity-based financing transactions. Prior to joining Latham, Christopher practiced for a number of years in the financial products group of another major New York-based law firm.

Christopher Frey

Christopher D. Frey, a former federal prosecutor, an experienced trial attorney, and a partner in the firm's San Francisco office, focuses his practice on white collar and regulatory defense, government and internal investigations, and high-stakes civil litigation. Christopher regularly advises major global companies and leading financial institutions, individual executives, and Boards of Directors in highly sensitive and confidential matters. He routinely provides counsel to clients facing investigations involving the US Department of Justice, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and other federal and state regulatory bodies, and has amassed significant experience in matters related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), money laundering, economic sanctions, securities fraud, and cryptocurrency. Christopher also routinely provides strategic counseling on compliance issues and crisis management. Before joining Latham, Christopher was a partner in the Tokyo office of another global law firm, where he advised clients based in Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Singapore, and elsewhere in Asia. Christopher also served as the head of that office for approximately two and a half years. Earlier in his career, Christopher served for over six and a half years as an Assistant US Attorney in the Criminal Division of the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. As a member of the Securities & Commodities Fraud Task Force as well as the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit, he investigated and prosecuted a wide array of complex white-collar matters, including FCPA violations, insider trading, accounting fraud, market manipulation, investment fraud, money laundering, intellectual property, cybercrimes, and criminal tax offenses. During his tenure as a prosecutor, Christopher was the lead trial lawyer in numerous jury trials, and he has substantial appellate experience, having briefed and/or argued over a dozen appeals before the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. From 2014 to 2015, Christopher served as Associate Counsel in the Office of the White House Counsel under President Barack Obama. In that capacity, Christopher helped develop and execute the White House’s response to various Congressional investigations and related hearings, and provided legal and strategic advice to White House staff and Executive Branch officials on compliance, oversight, and risk management issues. Christopher also maintains an active pro bono practice, which focuses on LGBTQ rights and the representation of indigent criminal defendants, among other matters. Christopher has previously served on both the New York City Bar Association’s Criminal Advocacy Committee and its Judiciary Committee, which reviews and evaluates all judicial candidates for the federal and state courts in New York City. Christopher is currently a member of BALIF (the Bay Area’s LGBTQ Bar Association) and LeGal (the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York).

Christopher H. Schott

Christopher Schott primarily advises on price reporting and other compliance obligations related to the Medicaid, Medicare, and 340B drug pricing programs. He combines extensive regulatory insight with deep industry knowledge to support pharmaceutical clients at all stages of the product life cycle. Market entrants and investors also seek Christopher’s advice when evaluating potential opportunities and strategies. Methodologies and reasonable assumptions that support the periodic certification and submission of price reporting metrics are at the heart of compliance with the federal programs, and Christopher frequently advises clients in connection with reporting Average Manufacturer Price and Best Price under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, Average Sales Price under Medicare Part B, and the 340B ceiling price. The definitions of the price types and how the federal programs use the data are relevant to many different facets of the pharmaceutical business, which is why Christopher bases his counsel on a full consideration of the client’s product portfolio, distribution model, and strategic goals. The drug pricing policy landscape is ever evolving, and Christopher assists clients through policy advocacy, such as by evaluating legislative and policy proposals, drafting white papers, and meeting with stakeholders. Christopher also helps pharmaceutical manufacturers proactively engage with federal regulators through in-person advocacy and comment drafting. Additionally, he frequently advises drug manufacturers seeking guidance from regulators regarding specific issues or commercial proposals. Christopher draws on his regulatory knowledge and understanding of the pharmaceutical industry to support a range of corporate transactions, including acquisitions and divestitures, as well as licensing and co-promotion arrangements. He regularly helps clients evaluate the impact of price reporting requirements on proposed mergers and acquisitions, as well as to navigate due diligence matters and the post-closing transition of regulatory responsibilities.

Christopher M. Cronin

Christopher Cronin represents private equity firms, investment banks, and public and private companies in a broad range of cross-border financings and other transactions. Christopher draws on extensive experience advising private equity firms and their portfolio companies across the full investment cycle in: Acquisition financings Refinancings and leveraged recapitalizations Portfolio company sales Initial public offerings Post-IPO public company representation Secondary offerings, including block trades Unregistered sales of stock, including block trades pursuant to Rule 144 Leveraging his deep sponsor-side knowledge, he helps underwriters navigate IPOs and registered debt offerings with an understanding of market nuance and an eye toward efficiently consummating transactions. Christopher maintains an active pro bono practice, having advised and served on the Board of Trustees of a Washington, D.C., charter school through Charter Board Partners. He has also represented a US Army veteran through the application process for combat-related special compensation.

Christopher Michael Bezeg

Christopher Bezeg advises private equity sponsors, investment banks, and public and private companies across a broad range of capital markets and corporate transactions. Christopher draws on keen market insights to help clients, ranging from early-stage privately held companies to well-known seasoned issuers, navigate: Acquisition financings Initial public offerings Other debt and equity offerings, including high yield offerings Liability management and debt restructuring transactions Special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) IPOs and acquisition transactions Public company representation and corporate governance He forges trusted relationships with clients to anticipate issues that may arise within the context of a transaction and beyond, and develops pragmatic solutions to help them navigate complex situations.

Christopher S. (Topher) Turner

Christopher S. (Topher) Turner is a litigator who represents issuers, executives, and accounting firms in high-stakes disputes. Topher leverages a sophisticated understanding of US securities laws and first-chair trial experience to guide US companies and foreign private issuers on: Securities class actions Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigations Complex commercial litigation He regularly defends auditors and accounting firms, including the Big Four, in regulatory investigations, as well as civil actions and private litigation. Topher has obtained dismissals of securities class actions in myriad federal courts, as well as favorable non -public resolutions, for many of the world’s leading companies. Notably, he recently secured a complete defense verdict following a two-week trial in the Delaware Court of Chancery for Oracle founder Larry Ellison and CEO Safra Catz regarding Oracle’s acquisition of NetSuite. Before joining Latham, Topher worked as a law clerk for Judge Thomas W. Thrash of the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. He served for six years on the Board of Directors of Miriam’s Kitchen, a social services organization committed to ending chronic homelessness in Washington, D.C.

Christos Malamataris

Christos Malamataris advises international companies on all aspects of EU competition law. Mr. Malamataris draws on more than a decade of experience helping clients navigate the full spectrum of competition law, including: Merger control Conduct cases State aid EU regulatory principles Related litigation Prior to rejoining Latham, Mr. Malamataris advised on merger control cases as a European Commission official at the Directorate General for Competition. In this role, he steered merger review in the pharmaceutical, financial services, semiconductor, and chemical industries. Mr. Malamataris also oversaw major EU merger control policy and legislative projects, including the revision of the EU Implementing Merger Regulation and the review of below-threshold transactions under Article 22 of the EU Merger Regulation. Mr. Malamataris worked as an associate at Latham and at another global firm before his tenure at the European Commission. He advised companies across a wide range of sectors, particularly in the technology, pharmaceutical, and energy industries. A recognized thought leader, Mr. Malamataris regularly speaks and writes on EU competition law topics, such as abuse of dominance, including as a visiting lecturer at Brunel University in London and the University of Athens in Greece.

Chuan Wei Kong

Chuan Wei Kong advises borrowers and lenders on banking transactions across Southeast Asia and India. Mr. Kong helps private equity funds, portfolio companies, corporate borrowers, banks, credit funds, and other alternative credit providers navigate a range of transactions, including: Acquisition finance General corporate lending Special situations Mezzanine finance Margin lending He draws on a firm grasp of the Southeast Asian markets to offer clients a seamless and responsive service across a broad range of financing transactions. Mr. Kong also serves as a member of the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA) Singapore Young Leaders Committee.

Clare Nida

Clare Nida represents international corporate clients in complex white-collar investigations into bribery and corruption allegations across regulatory regimes in the US and UK. She applies a commercial mindset and a comprehensive understanding of clients’ business needs in the context of: Cross-border civil and criminal government investigations into bribery and corruption, fraud, and money laundering allegations Internal investigations spanning a broad range of disciplines Commercial litigation across a variety of industries and subject matters Compliance program design and enhancement She helps clients mitigate reputational risk and minimize business disruption when the stakes are highest. Clare leverages her tenacity and experience as a Principal Investigative lawyer in the Bribery & Corruption Division of the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to guide clients through all stages of investigations and interactions with the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), UK SFO, UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the US Department of Justice (DOJ). During her 13-month UK SFO secondment, she investigated, prosecuted, and litigated cases. She gained extensive knowledge of the financial and extractive industries, led the SFO’s first successful conviction for a failure to comply with a Section 2 notice under the Criminal Justice Act 1987, successfully defended a number of judicial reviews, and obtained and executed search warrants. Clare maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising a nonprofit carbon credits exchange on their compliance program, and served as Global Chair of the firm’s Women Lawyers’ Group.

Clare Scott

Clare Scott advises private fund sponsors, investors, and joint venture participants in forming, investing in, and operating private investment funds and alternative investment vehicles. She regularly advises sponsors, from leading institutional asset managers to first-time fund managers, as well as institutional investors — including strategic corporates, pension schemes, and sovereign wealth funds. She assists sponsors with their formation, global fundraising, capital deployment, and operating activities for a range of private funds, including: Buyout funds Green and climate investment funds Real estate funds Infrastructure funds Debt funds Co-investment funds Secondary transactions She also helps client navigate fund marketing and regulatory matters, including AIFMD. Given her experience advising both sponsor and investor clients, Clare has a sophisticated perspective on the fund market. Clare serves as the liaison to Hatch Enterprise, an incubator for social enterprises, with an emphasis on supporting entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. She also served as the London Co-Lead for Latham’s Women Lawyers Group.

Clayton Northouse

Clayton Northouse counsels clients on transactional, regulatory, and litigation matters relating to global data protection and consumer privacy. Clayton helps technology, telecommunications, and healthcare companies navigate complex cybersecurity and consumer privacy issues relating to: Transactional due diligence Incident response Surveillance and information sharing Cross-border data transfers Regulatory compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and other US state, federal, and global requirements Governance policies and procedures State attorneys general, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and congressional investigations He draws on extensive experience representing companies that have suffered cybersecurity attacks and consumer privacy incidents to craft defenses to litigation, congressional inquiries, and regulatory investigations. A skilled litigator, Clayton has co-authored briefs and motions in the US Supreme Court, the US Courts of Appeals, and US District Courts. Before joining Latham, Clayton was a partner at another global law firm. He previously served as a law clerk to Judge D. Michael Fisher of the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Clayton maintains an active pro bono practice and regularly advises nonprofit organizations on their privacy programs.

Clement N. Fondufe

Clement Fondufe is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and the Global Co-Chair of the firm's Africa Practice. He advises clients on international and domestic corporate, commercial, and financial transactions. Clement has experience representing public, private, and state-owned corporate clients (including sovereign wealth funds) in the development and financing of large projects and focuses on the oil, gas, petrochemicals, mining, and infrastructure industries.

Clever Gallegos

Clever Gallegos is a counsel in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. He is a member of the Finance Department and the Banking Practice.

Colin Bumby

Corporate Counsel

Colleen Smith

Colleen Smith, a nationally recognized trial lawyer, serves as Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Securities Litigation & Professional Liability Practice as well as Global Vice Chair of the Public Company & Board Representation Practice. Colleen helps public companies successfully prevent or navigate litigation related to: Securities class actions M&A, activism, and Delaware corporate governance SEC enforcement matters Other shareholder disputes Colleen brings a well-honed strategic view to her representations, leading teams that have saved clients billions of dollars at all stages of litigation, set precedent, and protected brand-name companies from enterprise-threatening liability. She has secured award-winning defense verdicts at trial for clients across a range of industries, including technology, and healthcare and life sciences. Before becoming a lawyer, Colleen served as a US Naval Surface Warfare Officer on the guided missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73), and was one of the first women to serve in a combatant role. After law school, she served as a law clerk for Judge David R. Thompson of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Judge James H. Michael of the US District Court for the Western District of Virginia.

Conray Tseng

Conray Tseng serves as Vice Chair of the Global Asset Based Lending Group and is a member of the Finance Department and the Banking and Private Capital Practices. Conray represents agents, lenders, and other financial institutions in leveraged and other secured finance transactions, in both the private credit and syndicated markets. Conray also has been a market leader in asset-based and cross-border financings and has significant experience in liability management transactions and other bespoke financings, including debtor-in-possession and exit facilities. Conray formerly served as Co-Vice Chairman and Director on the Board of the New Leadership Program of Legal Aid Society, a private, not-for-profit legal services organization, the oldest and largest in the nation, dedicated since 1876 to providing legal representation to low-income New Yorkers.

Corey Wright

Corey Wright advises financial institutions and arrangers on a wide range of financing transactions. Corey draws on extensive experience representing clients across multiple industries on: Capital market transactions, including both high-yield bond and bank-side financings and refinancings Debt and equity offerings Out-of-court debt restructurings, including debt exchange and debt tender offers He consistently garners recognition as a leading finance and capital markets lawyer from top industry publications, including Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 US, and IFLR1000. Before joining Latham, Corey was a partner at another global law firm, where he served on the Executive Committee.

Corey Calabrese

Corey Calabrese is a member of the Litigation & Trial Department. Corey advises clients on securities and class action litigation, SEC and other regulatory investigations, antitrust, and complex commercial litigation. Corey's clients consist of financial institutions and large public companies. Prior to joining the firm, Corey clerked for Judge Dora L. Irizarry and Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Corey has served on Latham’s Pro Bono Committee and received the 2020 Robert M. Dell Prize for Extraordinary Pro Bono Service. She has twice been named a runner-up for the American Lawyer’s Litigator of the Week following trial victories for her clients.

Courtenay Myers Lima

Courtenay Myers Lima is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Courtenay is a member of the Capital Markets Practice and Financial Institutions Industry Group. She has broad US and international experience advising financial institutions on public and private capital markets offerings, regulatory matters, financial technology platforms, and corporate governance. She also advises global financial institutions in connection with capital raising activities, including structuring and execution of innovative financial instruments. Courtenay also has experience in initial public offerings, bank note issuance programs, commercial paper, and collateralized fund obligations.

Craig Garner

Craig Garner is a corporate partner with extensive experience representing companies in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions, and a broad range of general corporate and securities matters. Craig serves as primary outside counsel for a number of public and private companies and regularly advises boards of directors and special committees in complex strategic transactions and corporate governance matters. Craig leads the San Diego Mergers & Acquisitions Practice. He has been recognized as a leading lawyer, and named among the top 100 influential leaders in San Diego, by numerous legal publications. Craig successfully advises public and private companies in complex strategic transactions, including: Public and private offerings Mergers and acquisitions Joint ventures Going private transactions Shareholder activism and takeover defense planning Craig regularly lectures on a variety of M&A and securities law topics. He also co-authors the Annual Meeting Handbook, which is published annually and distributed nationwide.

Damara L. Chambers

Damara Chambers, a leading CFIUS and trade controls lawyer, advises clients on cross-border investment, international trade, and national security matters. She co-leads Latham’s CFIUS & US National Security Practice. Damara advises foreign and domestic clients on complex US national security regulatory issues involving: Reviews conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) Facility security clearances and the mitigation of foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) US export controls US economic sanctions Damara has extensive experience representing clients in all aspects of national security reviews before CFIUS. She has represented clients in a variety of landmark CFIUS matters and brings experience in negotiating some of the most significant national security agreements with the US government. In her national security practice, Damara also counsels clients on obtaining facility security clearances, adjudicating FOCI, and negotiating FOCI mitigation agreements with the Department of Defense’s Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), the Department of Energy, and other cognizant security agencies under applicable national industrial security regulations. She also advises clients regarding negotiating, implementing, and complying with various types FOCI mitigation instruments. In her export controls and sanctions practice, Damara advises companies on: Compliance with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and nuclear export controls administered by the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Economic sanctions administered by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Import and licensing requirements imposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) She also frequently advises on export control and economic sanctions issues in mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. Damara frequently speaks and writes on CFIUS and trade controls topics. Damara also represents clients in federal court litigation and maintains an active pro bono practice. Her work includes advising clients in victim compensation, interpleader actions, and immigration matters. Damara has earned widespread recognition for both her commercial and pro bono work. She has consistently been ranked in Chambers USA and Chambers Global for her work on CFIUS and FOCI matters. Her honors also include being named a Top Advisor by Foreign Investment Watch in 2020 - 2022 and a 2015 Pro Bono Publico Award honoree by the Legal Aid Society. Damara began her legal career as a law clerk to Judge Juan R. Torruella on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Prior to entering the practice of law, Damara served as a US Navy Officer in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. She has held other positions within the federal government as well, including Special Assistant to the Secretary of Energy and Legislative Fellow with the US Senate Committee on Finance. Damara currently serves as a member of Latham ’ s Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee, which promotes women in business both inside and outside the firm.

Dan Maze

Dan Maze is a finance partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and Co-Chair of the London Finance Department. He has a wide range of experience representing lenders and borrowers in syndicated and private credit leveraged financings, investment grade acquisition facilities, restructurings, and emerging markets loans. His clients include European and US banks, direct lenders and credit funds, and corporate borrowers. Dan was named by The American Lawyer as its 2015 "Transatlantic Finance Dealmaker of the Year" for his leadership on the US$22 billion cross-border bank and bond financing provided to Altice and Numericable for the acquisition of French telecoms company SFR.

Dan Van Fleet

Dan Van Fleet represents borrowers and lenders as well as venture capital and private equity firms with respect to debt financings, with a focus on the technology and life sciences industries. Dan draws on experience representing clients on all sides of debt financing transactions to deliver insightful counsel to borrowers, sponsors, and financial institutions. He has advised on billions of dollars’ worth of debt transactions, including: Growth debt, including venture, structured, royalty, and lower middle market Private capital, private equity, growth equity, and leveraged financings, including acquisitions, add-ons, and refinancings Asset-based transactions, including IP-backed, recurring revenue, accounts receivable, inventory, and equipment financings Structured equity and pre-IPO financings Dan has served on the firm’s Training and Career Enhancement Committee and has received recognition from the firm as a best supervisor and a top supporter of recruiting and knowledge management efforts. He is an ally member of the firm’s Hispanic/Latin American Lawyers Group and sits on the firm’s Latin America Practice Leadership Team. In law school, he was an editor on the Duke Law Journal and Duke Law & Technology Review. He is a member of the Stanford and Duke Law alumni networks. Dan serves on Stanford’s Bing Overseas Study Program Advisory Council and the Duke Law Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Daniel Wall

Daniel M. Wall is globally recognized as one of the leading antitrust lawyers in the United States, with a practice that encompasses complex antitrust litigation, government conduct investigations, merger reviews and counseling. His specialties are merger litigation, single-firm conduct litigation (e.g., monopolization actions) and the application of the antitrust laws to high technology industries.

Daniel Splittgerber

Dr. Daniel Splittgerber represents clients in complex financial restructurings and distressed situations, with an emphasis on German and cross-border transactions. Mr. Splittgerber advises on complex, cross-border distressed situations, including bank-bond restructurings. He regularly guides international and German clients through both in-court and out-of-court restructurings, rescue financings, and distressed acquisitions. His clients include: Creditors Companies and their management teams Investors and shareholders He leverages an extensive background in financial analysis and a strategic mind set to help clients stabilize distressed situations and optimize returns. Mr. Splittgerber establishes trusted relationships with clients to comprehensively understand their goals and effectively implement solutions to achieve them. A recognized thought leader, Mr. Splittgerber regularly speaks at industry conferences and publishes on insolvency law and topical issues on the restructuring market. He also maintains an active pro bono practice, serves on the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, and is a board member of Pro Bono Deutschland e.V., which promotes pro bono legal advice for nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations and projects in Germany. Before joining Latham, Mr. Splittgerber worked as an assistant lecturer at the University of Münster’s Institute for International Business Law. He obtained his doctorate with a thesis on enterprise groups’ treatment under German insolvency law, for which he earned the Harry-Westermann Award for outstanding dissertations.

Daniel Mun

Daniel Mun advises private equity firms, as well as public and private companies, on a wide range of complex corporate transactions. Daniel represents clients on mergers and other business combinations, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, restructurings, equity investments, as well as corporate governance matters. Daniel has significant experience advising clients in a wide range of sectors, including construction, industrials, financial services, technology, manufacturing, franchising, and retail.

Daniel Williams

Daniel Williams advises private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, and strategic investors in mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions. Daniel helps US and global clients to execute transactions in a full spectrum of industries. His experience with complex cross-border transactions includes: Mergers and acquisitions Dispositions Carve-outs Joint ventures Minority investments Sales of distressed assets Daniel draws on a proven track record to develop substantive solutions for his clients, employing a calm and confident approach to negotiations and an ability to diffuse high-pressure situations.

Daniel Brown

Daniel Brown, a seasoned first-chair patent trial lawyer, represents pharmaceutical and life sciences companies in patent litigation and other existential disputes, as well as advising on complex cross-disciplinary strategy. Daniel leverages his chemical engineering background and extensive pharmaceutical IP litigation experience to help clients navigate matters involving patent protection, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation, antitrust and competition, inter partes reexamination proceedings, trade secrets, business and licensing transactions and disputes, due diligence, and investigations. He guides clients on: Pharmaceutical and life sciences litigation, trials, and appeals Hatch-Waxman Act cases Complex matters involving simultaneous patent, antitrust, and FDA litigation Patent litigation parallel with Patent Office re-issue, reexamination, and interference proceedings Coordinated litigation proceedings in multiple countries, including strategizing with local counsel He delivers strategy and counseling from a business-focused perspective, coordinating FDA, litigation, and commercial strategy. Daniel connects clients to resources across Latham’s integrated global platform to maximize value, particularly across the FDA Regulatory, Antitrust & Competition, and Government Contracts Practices.

Danielle van der Merwe

Danielle van der Merwe advises multinational and UK clients on a range of data privacy and cybersecurity matters, including in connection with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Drawing on nearly a decade of experience, Danielle counsels a variety of global companies, leading financial institutions, and major funds on their most complex and sensitive data privacy issues. Her industry experience spans a number of cutting-edge sectors, including technology, social media, and gaming. Danielle regularly advises clients throughout the corporate lifecycle, serving as an extension of their in-house legal team. She brings particular experience handling cross-border matters arising from product developments, transactions, and investments, including large-scale GDPR compliance reviews. Danielle also delivers sophisticated insight on privacy issues in connection with white collar investigations, both in the UK and internationally. Her practice includes advising on: Complex data transfer solutions (including transfers in light of the Schrems II ruling) Sensitive internal and external investigations Strategic management of data breach incidents and regulatory inquiries Product counselling Data subject rights requests Online advertising, profiling, and marketing strategies Data sharing arrangements Training programs M&A transactions A business-minded problem solver, Danielle offers a unique perspective on clients’ needs garnered from her secondment experience at several retail, health, insurance, and sports companies. Danielle is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals. In addition to her commercial work, Danielle provides privacy-related counsel to nonprofit clients on a pro bono basis.

Danielle Conley

Danielle Conley, a trusted adviser with deep experience in the public and private sector, represents clients in high-stakes, multifaceted legal challenges at the intersection of law, government policy, and business. Danielle leads the firm’s Anti-Discrimination & Civil Rights practice. Danielle helps companies, educational institutions, and other large organizations navigate challenging regulatory, enforcement, and internal matters that involve substantial reputational risk. She provides strategic counsel to clients across all stages of: Internal investigations and workplace culture reviews Government enforcement matters and congressional investigations Government-facing and regulatory litigation Danielle has significant experience conducting sensitive internal investigations following reported allegations of sexual misconduct and race- and gender-based discrimination, and has led multiple internal reviews and risk assessments on issues pertaining to racial and gender equity. She also routinely counsels clients on best practices for developing and implementing anti-harassment compliance programs and corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Prior to joining Latham, Danielle served as Deputy Counsel to the President in the Office of White House Counsel. In that role, she advised the President, Vice President, and other senior White House officials on a wide array of legal issues related to voting and democracy, policing and criminal justice reform, reproductive rights, tech accountability, and judicial nominations. She established and led the first-ever White House Counsel’s Office team dedicated to civil rights and advancing racial, gender, and LGBTQ equity. Under her leadership, the team worked closely with senior officials at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and agency general counsels on policy, regulatory, and litigation matters related to the administration’s equity agenda. Among other high-profile efforts, Danielle helped shepherd Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic nomination and confirmation to the US Supreme Court. Before that, Danielle served as the deputy on the Biden-Harris Transition’s DOJ Agency Review Team. During the Obama administration, she served as Associate Deputy Attorney General at the DOJ, where she provided strategic counsel to the Deputy Attorney General and other senior government officials on a wide range of litigation and policy issues and managed some of the agency’s most significant and high-profile civil rights enforcement matters. Prior to Danielle’s government service, she was a partner in another international law firm’s Washington, D.C., office, where she led the firm’s Anti-Discrimination practice. Danielle currently chairs Latham’s Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee, where she focuses on promoting the long-term success of women lawyers and executives around the globe. Danielle shares Latham’s deep commitment to pro bono work and has represented clients in cases involving complex issues of constitutional law, as well as in Voting Rights Act, Fair Housing Act, and Title VII actions. Danielle is a Director of Graham Holdings Company and has served on several nonprofit boards, including for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Earlier in her career, she was a fellow at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. She has repeatedly garnered recognition for her work in the public and private sector, including from the National Law Journal, the Washington Business Journal, the Diversity Journal, the Root, and Essence Magazine.

Darren Guttenberg

Darren Guttenberg advises public and private companies on a wide array of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions, securities laws, and corporate governance. Darren helps companies navigate complex transactions, achieve regulatory compliance, and manage business-critical shareholder issues, including: Mergers and acquisitions Capital markets transactions Joint ventures Shareholder activism General corporate representation As a versatile lawyer, Darren regularly advises clients across a range of industries. His ability to grasp the big picture allows him to help clients identify effective business solutions even under volatile market conditions and high-pressure situations. He draws on his wide range of experiences to quickly learn a client’s business and develop trusted relationships.

David Owen

David Owen advises private equity firms and strategic investors on their most complex M&A transactions and joint ventures. A versatile practitioner, David handles mergers, acquisitions, and sales across diverse industries, with a particular focus on the energy and healthcare sectors. He regularly executes deals involving renewable energy projects at all phases of development, construction, and operation. David draws on his prior experience advising on debt and equity financing transactions and corporate restructurings to help develop and effectuate complex M&A structuring solutions. He is particularly adept at navigating matters involving consortiums of equity investors through his extensive joint venture work.

David Rath

David Rath advises corporate clients and investment banks on a broad range of complex German and international equity capital markets transactions. Mr. Rath draws on his breadth of transactional experience to combine sophisticated legal advice and a pragmatic approach to crafting solutions for clients in Germany and around the world. His work encompasses many of the German market’s most significant deals in recent years. He regularly guides clients on: IPOs Spin-offs arising from complex corporate carve-outs Cross-border capital markets transactions, in particular US registered offerings Capital raisings Block trades Public takeovers He also helps corporate clients navigate life as a public company after a listing, including advising clients on German stock corporate law and capital markets law, as well as takeover law matters.

David Kurzweil

Corporate Partner

David Ziyambi

David Ziyambi is a member of the firm’s Finance Department and Africa Practice whose practice focuses primarily on project, structured, and leveraged financing in the energy and infrastructure sectors within both mature and developing markets, particularly throughout Africa. He represents sponsors, lenders, and governments on a range of matters, from project development and project finance deals to structured financing, prepayments, and reserve-based lending.

David Shin

David Shin is an associate in the Singapore office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Finance Department. Mr. Shin’s practice focuses on project development and finance as well as other project-related transactions, particularly in the power, renewables, energy, and infrastructure sectors. Mr. Shin joined the firm in 2019 from another leading international law firm.

David Siegel

David Siegel represents clients in a broad range of structured finance transactions, with a focus on digital infrastructure, emerging and up-and-coming asset classes, and other esoteric assets. David draws on extensive experience to help banks and other financial institutions, issuers, borrowers, and sponsors navigate the securitization and other asset-based financing of primarily non-traditional assets, such as: Data centers, industrial distribution centers, fiber, cellular towers, broadcast towers, wireless site assets, and other infrastructure assets Short-term vacation rental properties, triple net properties, billboards, ground lease, easement assets, and other real estate assets Entertainment and sports contract rights, including royalty stream, production rights, and TV syndication rights NAV assets, including private equity and other illiquid or hard-to-value assets Aircraft, including enhanced equipment trust certificate (EETC) transactions, aircraft engines, and aircraft leases Automobile and automobile fleet leases He works closely with all parties to develop innovative financing structures and solutions custom-crafted for the asset being securitized. David also represents asset managers, institutional investors, and others in financing transactions involving complex structured products, securitizations, and debt investment funds, as well as in a number of traditional ABS products. A recognized thought leader in the structured finance arena, David participates in the Structured Finance Association’s SFVegas and IMN’s ABS East conferences and delivers CLE trainings on diligence and liability management in ABS transactions. David maintains an active pro bono practice and has represented clients in asylum matters, Violence Against Women Act cases, name changes, and matters involving under-resourced small businesses.

David Troutman

David Troutman is counsel in the Litigation & Trial Department of the Orange County office of Latham & Watkins. David's practice focuses on intellectual property, and he is experienced in complex disputes relating to trade secrets, trademarks, patents and other IP matters, as well as general commercial litigation. David is experienced in nearly every stage of commercial litigation, having represented clients in numerous federal and state court actions and arbitration proceedings, as well as civil jury trials – including with respect to IP disputes. His substantive experience includes: Trademark and trade dress infringement litigation Trade secret misappropriation litigation and counseling False advertising and unfair competition litigation Copyright litigation Right of publicity counseling and litigation Patent litigation Disputes commonly related to IP issues, including computer fraud, web scraping, contract breach and employment issues

David Kowalski

David Kowalski is a trial lawyer with extensive experience with all types of complex commercial litigation with an emphasis on intellectual property litigation. David represents and advises clients through trial on a variety of complex litigation matters, including patent, trade secret, white collar, unfair competition, fraud, contractual disputes, trademark, and copyright. David has worked with clients in a diverse range of technology sectors and various industries, including: Medical devices Financial institutions Pharmaceuticals Internet and digital media Biotechnology and diagnostics Fitness technology Additive manufacturing Audio and voice technology Software Ion processing and mass spectrometry Information technology Automotive David maintains an active pro bono practice and has represented multiple victims of domestic violence in immigration matters under the Violence Against Women Act. David is active in a number of local and national intellectual property and litigation-related organizations, including the American Inns of Court and the Federal Bar Association.

Finance Partner

Corporate Partner

Tax Partner

David Wallace is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and Co-Chair of the London Finance Department. He is a member of the firm’s Private Capital and Restructuring & Special Situations Practices. David has extensive experience advising clients on all aspects of private capital investment. He advises on direct lending, private debt and preference equity transactions, opportunistic credit and equity investments, as well as complex, multi-jurisdictional debt and equity restructurings. His clients include issuers and investors alike – asset managers, credit funds, hedge funds, and other alternative capital providers, as well as corporates, private equity sponsors, and management teams. Prior to joining Latham, David spent a number of years as an investment professional in the credit team of one of Europe’s largest sub-investment grade asset managers, where he gained substantive experience in the structuring, execution, restructuring, and value creation of multiple investments across European and US special situations, strategic credit, and direct lending strategies. Before that, he worked at a leading international law firm in their banking and restructuring and insolvency teams. He has experience in a range of sectors, including retail, hospitality and leisure, gaming, business services, logistics, manufacturing, energy and renewables, food and beverages, chemicals, and industrials.

David Little

David R. Little advises clients on many of their most significant and complex UK, EU, and international competition law matters, including merger control, anticompetitive agreements, abuse of dominance, and litigation. Drawing on more than a decade of experience spanning large-value transactions and sensitive disputes and investigations, Mr. Little counsels leading global clients on a variety of competition issues, working closely with regulatory authorities around the world to achieve favorable outcomes for clients. Mr. Little has advised on competition issues relating to some of the largest and highest-profile transactions in recent years. He handles a range of multi-faceted, cross-border matters, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, investigations, sector inquiries, and foreign investment control reviews. He also has experience handling standalone and follow-on litigation claims on behalf of both claimants and defendants. His practice spans industry sectors, with a particular focus on media, technology, financial services, and life sciences. Mr. Little offers clients sophisticated insight into navigating various regulatory reviews. Mr. Little has worked at the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and has appeared before many of the major global antitrust enforcement agencies. He has also appeared before the European Courts in Luxembourg, and the High Court and Court of Appeal in England & Wales. He frequently writes on a broad range of topics related to competition and commercial law, including merger control, restrictive agreements, abuse of dominance, state aid, impact investment, and sustainable finance. Mr. Little served on the firm’s global Diversity Leadership Committee from 2020 to 2022

David Walker

David Walker is an M&A lawyer with more than 30 years of experience focusing on UK and international private equity transactions. He was Global Vice Chair of the Corporate Department and the former Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins' Private Equity Practice, and is recognized as a leader in his field in numerous publications. He commented and written extensively on private equity, including contributing chapters to Private Equity: A Transactional Analysis and was the editor of another specialist book entitled Private Equity Exits: A Practical Analysis.

David A. Barrett

David Barrett, Global Chair of the Insurance Counseling & Recovery Practice, represents policyholders in their most complex, highest stakes insurance matters. David leverages trusted relationships across the insurance industry with his solutions-oriented approach to counsel clients in a broad range of industries on: Corporate transactions Insurance placements and renewals Recovering claims in connection with billions of dollars in losses and liabilities, both within and outside the context of litigation He regularly guides clients on negotiating custom insurance products for business-specific risk, including those relating to environmental, tax, litigation, representations and warranties, lost income, punitive damages, general liability, cyber, property, and business interruption. A recognized leader at the firm, David has served on Latham’s Associates Committee and Ethics Committee. He is a co-author of The Business Interruption Book: Coverage, Claims, and Recovery (National Underwriter Company, 2004).

David I. Brown

David Brown advises private equity firms as well as public and private companies on a range of corporate transactions and related matters. He previously served as Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Private Equity Practice as well as Local Co-Chair of the Corporate Department. David regularly represents clients in a broad range of industries on complex M&A transactions, including: Leveraged acquisitions Divestitures of divisions and product lines Going-private transactions Other strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, and investments He advises some of Latham’s largest and most influential private equity clients on a full spectrum of transactions, leveraging more than two decades of experience and a thorough and analytical approach to often complex and cross-border deal-making.

David R. Hazelton

Litigation Partner

Dean Naumowicz

Dean Naumowicz is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and is a member of the firm’s Corporate Department, Financial Institutions Group, and the Capital Markets, Derivatives, and Structured Finance Practices. He has extensive experience advising on a wide range of derivatives and structured products including credit, equity, and commodity transactions. Dean advises banks on hedging, acquisition, and financing strategies relating to equity positions, including: Funded and unfunded collars (and variable prepaid forwards), including where used for accelerated purchases (friendly and hostile) Structured put option financing transactions and stock loan transactions Margin loans over listed and unlisted shares, including in the context of IPOs, rights issues and tender offers Related regulatory and corporate matters, such as market abuse, disclosure and transparency rules, exchange and clearing house rules, margin rules, and Companies Act and Takeovers Code matters He also has particularly well-developed expertise advising on Sharia-compliant derivatives transactions and he has advised on innovative financial structures in emerging markets covering all asset classes. Dean’s broad practice combines both transactional and advisory expertise. He represents global financial institutions and other clients on derivatives and collateral issues. An industry leader, he is a contributor to various International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) publications. He is currently advising the International Securities Lending Association in relation to securities lending and borrowing practices across the Middle East, including regulation and drafting new forms of master documents.

Dean Agnos

Dean Agnos is counsel in the Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Practices of Latham & Watkins. He focuses on corporate and transactional work in the insurance industry, including capital markets transactions, public and private merger and acquisition transactions, start-ups, and joint ventures. Dean regularly advises clients on complex alternative capital reinsurance vehicles and has been an integral member of the team advising on multiple completed and ongoing complex transactions to date. Dean received his BA in 2003 from the University of Pennsylvania and his JD in 2006 from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was the executive editor of the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Labor and Employment Law.

Dean W. Baxtresser

Dean Baxtresser represents clients in high-profile government litigation and investigations, particularly involving major contract disputes and False Claims Act allegations. Dean leverages a sophisticated understanding of the government contracting ecosystem and extensive experience guiding world-leading companies through their biggest disputes to help clients navigate: Complex commercial litigation involving the False Claims Act Government investigations and congressional inquiries Government contract disputes Bid protests Government audits He advises clients on regulatory compliance obligations related to government contracting, including domestic preferences, procurement integrity, small business rules and cost accounting requirements, as well as regulatory and contractual disclosure requirements with respect to Federal Supply Schedule contracts. Within the transactional context, Dean collaborates across the firm’s global platform to identify opportunities and risks associated with government contracting, including business considerations, transaction structure, government notice and approval requirements, and intellectual property factors. Dean serves as Co-Chair of the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s Government Contracts Committee and regularly presents at committee events. He maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising nonprofit organizations on government grants. Before joining the firm, Dean served as a lead program attorney for the acquisition of military equipment and weapon systems at Marine Corps Systems Command, the United States Marine Corps’ primary acquisition arm. He advised the Marine Corps on issues spanning the entire government acquisition process, including source selection, bid protests, and contract terminations. His practice also encompassed procurement fraud investigations, special reviews of agency procurement policies, contract management, and the acquisition and management of information technology support services.

Delyth Hughes

Delyth Hughes is a member of the Corporate Department and the Derivatives and Structured Finance Practices. Delyth primarily handles complex, cross-border OTC derivative, and structured financing transactions where she advises both buy-side and sell-side clients Delyth advises across the following range of asset classes: Fixed income derivatives, including rates, FX, deal contingent derivative transactions, and structuring hedging solutions in respect of a wide variety of financing transactions Structured equity transactions, including put option financing transactions, funded and unfunded collars, and margin loans over listed and unlisted equities Commodities and credit derivatives Repo and stock-lending transactions Sharia-compliant derivative transactions and Islamic structured products Delyth's practice combines both transactional and advisory expertise and she has experience advising clients on regulatory matters relating to derivatives and structured finance transactions. Prior to joining Latham, Delyth trained and qualified at a Magic Circle law firm and, during her career, has also undertaken two secondments at large international banks.

Deniz Tschammler

Dr. Deniz Tschammler, a leading lawyer within the European healthcare market, advises clients on a full spectrum of industry-specific matters, with a particular focus on complex transactions and major industrial projects. Deniz leverages extensive experience to guide pharmaceutical and medical technology companies, providers of digital health solutions, and their investors on: Transactions and collaborations in the healthcare and life sciences market Regulation of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and digital health products across their life cycle Digitization projects and the handling of health data Disruptive business models and competition strategies Healthcare compliance, supply chain management, and general compliance management Industry-specific legal disputes and internal investigations He regularly advises on cross-border projects, including foreign trade law and foreign investment control matters.

Derek McKinley

Derek McKinley advises government-related procurers, lenders, and sponsors on all aspects of complex energy and infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia. Mr. McKinley leverages more than 15 years’ on-the-ground experience in the GCC to provide deep insight into the successful development and execution of projects within the energy and infrastructure sectors, including: Oil and gas, as well as petrochemicals Utilities (power, desalination, and wastewater treatment) Transport (aviation, ports, rail, and road) Social infrastructure (education and healthcare) He partners with clients’ executive management to quickly triage crisis situations with an eye toward commercially focused advice, extending to both foreign investors and national developers. Mr. McKinley is a member of the International Project Finance Association’s Middle East chapter and has served on the firm’s Recruiting Committee and First Generation Professionals Committee. A recognized thought leader, he regularly speaks and writes on energy and infrastructure opportunities and regulations in the Saudi market. Mr. McKinley maintains an active pro bono practice and contributes to a wide range of public issues, including refugee rights and combatting human trafficking, climate change, and female genital mutilation.

Devin M. O'Connor

Devin O’Connor advises clients on cutting-edge federal environmental regulatory issues and litigation under federal environmental law, with a particular focus on large-scale energy infrastructure and transportation. Devin leverages her firm grasp of complex environmental and federal land issues to help energy developers and other leading companies navigate an ever-changing regulatory landscape. She guides clients on: Major project development and permitting Compliance with federal environmental regulatory obligations Federal court litigation under environmental laws Federal agency rulemaking Environmental, social, and governance issues She anticipates and crafts strategies to address critical issues and competing interests at every stage of a matter. Devin handles a wide range of complicated issues under federal environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act; Endangered Species Act; National Historic Preservation Act; Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act; and Comprehensive Environmental Response, and Compensation and Liability Act. A recognized firm leader, Devin has served on Latham’s Global Associates Committee. Devin prioritizes giving back to the community and organizes volunteer efforts through Buildable Hours, a nonprofit organization that connects lawyers with Habitat for Humanity construction projects in their communities. She maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising on project development and historic preservation issues.

Diana Dizon

Diana Dizon is an associate in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Ms. Dizon advises on a broad range of corporate finance and securities transactions, including various debt and equity offerings, as well as mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining Latham, Ms. Dizon worked as an associate in a leading Philippine law firm for several years.

Diona Park

Diona Park is a counsel in the Seoul office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Ms. Park advises clients on derivatives and structured products, equity-linked products, and other capital markets transactions and related regulatory matters. Her clients range from financial institutions and corporations to private equity funds, fintech companies, and hedge funds on transactions including: Equity hedging and monetization transactions, including over-the-counter transactions such as forwards and collars and structured transactions Share forward sales and related equity offerings, including at-the-market offerings Convertible bond offerings and related bond hedge transactions and derivatives entered into by issuers on their own stock, including repurchase and financing derivatives Margin loans secured by shares of publicly-traded issuers, diversified portfolios of securities, and/or debt securities Loan-linked and deal-contingent rate, currency and commodity hedging transactions, and related regulatory advice Prime brokerage and total return swap agreements and related netting, margin, and other regulatory issues Structuring and advising on regulatory treatment of cryptocurrency derivative transactions Prior to joining Latham, Ms. Park worked in New York at leading international law firms and as an in-house legal counsel at JPMorgan’s investment banking group.

Diona Narae Park

Dirk Kocher

Dr. Dirk Kocher advises corporations, private equity firms, and strategic investors on public transactions, restructurings, and shareholder issues. Mr. Kocher advises clients on a full spectrum of transformative transactions, restructurings and high-stakes shareholder disputes related to German stock corporations. He regularly guides clients through: Public M&A, taking private transactions, and PIPEs Corporate and financial restructurings of public companies Corporate governance, activism defense, and shareholder litigation Drawing on an exceptional understanding of German stock corporation law, he regularly advises boards on complex transactions as well as compliance issues and shareholder disputes. Mr. Kocher was a lecturer at Bucerius law school and currently serves there as chairman of the board of trustees of the Foundation of the Institute for Corporate and Capital Markets Law. He formerly served as vice chairman of the board of the Finnish-German Trade Association in Hamburg and regularly publishes and speaks on corporate and capital markets’ law issues.

Dominic Newcomb

Dominic Newcomb is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member and former Vice Chair of the firm’s global Finance Department. Dominic practices in the field of international bank finance representing sponsors and borrowers in a wide range of domestic and cross-border financing and restructuring transactions. He has extensive experience in senior, mezzanine, and bridge debt finance for leveraged cross-border acquisitions. He also has experience in insolvency and restructuring matters, representing sponsors and debtors throughout the capital structure in numerous complex transactions.

Dominic Geiser

Dominic Geiser is a partner in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Litigation & Trial Department. Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience, Mr. Geiser’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and arbitration in Hong Kong and Asia, including contractual, financial, private and public company, investor, shareholder and joint venture disputes, frequently in a cross-border context and often featuring an associated regulatory or criminal angle. He has substantial experience representing clients in claims involving investment mis-selling, minority shareholder actions, breach of directors’ duties, fraud, misrepresentation, economic torts, as well as in cases requiring urgent injunctive or other interim relief. In addition, he advises on loan and security enforcement matters, liquidation and winding-up proceedings. Mr. Geiser has particular expertise advising ﬁnancial institutions, private equity and venture capital firms, major corporates and high-net worth individuals throughout Asia, Europe and the USA, as well as clients in the fintech, technology, media, telecommunications and consumer sectors. He has acted in some of the most high-profile and landmark cases in the Hong Kong Court over recent years. Mr. Geiser is widely acknowledged by legal directories as one of the leading litigators in Asia. Recent recognition includes being awarded Young Lawyer of the Year at the Asian Legal Business (ALB) Hong Kong Law Awards in 2018, featuring in ALB’s “Asia’s 40 Under 40” list of the most accomplished young lawyers in 2018, and in ALB’s inaugural list of “Asia’s Top 15 Litigators” in 2021. Among his other professional commitments, Mr. Geiser is a panel member of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, a member of the Civil Litigation Committee of the Law Society of Hong Kong, and a Contributing Editor of Hong Kong Civil Procedure published by Sweet & Maxwell. Mr. Geiser is qualified to practice Hong Kong and English law, and is a Solicitor Advocate in Hong Kong.

Dominic Yoong

Finance Partner

Dominik Sklenar

Dominik Sklenar advises on capital markets transactions, including initial public offerings and public and private offerings of equity and debt securities, covering issuers from all across Asia. Mr. Skelnar draws on his sophisticated knowledge of US securities laws and extensive on-the-ground transactional experience in Asia to represent issuers, investment banks, and private equity investors on: US IPOs, follow-ons, and registered or unregistered convertible bonds 144A/Reg S debt issuances Registered debt offerings Hong Kong public offerings India and Indonesia capital markets transactions Leveraging the strength of Latham’s global platform, he works closely with the National Office on the complex SEC issues that arise in the context of Asia capital markets. Mr. Sklenar is a member of the firm’s Ethics Committee and serves as Deputy Money Laundering Reporting Officer for the Hong Kong office.

Don Stokes

Don Stokes advises on complex energy and infrastructure project development, investment, and finance transactions across Asia. Mr. Stokes draws on more than a decade of on-the-ground experience advising on renewable and conventional power, digital infrastructure and telecoms, and gas development and transportation projects throughout the Asia-Pacific region. He has particular experience in the Vietnam energy sector, where he has worked on groundbreaking deals involving LNG-to-power and renewable energy investments. He has advised financial sponsors investing in renewable energy and digital infrastructure portfolios across the region. Qualified to practice English and New York law, Mr. Stokes has practiced in Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Tokyo, London, and New York over the past two decades. He has been based in Asia since 2010. Leading industry publications rank Mr. Stokes among the leading project development and finance lawyers in Asia.

Donald Cooley

Donald Cooley is a member of the Finance Department and the Private Equity Finance Practice. He focuses on representing private equity clients in subscription credit facilities. Donald represents borrowers in secured and unsecured lending and other financing transactions, including: Private equity and private debt subscription lines of credit ESG-linked credit facilities Acquisition and carve-out financings Debt restructurings He thrives on the complexity of large-scale finance transactions, develops long-term relationships with clients, and brings a very commercial approach to his representations. In addition to his commercial work, Donald serves on the Associates Committee. He served as a Global Chair of Latham’s First Generation Professionals Affinity Group from 2018-2021 and as a member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee. He maintains an active pro bono practice, regularly advising non-profits on corporate governance issues and individual clients on legally changing their gender identify or name. Outside of Latham, Donald is a member of the Fund Finance Association’s Diversity Committee. He is also an active alum of Sponsors for Educational Opportunities.

Douglas Abernethy

Douglas Abernethy represents clients in a range of complex corporate finance and M&A matters, with a particular focus on public takeovers and take-private transactions. He delivers pragmatic and commercially driven advice on M&A matters to multinational private equity firms, financial institutions, and UK-listed companies. He represents clients in connection with significant acquisitions and divestitures involving assets in a diverse range of industries. He also advises financial institutions serving as lenders and advisors to parties on M&A transactions. Douglas’ practice encompasses: Public to private transactions Listed company board advice in takeover situations Takeover Code aspects of acquisition financings Cross-border transactions Private equity and leveraged buyouts He brings a sophisticated understanding of the regulatory environment for takeovers of UK-listed companies garnered from his experience on secondment with the UK Takeover Panel from July 2018 to July 2020. In this role, he assisted in the regulation of some of the highest-profile takeovers in the UK market and developed an in-depth knowledge of the Takeover Code and how it is applied by the Takeover Panel.

Drew Capurro

Drew Capurro is a partner in the Orange County office. He is a strategic advisor for his clients with a practice that focuses primarily on the representation of public and private companies, with deep experience in the life sciences, technology, homebuilder, and consumer retail industries. He also regularly represents investment banks in transactions with these companies. Drew has a particular emphasis in public and private capital markets transactions and has represented issuers and underwriters in a broad range of matters, including: Initial public offerings De-SPAC transactions Secondary and follow-on offerings Preferred stock offerings Registered and 144A convertible debt offerings High yield debt offerings Strategic investments

Drew Richard Wisniewski

Drew Wisniewski helps leading financial institutions and corporate clients navigate a range of criminal and civil litigation matters, with a particular focus on government cross-border investigations and complex regulatory issues. Drawing on his broad-based investigatory and litigation experience, Drew regularly handles sensitive and high-profile matters on behalf of US and international clients. His work covers a variety of subject areas, including alleged financial crimes, criminal and civil fraud, and deceptive business practices. Drew brings particular experience advising clients on internal and government-facing investigations involving complex regulatory issues and cross-border matters. He frequently represents clients before government agencies and bodies, including the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Drew also assists clients during various phases of litigation. In particular, he works with clients to craft comprehensive defense strategies when a white collar investigation presents litigation risk. His background includes a variety of complex commercial, securities, and sports litigation. Drew also frequently advises on pro bono matters, including in relation to fair housing and criminal justice reform. Prior to joining Latham, Drew served as a political consultant to presidential campaigns and members of Congress. He also advised corporations on regulatory and strategic communication issues. Drew previously served as a legal fellow to the US Senate Judiciary Committee.

Duncan Moore

Environmental, Land & Resources Partner

E. Marcellus Williamson

Partner

Edmond Parhami

Edmond Parhami advises private equity firms and public companies on their most complex and important M&A and joint venture transactions. Edmond represents private equity firms and their portfolio companies, as well as public companies on a broad range of transactions, including: Acquisitions and dispositions Leveraged buyouts Cross-border carve-outs Joint ventures Recapitalizations Controlling and minority investments Spin-offs and RMTs Corporate governance and other matters Edmond regularly advises clients forming joint ventures across industries, jurisdictions, and positions, including controlling, minority, and 50/50 investors. He draws on vast experience advising on transactions in the energy and healthcare industries, as well as a range of other sectors from retail and consumer products to technology and manufacturing.

Edward Barnett

Ed Barnett is Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins' London office. Ed advises clients on a variety of cross-border M&A and corporate finance transactions, including public takeovers, takeover defense, joint ventures, and private company and business acquisitions and divestments, with a particular focus in consumer, technology, pharmaceuticals, and entertainment, media, and sports sectors. He also represents clients on company representation work, including advising on a range of corporate governance matters. He is a former Global Co-Chair of the firm's Mergers & Acquisitions Practice.

Edward Tang

Edward Tang is a member of the Corporate Department and the Private Equity Practice and the Mergers and Acquisition Practice. Mr. Tang’s practice focuses on a range of corporate matters, including advising private equity funds and corporations on mergers and acquisitions transactions and capital market offerings.

Edward Kempson

Edward Kempson is an English law-qualified partner based in the Riyadh office of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Kempson is the global coordinator of the firm’s Sustainable Finance Practice. He has considerable experience advising corporate clients and financial institutions on a wide variety of debt and equity capital markets transactions, M&A, and financial restructurings.

Edward Nelson

Edward Nelson advises a full spectrum of sponsors and private equity firms on fund formation, as well as on private investment fund and alternative investment activities. Drawing on more than 25 years of private fund formation experience, Edward develops pragmatic and commercially focused solutions for sponsors. He advises clients on the formation and operation of all types of private investment funds, including: Buyout funds Venture capital funds Infrastructure funds Real estate funds Secondary funds Oil and gas funds Distressed funds International funds Combining significant leveraged buyout and venture capital experience, and strong mathematical skills, Edward helps clients design optimal fund structures and arrangements. He also provides ongoing advice on fund maintenance and operations, as well as co-investments and secondary transactions. In addition to his sponsor-side work, Edward represents institutional investors in their private investment fund and other alternative investment activities. Edward also advises clients on a pro bono basis. His work has included representing nonprofit organizations forming social impact investing funds. Edward serves on the Advisory Board of the Library of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

Elana Nightingale Dawson

Elana Nightingale Dawson represents market-leading companies at the intersection of digital content, technology, and the law. Elana leverages a sophisticated understanding of her clients’ objectives and a pragmatic approach to risk mitigation to help companies, including social media companies, online gaming platforms, and technology companies, navigate: All stages of litigation, from trial to appeal, including before the US Supreme Court A broad spectrum of questions about legal risks related to user-generated content and new technology, with a particular focus on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) New product development in light of copyright law She skillfully identifies potential areas of exposure and works with clients to craft commercially viable solutions that allow them to achieve their business objectives. Through the lens of her comprehensive knowledge of copyright law and the particular risks facing online-content providers, Elana also advises clients on adjacent intellectual property laws as well as myriad state laws. In addition to her commercial practice, Elana maintains an active pro bono practice. She led the Latham trial team that, after a week-long evidentiary hearing, secured federal habeas relief for an inmate on Alabama’s death row, for which the team received the 2022 Robert M. Dell Prize for Extraordinary Pro Bono Service. She has successfully argued cases before the US Court of Appeals for the First, Fourth, Seventh, and Federal Circuits. She is a member of Latham’s Pro Bono Committee and a former member of Latham’s Diversity Leadership Committee. She is also a member, and former treasurer, of the Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court. Elana returned to Latham in 2016 after serving as a law clerk to Justice Anthony M. Kennedy of the US Supreme Court. Before she first joined Latham, Elana served as a law clerk to Judge Raymond M. Kethledge of the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and Judge Gary Feinerman of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She also served as a Bristow Fellow in the Office of the Solicitor General of the United States, where she worked on a number of Supreme Court cases, including copyright cases. Prior to entering the practice of law, Elana worked in production and stage management at the Alley Theatre, Imagination Stage, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the National Theatre of the Deaf.

Elena Romanova

Elena Romanova is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Elena brings extensive experience in tax matters related to insurance, structured finance, securitizations, derivatives, digital assets, and other financial products. She provides clients with firsthand industry experience and a deep understanding of tax law and unique tax issues faced by issuers, private equity investors, and direct lenders as well as the financial and insurance industries. Elena's practice focuses particularly on tax issues that arise in: Insurance and reinsurance industries Asset backed finance and securitizations, including collateralized fund obligations and collateralized loan obligations Structured finance Equity and other derivative transactions, such as structured notes, convertible debt securities, and swaps and forward contracts Digital assets and fintech transactions International taxation, including cross-border finance, withholding tax and information reporting matters, Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), the OECD Common Reporting Standard, and financial industry global tax transparency initiatives Excise tax on corporate stock repurchases Elena is highly regarded within the industry for her in-house experience and deep understanding of tax law. She is regularly called upon to speak at tax conferences to discuss issues relating to financing, derivatives and to the financial industry. Elena is a former Chair of the American Bar Association Tax Committee’s Financial Institutions and Products Subcommittee and a current member of the Executive Committee of the Tax Section of the New York State Bar Association. Prior to joining Latham, Elena was a Managing Director at Citigroup, where she served as the Global Head of the Business Tax Advisory, supporting the Institutional Clients Group and the Consumer Bank. She also practiced for several years at another major New York firm and prior to that, served as a Tax Policy Fellow at the US Treasury Department, Office of Tax Policy. During her tenure at Citi, Elena served on the Board of Directors of the Wall Street Tax Association.

Eliot Choy

Eliot Choy is counsel in the Corporate Department of the New York office of Latham & Watkins, where his practice focuses on technology-related transactions within the healthcare and life sciences industries. Eliot advises and counsels pharmaceutical and biotech companies on a range of complex commercial matters, including intellectual property licenses, commercial development and other strategic collaborations, and product divestitures and acquisitions. His extensive experience includes structuring and negotiating various types of agreements involving the transfer, use, and sharing of intellectual property, including agreements covering the research, development, licensing, supply, manufacturing, promotion, and marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical drug products. He also advises branded and generic pharmaceutical companies in the settlement of patent litigations and related commercial matters. In addition, Eliot has experience in advising private and publicly held companies in a variety of corporate transactions, including stock- and asset-based transactions, venture capital and strategic investments, and public and private securities offerings.

Elisabetta Righini

Elisabetta Righini advises leading multinational companies on European law, with a focus on EU regulation and litigation in the market’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, on State aid, and on FSR. Ms. Righini draws on more than 25 years of experience, including 15 years in high-level positions at the European Commission, and her creative approach helps clients navigate complex regulatory frameworks in Europe, particularly involving: EU technology and AI regulation State aid matters Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) compliance Regulation of network industries, such as transport and energy She regularly advises digital platforms and media services on developments in the EU Digital Single Market — including in connection with the Digital Markets Act, Digital Services Act, and AI Act — and represents them in front of EU institutions and courts in relation to compliance or investigations. Ms. Righini also guides companies, industry associations, and public authorities on State aid and FSR compliance, including in filings, complaints and investigations at the European Commission, and litigation before the European courts. While at the European Commission, Ms. Righini worked as a member of its Legal Service and then as a legal advisor to former Competition Commissioner and Vice President Joaquín Almunia. She leverages her longstanding legal practice and in-depth understanding of the European Commission’s policy and enforcement when helping clients craft their legal strategy in Europe. Over the years, she has become a trusted and strategic advisor to many of her clients on their most critical issues, including European regulatory compliance. Ms. Righini also has extensive experience as a litigator, having appeared before the European Court of Justice in over 100 cases relating to a variety of EU issues, such as State aid, external relations, anti-dumping, network industries, and fiscal matters. She has also appeared before the World Trade Organization in over 20 cases relating to sanitary and phytosanitary measures, genetically modified organisms, subsidies, tariffs and non-tariffs, barriers, and telecoms. A recognized leader within the firm, Ms. Righini is the local chair of Latham’s Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee and Pro Bono Committee as well as a member of the Diversity Leadership Committee. She is a visiting professor at the Centre of European Law of Kings College’s Dickson Poon School of Law in London and a member of its advisory board.

Elizabeth More

Elizabeth Howard More advises clients on complex US and cross-border transactions across a variety of industries, with an emphasis on energy and infrastructure transactions. Elizabeth draws on extensive experience in multifaceted and cross-border matters to help strategic clients, private equity sponsors, and their portfolio companies navigate: Mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures Joint ventures, investments, carve-outs, and other strategic combinations Development agreements, operating agreements, and other contracts relevant to the energy industry

Elizabeth Morris

Elizabeth Morris represents debtors and creditors in a wide range of bankruptcy-related matters as well as both plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial litigation. She regularly practices in both state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration. Elizabeth is an active member of the firm’s pro bono program. She has litigated constitutional tort claims on behalf of prison inmates, successfully represented a single mother in a family court action seeking recovery of child support and modification of visitation, and obtained employment authorization, citizenship, and asylum for immigrants. Elizabeth is admitted to practice in the State of New York, as well as the United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, and Northern Districts of New York. Elizabeth previously served as a member and associate editor of the Intellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal at Fordham University, where she graduated Order of the Coif. Elizabeth also has a graduate degree in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the firm, Elizabeth worked in higher education at a variety of institutions, including Fordham University and New York University.

Elizabeth Marks

Litigation & Trial Counsel

Elizabeth Oh

Elizabeth Oh is a partner in the Los Angeles and San Francisco offices of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm's Finance Department. Elizabeth advises lenders, borrowers, and equity sponsors on a full range of financings. She particularly focuses on technology-related private equity, growth equity, and emerging growth debt transactions, and works with companies at all stages of growth to arrange for the funds they need to succeed and grow, from start up through to IPO.

Elizaveta Bacheyeva

Elizaveta Bacheyeva is counsel in the Bay Area offices of Latham & Watkins. She specializes in various financing transactions such as syndicated lending, project and real estate finance, as well as securitizations and structured finance and financial restructurings. Elizaveta has extensive experience representing both arrangers and borrowers in complex cross-border transactions and advising on different aspects of financial and bank regulation.

Ellen Smiley

Ellen Smiley advises clients on the complex legal issues that arise in the course of life as a public company. Ellen combines her deep technical knowledge with commercial resourcefulness to guide public companies on corporate governance and US securities laws. She helps clients navigate: Disclosure requirements and related considerations Director independence Insider trading restrictions Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and sustainability issues Proxy advisory firm voting recommendations Stockholder proposals Formal and informal US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) inquiries Sarbanes-Oxley New developments, latest rulemaking, and evolving best practices in public company reporting, disclosure, and governance matters She serves as a trusted advisor to both established and newly listed public companies of all sizes, from emerging companies to Fortune 500 enterprises, spanning diverse industries and jurisdictions. Balancing clients’ unique circumstances and pressure points, Ellen crafts workable solutions within the parameters of a public company’s regulatory regime and company-specific construct. Her nimble approach in times of volatility helps clients forecast and pre-empt potential issues relating to their business. A recognized thought leader, Ellen regularly presents at industry events on topics essential to public companies. Within the firm, Ellen develops knowledge management tools and resources for the Public Company Representation practice and clients, and consistently garners recognition for these contributions.

Ellen L. Marks

Ellen Marks is a partner and a member of the Corporate and Finance Departments of Latham & Watkins. Ellen handles complex and innovative financial transactions and restructurings with a particular focus on securitization and structured finance. She has extensive experience with credit card securitizations and other transactions related to credit cards, including establishing co-brand credit card programs for retailers and negotiating holdback and other terms for card processing agreements in the travel industry. She also handles financial regulatory matters, with an emphasis on swap regulations and securitization regulations, and has extensive knowledge of the federal securities laws, the federal banking laws, and their related regulations, including changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act. Ellen is active in the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association (ABA), recently serving as Chair of the Committee on Securitization and Structured Finance. She has chaired the drafting committees for numerous ABA projects and comment letters, including preparing the ABA White Paper on Securitization in the Post-Crisis Economy and comment letters to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on its proposed securitization safe harbor and to the SEC on its proposed significant revisions of Regulation AB. Ellen also recently served as Co-chair for the Securitization Financial Industry Group’s legal counsel committee.

Emily Corbi

Emily Corbi is counsel in the New York office, where she advises clients on general securities, corporate governance, and public reporting matters. Emily counsels public companies across various industries regarding their public reporting obligations, corporate governance matters, and other issues related to public company status, including compliance with: New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Corporate Governance Rules Periodic and Current Reporting Requirements Proxy Rules Insider Reporting Obligations and Trading Restrictions Sarbanes-Oxley Emily also has experience representing public and private companies, underwriters, and private equity firms in a variety of financing transactions, including leverage buy-outs and initial public offerings.

Eric Yiu

Eric Yiu advises investment banks as well as public and private companies doing business in Asia on a full spectrum of capital markets transactions. Mr. Yiu helps clients navigate capital raising transactions including: US equity and debt registered offerings Rule 144A/Regulation S equity and debt offerings Private placements PIPEs Convertible bonds Tender offers Hybrid securities such as convertible and exchangeable securities (both optional and mandatory) High-yield bonds Perpetual and regulatory capital securities He also counsels clients on due diligence, corporate governance, and post-listing compliance matters. Mr. Yiu’s experienced versatility means he can provide clients across a range of jurisdictions in Asia with effective commercial guidance on nearly any type of capital-raising transaction.

Eric Rice

Eric Rice advises financial institutions, public companies, and buy-side firms on equity derivatives and equity-linked products. Eric leverages his commercial perspective and pragmatism to structure and negotiate: Hedging and monetization transactions, including more than US$50 billion notional amount in forward sale transactions Margin loans and other equity-based financing transactions Convertible notes and related derivative overlays Structured acquisition and share repurchase transactions He helps clients navigate the intersection of securities law, regulation, insolvency, and credit support concerns to advance their objectives. Eric also advises on derivatives-related litigation. Eric has served on the firm’s Recruiting Committee and maintains an active pro bono practice, including immigration work. Eric also served as a law clerk to Judge David J. Barron on the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Eric C. Greig

Eric Greig advises clients on market access and reimbursement strategies across the medical device, pharmaceutical, digital health, biotechnology, clinical laboratory, and healthcare services sectors. Eric leverages his track record of success in bet-the-company regulatory matters, as well as his extensive experience with health payment systems and innovative solutions, to guide clients across the healthcare and life sciences industry on: Development and execution of market access strategies for new and existing technologies Advocacy with Congress and federal and state agencies, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare and Medicaid coverage, coding, and reimbursement matters Compliance with billing policies Federal and state fraud and abuse laws, including development of compliance programs Federal and state “sunshine” laws Complex litigation matters, including government audits and investigations, qui tam lawsuits, and other matters involving the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG), US Department of Justice, and CMS Center for Program Integrity Eric also advises private equity firms, investment banks, venture capital funds, commercial lenders, and healthcare and life science companies on regulatory issues related to mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and US financings. Eric is a member of the American Health Law Association and the American Bar Association Health Law Section. A recognized thought leader, Eric regularly writes and speaks on healthcare and life sciences topics. He co-authored a chapter related to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for off-label uses of drugs and devices in Off-Label Communications: A Guide to Sales & Marketing Compliance, published by the Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI), and presents on healthcare regulatory and reimbursement topics at national conferences organized by leading industry organizations including AdvaMed, PhRMA, the American Health Law Association (AHLA), the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA), the 8400 Health Network, and the California Life Sciences Institute.

Eric M. Merrill

Eric Merrill represents sponsors and developers, as well as investors and lenders, in developing and financing infrastructure, particularly renewable energy and energy transition projects. Eric advises clients on financing, construction, and contracting for projects in power and infrastructure industries, with an emphasis on renewable power and energy transition assets. He draws on his industry-specific knowledge and familiarity with a range of financing structures, including debt and tax equity financing, to craft creative client solutions. Eric guides clients through a risk-based approach to address the shift to the low carbon economy, balancing business objectives with on-the-ground realities. Eric's active pro bono practice includes advising Emergent as part of the LEAF Coalition, a public-private initiative designed to accelerate climate action by providing results-based finance to countries committed to protecting their tropical forests. Prior to joining Latham, Eric served as a law clerk for Judge Ronald M. Gould of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Before embarking on his legal career, Eric was a musician and violin maker.

Eric S. Volkman

Eric Volkman co-leads Latham’s Economic Sanctions & Export Controls Practice. He advises clients in internal corporate investigations and white collar criminal matters, with a focus on trade and economic sanctions and anti-money laundering. Eric represents clients facing government investigations into alleged violations of: Export controls and trade sanctions Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) The Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering (AML) laws Other regulatory regimes in the government contracting, energy, and financial services sectors He provides clients effective and pragmatic advocacy drawn from nearly two decades of experience advocating before the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the US State Department, and various congressional committees. Complementing his government-facing investigations practice, Eric regularly counsels financial institutions, institutional investors, and fintech companies on these issues in the context of cross-border M&A and capital markets transactions. Given his advocacy work, he excels at advising US and global clients on the design and implementation of sanctions, anti-corruption, and AML compliance programs. Eric regularly writes and speaks on sanctions and AML topics. Prior to joining Latham, he clerked for Judge David F. Hamilton in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

Erica Kassman

Erica Kassman advises technology companies on corporate and securities laws, with a focus on leading initial public offerings and other capital-raising transactions, corporate governance, and SEC compliance. Erica has extensive experience representing companies and underwriters in a wide range of capital markets transactions, including: Initial public offerings, direct listings, and follow-on equity offerings Convertible debt offerings Liability management transactions and debt offerings She has also represented private companies and venture capital funds in transactions from seed through growth stage. Before joining Latham, Erica was a partner at another global law firm, with a focus on tech capital markets, public and private company corporate governance, SEC reporting, and venture capital financings. Before that, she advised issuers and underwriters in primarily Latin American debt offerings and liability management transactions.

Erin Murphy

Erin Murphy advises public and private companies, compensation committees, and individual executives on a broad array of compensation and benefits issues in the context of corporate transactions and day-to-day business. Erin regularly advises a wide variety of clients on the design of compensation plans, including: Stock option and other equity incentive plans Non-qualified deferred compensation plans Other incentive compensation plans Erin advises clients on executive compensation, employee benefits, and ERISA matters, with a particular focus in corporate transactions, including: Strategic mergers and acquisitions Private equity funds and public and private targets in takeovers Sales and spin-offs Initial public offerings Formation of private investment funds Bankruptcy and restructuring She regularly works with employers and executives to negotiate, design, and document executive employment, change in control, and severance agreements.

Ernest Yakob

Dr. Ernest Yakob advises major life sciences companies on matters related to patent and intellectual property litigation, drawing on years of experience in both the lab and the law. Ernest handles patent disputes for life sciences companies in district courts, as well as inter partes review and post-grant review proceedings before the US Patent and Trademark Office. He also routinely advises clients on a wide range of IP matters, including patent prosecution and opinions, as well as IP licensing and due diligence. As a registered patent attorney with a doctorate in microbiology and immunology as well as complementary academic degrees in chemical engineering and molecular biology, Ernest advises clients with a sophisticated understanding of the underlying products.

Esther Franks

Esther Franks leads the Data and Technology Transactions Practice in the firm’s Singapore office, and advises clients on complex cross-border data privacy and regulatory issues with an Asia nexus. Ms. Franks leverages her technical science background and a sophisticated understanding of global markets to help clients navigate myriad regulations across the healthcare, technology, internet, insurance, financial services, gaming, entertainment, and social media sectors. She advises on: Regulations and investigations, including those involving artificial intelligence and platform regulation Data privacy compliance with laws across APAC, GDPR, and eprivacy laws Strategies for compliant exploitation of data Data breaches and reporting Technology, intellectual property, and data licensing Commercial contracts and collaborations She has completed secondments to a global social media company’s data protection and cybersecurity teams, where she focused on GDPR compliance and security matters, and to a major global retail company and a multinational consumer goods company, where she acted as legal counsel for their respective global procurement functions, focusing on technology-related procurement and outsourcing. A recognized thought leader, she is a member of IAPP (the International Association of Privacy Professionals) and holds IAPP/CIPP/E certification. She regularly speaks and writes on topics related to privacy and AI. Ms. Franks has served on the firm’s Privacy Committee, Security Committee, and Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee.

Eugene Mazzaro

Finance Partner

Evan Youngstrom

Evan R. Youngstrom is a member of the Emerging Companies & Growth Practice. Evan advises private and public companies, venture capital investors, and private equity firms involved in the technology, life sciences, and other growth industries. Evan provides clients timely hands-on support for a full range of matters and transactions, including: Public and private financing transactions Mergers and acquisitions Formation issues Employment matters Equity incentives Securities law compliance Corporate governance matter

Evelyne Girio

Dual-qualified in England and France, Evelyne Girio advises clients on energy and natural resources transactions governed by English and French law. Evelyne counsels key participants in the energy sector on a range of matters, with a particular focus on M&A transactions in the upstream and midstream oil and gas sectors. She regularly represents private equity firms, strategic clients and investors, commodity traders, independent exploration and production (E&P) companies, international oil companies (IOCs), and national oil companies (NOCs). Drawing on her broad industry experience, Evelyne advises on: M&A transactions Project developments Day-to-day petroleum operations All forms of upstream oil and gas contracts, including production sharing contracts, joint operating agreements, offtake agreements, gas sale and purchase agreements, transportation agreements, and capacity agreements Evelyne brings particular experience handling complex, cross-border matters, including within the African Franco-phone and Lusophone region. She is multi-lingual and negotiates confidently in French, English, and Portuguese. In addition to her commercial practice, Evelyne regularly advises clients on a pro bono basis. Her work includes advising Eden Reforestation Projects, a nonprofit organization that rebuilds natural landscapes destroyed by deforestation in developing countries with a view to reducing carbon emissions and generating carbon credits for sale on international markets.

Everett (Kip) C. Johnson, Jr.

Partner, General Counsel

Eyal Orgad

Eyal Orgad represents private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, and strategic investors in complex leveraged buyouts, acquisitions, dispositions, carve-outs, joint-ventures, and other investments. Eyal draws on his experience spanning diverse jurisdictions and industries to help both US and non-US investors navigate their highest-stakes M&A deals and private equity investments. A versatile practitioner, Eyal brings particular experience in matters involving the technology, energy, and healthcare and life sciences industries, both in the United States and globally. He also regularly advises private equity and other investors on high-profile Israel and Israel-related investments. A former general counsel of a multinational high-tech company, Eyal is uniquely positioned to execute transactions while liaising with deal teams effectively. He distills multifaceted transactions in a simple way that enables business teams to identify their priorities.

Farah O'Brien

Farah O’Brien has over 15 years’ experience in cross-border M&A, private equity, and corporate restructurings, primarily for sponsors and their portfolio companies. She is Vice Chair of the firm's Associates Committee and the former Co-Chair of the London Corporate Department. She has co-authored a chapter in the book Carve-out M&A Transactions: A Practical Guide.

Farhana Sharmeen

Farhana Sharmeen, Co-Deputy Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins' Asia offices and head of the firm’s Singapore law practice, advises clients globally on complex cross-border transactions with a Singapore nexus. Ms. Sharmeen combines over 20 years of extensive cross-discipline expertise and a sophisticated understanding of Singapore’s regulatory landscape to guide financial institutions and companies on corporate and finance transactions, compliance, and governance matters involving: Public and private M&A Private equity Emerging companies Fintech and financial regulatory issues Investment funds ESG issues She guides clients through myriad issues that arise in transactions with commercial pragmatism and sensitivity. Ms. Sharmeen views each matter through a bespoke lens, leveraging an understanding of the client’s objectives with a deep bench of transactional expertise to deliver first-of-their-kind solutions. A recognized leader at the firm, she serves as Asia Chair of the ESG Practice Working Committee and on Latham’s Global EEO Committee. She previously served on the Training & Career Enhancement Committee and Women Enhancing Business (WEB) Committee. Ms. Sharmeen is Chairperson of the Law Society of Singapore’s Corporate Practice Committee. She regularly writes on ESG and Singapore corporate and regulatory law. She maintains an active pro bono practice, with a particular focus on migrant workers and human rights issues.

Fergus Wheeler

Fergus Wheeler is a partner in the Finance Department of Latham & Watkins’ London office and a member of the Banking Practice. He focuses on private credit and other debt finance transactions, with experience in leveraged finance spanning more than 15 years. He works with many of the most active private credit investors and has been at the forefront of legal developments in that asset class for more than a decade. He advises international private credit funds and a range of alternative capital providers investing across the capital structure in both performing and stressed or distressed situations. Fergus operates across both the large-cap and mid-market. He leverages deep knowledge of the syndicated bank lending market and private credit markets to find creative and commercial solutions for clients in all parts of the capital structure. He is widely recognized in the market as one of the leading holdco financing lawyers, having advised on multiple holdco PIK and complex back leverage transactions over the past decade. He also works closely with the firm’s financial restructuring team on the covenant and structuring analysis of stressed and distressed credits, and on the financing aspects of liquidity solutions, liability management exercises, and full work-out situations.

Flora Innes

Flora Innes advises clients on restructuring and insolvency matters. Ms. Innes has significant experience in complex corporate restructures, insolvency proceedings, and cross-border disputes, and has acted in many high-profile matters. She regularly advises banks, investment funds, insolvency practitioners, and corporate borrowers.

Florian Dehmel

Dr. Florian Dehmel is a counsel in the Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Practice in the Munich office of Latham & Watkins. Dr. Dehmel focuses his practice on individual and collective employment relations. He advises German and international clients on employment law matters in the context of restructurings and downsizings, as well as M&A and private equity transactions. He studied law in Bayreuth and Edinburgh. Before joining Latham, he worked in the employment departments of other renowned international commercial law firms and in a private equity company as head of employment.

Francesca Marie Pisano

Francesca Pisano provides strategic advice to leading companies seeking merger clearance from US regulators for complex deals and defending themselves in civil and criminal antitrust investigations. Francesca draws on her experience to guide clients in strategic mergers and transactions before the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and US Department of Justice (DOJ), including defending clients facing merger litigation. She also represents companies in government conduct and internal investigations, as well as providing business-centric, sophisticated compliance counseling. She advises a broad spectrum of companies across highly regulated industries, including telecommunications and technology, entertainment, government contracting, and healthcare. An active member of the antitrust bar, she serves as the Vice Chair of the American Bar Association Antitrust Law Section’s Transportation and Energy Industries Committee. Before joining Latham, Francesca was a senior associate at a global law firm in Washington, D.C., where she focused on antitrust matters.

Francesco Lione

Francesco Lione, a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins, represents clients in acquisition financings, high yield offerings, hybrid capital raisings, liability management, and restructuring matters under both US law and English law. He has advised entrepreneurs, sponsors, and companies on transformative, strategic financings, such as the largest sterling corporate bond sale on record, the third largest LBO financing in the UK, the largest private debt financing of an Italian LBO, debut capital markets transactions, and inaugural green bond issuances. He has also counselled investment banks on complex, groundbreaking deals, such as the first European LBO financing featuring pari passu bonds and loans, the first instance of a European business funding its supply chain finance program through the high yield bond market, the second largest offshore bond offering by a Japanese issuer, and the second largest LBO financing in the UK. Francesco has assisted direct lenders and investment firms with a wide array of bespoke capital raisings, spanning Holdo PIK issuances, convertible debt placements, and pre-IPO financings. Lastly, he has represented creditors and borrowers in several balance sheet restructurings of cross-border businesses. Working closely with issuers and borrowers through the ups and downs of business cycles, Francesco has extended his practice to cover a broader range of transactional finance assignments — advising companies on preferred equity issuances, working capital facilities, securitization structures, club loan deals, and, more recently during the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency injections of capital and negotiated amendments of financing terms. He also regularly counsels founders, boards of directors, and senior management teams on reporting and disclosure matters, access to capital markets, financing risk management, and corporate governance. He is recognized for his expertise in financing matters by Chambers UK in Capital Markets: High-Yield Products, by IFLR1000 in Banking and Finance and in Capital Markets: Debt, and by The Legal 500 UK in High Yield. He is a frequent speaker on trends and developments in leveraged finance and has published various articles on innovative transaction templates in private equity finance.

Francis J. Acott

Francis Acott focuses his practice on complex civil litigation and is a member of the Litigation & Trial Department. Francis defends technology, banking, financial services, healthcare, and pharmaceutical companies in securities, antitrust, and consumer class actions. Francis has also had an active pro bono practice representing individuals and non-profit organizations in connection with criminal proceedings, government inquiries, and civil litigation. Prior to joining Latham, Francis was a litigation associate at another leading law firm. He received his JD from Northwestern University School of Law, magna cum laude, where he was an associate editor of the Northwestern University Law Review. While attending law school, Francis interned with the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois and the District of Montana, and was a judicial extern for Judge John J. Tharpe, Jr. of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and participated in the Law School’s Supreme Court Clinic.

Frank Saviano

Frank Saviano advises on complex and business-critical corporate matters in the sports and media industry. Frank counsels leading participants in the sports and media industry ranging from major sports leagues, professional sports teams, and team owners to private equity firms, financial institutions, sports media networks, and sports-adjacent companies. Frank regularly advises on: Professional sports franchise investments, acquisitions, and sales Sports and media-related M&A Media rights Joint ventures Strategic investments Sponsorships and other significant commercial transactions Arena and stadium development Sports gambling transactions League governance and rules Frank currently serves on the firm's Associates Committee. Accolades Frank has been recognized as a leading lawyer in the sports industry by a number of publications, including Variety (which named him in its 2017 Dealmakers Elite list and 2019-2020 Dealmakers Impact Report), Leaders in Sport, Chambers USA, Law360, The Legal 500, Euromoney, Sports Business Journal (which selected him for the publication’s Forty Under 40 Hall of Fame, after naming him to the Forty Under 40 list for 2015, 2018, and 2019), and The National Law Journal 2021 who named him as a NLJ Trailblazer for Sports, Gaming & Entertainment Law.

Frank Grell

Frank Grell helps clients navigate distressed situations related to restructuring or insolvency. He chairs the German Restructuring & Special Situations Practice and served as Local Department Chair of the German Finance Department. Mr. Grell has earned a strong reputation from clients and leading publications for his empathetic approach and ability to craft pragmatic and commercial solutions in high-pressure or crisis situations. Mr. Grell advises: Companies, management, and shareholders in a financial or operational crisis Creditors in all phases of financial restructurings, including debt-equity swaps, share pledge enforcements, and insolvency plan proceedings Investors on the acquisition of distressed companies and on restructuring, rescue financing, or refinancing transactions, including debt-equity swaps Insolvency administrators on M&A, restructurings, or disputes Complementing his transactional work, he also represents parties in claw-back and liability cases. Mr. Grell is a board member of TMA Germany e.V. and of Norddeutsches Insolvenzforum e.V. (Insolvency Forum of Northern Germany). He regularly speaks and writes about insolvency and restructuring matters.

Frank Saviano

Frank Saviano advises on complex and business-critical corporate matters in the sports and media industry. Mr. Saviano counsels leading participants in the sports and media industry ranging from major sports leagues, professional sports teams, and team owners to private equity firms, financial institutions, sports media networks, and sports-adjacent companies. He regularly advises clients in a wide array of corporate matters, including media rights, team acquisitions and sales, strategic investments, joint ventures, arena and stadium development, sponsorships, and other significant commercial transactions.

Gabriel Lakeman

Gabriel Lakeman advises clients at the intersection of financial services, technology, and regulation. He draws on a deep understanding of the financial regulatory landscape to advise C-suite executives, senior leadership, and founders across the fintech ecosystem on: Super-apps and innovative securities platforms, including MiFID II and AIFMD Digital assets and Web3, including cryptoasset registration, VASP regimes, and MiCA Payment services and systems, including PSD2/3 Financial services and Big Data, Big Tech, and AI Gabriel collaborates with leading global financial services firms to develop new products and platforms, focusing on creating solutions to help clients structure their businesses and develop new services that comply with rapidly evolving global requirements. His clients include broker-dealers, investment and retail banks, technology startups, central banks, market infrastructure providers, investment managers, hedge funds, and private equity funds. A recognized thought leader, Gabriel regularly presents on trends in fintech and Web3. Prior to joining Latham & Watkins, he practiced in the London office of another global law firm. During that time, he completed secondments at two leading global investment banks.

Gabriel K. Bell

Gabriel Bell is head of the firm’s Intellectual Property Appellate Practice and is regarded as one of the nation’s top IP appellate litigators. He represents market-leading technology and life sciences companies in the Federal Circuit and district courts. He is Chambers-ranked in IP Appellate and was recognized as the IP Appellate Litigator of the Year by LMG Life Sciences. Gabriel combines his sophisticated technical knowledge with extensive experience in the Federal Circuit and federal district courts to guide clients across a broad range of sectors, including: Computer Telecommunication Pharmaceutical Biotech Automotive Financial He has argued over 20 Federal Circuit appeals and has led and briefed dozens of others. He also routinely argues and briefs dispositive motions in district courts. He has particular expertise in patent eligibility under Section 101 of the Patent Act. Gabriel serves as Co-Chair of the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s Scholarship Committee and maintains an active pro bono practice, including representing veterans in appeals. Before joining Latham, Gabriel was counsel for the US Senate Committee on the Judiciary. He has also held positions at the US Department of Justice and NASA Langley Research Center. In addition, he clerked for judges on the D.C. and Fifth Circuits. Gabriel is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court and the Fifth, Ninth, D.C., and Federal Circuits.

Gabrielle LaHatte

Gabrielle LaHatte represents market-leading life sciences and high-technology companies in patent litigation matters of first impression. Gabrielle leverages extensive technical acumen across disciplines to help clients navigate litigation before the federal district courts, the International Trade Commission, and in appeals before the Federal Circuit involving complex technologies, including: Biologics Biotechnology Medical devices Voice codecs Vehicle control systems Telecommunications She evaluates the merits of clients’ global intellectual property portfolios and crafts out-of-the-box strategies to guide clients to secure favorable outcomes, both before and following trial. Gabrielle collaborates with witnesses, including inventors, to distill complex technical topics into compelling courtroom narrative. Gabrielle maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising on matters involving immigration and veterans’ benefits. Prior to joining Latham, Gabrielle served as a law clerk to Judge Kathleen O’Malley of the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and chief staff attorney and law clerk for Chief Judge Leonard Davis of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Before her clerkships, she prosecuted biotechnology and mechanical patents at a regional intellectual property boutique after pursuing a dual degree program for her JD and masters in biochemistry. Gabrielle serves as a member of the Eastern District of Texas Bench Bar Planning Committee and the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s model jury instruction subcommittee, and she frequently serves on panels regarding patent litigation. She is also a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Inn of Court.

Gaëtan Gianasso

Gaëtan Gianasso is a partner in the London and Paris offices of Latham & Watkins. He specializes in mergers and acquisitions and private equity, with particular expertise in leveraged acquisitions (LBO). He has considerable experience representing private equity institutions in connection with acquisitions, dispositions, and transaction financing.

Gail Neely

Gail Neely advises clients on a variety of complex regulatory and corporate matters, including in connection with securities offerings. Drawing on her sophisticated regulatory knowledge and in-depth experience, Gail delivers strategic and pragmatic counsel to broker-dealers, private equity firms, and public and private companies. Her company clients range from start-ups to soon-to-be-public companies to leading multinational corporations. With experience spanning thousands of public offerings and private issuances, Gail helps clients successfully raise capital through an array of securities products. Her work includes a number of precedent-setting transactions, including the first-ever direct listing on behalf of Spotify. She also frequently advises on special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) initial public offerings and de-SPAC transactions. Gail's practice includes: Securities issuances, including initial and follow on public offerings, private placements, direct listings, SPAC and de-SPAC transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and employee benefit issuances Regulatory considerations and securities transactions for broker-dealers and investment advisors FINRA Corporate Finance analysis US stock exchange initial and continued listing requirements State Blue Sky laws Gail also advises clients on a pro bono basis. Her work includes representing New York inmates seeking clemency in partnership with the Legal Aid Society. She has also conducted research for non-governmental organizations on issues relating to child marriage and transgender rights. Gail is a member of the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section sub-committees on the FINRA Corporate Finance Rules and Blue Sky Laws.

Gail Crawford

Gail Crawford, Global Chair of Latham’s Data & Technology Transactions Practice and Co-Chair of Latham's Privacy & Cyber Practice, helps clients navigate complex data privacy and security matters, as well as to license, develop, and exploit disruptive technology. She advises many of the world’s leading global technology companies on multifaceted and precedent-defining data privacy and security matters. Her work in the data privacy and security space encompasses advising on compliance programs, product counseling, responding to data breaches and regulatory inquiries, advising on optimal organizational structures, and supporting large, strategic alliances and M&A transactions. She also helps clients navigate a myriad of issues in technology law, including commercial contracts, collaborations, and intellectual property. Gail draws on her experience handling some of the most complicated and sensitive data privacy matters in the global market to provide pragmatic and commercially driven counsel. She brings a deep understanding of the innate value of data and the complex, ever-changing global regulatory framework to help clients achieve their business objectives. Gail regularly writes and speaks on topics related to data privacy and disruptive technology, and serves as an editor of the Latham & Watkins Global Privacy & Security Compliance Law Blog.

Gary Boss

Gary Boss advises clients on a wide range of complex corporate transactions, particularly within the insurance sector. Gary leverages strong ties with the financial services sector to represent some of the world’s largest private equity companies, hedge funds, asset managers, banks, insurers, and reinsurers on: US and cross-border mergers and acquisitions Reorganizations Joint ventures and investments Public company spin-offs IPOs and direct listings Primary and secondary equity offerings Tender offers Private placements High-yield offerings Contingent capital transactions Sophisticated and highly structured investment product development He combines exceptional business and legal acumen to lead companies on formation and capital raises, collectively raising more than US$14 billion on behalf of 11 companies recently, including from institutional, asset management, private equity, hedge fund, sovereign and family office investors and sponsors. Gary plays a leading role at the forefront of corporate and strategic matters relating to insurtech and fintech and regularly garners recognition from top industry publications.

Gary Feinerman

Gary Feinerman is a former federal district judge and state solicitor general who represents clients in their highest stakes litigation. He serves as Co-Chair of the Chicago office’s Litigation & Trial Department. Gary leverages three decades’ experience — including 12 years as district judge for the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, four years as Solicitor General of Illinois, and more than a decade in private practice — to provide sophisticated advocacy and litigation guidance to high-profile clients on: Complex commercial disputes Consumer and privacy class actions Securities and derivative suits Product liability suits Multidistrict litigation White collar criminal matters Federal and state constitutional litigation As a federal district judge, Gary presided over several dozen jury and bench trials, handled a broad array of complex civil and criminal matters, and issued over 1,000 opinions. He heard more than 100 appeals sitting by designation on the US Courts of Appeal for the Seventh and Ninth Circuits, served by appointment of the Chief Justice on the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules, chaired the Seventh Circuit Civil Jury Instructions Committee, presided over a multidistrict litigation, and served on the Seventh Circuit Judicial Council and the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity and Employment Dispute Resolution Plan for the Seventh Circuit. Before taking the bench, Gary was a litigation partner at another global law firm, where he maintained a broad trial and appellate practice in state and federal court and handled high-stakes commercial, product liability, multidistrict, tax, and constitutional matters. In private practice and as Solicitor General of Illinois, he argued numerous cases before the US Supreme Court, the Seventh Circuit, and the Supreme Court of Illinois. Earlier in his career, Gary served in the US Department of Justice and the Office of the Counsel to the President. After law school, he clerked for Justice Anthony Kennedy and Judge Joel Flaum of the Seventh Circuit. Gary is a member of the American Law Institute, the Chicago Inn of Court, and the Economic Club of Chicago. He serves on Stanford Law School’s Board of Visitors, as a Trustee of the Chicago History Museum, on the Board of the Federal Bar Association’s Chicago Chapter, and on the Board of Managers of Legal Action Chicago. Gary previously served as a Director of Umoja Student Development Corporation, a Trustee of National Louis University, President of the Appellate Lawyers Association, a Fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago, and as a University of Chicago Law School Lecturer in Law.

Gemma Mootoo Rajah

Gemma Mootoo Rajah represents financial institutions, corporate clients, and private equity firms in capital markets transactions and general securities matters, particularly relating to debt financings. Gemma draws on her sophisticated understanding of complex financial structures and a practical transactional approach to advise clients on a broad range of domestic and cross-border financings, including: High yield and investment grade debt offerings Liability management transactions involving exchange offers, tender offers, and consent solicitations Acquisition financings and leveraged buyouts Equity offerings, initial public offerings, and general US Securities and Exchange Commission-related matters She distills high-level legal strategy into actionable advice that helps clients achieve their business goals. Gemma has practiced in New York, London, and Singapore, and adeptly bridges varying business practices across jurisdictions. Gemma maintains an active pro bono practice, including representing clients in applications for permanent US residency and negotiating contracts for a nonprofit focused on developing community gardens in the Bronx, New York.

Ghaith Mahmood

Corporate Counsel

Gianluca Bacchiocchi

Gianluca Bacchiocchi represents sponsors, issuers, and underwriters in cross-border capital markets transactions, with a particular focus on matters involving Latin America. Gianluca advises clients on a variety of finance matters, including in connection with: Project bonds Project finance Multisource finance Structured finance Acquisition, leveraged, and other corporate finance He regularly counsels infrastructure clients and their sponsors in a range of domestic and international securitization matters, including Rule144A/Reg S of government receivables and revolving credit facilities, private placements, and hybrid transactions.

Giuditta Caldini

Giuditta Caldini, Deputy Office Managing Partner of the Brussels office, represents clients in many of their most significant and complex competition law matters. Ms. Caldini leverages extensive cross-border antitrust experience to provide creative and pragmatic solutions to leading multinational companies. Her expertise spans across: Merger control Antitrust investigations and litigation Antitrust policy and related regulations, including the Digital Markets Act Interface of competition law and intellectual property issues, including standard essential patents Ms. Caldini collaborates across Latham’s robust platform to advise clients in a broad range of industries, with particular experience in the technology, media, healthcare, telecoms, automotive, and consumer goods sectors. Ms. Caldini frequently speaks on a broad range of topics related to competition law including merger control and antitrust investigations and litigation, including as a guest lecturer for King’s College London. A recognized leader at the firm, she has served on Latham’s global Associates Committee.

Grant E. Strother

Grant Strother represents clients in high-stakes commercial litigation. Grant handles a variety of complex civil litigation and regulatory matters for clients in the high technology and biotech industries. Grant has particular experience in patent license disputes and securities fraud cases. Prior to joining Latham, Grant was an associate at another leading law firm in Menlo Park, California, where he represented financial institutions in several securities cases; a special committee of a technology company’s board of directors in the largest-ever high-tech acquisition; and a national sporting association on antitrust issues. While in law school, Grant was a teaching fellow for Harvard Law School’s Negotiation Workshop and was awarded the Fisher-Sander Prize for the best paper related to negotiation and alternative dispute resolution. Before attending law school, Grant was a business analyst at McKinsey & Company.

Greg Bonné

Greg Bonné advises clients on a wide range of cross-border antitrust and competition matters, particularly those involving merger control investigations. Greg guides international private equity firms, their portfolio companies, and other private and public companies on a wide range of UK and EU competition issues, including: Mergers and acquisitions UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) initial enforcement orders Market studies and investigations Antitrust investigations Foreign investment control Competition litigation and judicial review He leverages a comprehensive understanding of the UK merger control regime and extensive experience navigating cross-jurisdictional parallel reviews involving the US Department of Justice / US Federal Trade Commission, the European Commission, and the CMA to help clients identify and mitigate intervention risk. Before joining Latham, Greg worked for more than five years at the CMA as an Assistant Director of Mergers and Phase 2 Project Director, where he coordinated over 100 UK merger control investigations and served on the Mergers Intelligence Committee. He has appeared before the Competition Appeal Tribunal and the Court of Appeal in England and Wales.

Greg Sobolski

Greg Sobolski is an intellectual property trial lawyer. He represents clients from growth start-ups to Fortune 100 companies in their patent and trade secret matters, including trials, appeals, and strategic counseling. His practice spans diverse industries—including tech, wearables, healthcare and life sciences, medical devices, automotive, battery/energy storage, AI, blockchain/Web3, and oil & gas. Greg's successes have received national coverage. The American Lawyer recently recognized Greg twice for his victories on behalf of Duolingo and CoStar, and twice again for consecutive jury trial victories in a single year—one for the plaintiff in a competitor case, the other for the defendants in a competitor case. Earlier in his career, Gregserved as a law clerk to Chief Judge Kimberly Moore of the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. He maintains an active pro bono practice and service in the IP community.

Greg Roussel

Greg Roussel advises both emerging companies and global market-leading clients in the media, social networking, enterprise software, electronic gaming, and mobile application sectors on their mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic investments. Greg excels at helping acquirers develop an efficient and consistent playbook to build long-term value through strategic transactions. He also regularly represents emerging companies from seed-stage financing to acquisition. With a keen sense of the needs and interests of all the players in a transaction, Greg can craft creative and commercial solutions for both buyers and sellers. Greg’s representative clients include Facebook, Supercell, Natural Motion, New Toy, NGMoco, Redemption Games, Playful, RobotoGames, Deviation Games, Oculus, Irrational Games, BioWare, Pandemic Studios, and Electronic Arts.

Gregory Walker

Gregory Walker is a member of the corporate finance team with a focus on capital market transactions and US securities law advice. Mr. Walker advises a wide range of corporate sponsor and investment banking clients on a variety of equity and debt capital markets transactions, with a particular focus on issuer clients in the DACH region, including: IPOs Capital increases Equity-linked transactions Private placements High-yield bond transactions (under New York and German law) and related liability management transactions Investment grade debt offerings Mr. Walker is a member of the New York and Frankfurt Bar Associations.

Guido Liniado

Guido Liniado helps clients structure, negotiate and paper both innovative and plain vanilla finance and capital markets transactions in emerging markets, with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean and the energy and infrastructure sectors. Guido’s experience includes representing sponsors, asset managers, corporates, investment and commercial banks, institutional investors, and development finance institutions in transactions across the capital structure, including: Project finance and project bonds Securitization, repacks, ABL and other structured financings Direct lending, hybrid capital and other private capital financings Mezzanine financing Secured and unsecured high-grade and high-yield offerings and corporate lending Bridge lending and loan commitments Multi-source and multi-currency financings, including credit enhancement and complex intercreditor matters He has substantial experience in renewable and conventional power generation and transmission, O&G, roads and other transport infrastructure, telecommunications, e-mobility, logistics and sanitation. This experience includes advising Latin American governments on bankability improvements to their infrastructure regulatory and concession frameworks. For example, Guido advised the government of Argentina on the design and implementation of its multi-billion PPP program.

Guillermo Ruiz de Salazar

Guillermo Ruiz de Salazar advises Spanish and international companies, private equity firms, and their portfolio companies on a full spectrum of employment related matters, particularly in complex M&A transactions, employment disputes, and employment restructurings. Mr. Ruiz de Salazar leverages extensive experience guiding clients through any employment issues that may arise, whether contentious or non-contentious, in the context of: M&A and restructuring, including drafting management incentive plans, share-based schemes, and top executive employment contracts Collective bargaining, including consultation periods for collective layoffs, transfer of employees, national and international relocations, union negotiations, and modification of employment conditions Employment disputes, including both individual and collective judicial proceedings before labor courts He approaches each matter with pragmatism and a comprehensive understanding of his clients’ business needs. Mr. Ruiz de Salazar skillfully coordinates multidisciplinary teams across jurisdictions to provide clients with concise, actionable advice that helps to consummate successful transactions. A recognized thought leader, he serves as an associate professor of employment law at Centro de Estudios Garrigues and Universidad Europea in Madrid. Mr. Ruiz de Salazar maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising nonprofits on employment best practices and disputes.

Harj Rai

Harj Rai, Co-Chair of the firm’s Saudi Arabia Practice, represents government and government-related entities, sponsors, and financial institutions in a range of complex corporate and finance transactions, both within the GCC region and internationally. Drawing on more than 20 years of on-the-ground experience working and living in the Middle East, Harj helps clients navigate highly strategic and intricate matters spanning project finance, Islamic finance, and bank finance. His work in Islamic finance includes complex Shari’ah-compliant agreements across a spectrum of Islamic structures. Harj develops long-lasting relationships with clients to help them navigate every stage of their lifecycle. He brings particular experience in first-of-their-kind, precedent-setting transactions in the Middle East involving diverse industries, including oil and gas, technology, real estate, and telecommunications. Harj previously served as Dubai Office Managing Partner and Local Chair of the Finance Department.

Hayden Teo

Hayden Teo advises private equity investment firms, their portfolio companies, and corporate borrowers on debt financing transactions, with particular expertise in executing complex, multijurisdictional debt capital structures. Hayden combines his extensive transactional experience across each stage of a debt financing life cycle with a deep understanding of current market trends to help sponsors and borrowers navigate: Acquisition and leveraged buyout financings, including public-to-private transactions Bridge-to-bond and super senior revolving credit facilities for high-yield bond offerings Post-IPO and public company financings Syndicated term loan facilities Private credit financings Working in close collaboration with our global private equity and capital markets teams, he provides cross-border financing solutions that address each client’s unique commercial objectives and risk profile. Hayden is an active member of the firm’s LGBTQ+ affinity group and is an advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion across the legal profession. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a judicial associate to the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia.

Hayley Pizzey

Hayley Pizzey advises clients on a wide range of multi-jurisdictional litigation and regulatory matters, with an emphasis on commercial litigation, contentious data protection matters, and regulatory investigations. Specifically, she helps clients navigate: Irish Data Protection Commission inquiries GDPR compliance Alleged data breaches and regulatory notifications Regulatory inquiries and sanctions, and related litigation She brings particular experience in claims in the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Competition Appeal Tribunal, as well as matters involving the Competition and Markets Authority, the European Commission, the Irish Data Protection Commission, and other data protection authorities around the world. Hayley maintains an active pro bono practice and primarily represents the Royal Courts of Justice Advice Bureau and Malaria No More UK.

Heather Deixler

Heather Deixler counsels public and private companies operating in the healthcare industry on transactional and regulatory matters. Heather focuses on the intersection of healthcare, life sciences, and technology. She advises a wide range of public and private companies, including healthcare providers and healthcare systems, digital health, e-commerce, medical device, therapeutics, genetics, and bioscience companies on cutting-edge matters and initiatives including: Innovative healthcare delivery systems, including value-based enterprises, clinically integrated networks, IPAs, Medicare ACOs, and other value-based payment programs AI / machine learning solutions Data rights Data use and protection Genomic privacy General data privacy and security matters, including data privacy and security policies and procedures, and online privacy policies and terms of service Information blocking and interoperability Real-world data / evidence generation Data breach response Heather is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US and CIPP/E) and focuses on all aspects of digital health, including advising clients on various laws and regulations governing healthcare regulatory issues as well as data privacy and consumer protection, including: Stark Law, the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, and state law equivalents Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Federal Trade Commission Act CAN-SPAM Telemarketing laws Self-regulatory and online behavioral advertising guidelines Heather previously served as an Adjunct Professor in the Health Law LLM program at the University of Washington School of Law. Prior to attending law school, she worked as a research technician in a neurophysiology laboratory in Dijon, France, and as a clinical research assistant at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Hector Sants

Hector Sants advises clients on strategic cross-border M&A and joint ventures, particularly within the technology, sports, and energy industries. He has extensive experience supporting public and private companies, with a particular focus on complex cross-border matters involving the UK, Europe, and the US, on: Mergers and acquisitions Joint ventures Public takeovers Public and private financings Corporate governance Before joining Latham, Hector worked at another international law firm, where he completed a secondment on the M&A team at a FTSE 100 company. He regularly writes on topics at the intersection of company M&A and private equity, including public and private investments and the application of technology to dealmaking.

Héctor Armengod

Héctor Armengod is a partner in the Brussels office of Latham & Watkins and Vice Chair of the firm's Global Antitrust & Competition Practice. He advises clients on EU and Spanish competition law. In particular, Mr. Armengod represents clients in merger control proceedings before the European Commission and the Spanish Competition Authority. He also represents clients in major European Commission cartel and Art. 102 TFEU investigations. Mr. Armengod has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors, having counseled clients on the compatibility with competition law of complex licensing, joint venture, distribution, co-promotion, co-marketing, and co-operation agreements. He also advises clients on compliance with EU and Spanish regulations in the field of medicinal products and medical devices, including promotion and marketing of products, interactions with healthcare professionals, and obligations related to authorization and placing on the market. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Armengod worked as competition lawyer at an international law firm in Brussels and in the Brussels and Madrid office of a Spanish law firm. He gained insight into the workings of the European Commission during an internship with the Competition Directorate General of the European Commission. Mr. Armengod regularly writes on EU and Spanish competition law, and on EU life sciences regulatory topics.

Heiko Gotsche

Dr. Heiko Gotsche, partner in the Düsseldorf office of Latham & Watkins, has considerable experience advising international clients on cross-border M&A transactions (both public and private) as well as on corporate law matters (including joint ventures, reorganizations, and carve-outs). Heiko serves an international client base, including listed as well as family-owned companies, private equity investors, financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals. Leading legal publications rank him as frequently recommended lawyer for M&A. He is a member of several associations, including the German Association for Corporate and Company Law (VGR).

Helen Lethaby

Helen Lethaby covers a broad spectrum of tax transactional matters for corporates, global financial investors, and asset managers. Her work includes public and private M&A, joint ventures, IPOs, restructuring, and financings, and spans a number of sectors, including telecommunications, energy and infrastructure, insurance, healthcare, tech, fintech, and consumer- and retail-based businesses. Helen also has extensive experience advising on partnership taxation matters and management incentivization. While much of her work in this area is sponsor-side, she has acted for a number of founders and management teams on exit and rollover tax considerations. She has advised numerous financial institutions on structured and asset finance deals during the course of her career.

Hendrik Smit

Hendrik Smit advises banks and financial institutions on a broad range of finance matters, with a particular emphasis on leveraged finance transactions and cross-border acquisition financings. Hendrik helps a full range of leading global investment banks, commercial banks, direct lenders, financial institutions, top-tier private equity firms, and corporate borrowers on banking and financing transactions at every level of the capital structure, including: Syndicated term loans Bank/bond and bridge financings Unitranche and mezzanine facilities Holdco PIK financings Asset-based loans Investment grade facilities He draws on significant experience, including two secondments with Goldman Sachs, to provide clients with market insight and commercial advice on their transactions.

Henning C. Schneider

Dr. Henning C. Schneider draws on 25 years of experience to help German and international clients navigate complex M&A/PE transactions and corporate matters. He previously served as the Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Healthcare and Life Sciences Industry Group, as well as the Chair of the firm’s Corporate Department in Germany. Dr. Schneider advises major corporates and PE firms across industries, including healthcare, life sciences, energy, financial services, and real estate, on major public and private M&A/PE transactions, as well as on stock corporation law. Based on his work on multi-billion Euro signature deals, Dr. Schneider has earned a reputation with clients as a skillful innovator, balancing both legal and commercial needs. Leading legal publications, including Financial Times, JUVE, Chambers, and Handelsblatt repeatedly rank Dr. Schneider as a leading lawyer in both general M&A/PE and healthcare/life sciences. He writes regularly on legal topics and has authored several legal handbooks, including a handbook on corporate law Münchener Handbuch Gesellschaftsrecht 2021, 5th edition, Grabitz/Hilf, Law of the European Union 2021, 72nd edition. Dr. Schneider is a member of several boards, including Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce, North Germany. He is an alumnus of the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes and a Knight of the Order of St. John.

Herman Yue

Dr. Herman Yue devises sophisticated intellectual property solutions for clients, particularly within the life sciences and biopharmaceutical space. Herman leverages his molecular biology expertise and broad-ranging experience across all phases of patent litigation to help clients — ranging from cutting-edge startups to Fortune 50 industry leaders — advance highly technical legal solutions that address: Patent infringement actions Litigation under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA) and Hatch-Waxman Act Inter partes review proceedings before the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Cross-border proceedings involving patent offices and courts in various jurisdictions around the world, including Europe, Japan, China, and South Korea He engages quickly with clients on both the technical and legal issues that arise in IP matters across a broad range of technologies, including biologics, small molecule pharmaceuticals, gene editing, computer technology, and medical devices. Herman routinely provides analysis in anticipation of litigation and IP due diligence in the context of larger transactions. Herman maintains an active pro bono practice, including immigration asylum cases and predatory housing matters. Before practicing law, Herman earned a doctorate in immunology and holds a US patent based on his graduate research on the mammalian TRAIL receptor. He served as a law clerk to the late Judge Robert W. Sweet of the Southern District of New York.

Hilary Strong

Hilary Strong, Local Chair of the Orange County Corporate Department, advises clients on a full array of complex commercial real estate transactions, including real estate investment trust (REIT) matters. Drawing on her breadth of experience in the real estate market, Hilary delivers pragmatic and commercially driven counsel to REITs, private equity sponsors, sovereign wealth funds, individuals, and other institutional clients across a multitude of asset classes, including: Healthcare and life sciences Senior housing Data centers Logistics She regularly advises on acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures involving complex real estate portfolios, as well as the development of commercial real estate. Hilary brings particular experience advising on REIT transactions, including in connection with roll-ups, initial public offerings, mergers, and matters involving sovereign wealth funds. She also guides clients on converting commercial property owners and operators to REITs, as well as on acquiring stock in commercial property owners and operators and concurrent asset restructuring for REIT compliance. Hilary serves as a go-to advisor to many clients throughout their growth stages. She offers first-hand insight into real estate investment companies’ and developers’ needs by leveraging her prior experience as Vice President, Senior Counsel of Irvine Company. A recognized leader at the firm, in addition to her current role as Chair of the Corporate Department in the Orange County office, she has served as a member of Latham’s Associates Committee, Chair of the firm’s Mentoring Committee, and Co-Chair of the Orange County office’s Women Enriching Business Committee.

Hiroaki Takagi

Hiroaki Takagi advises Japanese and international companies and private equity firms on complex M&A transactions with a Japan nexus. Dual qualified in Japan and the US, Mr. Takagi draws on more than two decades of experience advising clients on: Cross-border and domestic M&A transactions Japanese and US securities regulations Data privacy Corporate governance and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters Trade control Other regulatory and general corporate law matters He distills the complexities of Japanese market norms and regulatory frameworks into commercially focused legal advice for international clients. Mr. Takagi leverages his extensive experience navigating cross-border M&A to guide Japanese clients in transactions globally. Mr. Takagi brings an in-depth understanding of public company law garnered from his secondment experience with the Civil Affairs Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Justice. In this role, he helped to oversee a major reform of the Companies Act in Japan, which passed into law in 2014. Mr. Takagi is a member of the Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association in Japan and the New York State Bar Association. He is Chairman of the Legal Education Committee of the Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association and has served as a visiting professor at Gakushuin University Law School, where he lectured on M&A law. Mr. Takagi also actively participates with the Inter-Pacific Bar Association and serves on the Organizing Committee for its annual conference in Tokyo.

Hiroki Kobayashi

Hiroki Kobayashi advises high-profile international and Japanese companies on all aspects of corporate transactions and project development and finance with a Japan nexus. Mr. Kobayashi leverages more than two decades of experience guiding clients on Japanese legal issues relating to: Inbound mergers and acquisitions Employment Antitrust Bankruptcy Government regulatory matters He helps non-Japanese clients understand Japan’s cultural best practices and navigate the country’s complex legal regime. Mr. Kobayashi builds trusted relationships with clients to support their business objectives within the region. Mr. Kobayashi also assists Japanese clients engaging in mergers and acquisitions outside Japan together with Latham colleagues in relevant jurisdictions. Mr. Kobayashi provides strategic and legal advice to Japanese sponsors and lenders in project development and finance matters, including in the oil and gas and power sectors. He frequently lectures on US/Japan corporate law matters at business seminars, providing practical solutions for Japanese expatriate candidates and managers of US subsidiaries and operations. Mr. Kobayashi is a member of the Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association in Japan and the New York State Bar Association. He maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising Ashoka, a nonprofit organization that identifies and supports the world’s leading social entrepreneurs.

Howard Sobel

Howard Sobel is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Sobel is former Co-chair of the US Private Equity Practice and a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions and Public Company Representation Practices.

Howard Lam

Howard Lam advises clients in China and across Asia on restructuring, special situations, private credit, and banking finance transactions. In his restructuring practice, Mr. Lam draws on more than two decades of experience to guide all types of parties to a transaction, including: Creditors, particularly banks and credit funds Debtors Insolvency practitioners Bondholders He regularly helps clients resolve a full range of difficult matters, including restructuring, bankruptcy, as well as distressed and other special situations. As a Mandarin and Cantonese speaker, trained in Hong Kong, UK, and Australian law, he brings a multicultural, multijurisdictional perspective to his matters. Familiar with the internal motivations and sensitivities of parties on all sides of a matter, he can help clients choose the best jurisdictions and legal regimes for implementing restructurings. He complements his creative problem-solving and decisive recommendations with an ability to remain even-keeled and diffuse tension in high-stakes situations, and so bring parties together around a solution. Mr. Lam is an INSOL Fellow and a regular speaker at international restructuring and insolvency conferences, and has served on the APLMA China and documentation committees, TMA Hong Kong board, and the executive committee of Restructuring and Insolvency Faculty (RIF). In Mr. Lam’s financing practice, he advises private equity sponsors, banks, and private capital lenders on a full spectrum of complex financing structures, including: Leveraged buy-outs Corporate acquisition financings China onshore/offshore financing Margin loans Direct lending transactions He draws on a keen sense of what is at market and insights from the firm’s global deal flow on cutting-edge financing terms to translate best practices in global jurisdictions to deals Asia.

Howe Min Wee

Howe Min Wee advises export credit agencies, multilaterals, commercial lenders, and sponsors on the development and financing of complex and innovative projects. Mr. Wee helps clients develop and finance large-scale, often precedent-setting projects across Asia and globally in the energy (including geothermal), commodities, and infrastructure sectors. He assists clients with navigating a project’s full life cycle, including: Negotiating and structuring key offtake agreements Formulating financing solutions at all levels of the capital structure Addressing and mitigating project construction risk, pre- and post-closing Mr. Wee draws on experience in headline transactions and matters across the region to bring clients a sophisticated and well-rounded understanding of the operation of debt — including his experience in structured finance, banking litigation, and debt restructuring. Mr. Wee also serves on the Public and International Law Committee of the Law Society of Singapore.

Hugh Murtagh

Hugh Murtagh represents creditors and debtors both in and out of court in a broad array of disputes and transactions. Hugh represents creditors, shareholders, purchasers, and distressed companies in all facets of the restructuring and reorganization process, with a particular focus on bankruptcy litigation. He represents clients in: Chapter 11 proceedings Out-of-court financial and operational restructurings Chapter 15 and cross-border restructurings Bankruptcy-related litigation Hugh helps clients reach solutions in complex restructurings and related disputes, drawing on his ability to aggressively advocate for clients and to negotiate resolutions, including managing all aspects of litigated matters. Prior to his commercial practice, Hugh served as a Law Clerk to Judge Kevin P. Castel, United States District Judge, Southern District of New York.

Hugo Bowkett

Hugo Bowkett advises a full range of stakeholders on complex, multijurisdictional restructurings, special situations, and financings across the capital structure. Hugo leverages his keen commercial judgment and extensive experience to represent asset managers, hedge funds, alternative capital providers, financial institutions, private equity sponsors, and corporates on high-stakes transactions that often entail negotiating and managing differing stakeholders’ interests, including: Investments with multilayered capital structures Schemes of arrangement and restructuring plans Security enforcements UK administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs) In- and out-of-court proceedings in multiple jurisdictions He drives process efficiency in every transaction and facilitates relationships across Latham’s multidisciplinary platform — including close collaboration with the Finance, Corporate, Benefits, and Tax Practices — to devise bespoke solutions for the client. Hugo also guides clients on restructuring matters involving securitization, whether full-business, RMBS, CMBS, or trade receivables, as well as on special situations financing. He completed a six-month secondment in Alcentra’s special situations practice, where he advised funds on their underlying investments, including on various restructurings. Hugo is a member of the Turnaround Managers Association. Prior to joining Latham, he practiced at another international law firm in London.

Hui Xu

Hui Xu, Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Litigation & Trial Department in Asia, represents clients in multi-jurisdictional litigation, government investigations and enforcement, and compliance matters. Mr. Xu regularly advises Chinese and global clients across industries — particularly in financial services, technology, and life sciences — on matters related to: Complex commercial and IP litigation Government investigations and enforcement related to data privacy, FCPA, sanctions, and antitrust Compliance, including related to transactions and developing compliance programs and policies Mr. Xu also assists clients by liaising with regulators in the US and China, presenting findings, and developing strategies to resolve situations short of litigation. He helps clients bridge regulatory, linguistic, and cultural gaps between parties. He draws on extensive experience in China and leverages skill managing a global team with relevant expertise to handle clients’ sensitive or high-risk matters. Prior to private practice, Mr. Xu was a member of the in-house legal department at the China Chamber of Commerce under the Ministry of Commerce of China, where he handled trade remedy, intellectual property, and World Trade Organization matters.

Huw Thomas

Huw Thomas, Co-Chair of the London Corporate Department, is an M&A lawyer with more than a decade of experience advising on UK and international private equity and M&A transactions, joint ventures, and restructurings. He has previously spent time on secondment to BP and Deutsche Bank and regularly contributes to a number of leading industry publications including: Private Equity: A Transactional Analysis; Global Investment Funds: A Practical Guide to Structuring, Raising and Managing Funds; and Carve-out M&A Transactions: A Practical Guide.

Ian Schuman

Ian Schuman, Global Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Capital Markets Practice, represents issuers and underwriters in complex, high-profile equity and debt offerings, both in the United States and internationally. Ian offers clients unique experience handling prominent capital markets transactions on behalf of globally recognized brands and major investment banks. He advises on matters involving a range of industries, with a particular focus on the consumer retail, restaurant, and technology sectors. Ian also represents companies with respect to general corporate and securities matters. His transactional work includes advising on: Cross-border transactions Debt exchange offers High yield debt offerings Initial public offerings Public and private equity offerings Tender offers and consent solicitations His broader corporate practice includes advising on: Corporate governance issues Periodic and current filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission Satisfying requirements set forth by the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Ian previously served as the firm’s New York Deputy Office Managing Partner.

Ian Nussbaum

Ian Nussbaum advises companies and their boards of directors on business-defining transactions that drive growth and shape global markets. Ian combines commercial pragmatism with technical precision to advise leading public and private companies, private equity firms, special committees, and investors across multiple industries on: Mergers, acquisitions, sales, and divestitures Joint ventures Conflict transactions Takeover defense Complex corporate governance Shareholder activism A recognized thought leader, Ian regularly presents on emerging issues under Delaware law, including relating to controlling stockholder transactions. Ian serves on the board of advisors at Penn Law’s Institute for Law & Economics. He is active in various nonprofit organizations and serves on the 92Y’s Emerging Leadership Council. Before joining Latham, Ian was a partner at another international law firm and served as a practitioner participant in a negotiations intensive course at Cardozo Law School. Ian served as a law clerk for Chancellor Leo E. Strine Jr. of the Delaware Court of Chancery.

Ian R. Conner

Ian Conner — former Director of the US Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Bureau of Competition and Trial Attorney at the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice — advises leading multinational companies and private equity firms on complex antitrust and competition matters. Ian draws on two decades of experience, as both a high-ranking enforcer and an elite private practitioner, to guide clients through their most nuanced matters, with a particular focus on: Merger control Government investigations Class actions Third-party representation before antitrust agencies He leverages his comprehensive understanding of agency operations, acute business sense, and thorough knowledge of case law to develop innovative legal strategies that help clients achieve success in their highest-stakes matters. Ian led a staff of nearly 300 at the FTC’s Bureau of Competition through the most active enforcement year since 2000. He oversaw the creation of the agency’s Technology Enforcement Division and the release of the 2020 iteration of the vertical merger guidelines with the DOJ, as well as initiated a proposed rulemaking and re-examination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. As a testament to Ian's leadership as Director, the Bureau of Competition ranked 3rd out of 411 agency components in the annual Best Places to Work in the Federal Government survey. Ian began his career as a Trial Attorney in the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, which he joined through the Attorney General’s Honors Program. He also served as a Special Assistant US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, where he first-chaired trials in federal court. A recognized industry leader, he has held various leadership positions within the American Bar Association Antitrust Law Section, including as Co-Chair of the Fall Forum (2023–present), Vice Chair of the Mergers and Acquisitions Committee (2017–2019), Vice Chair of the Civil Practice and Procedure Committee (2014–2017), and Founder and Co-Chair (2010–2012) and Chair (2012–2014) of the Agriculture and Food Committee.

Ignacio Gómez-Sancha

Ignacio Gómez-Sancha is a partner in the Corporate Department of Latham & Watkins’ Madrid office. His practice focuses on representing investors and companies at critical stages of their development, with particular emphasis on capital markets transactions. Mr. Gómez-Sancha advises on corporate and capital markets law, assisting both Spanish and foreign companies in all legal matters related to their business in Spain: IPOs, takeovers, venture capital transactions, mergers and acquisitions, special situations, and distressed investments. He has a deep understanding of the functioning of financial markets, which helps him in very complex matters.

Ignacio Pallarés

Ignacio Pallarés advises private equity funds and leading Spanish companies on all aspects of corporate law, with a particular emphasis on complex, cross-border M&A. Mr. Pallarés draws on a sophisticated understanding of the local market and long-standing client relationships spanning multiple industries to execute: Private equity investments in Spanish targets M&A transactions in Spain involving Spanish companies Cross-border transactions for Spanish multinational clients He approaches client relationships with an eye toward long-term growth and crafts strategic solutions that resonate across markets. Mr. Pallarés leverages his commercial pragmatism to help clients anticipate and address issues that may arise during negotiations.

Inge A. Osman

Inge Osman advises domestic and multinational clients on their highest-stakes intellectual property litigation, including before federal district and appellate courts, as well as the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Combining sophisticated technical knowledge and significant trial experience, Inge helps clients achieve their desired outcomes in complex patent litigation. She has successfully represented clients in matters involving a range of technologies, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, antibodies, medical devices, semiconductors, liquid crystal display technologies, biometric scanning devices, information technology, and call processing systems. Inge draws on her scientific training and prior experience clerking for the Federal Circuit to identify the most successful arguments in patent disputes. She received undergraduate degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Biomedical Engineering from Duke University. Inge previously clerked for Judge Kimberly A. Moore of the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Inge’s broad-based trial work includes arguing in court and before the PTAB, deposing key fact and expert witnesses, and managing fact and expert discovery. She brings particular experience litigating patent matters in federal courts and in post-grant proceedings before the PTAB. Inge also regularly coordinates parallel proceedings — including matters brought to both a district court and the PTAB, as well as disputes spanning multiple jurisdictions. She is a Vice Chair of the PTAB Bar Association’s Diversity Committee and a member of the Federal Circuit Bar Association.

Ingo Strauss

Dr. Ingo Strauss, partner in the Düsseldorf office of Latham & Watkins, draws on more than 15 years of experience advising clients on cross-border and domestic M&A transactions, and corporate law matters. Dr. Strauss advises German and international clients on M&A transactions, including public and private M&A, and private equity, as well as on corporate law and sports-related matters. Leading legal publications, including JUVE and Chambers, rank him as a leading M&A lawyer, describing him as one of the most active transactional lawyers in Germany. Dr. Ingo Strauss is a member of several associations, including the German Association for Corporate and Company Law (VGR).

Irina Yevmenenko

Irina Yevmenenko advises executives and boards of domestic and international companies on a range of complex compliance issues and regulatory requirements, with a focus on public company advisory matters, including ongoing disclosure and filing obligations under US federal securities laws, as well as corporate governance and compensation disclosure matters. Drawing on her broad-based corporate experience, Irina helps clients in a variety of industries successfully navigate the US public markets. She advises public companies ranging in size and maturity, from Fortune 500s to mid- and small-caps.

Ivan Smallwood

Ivan Smallwood regularly advises leading Japanese and multinational companies on high-stakes cross-border M&A transactions, particularly in the technology, medical, and industrial sectors. Mr. Smallwood draws on two decades’ experience driving many of Japan’s largest outbound transactions. He skillfully helps corporations and financial investors navigate inbound and outbound: Strategic mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures Joint ventures and strategic alliances Minority investments He understands clients’ commercial objectives and leverages comprehensive knowledge of Japanese and non-Japanese transaction regimes to achieve their goals. Mr. Smallwood maintains an active pro bono practice and works with Open Supply Hub, a nonprofit organization that strives to improve human rights and environmental conditions in and around factories and facilities by opening up supply chain data to the public. Before joining Latham, Mr. Smallwood worked at a leading international law firm in Tokyo. Mr. Smallwood is a registered foreign lawyer in Japan as a member of the Dai-Ni Tokyo Bar Association.

J David Stewart

David Stewart, Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins’ London Corporate department, has a diversified cross-border debt and equity capital markets practice, including complex transactions involving publicly traded securities, both in the United States and internationally. He handles the full spectrum of capital markets matters on behalf of issuers, sponsors, strategic investors, and major investment banks with a particular focus on: Public and private offerings of debt and equity Exchange offers Tender offers and debt consent solicitations Restructurings of public debt securities Public M&A transactions David also represents companies with respect to general corporate and securities matters and is a trusted advisor in the board room.

J. Benneville (Ben) Haas

Ben Haas, Global Vice Chair of the Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice, advises clients across all stages of pre- and post-market US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation and compliance. Ben leverages extensive experience and a sophisticated understanding of FDA-regulated products to guide medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, tobacco, food, cosmetic, and dietary supplement companies on: Pre-market product development, clinical, and pre-clinical testing FDA submissions Product promotion and labeling Compliance with good manufacturing practices Agency inspections and recalls Regulatory diligence for major public and private financings, mergers, and other transactions Ben advises on corporate compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and other corporate transactions, and counsels on legislative and administrative rulemaking proceedings relating to healthcare government mandates. Ben also counsels clients on compliance and regulatory matters arising under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) and other statutes administered by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). He also helps clients design and implement product recalls within the CPSC’s jurisdiction. A recognized thought leader and member of the FDA bar, Ben regularly speaks on FDA regulatory and enforcement matters and has served on multiple committees for the Food and Drug Law Institute.

J. Christian Word

Christian Word is a partner in the Litigation & Trial Department of Latham & Watkins' Washington, D.C. office, a member of the Securities Litigation & Professional Liability Practice, and a member of the firm's Ethics Committee. Christian’s principal focus is on securities litigation, including: Shareholder class actions Derivative litigation Corporate governance disputes He represents major issuers, directors, officers, and other individuals in federal and state court, and in investigations by the SEC, the Department of Justice, and state governmental authorities concerning potential violations of the securities laws and corporate laws. Christian has published several articles on a wide range of securities law issues and is a frequent speaker on such topics.

J. Cory Tull

Cory Tull is a corporate partner and Co-Deputy Office Managing Partner in the Washington, D.C. office. Cory’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and other complex business transactions, including leveraged buyouts, global carve-outs, joint ventures, divestitures, controlling and minority investments, and other strategic transactions, as well as general corporate governance and transactional matters. He has extensive experience representing private equity firms as well as private and public companies in domestic and cross-border transactions in an array of industries, including consumer products, sports and entertainment, manufacturing, financial services, aerospace and defense, and technology. Cory served on the firm’s Associates Committee, a global committee comprising partners and associates tasked with managing associate reviews and evaluations, and policies affecting associates and associate bonus allocations, as well as making partnership progression recommendations. He also served on the firm’s Recruiting Committee, ensuring the firm acquires the highest level of talent.

J. Scott Ballenger

Litigation Partner

Jack Sheridan

Partner

Jack McNeily

Jack McNeily is a trial lawyer who represents clients in litigation and white collar defense and investigations, particularly in the financial institutions, fintech, and cryptocurrency spaces. Jack brings a trial-ready posture and a dedication to partnering with his clients to understand their business and market and to achieve their objectives. He has deep experience and a track record of success representing public companies and their officers, fund managers, investment advisers, and financial services firms in litigation, investigations, and regulatory enforcement in subject matters including: Securities and corporate fraud Complex commercial litigation Market manipulation Accounting fraud Insider trading Money laundering Jack also maintains a robust pro bono practice and has obtained numerous notable victories, including securing a landmark restitution award for a victim of sex trafficking, as well as prevailing on Americans with Disabilities Act claims in federal court against New York City on behalf of two classes of disabled city residents, constitutional rights claims in federal court on behalf of a class of prisoners, a wrongful conviction claim in state court, and several contract disputes in state family courts. Prior to joining Latham, Jack was an associate at a major law firm based in New York.

Jacques-Philippe Gunther

Jacques-Philippe Gunther is a partner in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins. He advises leading French and international companies on a variety of complex, cross-border merger control, contentious antitrust matters, and state aid. Mr. Gunther advises clients before the European and French competition authorities on a broad range of anticompetitive practices and before French courts, with a particular focus on damages claims. He also has deep expertise in complex Phase I and Phase II European and national merger filings and state aid. Mr. Gunther has particular experience in the telecom, transport, energy, chemicals, media, defense, sports, and financial services sectors.

Jake Ryan

Jake Ryan, the former Global Co-Chair of Latham’s Complex Commercial Litigation Practice, represents corporations and individual executives in complex litigation and government investigations. Jake tries cases in courts across the United States. He has tried more than two dozen jury trials to verdict as lead trial counsel. Jake has prevailed in jury trials or on pretrial motions in numerous subject matter areas, including the following: Breach of contract Healthcare fraud Breach of fiduciary duty Trade secret misappropriation Unfair competition Financial and tax fraud Biotech patent litigation Toxic torts Jake leads litigation teams on many high-profile matters and is frequently mentioned in the press. Before joining Latham, Jake served as a federal prosecutor in Chicago for five years. Before law school, Jake was a Navy Pilot. He served in the Arabian Gulf and Somalia and was commended for bravery for his actions during an inflight emergency. Jake served in the Department of Justice as an Assistant United States Attorney where he prosecuted cases in the area of “white collar” fraud, terrorism, tax evasion, and organized crime. During his tenure with the Department of Justice, he was appointed as Special Attorney to the US Attorney General for the purpose of defending an Assistant US Attorney and a US Attorney’s Office in a criminal contempt action. As an Assistant US Attorney, Jake prosecuted two of the largest and most significant organized crime cases in the US; approximately 50 defendants were indicted in each case. Jake was a law clerk for Chief Judge Michael J. Melloy of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa.

James Clayton-Payne

James Clayton-Payne, a mergers and acquisitions lawyer, advises on complex cross-border M&A and joint venture transactions across all sectors in Asia and the Middle East. Mr. Clayton-Payne has been resident in Asia since 2010, and in Singapore since 2012, where he advises infrastructure, venture capital, and buyout funds, as well as corporates and founders. He helps clients on: Energy and infrastructure Natural resources TMT Private equity Venture capital Mr. Clayton-Payne helps clients investing in jurisdictions from the Middle East to Australia navigate the unique legal and regulatory regimes in the region, having successfully executed transactions across 30 countries. He complements his regional focus with a real understanding of his clients requirements, drawn from in-house secondments in London and Hong Kong at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and Morgan Stanley.

James McCrory

James McCrory delivers comprehensive solutions to asset managers worldwide across the spectrum of private fund-related matters. James draws on extensive transactional experience and his sophisticated understanding of the asset management landscape to guide clients on: Raising private funds across a range of strategies, including: Buyout Venture capital Real estate Infrastructure Debt Control asset management M&A acquisitions and GP stakes deals Fund restructurings and GP-led secondaries Establishing strategic partnerships, JVs, co-investment platforms, and SMAs He also advises some of the largest institutional and sovereign wealth investors globally on their private investment portfolios.

James Leslie

James Leslie advises clients on a wide range of UK and cross-border tax matters, including in connection with complex M&A and financing transactions. James delivers commercially focused tax advice to a variety of clients based in the UK and internationally, including private equity funds, financial institutions, and corporates. He regularly handles complex transactions across industries involving innovative and cutting-edge structures. James' work includes advising on the tax aspects of: M&A transactions Private equity deals Acquisition financings Debt and equity capital markets transactions Restructurings Drawing on his broad range of private practice and in-house experience, James brings a firsthand understanding of client needs and delivers complex tax advice in a practical and client-friendly manner. In addition to his commercial work, James regularly provides tax advice to nonprofit organizations and charities on a pro bono basis.

James Lloyd

James Lloyd helps clients navigate a wide range of cybersecurity and privacy-related matters. He is an experienced litigator and investigations lawyer who represents and advises clients on cybersecurity and privacy-related matters, including: Regulatory and internal investigations Incident response and cybersecurity resiliency Commercial disputes James leads responses to significant enforcement investigations by international and domestic regulators, including the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office, law enforcement agencies, and Parliamentary Select Committees. He draws on extensive litigation experience to defend clients when data privacy issues lead to disputes. Understanding what matters to regulators and the courts is at the heart of James’s approach to helping clients understand the privacy and enforcement implications of innovative data use-cases.

James Robinson

James Robinson advises public and private companies on executive compensation and employee benefits matters. James counsels clients on a variety of matters, including: Equity incentive plans Deferred compensation plans Severance and change in control arrangements Employment agreements He also advises on compensation and benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and other corporate transactions.

James Ktsanes

James Ktsanes represents secured lenders, noteholder groups, and other creditors, as well as asset purchasers, in all aspects of out-of-court restructurings, bankruptcies, and special situations. James has extensive experience representing direct lenders in private credit matters. In addition to traditional amendments, workouts, and bankruptcies, James has advised clients in connection with: Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) sales and strict foreclosures Exchange offers Priming credit facilities and uptier exchanges Liability management transactions

James Chesterman

James Chesterman is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and has more than 25 years’ experience in European restructuring and workouts, structured and special situations lending, and leveraged finance. His clients include both borrowers and lenders across the restructuring, special situations/opportunities, and leveraged finance sectors. He has represented banks for many years in transactional and advisory matters and also represents private equity funds, credit funds, distressed funds, and corporates.

James Inness

James Inness is a corporate partner and co-head of Latham's UK equity capital markets practice. He has approximately 20 years’ experience representing issuers, underwriters, and major shareholders on primary and secondary equity capital markets transactions. James is a leading adviser to a wide range of clients listed on the London Stock Exchange in relation to securities offerings, major transactions, and corporate governance. James also has extensive experience advising on securities offerings on other international markets.

James Burnett

James Burnett, a partner in the Corporate Department of Latham & Watkins' London office, advises on equity and debt capital markets, bridge financing, and other aspects of corporate finance. He represents investment banks, private equity firms, and corporations in public and private equity and debt offerings, bridge loans, acquisition financing, and liability management transactions, with a particular emphasis on issuances of high yield debt securities, leveraged transactions, and initial public offerings. James was previously based in the firm's Los Angeles office and was the Corporate Department Chair of the Hong Kong office. James is Vice Chairman of the firm’s Finance Committee. He contributed to the Review and Outlook of European Direct Lending report 2021, published by Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

James Gorton

Corporate Partner

James Brandt

James E. Brandt is a partner in Latham & Watkins' New York office, where he formerly served as the Managing Partner and also formerly served as Co-Chair of the firm's New York Litigation & Trial Department. James is a member of the Restructuring & Special Situations, Securities Litigation & Professional Liability, and Takeover Defense Practices. He focuses extensively on complex litigation involving financial matters, including securities and corporate transactions and insolvency matters, which include litigation in bankruptcy court and commercial matters. James is an experienced trial attorney who has run matters that are local, national, and international in scope. He practices regularly in the state and federal courts of New York and has also handled cases in numerous jurisdictions, including, among others, California, Delaware, Illinois, and Florida. James has handled numerous cross-border controversies and matters in alternative dispute resolution forums, and also has a specialty in the defense of companies against bondholder claims. He has handled the full gamut of commercial litigation matters and has served as outside litigation counsel to Jefferies, the Weider Companies, HedgServ, and Rothschild, Inc, among others. He received particular notoriety for his 2013 victory for the Beverage Industry against the City of New York in the infamous Soda Ban case.

James Mann

James Mann advises clients on a full range of real estate transactions, including complex financings and Indian tribal matters. Drawing on more than a decade of experience, James advises a variety of key market participants, including lenders, public and private companies, private equity firms and other investors, real estate investment trusts (REITs), property managers, and Indian tribal organizations. He leverages his sophisticated industry knowledge and broad-based practice experience across a range of asset classes to help clients achieve their business objectives. James' practice includes: Hospitality and leisure development and financing, including traditional, riverboat, and Native American casinos Real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and financings, both for single assets and portfolios Construction financings Energy project development and financings, including solar, wind, and geothermal projects Tribal financings and workouts Real estate joint ventures James brings particular experience in tribal transactions, casino financings, and energy financings. His work includes a number of market-defining and high-profile real estate transactions across the United States. James also frequently advises clients on a pro bono basis, including in partnership with the Casa Cornelia Law Center. James writes and speaks on a range of topics related to real estate, including Indian lands projects.

James Breckenridge Blackburn

James (Jamie) Blackburn represents clients in their most sophisticated matters involving the energy sector. Jamie leverages extensive industry experience to help energy sector market participants navigate proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Department of Energy (DOE), state public utility commissions, and federal courts in matters involving merger, rate, enforcement, markets, and policy issues. He regularly represents: Independent transmission companies Renewable power developers Private equity infrastructure investors Independent power producers Renewable developers Investor-owned utilities Municipal electric utilities Oil/gas producers Other energy-related organizations and associations A recognized leader among the energy bar, Jamie has held numerous leadership positions in the Energy Bar Association, including serving as past chair of the Young Lawyers Council and the Professional Education Council.

James H. Barker

James Barker, Chair of the firm’s Communications Industry Group, delivers business-oriented solutions backed by more than 30 years’ experience guiding telecommunications market leaders across all stages of their life cycles and advising global clients on complex CFIUS matters. James leverages his sophisticated understanding of clients’ cutting-edge technologies, including AI, and trusted industry relationships, to help clients navigate the regulatory and legal issues involving: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), “Team Telecom,” the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and other executive branch agencies, particularly for strategic company, prominent venture capital and private equity firms, and blue chip investment banks and funding sources Current and emerging wireless communications technologies, including those that enable the Internet of Things (IOT) and connected vehicles and homes Cable, direct broadcast satellite, and other multichannel video programming distributors Telephone companies and other common carriers Communications controversy and litigation matters before state and federal courts, public utility commissions, and the US Courts of Appeal James’s experience with spectrum auctions includes all aspects of their implementation for telecommunications clients since the FCC was first granted auction authority in 1993. James also advises clients on complex telecommunications, content, and technology transactions and negotiates related commercial agreements. He also supports high-profile US and international finance and M&A engagements, including structuring advice related to ownership attribution and foreign investment, intracompany services agreements, licensing and security interest issues, regulatory characterization, US and international regulatory consents, and competition analysis. A recognized leader at the firm, James is Chair of the firm’s Retirement Committee and served as Deputy Office Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C. office. James served as a law clerk to Judge Peter T. Fay of the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

James R. Barrett

James Barrett is the Global Co-Chair of Latham’s Environment, Land & Resources Practice. He advises clients on Environment Social Governance counseling, transactional work, and litigation concerning a broad range of environmental laws. James has also provided services to private equity and strategic company clients in hundreds of transactions covering a broad spectrum of industries, with a particular focus on the energy and oil and gas sectors, including with respect to the acquisition or divestiture of coal, gas, hydro, wind, solar, and nuclear power generation assets. James's practice also focuses on licensing and financing of new energy projects, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) and power generation assets. His practice also includes defending clients in toxic tort matters, bringing to clients an integrated team of attorneys with the technical and litigation skills necessary to ensure that the client’s interests are fully protected in “bet the company” mass tort cases. His practice includes counseling on issues of potential liability associated with site contamination, as well as current and future regulatory requirements that may impact profitability. James also counsels clients with regard to ongoing compliance with state and federal environmental laws, and assists clients with strategic planning for meeting future regulatory requirements. James has particular expertise with respect to issues arising under the Clean Air Act and various solid and hazardous waste laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. In connection with large project financings (including most prominently with respect to non-US based infrastructure projects), James has significant experience and expertise regarding the application of the “Equator Principles” and the International Finance Corporation’s Environmental and Social Performance Standards to such projects. He has published a number of articles and has spoken at conferences regarding, among other topics, environmental due diligence and the impact of new regulatory requirements affecting the power industry. James formerly served as Chair of the Washington, D.C. Environment, Land & Resources Department as well as Co-Chair of the firm’s Environmental Regulation & Transactions Practice.

Jamie Lynn Walter

Jamie Lynn Walter advises clients on a wide range of complex legal, regulatory, and compliance matters across the asset management industry. Her practice focuses on SEC regulation of investment advisers and private funds. Jamie draws on extensive public and private sector experience to help investment managers and other financial institutions navigate all aspects of SEC regulatory and compliance matters, with an emphasis on issues arising under the Investment Advisers Act and the Investment Company Act. As a former regulator, Jamie offers valuable insights into the SEC, including its policies, procedures, operations, and processes. She focuses on providing clients creative solutions to navigating the challenging regulatory landscape. Jamie’s areas of expertise include SEC examinations and enforcement investigations, investment adviser registration and ongoing compliance matters, private fund formation and structuring, M&A and IPO transactions involving asset managers, family office considerations, GP-led secondaries, minority stake transactions, and management team spin-outs. Over the years, Jamie has served as lead counsel to several of the world’s largest asset managers and has successfully counselled clients through numerous complex SEC examinations and enforcement investigations, oftentimes resulting in examinations closed with no deficiencies or comments. Prior to joining Latham, Jamie served as Senior Counsel in the Private Funds Branch of the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Investment Management. While at the SEC, she was responsible for providing significant legal guidance on a wide range of matters involving investment advisers and investment funds, including private funds, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds. She also worked closely with the SEC’s Division of Enforcement and Division of Examinations on examinations and enforcement investigations. Jamie regularly engages in thought leadership on key issues concerning investment advisers and private funds and is a frequent speaker for leading industry conferences. She has been an adjunct professor at Howard University Law School since 2018, where she teaches a course on private equity and hedge fund regulation. Jamie also served as a law clerk to Judge Jacques L. Wiener, Jr. on the Fifth Circuit.

Jan Baker

Finance Of Counsel

Jan Penselin

Jan Penselin advises clients on the full spectrum of debt financings, particularly with a DACH region (Germany, Austria, or Switzerland) nexus. Mr. Penselin leverages a breadth of global capital markets knowledge and local market expertise to advise corporates, sponsors, and investment banks on: Complex high-yield bond transactions under US and German law Crossover bonds Commitment papers for bridge-to-bond financing transactions Liability management transactions Large corporate bonds High yield bond advice in restructuring context P2P financing transactions Lending transactions He understands the commercial factors that drive clients at every stage of their life cycle and devises business-focused corporate finance solutions that support their growth. Mr. Penselin unlocks Latham’s robust platform — especially through integration across the M&A, banking, and teams — to help clients achieve their objectives. Mr. Penselin also helps clients navigate the intersection of capital markets and private capital, as product terms converge amid complex capital structures. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Penselin worked for leading law firms in Frankfurt and London for several years.

Jan Christoph Höft

Dr. Jan Christoph Höft is a partner in the Düsseldorf office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s Antitrust & Competition Practice. He advises clients in all areas of EU and German competition law, representing them before the German Federal Cartel Office and the European Commission. In particular, Mr. Höft assists clients with merger control, cartel defense, and abuse of dominance matters, as well as complex antitrust litigation, including civil damages actions. With almost 10 years‘ experience in competition law, Mr. Höft has developed strong expertise in the technology, media, and retail sectors. The breadth of his cartel experience includes successful settlement discussions with the German Federal Cartel Office and defense in court and in extrajudicial proceedings against subsequent civil damages actions, which to date form the largest ever civil damages litigation in Germany.* In the area of merger control, he has successfully represented a retailer contesting a ministerial approval of a planned merger in the German retail sector.* Mr. Höft regularly writes on recent developments in competition law. *Matter handled prior to joining the firm

Jana Kovich

Jana Kovich advises life sciences and technology startups and venture capital investors on a full range of transactional and operational matters across the company lifecycle. Market-savvy and technically skilled, Jana leverages trusted relationships and creative pragmatism to guide emerging and growth companies on: Company formation and structuring Corporate governance and investor relations Venture capital raising, from seed stage through late-growth equity Day-to-day corporate advice Mergers and acquisitions Exit strategy and initial public offerings US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reporting and compliance She partners with founders, management, and investors to develop a sophisticated understanding of their long-term business objectives. Jana distills complex legal concepts into actionable commercial advice across high-growth sectors, helping clients flourish at all stages of the venture lifecycle. Her work encompasses dozens of venture capital, growth equity, and exit transactions every year, across a wide range of geographies. A recognized thought leader, Jana lectures on a variety of topics related to venture capital issues, including at Duke University School of Law and Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Jana actively contributes to Latham’s recruiting, mentoring, diversity, and training and development programs, and is a former leader of the Chicago Women’s Lawyers Group. She is an auxiliary board member of the Center for Conflict Resolution Chicago, a not-for-profit helping individuals, communities, courts, and other institutions resolve conflict through mediation. She maintains an active pro bono practice, including general corporate governance work on behalf of A Better Chicago, a venture philanthropy that invests in the nonprofits helping Chicago children escape poverty.

Jana Dammann de Chapto

Dr. Jana Dammann de Chapto advises international clients on merger control and foreign investment control. Ms. Dammann de Chapto, as a key member of a client’s deal team, navigates the increasingly complex competition, merger control, and foreign investment control landscape in the EU and globally. She represents clients from a full spectrum of industries before the European Commission, national regulatory agencies, as well as before the German and European courts. Her commercial work draws on her earlier scholarly work on merger control at the University of Hamburg, her PhD on comparative antitrust law, and her work at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law. She regularly writes and speaks on foreign investment topics.

Jason Webber

Jason Webber advises clients on the development or acquisition and divestiture of infrastructure and energy businesses. Jason represents clients in transactions relating to energy, energy transition, telecommunications, circular economy, and other traditional and emerging infrastructure sectors. He regularly advises clients on complex, multidisciplinary matters, including: Acquiring portfolio companies for infrastructure-focused investors, including through take-private transactions Enabling world-scale development projects through the investment of development capital Structuring complex equity investments, including cash equity auctions, mezzanine financings in lieu of equity, joint ventures, management equity structures, and consortium arrangements Negotiating multibillion-dollar debt investments, including commercial bank loans, private placements, underwritten project bonds, and export credit facilities Facilitating the sale or other exit of portfolio companies and single-asset companies

Jason Zhao

Jason Zhao advises clients on private equity transactions and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on the Greater China market. Jason draws on extensive experience practicing in both China and the US to guide private equity funds and corporate clients on a broad range of corporate deals, including: Control acquisitions US going-private transactions PIPEs Growth capital investments Joint ventures Jason has served on the firm’s Training and Career Enhancement Committee and Mentoring Committee. Before joining Latham, he worked at another leading global law firm.

Jason Gott

Jason Gott advises borrowers and other clients on all aspects of distressed situations and liability management. Jason advises borrowers, investors, acquirers, and other creditors in distressed situations, including: Out-of-court restructurings Chapter 11 and chapter 7 proceedings Prepackaged, prearranged, and involuntary bankruptcies Debtor-in-possession financings Cross-border bankruptcies Acquisition of distressed assets in or out of bankruptcy Related state and federal court litigation He combines experience and decisiveness to provide clients with clear guidance in business-critical scenarios. He draws on an academic background in economics and finance to navigate the multifaceted challenges of the restructuring process. Through his service on Latham & Watkins’ Bankruptcy Advisory Committee, he also advises the firm as a creditor in distressed situations. As part of his pro bono practice, Jason has worked with the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and the National Veterans Legal Services Program.

Jason Ohta

Jason Ohta is a seasoned trial lawyer and advocate who brings decades of experience from both the private and public sectors. Jason's practice includes defending healthcare systems and their key personnel from whistleblower qui tam actions under the False Claims Act, and civil and criminal enforcement actions based on the Anti-Kickback Statute and other provisions. Jason is an accomplished trial lawyer, having tried 17 cases as a federal prosecutor and in private practice. He has conducted internal investigations and represented companies, boards of directors, and individuals in connection with trials, ancillary proceedings, and government investigations involving a wide array of criminal, quasi-criminal, and regulatory matters, including: Health care fraud and abuse Securities fraud Accounting fraud Foreign corrupt practices Prior to joining the firm, Jason was an assistant United States attorney in the Southern District of California. His experience included: Successfully prosecuted numerous cases to trial involving healthcare fraud, money laundering, drug trafficking, alien smuggling, and other immigration violations Successfully briefed numerous appeals and argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Jason served as a judicial law clerk for Judge Thomas J. Whelan of the US District Court for the Southern District of California. Jason also previously served as an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego School of Law teaching litigation skills.

Jason Silvera

Corporate Partner

Jason Caron

Jason B. Caron, Global Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins' Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice, advises a full spectrum of healthcare and life sciences organizations on complex healthcare regulatory, reimbursement, and policy matters. Jason leverages his clinical and government experiences, as well as nearly two decades of private practice, to help clients — ranging from early-stage innovators to established multifaceted national health systems — navigate the complex and evolving healthcare regulatory landscape, including: Payer participation, reimbursement, and program integrity matters, such as payment, coding, medical necessity and other coverage issues, surprise billing and other consumer protection issues, clinical documentation, and comparative research Federal and state fraud matters, including anti-kickback, Stark/self-referral, civil monetary penalty, exclusion, suspension, revocation, and false claim matters Advisory opinions; compliance reviews; internal investigations; self-disclosures; and government inquiries, audits, and investigations Healthcare licensure, accreditation, certification, quality, and risk management matters He also regularly advises private equity, growth equity, and venture firms, as well as lenders, pension funds, and family offices that invest in or support the healthcare and life sciences communities. Jason helps clients efficiently manage healthcare regulatory risk by evaluating, developing, implementing, and enhancing corporate compliance and quality management programs. He routinely supports transactions, including complex joint ventures, strategic affiliations, medical practice support arrangements, leverage buy-outs, public company mergers, and recapitalizations. Before joining Latham, Jason worked at another global law firm. He also previously worked for the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of General Counsel and as a critical care paramedic for an affiliate of a regional health system.

Jason L. Daniels

Jason Daniels, a strategic antitrust advisor, guides market-leading companies in heavily regulated industries through high-stakes business transactions, government investigations, and litigation. Jason quickly learns clients’ industry landscape and business needs and crafts strategies that protect the business’ bottom line. He brings a background in economics, a commercial perspective, and extensive experience across multiple industries to help clients navigate merger control proceedings and litigation. Having worked across from federal agencies on numerous deals and litigation, he is well versed in their tactics and provides comprehensive advice. He regularly guides clients on: Strategic deal planning in volatile transactional environments Multinational and domestic merger control strategies Litigation risk mitigation The evolving antitrust regulatory landscape, including: guidelines, state filings, and interlocking directorates Placing a premium on client engagement and service, Jason draws on a keen analytical ability to assess risk, negotiate antitrust covenants, secure regulatory clearance, and — if necessary — defend the transaction through trial. A recognized leader both within and outside the firm, Jason serves on Latham’s Diversity Leadership Committee and plays an active role in the American Bar Association Antitrust Section, including having served as Vice Chair for multiple committees. He also serves on the board of Equality California. Jason maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising on Special Immigrant Visa applications, the Tenant Assistance Project, the Innocence Project, and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Jason R. Burt

Jason Burt, an experienced first-chair trial lawyer and former federal prosecutor, represents clients in bet-the-company business litigation, complex class action defense, government investigations, and strategic counseling on all aspects of litigation strategy and risk management. Jason draws on extensive courtroom experience in civil and criminal matters in US federal and state courts to represent and succeed for clients at all stages of litigation, including in cases involving claims of: Product liability Consumer fraud Deceptive and unfair business practices Violations of state consumer protection statutes Breach of contract Trade secret misappropriation Healthcare fraud Violations of the False Claims Act Leveraging his long track record of litigation success and his sophisticated understanding of emerging technology, class action defense, and business-to-business disputes, Jason serves as a trusted advisor to clients across numerous industries, including the automotive, healthcare, financial, communications, and technology industries. He regularly engages in counseling and negotiation to assist clients in their contracting to mitigate liability and risk exposure, particularly in automotive supplier relationships. He approaches each matter from a global perspective, and has extensive experience counseling Asian clients and helping Asian companies navigate the US litigation landscape. As an Assistant US Attorney for the Department of Justice (DOJ), Jason prosecuted white-collar frauds and first-chaired more than 21 weeks of federal jury trials, obtaining guilty verdicts in every case that went to jury. His prosecutions recouped tens of millions of dollars for victims of financial crimes across the nation. Jason also served as the Deputy Chief of the White Collar and Economic Crime Section within the United States Attorneys’ Office for the District of Utah. Prior to joining the DOJ, Jason worked in Latham’s Washington, D.C. office. Before that, Jason was a clerk for Judge Carlos T. Bea in the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Javad Mostofizadeh

Javad Mostofizadeh advises venture capital, growth equity, and private equity funds on a full range of investment management matters, from fund formation and structuring to day-to-day operations and investor relations. An experienced and versatile practitioner, Javad delivers trusted counsel to US and international funds in connection with their key business, legal, and strategic issues. He brings experience across a variety of investment areas and fund types, including venture capital funds (ranging from seed to late stage), growth equity funds, private equity funds, opportunity funds, funds-of-funds, and SPVs. Javad advises clients regarding: Preparation of offering materials Negotiations with investors on fund formation matters Drafting partnership, LLC, and other governing documents Counseling fund managers on all aspects of day-to-day operational and governance matters Javad also has significant experience with income taxation matters relevant to investment funds. Javad frequently writes on topics in the investment funds space. He served as a contributing author to the Thomson Reuters treatise “The Acquisition and Sale of the Emerging Growth Company: The M&A Exit.”

Javier Stark

Javier Stark represents private equity firms and public and private companies in complex and cross-border M&A and joint venture transactions. Javier guides his clients’ most important business ventures around the globe, including: Mergers, acquisitions, and dispositions Leveraged buyouts Take-private transactions Joint ventures Controlling and minority investments Carve-outs General corporate matters Javier advises clients across industries, including healthcare, energy and infrastructure, and asset management. Prior to joining Latham, Javier served as in-house counsel at a global consultancy and research firm.

Javier Ruiz Calzado

Javier Ruiz Calzado is a partner in Latham & Watkins’ Brussels office. Practicing EU and Spanish competition law, Mr. Ruiz Calzado handles a broad range of competition law matters, including merger control proceedings, global cartel investigations, abuse of dominance investigations and state aid cases. He represents clients in such matters before the European Commission and the European Courts in Luxembourg as well as before the Spanish competition authority and the Spanish courts. While Mr. Ruiz Calzado represents clients active in a variety of sectors, he is particularly active in the aerospace and energy sectors. He advises on a regular basis a major international energy group on general competition and EU regulatory issues. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Ruiz Calzado served for six years as référendaire (clerk) to Judge García-Valdecasas at the Court of First Instance of the European Communities (CFI), now renamed as General Court of the European Union. He played an active role in the CFI’s judgments in leading competition cases, such as Airtours/First Choice (one of the first annulments of a Commission merger decision ever) and Bayer-Adalat (a landmark case interpreting the notion of agreement under Article 101 TFEU and the legality of parallel trade restrictions under EU competition rules). Mr. Ruiz Calzado served in various leadership functions at Latham, most recently as Vice Chair of the Litigation & Trial Department. He frequently speaks and writes on developments in EU and Spanish competition law.

Jean Pawlow

Partner, Tax Controversy

Jean A. Pawlow

Jean Pawlow represents companies and individuals on high-profile tax controversy matters. Leveraging her creative pragmatism and more than three decades of courtroom success, Jean is a strong litigator in matters of federal, state and local, and appellate tax controversies. She helps clients navigate a myriad of complex tax issues, including: Transfer pricing and other valuation issues Financial instruments, including credit card interchange and OID Foreign tax credit and research credit issues Tax accounting issues Withholding and reporting issues Excise taxes Estate and gift tax issues Franchise taxes Tax incentives Jean has a breadth of experience in all stages of the IRS administrative process, federal litigation, and Tax Court litigation. She has litigated cases before US district and appellate courts, as well as the US Tax Court, the US Court of Federal Claims, and the US Supreme Court. She has broad knowledge of the IRS alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures, including fast-track settlement, rapid appeals, post-appeals mediation, pre-filing agreements, and compliance assurance process (CAP) audits. Jean regularly represents clients who are undergoing audits by the IRS Global High-Wealth Industry Group. A recognized thought leader, Jean frequently speaks and writes on industry trends. She has appeared on CBS and CNBC, and was a contributing editor of Getting the Deal Through: Tax Controversy 2016. Jean formerly served on the firm's Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee, which promotes women in business both inside and outside the firm.

Jean-Philippe Brisson

Jean-Philippe (JP) Brisson is a lawyer ranked nationally and globally who advises oil and gas, power, industrial, and financial institution clients on a wide range of energy and environmental matters, including carbon capture and sequestration and carbon neutrality. JP is one of the most experienced attorneys in the US in the climate change and carbon neutrality areas. He is a registered lobbyist in California where he represents clients before the State Legislature and State Agencies. JP was previously Vice President in Goldman Sachs’ Global Commodities business where he helped establish Goldman’s US carbon trading desk and worked on a number of private equity transactions. Over his career, he has diligenced, negotiated, structured, and drafted more than 200 environmental commodities transactions and has advised clients on environmental issues in more than 150 M&A, private equity, and banking transactions. JP currently represents the FivePoint Holdings on the design of NetZero Newhall, the largest carbon neutral city in the world, Microsoft on the deployment of its US$1 billion Climate Innovation Fund, and Occidental Petroleum on a carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) project in Texas. He formerly served as Global Co-Chair of the Environmental Regulation & Transactions Practice. JP is a trustee of Boys Hope Girls Hope New York.

Jed Brickner

Tax Partner

Jeffrey Greenberg

Finance Partner

Jeffrey Lawlis

Jeff Lawlis, Global Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Capital Markets Practice, advises companies, sponsors, and investment banks on cross-border corporate finance transactions involving complex structuring issues. Mr. Lawlis serves as a go-to advisor to many clients on their full range of financing needs. He brings particular experience in leveraged finance and high yield bridge and bond transactions, as well as other debt and equity capital markets offerings, including private placements, and liability management transactions. Mr. Lawlis regularly advises on the financing aspects of M&A transactions, while also providing advice on general corporate and securities law matters. Drawing on more than two decades of on-the-ground experience in Europe, Mr. Lawlis delivers sophisticated and business-driven counsel with a focus on the Italian, Spanish, and Greek markets.

Jeffrey Touchner

Jeffrey Tochner is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Tochner is a member of the firm's Corporate Department, where he specializes in intellectual property and technology matters. He is also the Chair of the New York office Technology Transactions Practice as well as a member of the Trademark Prosecution Practice.

Jeffrey A. Tochner

Jeffrey Tochner is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Jeffrey is a member of the firm's Corporate Department, where he focuses on intellectual property and technology matters. He is also the Chair of the New York office Data & Technology Transactions Practice as well as a member of the Trademark Litigation Practice. Jeffrey is experienced in a wide variety of technology-related transactions including: outsourcing; joint ventures, strategic alliances, and research and development; technology transfers; equipment manufacturing and installation agreements; software licensing and distribution; co-branding agreements; and e-commerce, internet, and website agreements. In addition, Jeffrey counsels clients regarding a wide variety of patent, copyright, and trademark issues, and provides intellectual property and technology advice in the context of mergers, acquisitions, and corporate financings. Jeffrey served as a judicial clerk for Judge Emmett Ripley Cox, of the United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit.

Jeffrey G. Moran

Finance Partner

Jennifer Roy

Jennifer Roy, Deputy Office Managing Partner for the firm's San Diego office, provides environmental counseling in all areas of environmental law, with a particular focus on energy and major infrastructure projects. Jennifer assists clients in a wide variety of energy and infrastructure matters related to power generation, renewable and conventional energy resources, land use entitlements, and environmental diligence. Jennifer has experience in administrative proceedings and litigation, including before California and federal agencies. Jennifer advises clients on compliance with: Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) before the CPUC California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) California Coastal Act Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proceedings and environmental review processes National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Endangered Species Act (ESA) Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) State and local land use laws Habitat conservation plans With experience both in private practice and in-house, Jennifer assists clients with federal, state, and local permitting for major energy and infrastructure projects, including desalination projects, power plants, transmission lines, renewable energy facilities, and liquified natural gas plants. Jennifer also provides advice to residential and commercial developers regarding local planning and zoning regulations and related environmental matters and state land use regulations. Jennifer further assists clients in defending approvals in administrative proceedings and state and federal court litigation. Jennifer also counsels clients who are financing energy and infrastructure projects on a variety of environmental and social governance issues. Prior to law school, Jennifer studied Environmental Studies and Public Policy focusing on international environmental law. During law school, Jennifer served on the editorial staff of the Virginia Environmental Law Journal.

Jennifer Wong

Jennifer Wong is a member of the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Practice. Jennifer represents public and private companies in a range of transactions, including: Domestic and cross-border buyouts Mergers and acquisitions Divestitures Asset acquisitions Tender offers Joint ventures Carve-outs General corporate governance matters Jennifer advises clients across a variety of industries, including consumer products, telecommunications, hospitality, retail, and healthcare. In addition to her corporate practice, Jennifer has been engaged in a variety of pro bono efforts, including matters related to advising not-for-profit organizations on formation, corporate governance, and related general corporate matters. Prior to joining Latham, Jennifer was an associate at another leading international law firm.

Jennifer Koh

Jennifer Koh is a partner in the San Diego office where she focuses on patent litigation and related counseling, representing clients in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries.

Jennifer C. Archie

Jennifer Archie leads the industry in crisis management and response, regulatory investigations, and overall compliance within the data privacy, cybersecurity, and consumer protection sector. She represents clients across the full spectrum of enforcement and advisory matters implicating cybersecurity, data privacy, and consumer protection issues. Drawing on her 35-year career at Latham, Jennifer guides a broad range of clients — from emerging companies to global enterprises across all market sectors — on matters involving: Computer fraud and cybercrime Privacy and data security compliance Compliance program design and management Advertising and marketing practices Consumer fraud Jennifer is highly experienced, and recognized, in defending clients in Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state privacy, security and consumer protection investigations and leading the response to large-scale data breach incidents. Working in close coordination with Latham colleagues in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, she regularly advises global enterprises on complex cross-border compliance and data transfer challenges, compliance with US privacy and data security requirements, and leads assessments of internal privacy or security management programs, under FTC, HIPAA, NIST, financial regulatory, and governmental or private standards. She also represents companies facing fallout from major cyberattacks, data leakage or theft, and suspected trade secrets and intellectual property theft. An industry trailblazer, Jennifer has been engaged significantly in the computer crime and cybersecurity field since 1999, when she became lead outside counsel for America Online for all matters pertaining to the security of the world’s then-largest email system. She investigated, filed, and prosecuted dozens of civil lawsuits against more than 100 individual spammers/phishers and those who aided and abetted, resulting in the collection of millions of dollars in damages, permanent injunctions, novel and favorable legal precedents, and new state and federal laws on which she advised and that she personally drafted.

Jennifer L. Bragg

Jennifer Bragg is a nationally recognized lawyer advising US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated companies facing complex legal and regulatory challenges, government investigations, and related litigation. Jennifer draws on more than two decades of experience, including as Associate Chief Counsel for Enforcement in the FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel, to advise companies and boards of directors on: US Department of Justice (DOJ) and state attorney general investigations FDA and US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) enforcement actions Internal investigations Complex commercial and regulatory issues, often in the context of broader litigation and strategic transactions She develops commercially focused strategies for clients to resolve regulatory issues, minimize litigation and enforcement risks, and overcome transactional hurdles. She counsels boards and compliance departments on corporate compliance program development and other protective measures designed to mitigate the risk of litigation. While at the FDA, Jennifer advised its Office of Criminal Investigations, where she tried to verdict four criminal jury cases involving violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) and other federal statutes. She was designated by the DOJ to serve as a special assistant US attorney in ongoing criminal investigations under the FDCA and served as the FDA Office of Chief Counsel’s primary liaison with the Office of Criminal Investigations relating to policy issues. A recognized thought leader, she frequently speaks at leading industry conferences, including for the Food and Drug Law Institute, Medical Device Manufacturers Association, AdvaMed, International Association of Defense Counsel, and DRI.

Jennifer M. Engelhardt

Jennifer Engelhardt, Global Vice Chair of Latham’s Corporate Department, represents companies, investment banks, and private equity firms in public and private debt and equity offerings and acquisition financing.

Jennifer M. Gascoyne

Jenna Gascoyne represents issuers, including foreign private issuers, and underwriters on the full spectrum of equity capital markets transactions. She advises clients across a wide range of industries on capital markets transactions and ongoing representation, including: Initial public offerings (IPOs) Secondary and follow-on offerings Private placements Public company representation, including ongoing Exchange Act reporting Corporate governance matters Drawing on her experience practicing in both the United States and Europe, Jenna devises pragmatic solutions for issuers who seek access to the US markets. She regularly helps clients navigate the complex, cross-border issues that arise for non-US entities in US-registered offerings. Jenna previously practiced in the firm’s Chicago office. In law school, she was a member of the Texas International Law Journal.

Jennifer S. Van Driesen

Finance Partner

Jenny Cieplak

Jenny E. Cieplak advises fintech and financial services clients on a range of corporate, intellectual property, and regulatory issues arising in connection with the development and deployment of new technologies. Jenny provides broad-based corporate counsel to start-ups, financial institutions, investors, and newly created consortiums. She advises clients on collaborative arrangements between users and creators of market infrastructure initiatives designed to transform sectors of the financial industry, including joint development, investment, and governance agreements. Jenny’s insights into the process of technology development, the needs of financial industry users as well as the legal issues surrounding the creation of new technologies and asset classes provide clients with a unique skillset and perspective. Her work includes advising on: The implementation of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and distributed ledgers, and associated regulatory issues The development and launch of innovative products, such as virtual currencies and digital assets, and ongoing compliance issues associated with the continued development and marketing of such assets Complex joint ventures, including matters focused on entity formation, ownership structure, corporate governance, intellectual property ownership and use, and exit strategies Collaborative technology development arrangements, including joint development and turnkey platform operation agreements Investments in technology startups, including performance-based warrants and other related commercial arrangements The creation, operation, governance, and sale of electronic trading platforms, exchanges, swap execution facilities, clearinghouses, and data repositories

Jeremiah M. Wolsk

Corporate Partner

Jeremy Trinder

Jeremy Trinder, former Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins' Real Estate Practice, represents clients in the full spectrum of complex real estate investment and financing transactions in the UK and across Europe. He draws on more than 25 years of real estate experience and deep knowledge of lending across the capital stack to advise private equity funds, banks, and corporate borrowers on: Commercial mortgage loans, including origination and restructuring of senior, mezzanine and holdco financings Loan-on-loan, repo, and loan warehousing transactions Mortgage backed securities Commercial mortgage debt acquisitions and syndication Sale and leaseback, ground rent, and opco/propco transactions Distressed debt acquisitions/dispositions and NPL and special situations financings He forges long-term relationships with clients to serve as a trusted advisor and delivers creative debt solutions with technical precision.

Jeremy Green

Jeremy Green is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s Corporate Department, Financial Institutions Group, and the Capital Markets, Derivatives, and Structured Finance Practices. His practice focuses on complex OTC derivative and structured financing transactions across all asset classes, with a particular focus on strategic corporate equity derivatives and structured equity financing. Having joined the firm after a number of years working as a senior in-house lawyer at Goldman Sachs in London, advising both investment banking and trading divisions, Jeremy has significant experience structuring and executing the most complex derivative and structured financing transactions and a unique insight into the issues that matter most to international investment banks and their clients. He advises buy-side and sell-side clients on hedging, acquisition, and financing strategies relating to equity positions and on balance sheet restructuring transactions, including: Funded and unfunded collars (and variable prepaid forwards), including where used for accelerated purchases (friendly and hostile) Structured put option financing transactions, stock loans, and equity repos Structured issuer share buy-back transactions Margin loans over listed and unlisted equity, including in the context of IPOs, rights issues and tender offers Non-dilutive convertible and exchangeable bonds and associated investor stock borrow facilities Related regulatory and corporate matters, such as market abuse, disclosure and transparency rules, exchange and clearing house rules, margin rules, and Companies Act and Takeovers Code matters He also regularly advises companies and market participants on issues arising from the use of credit derivatives, particularly in the context of corporate debt restructuring.

Jeremy Wang

Jeremy Wang advises issuers and underwriters on securities, debt, and equity offerings, with a particular focus on clients and matters in South and Southeast Asia. Mr. Wang helps clients with a full spectrum of offerings including: High yield and investment-grade debt offerings Initial public offerings (US Securities and Exchange Commission-registered and Rule 144A/Regulation S offerings) Private placements Convertible debt He also advises clients on: Liability management transactions General securities law matters Mr. Wang draws on extensive experience handling offerings across all industries, including healthcare and life sciences, as well as energy and infrastructure. He provides clients with a keen understanding of the Singapore market combining his global perspective and his ability to navigate complex regulatory regimes across Asia, as well as US and UK regulations. He was named an “Up and Coming Lawyer” by Chambers Asia Pacific for 2022 and 2023.

Jessica Walker

Jessica Walker advises clients on all aspects of complex, cross-border restructurings, insolvencies, and special situations. Jessica combines 20 years’ experience with creativity and compassion to optimize outcomes and help debtors, creditors, directors, insolvency practitioners, and other stakeholders navigate: Distressed transactions Operational and financial restructuring Formal insolvency processes Restructuring plans, schemes of arrangement, and company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) Pensions restructuring Contingency planning Jessica’s experience spans a broad range of industries, including fintech and financial institutions, energy and infrastructure, retail and automotive. A recognized leader both in and outside the firm, Jessica serves on Latham’s Ethics Committee and Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee. She is also an active member of INSOL International, International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC), and the Insolvency Lawyers Association. Jessica maintains an active pro-bono practice, including representing survivors of domestic abuse in the UK through the Domestic Abuse Response Alliance (DARA).

Jessica Cohen

Jessica Cohen advises companies on the IP and IT protection of the most complex market transactions including licensing and development, distribution, and service agreements. Jessica has vast experience guiding clients in the evaluation and bolstering of their IP holdings, data privacy practices, and commercial contracting practices (among others) in advance of a funding round or IPO. Jessica also has a broad-based counseling practice, including with respect to privacy and cybersecurity matters. An active member of her community, Jessica also served for many years as Chair of the Advisory Board for the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, which is a neighborhood-based social services program aiming to empower the residents of Sunset Park in Brooklyn, New York.

Jessica L. Lennon

Jessica Lennon represents clients on complex capital markets transactions, as well as in their life as a public company. Jessica draws on extensive experience on both sides of a transaction and a sophisticated understanding of public company governance to guide private equity firms, investment banks, and public and private companies on a wide range of matters, including: Cross-border transactions Initial public offerings (IPOs) Leveraged buyouts Public company representation Corporate finance Securities regulation Rule 14a-8 stockholder proposals General securities and corporate matters She fosters trusted relationships with clients and opposing counsel to align parties’ interests and successfully close transactions. A recognized leader at the firm, Jessica has served on the Recruiting Committee and regularly conducts internal capital markets trainings. She maintains an active pro bono practice, including representing clients in immigration-related matters through KIND and Human Rights First. While attending law school, Jessica interned for Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly and served as a comparative constitutionalism research assistant.

Ji Liu

Ji Liu, Regional Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Corporate Department in Asia, advises clients on all aspects of corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on debt and equity capital markets transactions. Mr. Liu leverages his problem-solving mentality and extensive market experience to help world-leading companies, investment banks, and trustees navigate: High-yield and investment grade debt offerings Initial public offerings (IPOs) Issuances of equity, debt, and equity-linked securities Mergers and acquisitions Venture capital financing He serves as a trusted advisor to longtime clients and connects them with the resources they need across Latham’s robust global platform to achieve their commercial objectives. A recognized leader at the firm, Mr. Liu previously served on the firm’s Strategic Client Committee.

Jimmy Tabb

Jimmy Tabb is counsel in the San Diego office of Latham & Watkins and is a member of the firm’s Litigation & Trial Department. For more than 20 years, Jimmy has represented policyholders in insurance coverage actions involving a wide range of environmental, property, casualty, investment, and professional liability matters. Jimmy has extensive experience in state and federal courts and has secured recoveries for clients under virtually every type of insurance available, including comprehensive general liability, directors and officers liability, errors and omissions, builders risk, property, and environmental impairment policies. Jimmy has performed insurance recovery work for a wide array of companies, including Montrose Chemical Corporation, Fluor Corporation, Encompass Health,* Zogenix, Inc., L.A. Terminals, Inc., and Kunde Enterprises, Inc. Jimmy also has deep experience in other types of business disputes, including antitrust, bustiness torts, consumer class actions, and securities class actions. Jimmy is an active member of the legal community and the community at large, including serving on the Board of Directors of STAR/PAL United For Youth (current member and immediate past Chair), serving as a Barrister in the Welsh Inn of Court, and performing pro bono asylum work for Casa Cornelia Law Center (where he also served on its Board and helped found its Inn of Court). Before beginning his career in private practice, Jimmy clerked for Judge William T. Moore, Jr. in the US District Court, Southern District of Georgia. *Matters handled prior to joining Latham

Joanna Gorska

Joanna Gorska is a member of the Project Development & Finance Practice of Latham & Watkins and is based in the San Diego office. Joanna's practice focuses on the representation of sponsors and borrowers as well as credit agencies, commercial banks, and other financial institutions in connection with the development and financing of projects across various sectors, including the energy and petrochemical sectors.

Jocelyn Seitzman

Jocelyn Seitzman is a partner in Latham & Watkins’ London office. She focuses on capital markets transactions, LBO financings, and securities regulation, advising private equity firms, companies, and investment banks in debt financings, with a particular emphasis on acquisition financing. She has represented a broad range of clients including BC Partners, CVC Capital Partners, Hellman & Friedman, and Permira, and investment banks such as Citi, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and J. P. Morgan. Jocelyn has practiced law at Latham since 1996 and has practiced law in the London office since 1998.

Joe Wetzel

Joe Wetzel is a trial lawyer who focuses on cutting-edge music and technology copyright issues, representing clients from emerging companies to the biggest household names. He serves as Co-Chair of Latham’s Bay Area Litigation Department. For twenty years, Joehas represented clients in trial and appellate courts in a variety of complex litigation matters. He also regularly counsels clients on various copyright and licensing issues faced by traditional and new media platforms. Joe is often recognized for his work in copyright law. He is ranked by Chambers USA and recommended in Copyright by The Legal 500 US. Billboard magazine has named him a Top Music Lawyer for five years running. And he was named to the inaugural LawDragon 100 Leading AI & Legal Tech Advisors. Law360, Benchmark Litigation, and The Daily Journal have also all recognized Joe's litigation work in intellectual property, media, and entertainment.

Joel Cavanaugh

Joel Cavanaugh advises clients on complex securities regulatory and compliance matters. Joel leverages extensive federal government experience to help asset managers and both registered and unregistered funds — including private equity funds, open- and closed-end mutual funds, exchange traded funds, and business development companies — navigate: SEC examinations, investigations, and enforcement proceedings Seeking and obtaining exemptive and no-action relief from the SEC Investment company status issues under the Investment Company Act of 1940 Investment adviser status, registration, and reporting issues under the Investment Advisers Act Before joining Latham & Watkins, Joel served as Senior Counsel in the Chief Counsel’s Office of the SEC’s Division of Investment Management, where he advised the Divisions of Enforcement and Examinations on issues arising under the Investment Advisers Act and the Investment Company Act. Before joining the Chief Counsel’s Office, Joel was Senior Counsel in the Division of Investment Management’s Investment Company Regulation Office and played a key role in the proposal and adoption of several significant SEC rules under the Investment Company Act.

Joel C. Beauvais

Partner

Joel H. Trotter

Joel Trotter is the Co-Chair of the National Office, a central resource for clients and Latham lawyers facing complex issues arising under the US securities laws. Joel has successfully guided public companies of all sizes, from Fortune 100 to emerging growth companies, through major transactions, bet-the-company corporate crises, and regulatory matters. He served previously as Global Co-Chair of the Public Company Representation practice and, for 10 years, as Co-Chair of the Corporate Department in Washington, D.C. Members of Congress credited Joel, in a 2023 hearing, as “a leading member of the IPO Task Force” and “a principal author of the IPO-related provisions” of the JOBS Act of 2012, enacted by a nearly unanimous Congress to reform the IPO process. The Wall Street Journal described Joel’s role in having “advised Congress on the 2012 legislation,” and his views on securities regulation have appeared in Bloomberg, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. Joel has testified repeatedly before Congress on the federal securities laws, and his publications include contributions to the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance and an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal against overzealous SEC enforcement, “Nothing to Fear From the SEC?” (October 2015).

Johan (Has) V. Brigham

Hans Brigham is the Managing Partner of the Boston office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s Private Equity and Mergers & Acquisitions Practices. Mr. Brigham's practice focuses on providing a broad range of transaction-based services for private equity, growth equity and venture firms, as well as strategic acquirers and sellers.

John Chory

Corporate Partner

John Slater

John Slater advises market-leading public and private companies on the full spectrum of complex corporate finance and capital markets transactions, with a special focus in the retail and technology sectors. John leverages a commercial mindset and comprehensive understanding of the debt and equity capital markets to advise clients on: Initial public offerings (IPO) and follow-on offerings Mergers and acquisitions, particularly de-SPAC transactions Private debt- and equity-linked offerings Liability management transactions, including restructurings, tender offers, exchange offers, and consent solicitations Formation of partnerships and joint ventures Corporate governance and other general corporate matters Beyond his transactional work, John helps clients navigate day-to-day life as a public company or a company in the process of going public. John collaborates across Latham’s multidisciplinary platform to connect companies with the internal and external resources they need to achieve their business goals. As a native Spanish-speaker, John also provides both commercial and cultural fluency to clients in matters with a Latin America nexus, including companies pursuing dual listings on local markets and the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq, as well as private securities offerings to US investors.

John Pierce

John Pierce, Global Co-Chair of the International Arbitration Practice, represents a global client base from a wide variety of industries and business sectors in high-stakes, complex international arbitration, and litigation matters in venues around the world. John is a widely recognized expert in international dispute resolution, with more than 20 years of experience representing clients in institutional and ad hoc arbitrations seated in both common and civil law jurisdictions. John has been involved as lead counsel or arbitrator in arbitrations pending before all major arbitral institutions and he has extensive experience with international arbitral procedure and advocacy. He regularly guides clients through disputes, under a wide variety of procedural and substantive laws, involving joint venture and shareholder matters, post-M&A issues, IP rights, financial services, energy and chemical supply contracts, as well as commercial and corporate matters. He also advises clients on the international enforcement of arbitration awards and judgments, and on the protection of foreign investments. In addition to his counsel work, John regularly serves as an arbitrator in international disputes. John is consistently recognized by clients and competitors as a leading authority in the field of international arbitration and dispute resolution. In various editions of the Chambers Global and Chambers USA guides, John has been described by clients and peers as “an exceptional advocate,” a “formidable” and “very tough opponent,” “outstanding,” “very smart, strategic and knows how to handle a client,” “really excellent,” “and a “top-notch” and “very knowledgeable” practitioner with “a great ability to understand and execute complex business objectives.” John is also recognized as a Thought Leader in the field of international arbitration by Who's Who Legal, which describes him as able to "deftly appl[y] the law to complex issues in order to craft the best possible arguments" and notes that he "navigates multiple jurisdictions with ease." He is described by peers and clients in GAR's International Who's Who of Commercial Arbitration as a "versatile" lawyer with an "outstanding legal mind and critical thinking skills" who "'performs brilliantly' in venues throughout the world." In 2020, John was named the recipient of the International Law Office (ILO) 2020 Client Choice Award for Arbitration in the United States. According to Client Choice’s research, clients praised John as “an outstanding lawyer” and a “practical and strategic thinker,” “who is adept at legal writing and leading a large team.” Clients specifically praised John's “excellent advocacy skills before tribunals” and noted that his “professional preparation of each submission and the hearing itself are phenomenal.” He was elected to the American Law Institute in 2020. He is a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration, a member of the Executive Committee of the New York International Arbitration Center, a founding member of the International Arbitration Club of New York, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Prior to private practice, John served as a law clerk to the Honorable M. Margaret McKeown on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He was selected as a Jean Monnet fellow at the École Polytechnique in Palaiseau, France (1992-1993) and as a Young Leader of the American Council on Germany (2009-2010).

John Wileur

John Wileur guides companies through complex EU antitrust proceedings and merger control matters. Drawing on his experience in high-profile European competition matters, Mr. Wileur delivers creative and pragmatic solutions to clients. He represents multinational and European companies involved in a range of industries, from technology and live events to pharmaceuticals, transportation, and energy. Mr. Wileur brings particular experience navigating prominent merger control and abuse of dominance matters. His work includes some of the largest and most complicated matters at the EU and national levels, including proceedings brought before the EU Courts in Luxembourg. Mr. Wileur also counsels clients on complex competition issues involving cartel investigations, distribution agreements, and State aid. Mr. Wileur regularly speaks and writes on EU law topics, including as a lecturer at the University of Liège law school in Belgium. He has written on abuse of dominance and other competition law topics in a number of leading legal publications. Mr. Wileur maintains an active pro bono practice. His work includes advising nonprofit organizations on EU and Belgian law issues. He is also a member of the firm’s Pro Bono and Recruiting Committees.

John Spears

John Spears advises institutional investors on real estate financing transactions. John represents lenders in complex secured financing transactions, including: Origination of CMBS loans, construction loans, and mezzanine loans Secondary market transactions, including syndications, loan purchases and sales, and the negotiation of co-lender and intercreditor agreements Workouts

John Lister

John Lister advises clients on leveraged finance, with a particular focus on private credit middle-market lending, and private equity-backed financings. John leverages his keen market sense to guide financial institutions, corporate borrowers, and private equity funds on the full spectrum of leveraged finance transactions, including: Acquisition financings Recapitalizations Syndicated loan transactions Working capital financings Senior secured lending Restructuring transactions and distressed situations He draws on deep relationships with private credit providers, private equity funds, and counsel within the leveraged finance sector to effectively and efficiently consummate sophisticated financing transactions. John helps clients understand and prioritize the issues that may arise during a transaction, and he constructively works with opposing counsel to achieve commercial solutions. John advises lenders in financings for middle-market and large-cap companies, with a focus on companies operating in the healthcare space, including CPOM transactions (transactions relating to the corporate practice of medicine), and the restaurant and franchise space. A recognized thought leader, John regularly conducts trainings on topics that his clients face in the market and co-hosted the Chicago office’s Direct Lending Roundtable. He maintains an active pro bono practice, including partnering with JPMorgan to represent victims of domestic violence in immigration-related matters.

John Colahan

John Colahan is a partner in Latham & Watkins’ London office. Prior to joining Latham & Watkins, Mr Colahan was the International Antitrust Counsel, based in London, for The Coca-Cola Company where his responsibilities included advising all operating groups on strategic planning and implementation of a wide variety of international joint ventures and acquisitions as well as the conduct of international antitrust litigation and investigations. Mr Colahan has also served as a legal adviser on European law to the European secretariat of the UK Cabinet Office and has represented the UK in numerous cases. He represents clients before the European Commission, national authorities in Europe and internationally, as well as conducting litigation in the European courts and numerous national courts. He has advised on a wide variety of international antitrust matters, including structuring and implementation of international mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, cartel enforcement, single firm conduct and compliance counselling.

John Heintz

Environment, Land & Resources Department Partner

John Jameson

Finance Partner

John Wilson

John Wilson is a partner in the San Diego office and member of the Litigation & Trial Department. He primarily handles complex insurance litigation, in addition to environmental and general commercial litigation. John advises clients and litigates first- and third-party insurance disputes, including commercial general liability, cyber / crime, errors and omissions, directors’ and officers’ liability, and political risk policies, as well as insurance bad faith claims. John represents clients at all stages of litigation, from motion practice to trial and through the appellate process, in federal and state court litigation, international arbitration, and high stakes mediation. John has prosecuted coverage claims arising from a number of underlying environmental and business risks, including mass tort claims alleging exposure to asbestos, lead and DDT-related products, state and federal environmental enforcement actions, and international commercial disputes.

John Williams

John Williams advises public and private companies in the technology and life sciences industries throughout their corporate lifecycles, as well as underwriters and financial advisers active in those industries. John primarily handles capital markets and emerging company matters, and he represents issuers and investment banks on various transactions, including: Initial public offerings Direct listings Follow-on equity and debt offerings Venture capital financings Private placements of public equity Strategic investments Tender offers He also regularly advises on securities law compliance, corporate governance matters, employment matters, equity incentives, and startup matters. John was named a Rising Star in the area of Securities & Corporate Finance by Super Lawyers in 2019-2024. In law school, he was an editor on the Stanford Law Review. He currently serves on Latham’s Ethics Committee.

John P. Janka

Corporate Partner

John-Patrick Sweny

John-Patrick (JP) Sweny is a partner in Latham & Watkins' London office and a member of its Project Finance and Development Practice. He represents energy companies, governments, financial institutions, and private equity investors on a wide range of project finance and development transactions focused on the energy transition. JP is a member of the Regulation and Policy Working Group of the Carbon Capture & Storage Association, covering the regulation of CCS and blue hydrogen sectors, and a participant in the Green Hydrogen Organisation’s contracting standards initiative. JP also is a member of a specialist working group participating in the EU-funded LNGnet project on the future transition of the LNG market.

Jonathan Rod

Jonathan Rod is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins, where he is a member of the Finance Department and Chair of the Project Development & Finance Practice. He formerly served as global Co-chair of the Energy - Power Industry Group.

Jonathan Brownson

Jonathan Brownson is a finance partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins. He has a wide range of experience representing creditors in syndicated and private credit leveraged financings, investment grade acquisition facilities, restructurings and emerging markets loans. His clients include banks, credit providers and other financial institutions.

Jonathan Katz

Jonathan Katz represents owners and developers in the drafting and negotiation of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts for high-profile, complex energy and infrastructure projects. Jonathan advises clients on a full spectrum of domestic and international projects across sectors, including: Oil and gas Liquified natural gas (LNG) Power Petrochemicals Energy transition (carbon capture, biofuels, e-fuels, and ammonia facilities) Before joining Latham, he practiced as a partner at another international law firm.

Jonathan Sarna

Jonathan Sarna advises companies and financial institutions on public and private financings across multiple industries, with a particular focus on the life sciences, healthcare, and REIT sectors. Jonathan draws on his comprehensive understanding of capital markets transactions and takes a pragmatic approach to help clients navigate financings at every stage of their life cycle, including: Initial public offerings (IPOs) Block trades and follow-on offerings High-yield and investment-grade debt offerings At-the-market (ATM) programs De-SPAC transactions Convertible debt offerings Jonathan builds long-term relationships with companies, their executives, and their boards to counsel on general corporate and securities matters relating to corporate governance, public company reporting obligations, and stock exchange rules and requirements. Jonathan's broad healthcare and life sciences experience includes transactions in the oncology, biologics, pharmaceuticals, medical device, and medtech spaces. He unlocks the firm’s robust platform to provide the resources his clients need in these industries to achieve their commercial objectives. Jonathan maintains an active pro bono practice and frequently appears in court as a guardian ad litem through Chicago Volunteer Legal Services.

Jonathan Parker

Jonathan Parker is a partner in the Antitrust & Competition Practice in Latham & Watkins’ London office focusing on European and UK competition law. He advises clients on a wide range of EU and UK competition issues, including mergers and acquisitions, market studies, cartels/restrictive agreements, and abuse of dominance cases. Prior to joining Latham, Jonathan worked as a Legal Director and Director of Mergers at the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). He is renowned in the market for deploying his considerable experience and institutionalized thinking on UK merger control matters. He is a member of the Competition Law Committee of the City of London Law Society.

Jonathan A. Drory

Jonathan Drory advises a broad range of US and global public companies on corporate, securities, and governance issues. Jonathan counsels clients listed on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq that span a wide range of industry sectors. Specifically, he helps navigate: Securities and Exchange Commission reporting requirements New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq rules Corporate governance issues Proxy rules Sarbanes-Oxley Drawing on his academic background in finance, Jonathan crafts business-responsive solutions and leverages Latham’s robust platform to guide public company clients through complex legal issues. While attending law school, Jonathan served as a senior editor of The University of Pennsylvania Law Review.

Jooyoung Yeu

Jooyoung Yeu represents leading global companies in complex commercial disputes and securities class actions in state and federal courts, as well as in US and international commercial arbitrations. Jooyoung works on high-stakes matters for large public and private companies, professional services firms, and financial institutions. She also advises clients in internal and government investigations. Jooyoung draws on substantial experience in all aspects of litigation and can point to an impressive track record of dismissals on behalf of clients in a wide range of industries, including life sciences, technology, energy, financial services, telecommunications, and consumer products. She also has complementary experience in corporate transactional work, and was seconded to a global investment bank.

Jordan Cook

Jordan Cook represents a variety of clients on complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on securities litigation, complex business disputes, professional liability, activism, and class action litigation. Jordan assists companies, management, and boards of directors in connection with: Securities class action suits Shareholder derivative litigation Books-and-records demands M&A, activism, and Delaware corporate governance SEC enforcement matters Jordan is on the Board of the Federal Bar Association (OC Chapter) and serves on the Training and Career Enhancement Committee. She has previously served on the Associates and Technology Committees. Prior to joining Latham, Jordan worked at another AmLaw50 firm representing clients in complex commercial litigation matters.

Jordan Miller

Corporate Partner

Jordi Domínguez

Jordi Domínguez advises Spanish and multinational clients on the full spectrum of tax issues that arise in sophisticated cross-border transactions. Mr. Domínguez leverages a comprehensive understanding of global tax laws and decades of transactional experience within the local and global market to guide private equity sponsors, financial institutions, and multinational corporations on: M&A and joint ventures Restructurings Financing structures Capital markets offerings He connects clients to resources across Latham’s platform and provides pragmatic, business-oriented advice that allows clients to make informed decisions in multijurisdictional deals. A recognized thought leader, Mr. Domínguez regularly lectures on international tax law at Centro de Estudios Garrigues and ESADE.

Jose Antonio Sánchez-Dafos

José Antonio Sánchez-Dafos, a partner in the Corporate Department, focuses his practice on private equity transactions and venture capital investments in Spain and Portugal as well as cross-border mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures.Mr. Sánchez-Dafos regularly advises major global and local private equity funds on transactions in the Spanish and Portuguese markets, with experience acting for both sponsors and management teams.

José Antonio Sánchez-Dafos

José Antonio Sánchez-Dafos advises clients on cross-border M&A and private equity transactions, particularly involving the technology sector. Mr. Sánchez-Dafos combines deep local experience with a sophisticated understanding of global transactions to guide major international and Spanish private equity funds and companies on: Mergers, acquisitions, and disposals Leveraged buyouts Add-on acquisitions Joint ventures Advising management SPAC-related transactions He anticipates potential transactional hurdles and creates efficiencies that close deals. Drawing on his international education and extensive global transactional experience, Mr. Sánchez-Dafos serves as a trusted advisor who understands clients’ strategic needs on a global scale. Mr. Sánchez-Dafos represents venture capital funds as emerging companies navigate the corporate life cycle, from raising venture capital to exit or listing. A recognized leader at the firm, he serves as Chair of the Global Technology Committee. He previously served as Local Chair of the Corporate Department in Madrid, as well as on the Associates Committee. Outside the firm, he teaches postgraduate M&A courses at IE Law School and Carlos III University. He maintains an active pro bono practice, including helping charitable organizations incorporate in Spain.

José María Jiménez-Laiglesia

José María Jiménez-Laiglesia represents Spanish and international clients before Spanish and EU competition authorities in their most sophisticated antitrust matters. Mr. Jiménez-Laiglesia combines more than three decades’ of experience and his reputation as one of Spain’s leading competition lawyers to precisely evaluate risk and guide international companies, financial institutions, and private equity firms on: Regulatory challenges to mergers and foreign direct investments Cartel investigations Charges of abuse of a dominant position and state aid He quickly understands the nuances involved in clients’ most complicated antitrust matters, serving as an integral hub for tightly coordinated multijurisdictional teams. Mr. Jiménez-Laiglesia successfully intervenes in matters involving jurisdictional review of competition and regulatory decisions before Spain’s National Court (Audiencia Nacional) and Supreme Court.

José María Alonso

José María Alonso advises clients on the regulatory aspects of complex corporate transactions and litigation against Spanish public administrations and administrative courts. Mr. Alonso draws on nearly a decade as a Spanish State Attorney to guide private equity firms and large corporates on Spanish public law matters and EU regulation, particularly in the financial, energy, and infrastructure industries, including: Regulatory aspects of M&A Public law concessions, permits, and authorizations Foreign direct investments Public procurement matters Environmental law issues Leveraging his experience at the Ministry of the Presidency and Public Administration and his work as Technical General Secretary of Spain's Ministry of Economy and Business, he combines a deep understanding of the European market with a commercially driven approach to transactions.

José-Maria Jiménez-Laiglesia

José María Jiménez Laiglesia, a partner in the Antitrust & Competition Practice with nearly three decades of experience, is widely recognized as one of Spain’s leading competition lawyers. Mr. Jiménez Laiglesia regularly represents Spanish and international companies, financial institutions, and private equity firms before Spanish and EU competition authorities as well as other regulatory bodies. He advises clients on mergers, cartel investigations, and charges of abuse of a dominant position and state aid.

Joseph Kronsnoble

Joseph Kronsnoble, former Global Chair of the firm's Transactional Tax Practice, draws on more than three decades of experience at the firm to represent public and privately owned companies and buy-out firms in connection with tax-free and taxable mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, spin-offs, and other transactions, including cross-border investments, dispositions, and combinations. Joseph also advises US and foreign debtors and creditors in bankruptcy reorganizations and debt restructurings outside of bankruptcy. He represents US and foreign issuers and underwriters in stock and debt offerings, securitizations, and other issuances of financial instruments. Joseph has represented clients in obtaining private letter rulings from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). He also represents taxpayers in audit and controversy matters with the IRS and state taxing authorities. Joseph is Co-Chair of the Federal Tax Institute Planning Committee. He has written articles for various legal and financial publications and has spoken at tax conferences and to other groups on tax-related topics Prior to attending law school, he practiced for two years as an accountant with Price Waterhouse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has also been licensed as a certified public accountant in Illinois and a certified financial planner.

Joseph M. Bargnesi

Joseph Bargnesi advises clients in connection with domestic and cross-border investigations, white collar criminal and civil enforcement matters, and related litigation. Joseph represents global companies and organizations, as well as high-profile individuals, in matters involving complex regulatory regimes. He has particular experience in matters involving: The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Accounting and securities fraud Money laundering Sanctions Antitrust and unfair competition Healthcare fraud and abuse Corporate misconduct He leverages this experience to help clients navigate investigations and enforcement actions involving the Department of Justice (DOJ), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), State Attorneys General, and other regulators worldwide. Complementing his investigations and defense work, Joseph works closely with clients to mitigate enforcement risks by enhancing their corporate compliance programs. He draws on extensive experience to help clients: Draft policies and procedures Conduct risk assessments Develop training programs Leverage innovative compliance monitoring and analytics Joseph also regularly advises clients in connection with cross-border M&A and capital markets transactions, including pre- and post-acquisition due diligence counseling and related disclosures. Prior to joining Latham, Joseph worked as a law clerk for the United States Attorney’s Office for Western District of New York and United States Magistrate Judge F. Bradford Stillman on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Josh Strathman

Josh Strathman advises clients on sophisticated asset-backed financing and securitizations. Josh helps lenders, borrowers, asset originators and servicers, asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) conduits, issuers, underwriters, and placement agents navigate public and private securities offerings and other complex financing transactions, across various asset classes, including: Auto loans and leases Equipment loans and leases Credit card receivables Commercial loans Pharmaceutical royalties Unsecured consumer loans He also represents clients in loan portfolio acquisitions and commercial real estate repurchase agreements. Prior to joining Latham, Josh was counsel at another international law firm. Before that, he was senior corporate counsel at NeoPets, an online media subsidiary of Viacom.

Joshua Wu

Joshua Wu, former Deputy Assistant Attorney General (DAAG) for Appellate and Review in the Tax Division of the US Department of Justice (DOJ), counsels and advocates for companies and high net worth individuals on all aspects of tax controversies and litigation. Joshua advises on issues ranging from tax accounting disputes, to corporate and partnership transactional issues, international questions, employee benefits matters, and tax exempt controversies. He brings a unique knowledge base and skillset to his clients, drawing on his experience both in senior leadership roles in the DOJ’s Tax Division and in private practice. Most recently, when Joshua served as DAAG, he oversaw virtually all appeals in civil federal tax cases throughout the country and managed a 40-lawyer team. He also represented the United States in appellate oral arguments, evaluated and approved significant civil settlement offers, and furnished advice to the Tax Division’s trial sections in complex tax cases. Joshua previously served as DAAG for Policy and Planning, where he led the Office of Management and Administration (OMA) at DOJ. In that role, he led the operational functions of the Tax Division, and led the Office of Legislation and Policy, which works with the Department of Treasury, the IRS, and other agencies on legislative, regulatory, and policy initiatives. Prior to his government service, Joshua was a partner at a large international law firm. He also worked as an associate at Latham.

Joshua Marnitz

Joshua Marnitz advises clients on the environmental and energy regulatory aspects of complex corporate and finance transactions in the energy, infrastructure, and industrial sectors. Joshua combines a sophisticated understanding of the environmental and energy regulatory landscape with extensive transactional experience to provide private equity firms, financial institutions, project developers, and corporate clients strategic guidance on matters involving the: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Endangered Species Act National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) National Historic Preservation Act Federal Power Act Natural Gas Act International lender standards, including the International Finance Corporation’s Environmental and Social Performance Standards (IFC Performance Standards) and the Equator Principles He has more than a decade of experience advising clients with respect to the development and financing of cutting-edge energy and infrastructure projects in the US and around the world, including wind (both onshore and offshore), solar, battery storage, hydrogen, and liquefied natural gas projects. Joshua also counsels clients on environmental issues and liabilities that arise in the context of transactional due diligence and helps them develop strategies to mitigate associated risks. In addition, he advises clients regarding compliance with federal and state environmental and energy regulatory laws as they navigate a constantly evolving regulatory landscape. He maintains an active pro bono practice and currently serves as a member of the Legal Council for the Williams Institute. Joshua is a member of the firm's Diversity Leadership Committee and a former member of the firm’s Recruiting Committee and Training and Career Enhancement Committee. Before joining Latham, he was a Law Fellow at the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, DC.

Joshua Chao

Joshua Chao is a counsel in the San Diego office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Finance Department and Banking Practice. Joshua represents corporate borrowers, investment banks, direct lenders and other financial institutions in connection with corporate finance transactions across a broad range of industries, with a particular focus on leveraged finance in the context of acquisitions, refinancings and recapitalizations. His experience also includes advising on high yield debt securities and cross-border transactions.

Joshua Kiernan

Joshua Kiernan is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins, focusing on international capital markets transactions, securities regulation, and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Joshua has extensive experience advising companies on SEC-registered IPOs, follow-on and secondary offerings, block trades, private placements, and Rule 144A offerings. In addition, he advises on a variety of debt offerings (including high-yield and convertible bonds) and cross-border M&A, joint ventures, and leveraged buyouts. Joshua assists many clients with SEC reporting and corporate governance matters and has particular experience in the technology and life sciences sectors.

Joshua Hamilton

Litigation & Trial Partner

Joydeep Choudhuri

Joydeep Choudhuri advises clients on a wide range of European and cross-border leveraged financing matters. He leverages broad experience to represent banks and private credit funds in their most sophisticated financing transactions. Before joining Latham, he was a partner at another global law firm.

Jude Volek

Jude Volek, a former senior White House counsel and senior DOJ official, advises clients on highly sensitive internal investigations, government enforcement actions, regulatory work, and litigation. Jude draws on his extensive government experience in crisis management to tactfully advise on a range of intricate issues, including: Equity and DEI initiatives Artificial intelligence and other rapidly advancing technologies Civil rights compliance, investigations, and litigation Jude has represented several universities in an array of matters, including in internal investigations following reported allegations of misconduct and in investigations conducted by the US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, related to compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. He has also advised companies and other organizations on sensitive internal investigations and a range of equity- related issues. Before joining Latham, Jude served as special assistant and senior associate counsel to President Biden in the Office of the White House Counsel, where he advised on developing and implementing executive orders, presidential memoranda, agency actions, and other initiatives to ensure administration actions complied with the Constitution and federal law. Jude also previously served as deputy chief of the Special Litigation Section of the US Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, where he led all stages of complex investigations and civil litigation, most notably in US v. Ferguson, Missouri, and US v. New Orleans. His work garnered him the DOJ’s highest award — the Attorney General’s Exceptional Service Award — and the Attorney General’s John Marshall Award for Excellence in Litigation. After law school, Jude clerked for Judge Janet C. Hall of the US District Court for the District of Connecticut and Judge Sandra Lynch of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Julia Stapelfeld

Julia Stapelfeld is a counsel in the firm’s Finance Department and a member of the Banking Practice of Latham & Watkins’ London office. Her experience spans more than 10 years advising on all aspects of high-profile, large-scale leveraged finance transactions, including advising on public-to-private takeovers, refinancings, and add-on financings. More recently, Julia focuses on advising sponsor-owned portfolio companies and corporate borrowers on a wide range of matters relating to their financings.

Julia A. Thompson

Julia Thompson counsels public companies on securities, governance, and compliance matters. Julia brings a seasoned and reassuring approach to advising boards and senior management at companies — from S&P 500 companies to newly public companies. As a trusted advisor she helps clients assess risk and develop commercial solutions to: Disclosure and compliance matters relating to SEC rules and stock exchange listing standards Sensitive governance issues, including structure, leadership, and risk management Board and senior management transitions Engagement with stockholders and proxy advisory firms Julia has a track record of developing longstanding client relationships, and has routinely trained and counseled directors, senior executives and legal and finance departments on legal, regulatory, and compliance matters. She draws on experience with capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic transactions to understand clients’ business needs and objectives. Julia regularly writes and presents on a wide range of public company reporting and governance topics of interest to her clients. She is a member of Latham’s ESG Taskforce, the former Global Co-Chair of the Asian & Middle Eastern Lawyers Group, and a former member of the Finance Committee.

Julia A. Hatcher

Julia Hatcher helps clients navigate laws that control chemicals and products at every life cycle stage, including the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Superfund law (CERCLA), the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, federal transportation statutes, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and related state laws, as well as the intersection of these laws with toxic tort liability. Her chemicals knowledge also extends to consumer products-related requirements for labeling, reporting, “green” and “health” claims, and recalls administered by the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and state counterpart agencies. Julia’s experience includes international chemical control requirements, such as the European Union Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH); the Stockholm Convention; and the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP). Julia helps client navigate multiple federal agencies, including the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), and the Department of Transportation (DOT); agency sub-units, including the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC); and state counterpart agencies. She assists clients addressing a wide array of chemicals and products regulatory requirements, such as to obtain new chemical and product approvals; to comply with requirements governing emissions, disposal, and claims pertaining to chemical content, hazards, health benefits, and “green” attributes; to determine whether and when reporting has been triggered as to a “defect”, “substantial hazard,” or “substantial risk”; and to perform specialized due diligence for transactions involving chemicals and products manufacturers. Julia’s practice also includes strategic legal risk management and product defense. She helps clients with reference not only to current legal requirements, but also to emerging areas, such as the measurement of chemicals in the body, nanotechnology, and climate change. In this aspect of her practice, Julia works with clients to anticipate potential future business-threatening regulatory requirements and activist tactics and assists them to manage these challenges through various measures, such as, for example, product substitution and product defense based on marshalling data to show absence of risk, the criticality of the product due to the lack of substitutes, and/or the environmental and societal benefits of the product. Julia also relies on her experience to recognize the potential for litigation liability that can stem from regulatory approvals, compliance decisions/actions, product substitution, and product defense, and to assist in managing these legal risks. Julia has particular experience in the chemical, automotive, semiconductor, electronics, and personal care products industries. She also has deep knowledge of various “emerging contaminant” chemistries, including in particular, per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemistries, such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Prior to practicing law, Julia served as a law clerk intern for Chief Judge Harry T. Edwards of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Julian Kleindorfer

Julian Kleindorfer is Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins’ REIT Industry Group. Julian primarily advises on corporate finance transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and general company representation. Julian brings significant experience to clients in the real estate and hospitality industries, advising on transactions including: Registered equity and debt offerings and private placements Public and private acquisition transactions Board counseling and representation of special committees REIT roll-up and IPO transactions

Julian Azran

Julian Azran represents public and private companies, financial sponsors and their portfolio companies in high-profile corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, leveraged buy-outs, investments, co-investments and corporate governance matters. Julian advises clients within a variety of industries with a focus on the entertainment, sports, and media industries.

Julie Holloway

Julie Holloway, resident in the firm's San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices, is Co-chair of the San Francisco office's Litigation & Trial Department and a member of the firm's Intellectual Property Litigation Practice.

Julie Crisp

Julie Crisp advises clients on the full spectrum of employee benefits and executive compensation matters that can shape market-changing transactions and sustain businesses. Julie leverages a sophisticated understanding of clients’ commercial objectives to craft practical solutions to the complex benefits and compensation issues involving: The executive compensation and employee benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions, financings, initial public offerings, spin-offs, and other corporate transactions Employment, severance, and change-in-control agreements Deferred compensation plans, as well as equity and other incentive compensation plans and arrangements Compliance with applicable tax and securities laws, including ERISA Compensation disclosures for proxy statements and other public filings She forges trusted relationships with private equity funds, public and private companies, and executives across industries to help clients achieve their business objectives, unlocking resources across the firm’s global platform. A recognized leader at the firm, Julie serves on the Associates Committee. She previously was a member of the Pro Bono Committee and served as Vice Chair of the firm’s Global Recruiting Committee. Julie prioritizes giving back to the community, particularly through initiatives that support equity and inclusion within the legal profession. She served on the Board of Trustees for the NALP Foundation for Law Career Research and Education and is a member of the Leaders Network Advisory Council for the Ron Brown Scholar Program, a college scholarship and leadership program for African American students.

Justin Stolte

Justin T. Stolte is Global Chair of Latham’s Energy & Infrastructure Group and a partner in its Houston and New York offices. His practice focuses on strategic transactions involving energy and infrastructure businesses, with an emphasis on M&A and joint ventures. Justin is consistently recognized as a top-tier practitioner in energy and infrastructure, including by The Best Lawyers in America (2021-2024), Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2019-2025), ILFR (2023-2024), and The Legal 500 US (2018-2024). He was also named an Energy MVP by Law360 in 2022 and has garnered recognition by several other industry-leading publications, including American City Business Journal, Hart Energy, Houston Business Journal, Lawdragon, and Texas Monthly. Justin previously worked in business development, commercial, and engineering roles at two global energy and infrastructure companies, where he led the acquisition, development, and divestiture of several multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects. Clients have praised this experience, noting in Chambers USA that it uniquely allows him “to bring a practical business perspective” and “understand what’s important” to transactions. Justin has led Latham’s Energy & Infrastructure Group since its inception, a group including 650+ lawyers that is consistently recognized as one of the elite energy and infrastructure practices in the world.

Justin Hamill

Partner

Justin Rosenberg

Justin Rosenberg represents clients in high-value, strategic private equity, M&A, and other complex corporate matters. Justin advises private equity firms, strategic buyers and sellers, and private and public companies on: Acquisitions and divestitures Cross-border transactions Private equity transactions Securities law and corporate governance issues Before joining Latham, Justin was a partner at another international law firm.

Justin Elliott

Justin Elliott advises public and private clients on complex commercial real estate transactions, particularly relating to high-stakes joint ventures, financings, acquisitions, dispositions, restructurings, and real estate related mergers, acquisitions, and capital markets transactions. Justin draws on his vast experience and pragmatic approach to guide private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and public companies on: Joint ventures Single asset and portfolio financings Acquisitions and dispositions of interests in real property and debt Workouts and restructurings M&A, dispositions, and capital markets transactions He works with clients to gain an in-depth understanding of their businesses and tirelessly advocates on their behalf. Justin devises forward-thinking solutions in prominent transactions that consider clients’ key drivers and anticipate their future needs. His experience spans a broad range of asset classes, including industrial, multifamily and specialized housing, medical, office, retail, and hospitality. Justin maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising entrepreneurs on corporate matters through small business clinics. A recognized leader at the firm, Justin is a member of the Recruiting Committee.

Karen Ritter

Karen Ritter advises clients in various real estate transactions, including commercial mortgage loans, joint ventures, commercial dispositions and acquisitions, and development projects. Karen's finance experience includes commercial mortgage and mezzanine loan originations, and sale leaseback transactions. Karen also has experience with the real estate aspects of mergers and acquisitions, corporate banking, secured high yield transactions, and corporate finance including the financing of coal mines, industrial plants, office buildings, and mixed-use projects. Karen also has assisted in the structuring of entities and performance of due diligence in connection with real estate transactions.

Karen Leviton

Litigation & Trial Of Counsel

Karl Mah

Karl Mah is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and is Chair of the London Tax Department. He represents a broad range of clients on international tax matters. He has particular experience advising on the tax aspects of M&A and private equity deals, capital markets offerings, and finance transactions. Karl received the prestigious Institute Medal and LexisNexis Prize from the Chartered Institute of Taxation for achieving the highest score in the country in the May 2008 Institute examinations, which are considered to be the ‘gold standard’ among tax professionals in the United Kingdom. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation. He is also actively involved in the firm’s diversity initiatives and has previously served on the firm’s Mentoring, Knowledge Management, and Training and Career Enhancement Committees and as part of the London office’s Asian Lawyer and First Generation Professionals Affinity Groups.

Katherine Rocco

Katherine (Kate) Rocco is Co-Chair of Latham’s New York Litigation & Trial Department and is a partner in the firm’s Global Antitrust & Competition Practice. Kate regularly leads clients through their most complex antitrust matters, including by securing clearances from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for high-stakes mergers, and defending companies in a wide range of antitrust litigations, investigations, and cartel matters. Over the last thirteen years, Kate has advised private and public companies on more than 200 individual antitrust matters. She has litigated multiple matters through trial and appeal and appeared before numerous agencies including the European Commission. Kate’s broad industry experience spans semiconductors, consumer products, life sciences, entertainment, social media, healthcare, financial services, agriculture, and technology. Kate is routinely recognized as a leading practitioner in antitrust, including by Chambers, Global Competition Review, Lawdragon, The Legal 500, Super Lawyers, and Who’s Who Legal. She is a guest lecturer at Fordham Law School and is a Member of the Board for the Legal Aid Society’s New Leadership Program. For nearly a decade, Kate served in the leadership and as a member of the Civil Rights Committee of the New York City Bar Association, including by serving as an independent legal observer at the Guantanamo Bay military tribunals in Cuba in 2012 and 2014, and by preparing amicus briefs for the Supreme Court of the United States on issues like warrantless wiretapping. Prior to joining Latham, Kate was an antitrust partner at another leading law firm. During law school, she was an editor for the Fordham Law Review and interned for Judge Shira A. Scheindlin of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. She was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship in 2005 (Malaysia) and served as an intern in The White House in 2002.

Katherine Lauer

Katherine Lauer is a partner in the San Diego office of Latham & Watkins, and is a global Co-chair of the firm's Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice. Ms. Lauer focuses her practice on healthcare litigation, with emphasis on healthcare fraud defense. She has defended some of the country's largest and most high-profile civil and criminal government healthcare fraud investigations and qui tam cases, representing such clients as HCA, Tenet Healthcare, Catholic Healthcare West and University Hospitals Health System of Cleveland.

Katherine A. Sawyer

Katherine Sawyer, a former federal prosecutor and experienced trial lawyer, represents clients in white collar litigation and government investigations. Katherine advises corporations, boards of directors, and individuals on investigations conducted by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other federal agencies. Katherine also conducts internal investigations regarding a wide range of criminal, quasi-criminal, and regulatory matters including, corruption, financial irregularities, healthcare fraud and abuse, and securities fraud. She represents clients in investigations and enforcement actions related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and alleged sanctions violations. Katherine also advises clients on their internal FCPA and anti-corruption policies and procedures, helps clients design and implement effective systems of internal controls, and provides training to clients on anti-corruption and FCPA compliance. Additionally, Katherine regularly advises clients in connection with cross-border M&A and capital markets transactions, including pre- and post-acquisition due diligence and counseling. Prior to rejoining Latham, Katherine was an Assistant United States Attorney in the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, and the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. As a former federal prosecutor, Katherine draws on experience having tried more than 30 criminal cases. She argued numerous evidentiary motions in federal court and multiple appeals before the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Katherineoversaw the investigation, indictment, and trial of complex conspiracies, international narcotics, obstruction of justice, export, and cybercrime cases. Fluent in Spanish, Katherine led multiple international criminal investigations, conducted countless witness interviews in Spanish, and worked extensively with foreign law enforcement authorities in Mexico and Colombia. From 2005 to 2008, Katherine served as a Latham associate in the Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles offices in the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice. Prior to joining Latham, Katherine served as a law clerk to Judge Claude M. Hilton in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Katherine G. Putnam

Katherine Putnam represents borrowers and private equity sponsors in US and cross-border debt financing transactions. Katherine takes a hands-on approach to helping clients efficiently navigate all aspects of: Acquisition financings, in both the syndicated and direct lending spaces Cash-flow and asset-based loans Subordinated debt facilities She distills complex covenant packages into detail-oriented ongoing advice that allows clients to seamlessly operate. Katherine unlocks the robust Latham platform to counsel clients across firm practices on secured finance issues and corporate matters. A recognized leader at the firm and in the industry, Katherine is a member of the firm’s Ethics Committee and Recruiting Committee, and she previously served on the firm’s Training & Career Enhancement Committee. She also serves on the National Women’s Law Center’s Leadership Advisory Committee. She maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising on trusts and estates matters connection with AARP and asylum work through Hogar Immigrant Services, as well as participation with Election Protection’s nonpartisan call center.

Kathleen M. Wells

Kathleen Wells represents public and private companies and investors in the life sciences and technology sectors. She served as Co-Chair of the Silicon Valley Corporate Department from 2011-2019 and has served on the firm’s mentoring, recruiting, and Women Enriching Business committees. Kathleen represents public and private companies across several industries, venture capital firms, and investment banks. She advises on corporate governance and securities law, and her transactional experience includes numerous public securities offerings, venture capital financings, and mergers and acquisitions. Specifically, Kathleen advises companies and their boards on: Corporate governance matters Public company disclosure issues Federal and state securities law compliance Equity incentives and employment matters Company formation and startup matters In addition, she advises companies, venture capital firms, and strategic investors on key transactions, including: Initial public offerings (IPOs) Follow-on and secondary offerings Venture capital financings Mergers and acquisitions

Kathryn George

Katie George represents clients in high-stakes securities class actions and derivative litigation. Katie leverages keen business acumen and trusted relationships to guide public corporations, international banks, and their boards of directors in: State and federal securities fraud litigation Executive compensation disputes Complex commercial disputes Asset tracing and recovery Securities-related and complex commercial trials and arbitrations She helps clients identify potential securities law issues and strategizes solutions for optimal outcomes. Katie maintains an active pro bono practice. She has secured asylum for immigrants, obtained orders of protection for victims of domestic violence, protected prisoners’ rights in Section 1983 actions, advised in guardian ad litem proceedings, and represented a client in a labor trafficking case. Katie currently serves on the firm’s Women Enriching Business (WEB) committee. She has also served as the head of the Women Lawyers Group in the firm’s Chicago office.

Kathryn A. Worthington

Kathryn Worthington advises clients on white collar defense, internal investigations, and US Department of Justice and US Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement actions. Kathryn helps public and private companies, and individuals, navigate criminal and civil litigation, internal investigations, and government inquiries. Prior to re-joining the firm, Kathryn served as an Assistant General Counsel at the US Central Intelligence Agency, most recently as an embedded operational legal advisor to the Counterterrorism Center, where she advised on relevant federal law, executive orders, presidential directives, and potentially applicable principles of international law. In this role, she received a Meritorious Unit Citation for providing support to operations in a war zone. Before that, Kathryn served in the Litigation Division, where she represented CIA interests in criminal and civil litigation and sensitive investigations, including matters involving terrorism and espionage. A notable unclassified representation involved representing CIA interests in US v. Al-Imam, the prosecution of an individual on federal terrorism charges in connection with the 2012 attacks on US personnel and facilities in Benghazi, Libya. From 2010 to 2018, Kathryn was an associate in Latham’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice. She represented clients in matters involving accounting fraud, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, US government contracting, and export controls and trade sanctions. She also counseled clients on anti-money laundering compliance and controls, as well as anti-corruption policies and procedures. Kathryn maintains an active pro bono practice, including through Polaris Project initiatives to combat sex and labor trafficking and the National Veteran’s Legal Services Program.

Kathryn H. Ruemmler

Litigation Partner

Katie Peek

Katie Peek advises private equity funds and their portfolio companies on complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Katie draws on extensive transactional experience and comprehensive knowledge of private equity market practice to guide clients on: Acquisitions Disposals Restructurings and fund-to-fund transactions Consortium and joint venture arrangements Growth investments Management incentive schemes and other ongoing corporate advice She leads transactions efficiently and pragmatically to achieve clients’ commercial objectives, and maintains strong relationships with deal teams and portfolio companies throughout the life cycle of their investment. A recognized leader at the firm, she has served on the Associates Committee and Recruiting Committee.

Keith Klovers

Keith Klovers, former advisor to FTC commissioners Christine S. Wilson and Maureen K. Ohlhausen, represents companies in complex merger reviews, government conduct investigations, and civil antitrust litigation, as well as in complaints brought by US antitrust enforcers. Keith represents companies in highly scrutinized industries, including healthcare, life sciences, and technology, before the US DOJ and FTC. He leverages an impressive track record of successfully obtaining merger clearances, including unconditional clearances without remedies for high-profile mergers, resolving conduct investigations, and defending clients in antitrust litigation and on appeal before the US government. Complementing his extensive experience advising clients on day-to-day antitrust issues, he has provided specific guidance to clients related to the antitrust considerations of IP licensing, Robinson-Patman Act compliance, and dual distribution arrangements. During his tenure at the FTC, Keith advised the commissioners on more than 100 merger reviews and conduct investigations, including litigation, settlements, and Part 3 opinions, and advised on several significant antitrust policy initiatives. Keith also clerked for judge Douglas H. Ginsburg on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. A prolific writer on current and innovative antitrust trends, his numerous articles can be found in the Antitrust Law Journal, Michigan Law Review, George Mason Law Review, Journal of Antitrust Enforcement, Antitrust Magazine, Health Affairs, and the Journal of Economic and Development Studies, among others.

Kelly Cataldo

Kelly Cataldo advises clients through all phases of the construction, financing, and investment in energy, oil and gas, and other infrastructure projects located in the US and Latin America. Kelly regularly advises lenders, sponsors, and investors on transactions involving one or more of the following, with a focus on renewable energy assets: Financing, including loans and private placements Tax equity investments Cash equity investments and other joint venture arrangements

Kelly Fayne

Kelly Fayne guides many of the world’s most innovative companies through the evolving global antitrust landscape to advance their strategic objectives. One of the sharpest economics minds in the antitrust bar, Kelly leverages data and cutting-edge economics to craft winning strategies for companies at the forefront of technology and innovation. She guides companies at the forefront on: Global deal clearance strategies for their global M&A Antitrust litigation, including merger defense Antitrust compliance and counseling Government conduct investigations before antitrust regulators in the US, EU, UK, Australia, and across Asia and Latin America She represents clients from a wide range of industries and helps them navigate the strategic risk calculus unique to highly scrutinized sectors. Kelly also helps clients distill complex antitrust economic analysis and econometrics into persuasive arguments, including related to Web3 and AI technology. A recognized leader in the industry and within the firm, actively participates in the ABA Antitrust Law Section, for which she frequently writes and speaks on a range of antitrust issues and serves as Vice Chair of the Economics Committee. She has also served as senior editor of the ABA Antitrust Law Section’s Antitrust Law Journal. Kelly is a local leader of Latham’s Bay Area Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee, a firmwide initiative developed to promote the long-term success of women lawyers and executives. Before law school, Kelly was an analyst at a major economic consulting firm, where she supported expert economists in antitrust and intellectual property matters.

Kelly Gelfand

Kelly Gelfand Egers represents financial institutions in financing transactions, including acquisition financings and cross-border transactions.

Kelly Richardson

Kelly Richardson is former Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins' Global Chemical Regulation & Contaminated Properties Practice. He handles a variety of environmental compliance, transactional, and litigation matters, including: Cost recovery litigation Site cleanups Storm water compliance Hazardous waste management Waste water compliance Air issues Due diligence Administrative enforcement matters UST compliance Environmental permitting Environmental litigation Insurance coverage litigation Kelly is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of San Diego Law School and is the former Co-Chair of the San Diego County Bar Association's Environmental Section. He is a frequent speaker at environmental conferences and has published articles on various environmental issues. Prior to joining Latham, Kelly gained nearly a decade of experience in chemical engineering and environmental compliance with an international oil company, including regulatory counseling for a refinery, pipelines and terminals, and a nationwide service station network. Kelly is a member of the State Bar of California, San Diego County Bar Association, Nevada Bar Association, Hawaii Bar Association, and American Bar Association.

Kem Ihenacho

Kem Ihenacho, a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, is an M&A lawyer with more than 25 years of experience focusing on private equity, infrastructure, and M&A transactions. He is recognized as a leader in his field by numerous publications. He is the Global Vice Co-Chair of the firm’s Africa Practice and the former Global Vice Chair of the firm's Private Equity & Investment Funds Practice.

Kendall Burnett

Kendall Burnett advises public and private companies’ on all aspects of employment, remuneration, and incentives matters, particularly in the context of corporate transactions. She counsels clients on the full spectrum of global employment and incentives matters, including those related to: Cross-border mergers and acquisitions Share-based incentivization, including plan design and administration Public company representation and corporate governance Recruitment and severance Kendall draws on substantial experience helping a wide range of global clients — from emerging companies to publicly listed companies — to recruit, retain, and incentivize dynamic workforces. She regularly advises on complex cross-border transactions, resolving legal and tax considerations across different jurisdictions. Kendall maintains an active pro bono practice, advising UK charities on employment law issues. She is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and Share Plan Lawyers Group.

Kendall Johnson

Kendall Johnson works at the intersection of sports and entertainment, drawing on her unique level of crossover experience to handle transactions spanning the industry. She delivers creative and commercially focused advice in connection with the licensing, acquisition, production, financing, and exploitation of broadcast and sponsorship rights, film and television content, and other media-related assets.

Kenneth Parsigian

Litigation Partner

Kevin Reyes

Kevin Reyes is the Chair of the San Diego office’s Corporate Department. Kevin represents both private and public companies in a wide variety of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, public securities offerings, corporate governance, venture financings, and securities law and stock exchange compliance matters. Kevin also has significant experience with periodic and current reporting requirements and proxy rules, and he co-authors the Annual Meeting Handbook, which is published annually and distributed nationwide. While attending the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, Kevin served as a judicial extern for Judge Virginia A. Phillips in the US District Court for the Central District of California.

Kevin Jakopchek

Kevin Jakopchek represents publicly traded companies, private equity portfolio firms, high-value private companies, and high-net-worth individuals in high-stakes litigation in state and federal courts across the US. Kevin represents clients across a range of industries in a diverse array of complex commercial litigation, including: High-stakes contract actions, including merger and partnership disputes Fiduciary duty and fraud claims Intellectual property matters Antitrust disputes Class actions Coordinating the defense of multiple related actions and investigations, including multi-district litigation Kevin draws on significant stand-up and trial experience to help clients develop litigation strategy, and to formulate and deliver compelling narratives and arguments that connect with juries and judges. His economics background informs his ability to understand and advance his clients’ business goals, analyze commercial disputes, and strategize regarding claimed damages.

Kevin McDonough

Litigation & Trial Partner

Kevin C. Wheeler

Kevin Wheeler serves as lead trial counsel for companies of all sizes in their most important, high-stakes intellectual property disputes, most of which encompass numerous jurisdictions and causes of action. He has successfully resolved dozens of competitor disputes, including numerous trials and more than 30 cross-border investigations at the International Trade Commission (ITC), for companies such as Texas Instruments, Netgear, 3M, LG, Microsoft, Apple, SK Hynix, Hyosung, and RIM (now BlackBerry). Law360, The National Law Journal, The Legal 500 US, and Super Lawyers have all recognized Kevin as one of the top talents in IP litigation based on his impeccable track record of winning for his clients in their most important intellectual property disputes, on both the offensive and defensive side alike. On the offensive side, Kevin has obtained on behalf of his clients numerous market-altering exclusion orders at the ITC. For example, Kevin served as lead trial counsel for Netgear in its offensive litigation against competitor TP-Link, and after a resounding victory at trial where TP-Link was found to infringe multiple Netgear patents and the ALJ recommended excluding TP-Link from the US market, the case settled favorably for Netgear. The Recorder featured the victory: Latham Secures $135 Million Settlement for Client Netgear in Wi-Fi Patent Dispute. By way of example on the defensive side, AmLaw Litigation Daily recognized Kevin in its “Litigator of the Week” recognitions, highlighting a big victory “scored for Senior Technology, one of the Chinese market’s primary suppliers of lithium-ion battery separators — which sounds esoteric, but would impact scores of consumer electronics and electric vehicle companies that incorporate the batteries. Kevin's client was hit with patent and trade secret claims by rival Celgard in the Northern District of California. US District Judge Jon Tigar sided with Senior Technology, denying Celgard’s bids for a TRO and preliminary injunction and granting a motion to dismiss the case against the company’s Chinese parent.” The case settled favorably after the victory, which The Recorder also featured: Latham Supplies Legal Juice to Battery Suppliers. Kevin earned his BS in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland and obtained hands-on engineering experience working on the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) at Northrop Grumman Corporation. Kevin also devotes a portion of his time to pro bono matters, including working with the Children’s Law Center to help foster parents secure guardianship over their at-risk foster children.

Kimberly Lucas

Kimberly Lucas advises clients on all aspects of commercial real estate in both equity and debt transactions. Kimberly leverages her comprehensive understanding of market norms and extensive experience across asset classes to guide global private equity funds and their portfolio companies, investment funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and institutional lenders on: Joint ventures, preferred equity structures, and equity investments Asset and entity-level acquisitions and dispositions across all asset classes Single-asset and portfolio mortgage and mezzanine loan originations and restructurings, including syndicated lending transactions and commercial mortgage-backed securities Development projects Construction financings and sale leaseback transactions secured by both single assets and multiple property portfolios Workouts, restructurings, and distressed and performing loan sales She takes a pragmatic approach to helping clients navigate their most sophisticated transactions and devises creative solutions to help them achieve their commercial objectives in unprecedented situations. Kimberly maintains an active pro bono practice, including representing clients in asylum cases and Violence Against Women Act petitions in partnership with Sanctuary for Families, the Whitman Walker Clinic, Immigration Equality, New York Legal Assistance Group, and Human Rights First. A recognized firm leader, she has served on Latham’s Ethics Committee.

Kirk Wilkinson

Litigation & Trial Partner

Kirsten Gaeta

Kirsten Gaeta advises clients on a wide range of complex corporate transactions, particularly within the insurance sector. She has experience navigating: Domestic and cross-border M&A involving insurance and other industries Entity formation and licensing Insurance-focused capital markets transactions Insurer investments Reinsurance and insurance coverage matters

Kirt Switzer

Kirt Switzer is a partner in Latham & Watkins’ Bay Area offices and previously served as the San Francisco Office Managing Partner and the Global Chair of the firm’s Transactional Tax Practice. Kirt's practice focuses on federal taxation of corporations and partnerships in a variety of US and international contexts and specifically involves advising clients on tax issues related to mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, financings, restructurings, and post-merger integration matters. He has represented US and non-US corporations, private equity funds, and investment banks in a variety of matters including: US and cross-border taxable and tax-free acquisitions and dispositions, including reorganizations, joint ventures, and spin-offs Bankruptcy and insolvency restructurings Public and private financing transactions In 2017, Kirt was recognized as a Bankruptcy Tax Specialist by Turnarounds & Workouts. Kirt has been recognized as a leading tax lawyer in The Legal 500 US directory since 2010. Kirt is a member of the California State Bar and a Certified Public Accountant (inactive status). He has lectured on tax aspects of mergers and acquisitions at various conferences. He is a co-author of Tax Management Portfolio 771 3rd Corporate Acquisitions - (A), (B), and (C) Reorganizations. Prior to joining Latham, Kirt practiced within the Transaction Advisory Services group of Ernst & Young LLP.

Kristin Murphy

Kristin Murphy, Chair of the Litigation & Trial Department in Orange County, advises clients on complex business litigation, with an emphasis on securities and commodities fraud, mergers and acquisitions, professional liability, and class action litigation. She has represented clients in connection with: Securities class action suits Shareholder derivative litigation Internal investigations Merger disputes Proxy contests Other complex, high-exposure litigation Kristin's recent representations include special committee engagements in controlling stockholder transactions, multijurisdictional litigation arising out of solicited and hostile takeover attempts, and investigations and litigation on behalf of special committees and boards of directors related to public company crises. She has represented pharmaceutical companies in clinical and post-clinical trial phases of development, energy companies, and real estate investment trusts. Kristin has served on the firm’s Recruiting Committee, and Equal Employment Opportunity Review Board, and currently serves on the Training & Career Enhancement (TACE) Committee and Women Enriching Business Committee.

Kyle R. Jefcoat

Counsel

Larry Safran

Lawrence Safran is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Lawrence is a member of the firm's Finance Department and the Aircraft Finance, Banking, Project Finance, and Structured Finance Practices. This area includes a wide variety of commercial law issues. Special emphasis is placed on those issues arising under Article 9 (secured transactions) and Article 8 (investment securities) of the Uniform Commercial Code although the practice also includes Article 2 (sales of goods), Article 3 (negotiable instruments), Article 5 (letters of credit), Article 6 (bulk sales) and Article 7 (documents of title). Lawrence advises clients on commercial law and personal property transfer issues in connection with credit facilities, second lien bond transactions, project financings, real estate securitizations, collateralized debt obligations, credit card and other receivables financings and other structured financing arrangements.

Laura Ferrell

Laura N. Ferrell is a partner in the Corporate Department and a member of the Investment Funds Practice and Financial Institutions Industry Group. Laura advises a broad cross-section of the asset management industry on a variety of complex legal, regulatory, and compliance matters. In addition to advising leading global financial services institutions, Laura represents a variety of public and private investment vehicles including: Private equity funds Private credit funds Hedge funds Business development companies (BDCs) Robo-advisors Alternative investment funds Open- and closed-end mutual funds Structured products Laura advises clients on cutting-edge legal, regulatory, and compliance matters in connection with: SEC examinations, investigations, and enforcement proceedings The formation of investment funds and the structuring and development of new investment products The acquisition and sale of registered investment advisers The registration of private equity sponsors and other investment advisers under the Advisers Act and related regulatory and reporting matters Investment adviser status analysis under the Advisers Act and related regulatory and compliance considerations Capital markets, financing, and restructuring transactions involving asset managers and investment funds Investment company status issues arising under the 1940 Act and related regulatory and compliance matters Seeking and obtaining exemptive and no-action relief from the SEC

Laura Allis Szarmach

Laura Szarmach is a counsel in the Washington office of Latham & Watkins. She is a member of the Tax Department and the Global Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Practice. Laura advises clients on executive compensation, employee benefits, and ERISA matters, with a particular focus on corporate transactions. Laura also counsels clients on the design, taxation, and administration of executive compensation and benefits arrangements including: Stock options and other equity incentive plans Non-qualified deferred compensation plans Employee stock purchase plans Severance and change in control arrangements Employment agreements She also has substantial experience with respect to annual and periodic executive compensation disclosure obligations for public companies.

Lauren Bewley

Lauren Bewley advises corporate, private equity and investment fund clients on a variety of US federal income tax matters, with particular focus on advising private investment fund clients on fund-related tax issues, including structuring and fund formation, upper tier arrangements, and operational issues. Lauren regularly advises clients on tax aspects of private investment fund formation and operation including: Advising on the formation and operation of funds pursuing diverse investment strategies Advising regarding carried interest and co-investment arrangements Advising on tax aspects of fund secondary transactions, including GP-led secondary transactions, fund restructurings and portfolio sales Advising domestic and international investors in structuring and negotiating investments Lauren also has extensive experience advising clients on a variety of capital markets and financing transactions, restructurings, corporate mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, reorganizations, and financial products.

Laurence Seymour

Tax Partner

Laurence Stein

Tax Partner

Leah Friedman

Leah Friedman is counsel in the New York office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s Litigation & Trial Department. She is a member of the firm’s global Antitrust & Competition and Complex Commercial Litigation Practices, with a focus on domestic and international antitrust litigation, class action defense, and complex commercial disputes. Leah devotes a portion of her practice to pro bono representation, advising clients in connection with criminal defense, human rights, and family law matters. She has served on the New York City Bar Association Litigation Committee. Leah was educated at the University of Sydney and Harvard Law School. Prior to joining Latham, she was associated with a premier New York law firm, and served as a law clerk to a Justice of the High Court of Australia.

Leah Sauter

Leah Sauter advises public and strategic companies on mergers, acquisitions, and other high-stakes transactions. Leah represents public and private companies and their boards, as well as private equity firms in a range of corporate and M&A matters, including: Carveouts Acquisitions Spin-offs and Reverse Morris Trust transactions Joint ventures Reorganizations She also routinely provides clients with ongoing advice on securities laws, corporate governance, and stock exchange requirements. Leah draws on extensive experience with complex cross-border transactions and provides guidance based on a keen understanding of market practice. She has particular experience working with clients in the technology and telecommunications industries.

Leen Zaza

Leen Zaza advises on a wide range of corporate and commercial transactions in the Middle East and internationally. Leen draws on extensive experience across multiple industries — including energy and infrastructure, heavy machineries, shipping, petrochemicals, education, e-commerce, healthcare, and technology — to counsel clients on: M&A Venture capital and private equity Joint ventures Corporate governance, regulatory, and advisory matters Saudi law Before joining Latham, she was a partner at a Saudi firm.

Lewis Kneib

Corporate Partner

Lilia Vazova

Lilia Vazova advises clients on high-stakes, cross-border government investigations and complex business disputes. Lilia leverages more than a decade of experience helping clients navigate: Criminal and regulatory matters facing the US Department of Justice, US Securities and Exchange Commission, and all other major government and regulatory institutions Follow-on civil litigation in federal and state courts, particularly in matters involving concurrent criminal and civil proceedings Bet-the-company commercial disputes, often involving parallel litigations in multiple jurisdictions in the US and internationally, and under the arbitration rules of all major international arbitration institutions She forges partnerships with clients to comprehensively understand their business needs and crafts pragmatic solutions that protect their business. Lilia's experience living in multiple countries brings a diverse perspective to her cross-border work. Lilia is a recognized thought leader and a member of the firm’s EEO Review Board. She maintains an active pro bono practice, including a partnership with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights to challenge the unconstitutional imposition of fines and fees on indigent defendants in Oklahoma.

Lindsey Mills

Lindsey Mills advises clients in all stages of public company life on a full range of capital markets transactions and securities law matters. Lindsey advises companies across industries on capital markets transactions, including: Initial public offerings (including deSPACs) Follow-on equity offerings Debt offerings Convertible notes offerings She also advises clients on securities law compliance and general corporate governance matters. Lindsey brings company clients insightful commercial advice drawn from an exclusive focus on capital markets, and significant experience advising investment banks and other financial institutions. As a dedicated and organized team player, she helps facilitate access to the capital essential to grow her clients’ businesses.

Lindsey Utrata

Lindsey Utrata advises clients across many consumer-facing industries, from personal care and food products, to fashion and luxury goods, as well as entertainment, hospitality, technology, and life sciences companies, on complex issues involving their global trademark portfolios, including brand management and brand enforcement. She routinely counsels on: Clearance opinions Intellectual Property transactions, including as to assignments, mergers and acquisitions, and reorganizations Online anti-counterfeiting and enforcement strategies Opposition and cancellation actions Settlement and coexistence agreements Trademark licensing Trademark registration programs Lindsey is also actively involved with industry organizations, including serving on the International Trademark Association’s (INTA) Commercialization of Brands Committee (2020-Present), as well as the New York Intellectual Property Law Association’s (NYIPLA) Trademark Law & Practice Committee (2021-Present, Co-Chair 2023-Present), and was previously a member of the New York City Bar Association’s (NYCBA) Trademarks & Unfair Competition Committee (2016-2019). Lindsey previously worked in the trademark department and brand protection unit of Colgate-Palmolive Company, where she assisted with the management of the company’s global trademark portfolio and supported various anti-counterfeiting efforts.

Lindsey S. Champlin

Lindsey Champlin, Vice Chair of the firm’s Global Antitrust & Competition Practice, counsels US and international companies on a range of antitrust issues, with a particular focus on securing antitrust clearances for all types of M&A transactions. Lindsey was recently named to Global Competition Review’s 40 Under 40 honor roll. Drawing on her vast cross-border experience, Lindsey assists leading companies on their most significant antitrust matters, such as: Merger matters, including complex HSR filings and Second Request substantial compliance Merger remedy negotiations Merger litigation opposite the DOJ and FTC and merger arbitration Antitrust conduct and consent decree compliance investigations She represents clients doing business in diverse industries, from the energy and automotive sectors to industrial equipment and machinery, retail, advertising, and live entertainment. Lindsey leverages the firms’ global platform to help clients navigate overlapping multijurisdictional antitrust approvals from competition authorities around the world, involving the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the European Commission, the Canadian Competition Bureau, Mexico’s Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica, and China’s State Administration for Market Regulation. She regularly counsels clients on competitor collaborations, information sharing, and sales and marketing practices. Lindsey also conducts economic analyses of mergers and other complex antitrust issues. Lindsey maintains an active pro bono practice and served on Latham’s Pro Bono Committee. She has represented the Polaris Project, an anti-human trafficking organization; a tenant association in litigation involving housing code violations in Washington, D.C.; elder law clients; children in individualized education program proceedings against DC Public Schools; and guided clients through asylum applications. Lindsey regularly writes and presents on topics related to antitrust law, including for law schools, academic journals, and the American Bar Association. Lindsey serves as a member of the steering committee for GCR Antitrust Law Leaders Forum and as a member of W@Competition, an organization for women competition professionals.

Lisa Collier

Lisa Collier advises commercial and investment banks on a broad range of US and cross-border financing transactions. Lisa draws on her extensive transactional experience across multiple industries to help clients navigate: Leveraged finance and asset-based lending transactions Acquisition and leveraged buyout financings Recapitalizations Bridge lending and loan commitments Other secured and unsecured lending transactions Before joining Latham, Lisa was a partner at another global law firm, where she served on its Professional Development Committee, Women’s Committee, and Associate Liaison Committee.

Lisa Brabant

Lisa Brabant is counsel in the New York office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Real Estate Practice. Lisa represents clients on a full spectrum of real estate transactions, with an emphasis on financing, lending, acquisitions, dispositions, and mergers and acquisitions. Lisa draws on more than a decade of substantial experience in advising clients on: Energy project development and financings, including solar, wind farm, and other project finance transactions Multi-state, multi-site, and single asset real estate finance transactions Equity investments and joint ventures in real estate High-level commercial lease and sublease transactions Construction financings Bankruptcy exit financings She maintains an active pro bono practice and served on the Board of Directors of Bronx Legal Services.

Lisbeth Savill

Partner

Lisbeth Savill

Lisbeth (Libby) Savill is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and Co-Chair of the firm's Entertainment, Sports & Media Industry Group. Ms. Savill has been recognized as a leading lawyer in the film and television industries for many years, and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her practice to help clients navigate the ever-changing landscape in this area. She represents a wide range of entities across the media and entertainment sectors including film and television producers and distributors (including major studios), broadcasters, platforms and digital-first companies, and financiers (debt and equity) and investment funds.

Lori Goodman

Tax Partner

Loring Veenstra

Loring Veenstra is counsel in the San Diego office of Latham & Watkins. Loring represents financial institutions, sponsors and developers in connection with all phases of the development and financing of domestic and international gaming, hospitality, and energy projects.

Louise Deng

Louise Deng advises private equity and corporate clients in Asia and globally on both buy-side and sell-side transactions. Ms. Deng regularly advises clients across a range of industries on corporate transactions including: Buyouts Minority investments Joint ventures Carve-outs PIPEs Privatizations Drawing on strong bilingual communication skills, and an in-house perspective gained from her secondment at a corporate venture capital team of a leading Chinese technology company, Ms. Deng brings clients a sophisticated understanding of the deal market in China and Asia-Pacific.

Lucas Schweitzer

Dr. Lucas Schweitzer is a counsel in the Corporate Department of Latham & Watkins' Düsseldorf office. He has considerable experience in handling domestic and cross-border M&A transactions as well as corporate law matters. Mr. Schweitzer is particularly experienced in private and public M&A transactions as well as corporate law matters. He also regularly advises on reorganizations and aspects of capital markets law. Prior to joining Latham, he worked for another major international law firm in the corporate/M&A departments in Düsseldorf and Hamburg.

Lucas Quass

Lucas Quass advises clients on environmental matters, including land use, regulatory approvals, water resources, and related litigation. Lucas helps clients develop a full spectrum of projects in the western United States and along the California coast. From project inception to completion and ongoing monitoring, he helps clients navigate: Regulatory approvals and permitting (including CEQA, the Coastal Act, and local planning and zoning laws) Water rights and adjudication Project opponents and community relations Related litigation from local courts through to the California Supreme Court Lucas has a sophisticated understanding of the interplay of regulation, water rights, and environmental factors that affect residential, commercial, and industrial development projects. He provides clients an unusual complementary litigation strength to his regulatory work, having litigated one of only a handful of water basin adjudications in California and successfully representing clients in disputes in state and federal courts. Lucas has been steeped in water issues his whole career; prior to graduating law school, he worked for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the largest supplier of treated water in the United States. Lucas currently serves as the Vice Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy and Resources. He frequently writes and speaks on water and environmental issues, including CEQA, the Subdivision Map Act, and Prop 65. He also maintains an active pro bono practice, including representing the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California.

Lucinda Starrett

Environmental, Land & Resources Partner

Lucy Tucker

Lucy Tucker advises clients on data privacy, cybersecurity, and commercial contracts, with a particular focus on Middle East and EU/UK privacy laws. Ms. Tucker’s Middle East-focused advice covers existing and upcoming data privacy laws, cybersecurity requirements, cybercrimes and content standards, data localization requirements, and consumer protection requirements. Ms. Tucker advises a broad range of clients, from startups to technology giants, on a wide range of privacy matters, including in relation to the launch of new products and services, M&A transactions, regulatory investigations, the privacy risks of new technologies, data processing agreements, international data transfers, data protection impact assessments, direct marketing, and transparency requirements. Ms. Tucker was previously based in Latham & Watkins’ London office, where she specialized in EU and UK privacy laws. Ms. Tucker is a Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT), awarded by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), and also holds a Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection, awarded by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

Ludmilla Le Grand

Ludmilla Le Grand advises clients on a wide range of antitrust and competition matters. She assists clients with EU and UK competition law and regulatory issues, including multi-jurisdictional merger control, cartel investigations, abuse of dominance, as well as foreign direct investment. Her practice spans multiple industry sectors, including energy, life sciences, telecoms, transport, and financial services. Prior to joining Latham, Ludmilla worked as a managing associate in the antitrust & competition practice of other international law firms.

Luis Sánchez

Luis Sánchez Mendez represents domestic and international clients in a range of complex finance transactions, including private equity acquisition financings, leveraged buyouts, and restructurings. Drawing on his sophisticated knowledge of the needs of both sides of financing transactions, Mr. Sánchez delivers broad-based counsel to creditors, companies, and investors. He brings particular experience in domestic and cross-border debt restructurings, as well as investments by specialized investment funds in distressed assets. Mr. Sánchez’s practice includes: Acquisition and leveraged finance Alternative financing and direct lending Banking Corporate lending, take-over bid financing, and loan markets Distressed investing and debt trading Real estate financing Restructuring, insolvency, and workouts Structured finance Mr. Sánchez regularly writes about banking and restructuring topics for prominent publications, including Revista de Derecho Concursal y Paraconcursal, Revista de Derecho Bancario y Bursatil, Cinco Días, and El Economista.

Luis F. Torres

Counsel

Luis Manuel Lozano

Luis Lozano counsels Spanish and international clients on sophisticated M&A and private equity transactions, with a special focus on the banking industry, infrastructure assets, and distressed transactions. Mr. Lozano draws on his extensive experience and commercial mindset to guide industrial clients, listed companies, financial institutions, credit funds, and private equity funds on: M&A and private equity transactions Sales and disposals of debt portfolios Joint ventures Strategic alliances He advises companies across a broad range of industries and has a proven track record in corporate, securities, and commercial problem-solving.

Lynsey Edgar

Lynsey Edgar advises top-tier sponsors on complex, cross-border financing transactions, particularly investments in energy and infrastructure assets. Ms. Edgar leverages a sophisticated understanding of the market and her international perspective to guide private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, as well as credit funds, in Asia-Pacific and Europe on a broad range of financings and capital structures, including: Leveraged and cross-border acquisition finance Platform debt financings Private credit transactions Mezzanine financings Special situations She keeps her finger on the pulse of global markets to craft innovative financing solutions that provide clients with the flexibility they need to achieve their commercial objectives. Ms. Edgar unlocks the firm’s global platform and collaborates to drive efficiency and integration across the network to benefit clients A recognized leader, both within the firm and the industry, Ms. Edgar serves on Latham’s Asia Knowledge Management and Diversity Leadership Committees and previously served on the firm's Mentoring Committee and as Chair of the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association’s Young Leaders Committee. She regularly advocates for women in law, including as a member of the firm’s Asia Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee and as a former Co-Chair of IWIRC’s Hong Kong Board, and the Women in Finance Asia Steering Committee. Ms. Edgar speaks at industry events on market trends, including on a cross-practice panel for the Hong Kong Venture Capital Association. Before joining Latham, Ms. Edgar worked in the London and Hong Kong offices of another leading international law firm. She has also completed a secondment to Goldman Sachs’ principal investments legal team in Hong Kong, primarily supporting the special situations group and merchant banking division across Asia.

Maarten Overmars

Maarten Overmars advises private equity firms and their portfolio companies on a full spectrum of transactions in Europe, particularly those with a Dutch or Benelux nexus. Dual-qualified in English and Dutch law, he helps clients navigate private equity matters involving: Acquisitions Disposals Continuation fund and other fund-to-fund transactions Management equity plans Restructurings Ongoing corporate advice Maarten leverages trusted relationships with key industry participants across the London and Dutch markets, as well as a comprehensive understanding of both geographies’ culture and market practice, to guide clients across a portfolio company’s entire life cycle. He co-authored the chapters “Private equity investment in the oil and gas industry” in Oil & Gas M&A: A Practical Handbook and “Partial Exits” in Private Equity Exits: A Practical Analysis.

Maj Vaseghi

Maj Vaseghi, Vice Chair of the firm's Public Company and Board Representation Practice, advises a wide variety of clients on corporate governance, executive compensation, and employee benefits, including: Representation on ongoing executive compensation and employee benefits matters, including advising board compensation committees and senior executives with respect to employment arrangements, equity and cash-based incentive plans, deferred compensation plans, and preparation of proxy materials and other securities filings related to executive compensation matters Corporate transactions, including M&A and IPOs, where she advises companies on employee benefit and executive compensation aspects, including negotiating transactional documents, drafting disclosures and identifying issues arising under, and assisting in complying with, the Internal Revenue Code, labor laws, federal and state securities laws and applicable exchange rules Public company representation, including advising companies on corporate governance, securities law reporting and compliance, and proxy advisory and institutional stockholder voting guidelines Maj leverages experience representing dozens of public companies across multiple industries and complementary perspectives on tax and securities matters to advise clients regarding their most sensitive issues. Drawing on her previous role as in-house securities and corporate governance counsel at VMWare, Maj keenly understands the business issues that large public companies commonly face. She frequently writes and speaks on executive compensation, corporate governance, and tax-related issues.

Mandy Wong

Mandy Wong advises clients on equity and debt capital markets, with a focus on Hong Kong listings. Ms. Wong advises on a broad spectrum of general commercial and corporate finance transactions, including: Capital markets, including initial public offerings and follow-on offerings Debt offerings Mergers, acquisitions, and public takeovers and listing rules compliance matters She was seconded to the Listing Department of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2019. During her secondment, she was involved in several Hong Kong listing initiatives, including the secondary listings, the paperless listing initiatives and the modernization of the Hong Kong settlement process (FINI-Fast Interface for New Issuance). Ms. Wong rejoined the firm in August 2020. Prior to joining Latham, Ms. Wong was an executive director in the legal and compliance department of a leading investment bank, where she managed legal compliance and regulatory issues in North Asia.

Manoj Bhundia

Manoj Bhundia is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and is a member of the Banking Practice. His experience includes advising banks, credit funds, and other financial institutions in relation to a wide range of banking and finance transactions, including cross-border acquisition finance, refinancings, and recurring revenue transactions. He has also been seconded to J.P. Morgan's leveraged credit team.

Manoj Tulsiani

Manoj Tulsiani is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Debt Capital Markets Practice. He regularly advises corporates, governments, and financial institutions across the full range of debt and equity-linked capital markets products in a significant number of jurisdictions, including with respect to bank regulatory capital, corporate hybrid, and convertible/exchangeable bond offerings. He also has extensive experience advising issuers with respect to corporate treasury and balance sheet management-related activities.

Marc Jaffe

Corporate Partner

Marc Makary

Marc Makary is counsel in the Dubai office of Latham & Watkins. He is a member of the Finance Department and Project Development & Finance Practice. Mr. Makary’s practice focuses primarily on the representation of commercial and investment banks, investment firms, and other financial institutions as well as sponsors and developers in connection with domestic and cross-border construction financings, acquisition financings, and other infrastructure-related secured lending transactions, including gas pipelines, power plants, and renewable energy projects. Mr. Makary’s experience also includes advising clients on procurement and construction agreements, operation and maintenance agreements, concession agreements, supply agreements, and other project documents in the oil and gas, power and water, communications, and infrastructure industries.

Marcela Ruenes

Marcela Ruenes represents a full range of lead arrangers, lenders, and borrowers on their most complex US and cross-border finance and private credit transactions. Marcela draws on extensive experience across global markets and a sophisticated understanding of parties’ needs and objectives on all sides of a financing to guide investment and commercial banks, direct lenders, borrowers, and private equity firms on: Leveraged financings and acquisition financings Unitranche financings Asset-based lending Investment grade loans Debt restructurings including debtors-in-possession and exit financings Private credit transactions A recognized leader within the firm, she has served on Latham’s Diversity Leadership Committee, Recruiting Committee, and Mentoring Committee and as Global Leader of the Hispanic/Latin American Lawyers Group. Marcela maintains an active pro bono practice, with a particular focus on immigration and asylum matters, including representing victims of domestic violence in obtaining protection under VAWA. Marcela remains active with Columbia Law School, where she regularly speaks on panels discussing both commercial and diversity-related topics. Before joining Latham, she was an associate in the Mexico City office of a leading Mexican law firm.

Marcus Lee

Marcus Lee represents clients doing business in Asia in public and private mergers and acquisitions, as well as issuers and underwriters in a range of capital markets matters. Mr. Lee represents private equity firms and their portfolio companies, as well as emerging companies on: Mergers and acquisitions Capital markets transactions, including IPOs Venture capital financings General corporate matters and compliance issues As a versatile and commercially minded lawyer, he advises clients at all levels of the capital structure. Mr. Lee draws on particular experience handling transactions in Southeast Asia jurisdictions and Asia outbound transactions.

Maria Hoye

Environment, Land & Resources Partner

Maria (Masha) Smith

Masha Smith advises companies and financial institutions on complex transactions and general corporate matters, particularly within the fintech industry. A versatile corporate practitioner, Masha counsels US and international clients on diverse types of transactions ranging from joint ventures and M&A deals to consortiums, strategic alliances, and private equity investments, to capital markets and financing matters. She also regularly drafts and negotiates complex commercial contracts, including master services agreements, customer and vendor contracts, user agreements, and intellectual property licenses. A native Russian speaker, Masha offers particular experience in cross-border matters — including transactions involving entities in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Masha has advised on a number of notable matters within the fintech and financial services spaces. Her broad industry experience also includes the information technology, energy, mining, oil and gas, logistics, and retail and consumer products sectors.

María José Descalzo

María José Descalzo is a partner in Latham & Watkins’ Madrid office and a member of the firm's Corporate Department. Ms. Descalzo has extensive experience representing domestic and international companies, investors, and private equity firms on a variety of energy-related M&A, joint ventures, IPOs, and project finance matters.

Mariclaire Petty Brewer

Mariclaire Petty advises private equity firms and their portfolio companies on sophisticated M&A transactions, frequently involving cross-border elements, across a broad range of industries. Mariclaire leverages professional experience as a strategy consultant for a major international consulting firm and a solutions-oriented, business-focused mindset to guide clients through all stages of ownership of a portfolio company, including: Initial acquisitions and final dispositions Add-on acquisitions and divestitures Management co-investment in portfolio companies General corporate matters She helps clients identify risks they may face and devises strategies to protect against them. Mariclaire collaborates with clients to understand their commercial objectives and unlocks Latham’s platform to provide comprehensive support on day-to-day issues that arise, including regulatory compliance, executive compensation and employment, and other matters. Mariclaire has served as a member of the firm's Training and Career Enhancement Committee.

Marissa R. Boynton

Marissa Boynton advises US and global clients across all market sectors on cybersecurity and data privacy, data breach response, and consumer protection. Marissa provides comprehensive advice on regulatory compliance, investigations, and litigation related to: Privacy and data security-related regulatory enforcement Privacy and data security compliance and program management Complex data breach incidents, including forensic investigations Computer fraud and cybercrime Advertising and marketing practices, as well as other consumer protection issues Marissa represents a broad range of clients from emerging companies to global market leaders. She has particular knowledge of the technology, healthcare, retail, and professional services sectors. Marissa advises clients on various laws governing data privacy and consumer protection, including those under the California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Gramm Leach Bliley, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), Federal Trade Commission Act, CAN-SPAM, and telemarketing laws, as well as self-regulatory and online behavioral advertising guidelines. Marissa frequently represents clients before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), state attorneys general, and other government agencies and bodies. Marissa has also represented clients in high stakes litigation matters in state and federal courts. In 2021, Marissa was recognized by Law360 as a Rising Star, Privacy and named to the prestigious Data Privacy 40 under 40 by Global Data Review. Marissa maintains an active pro bono practice. She has represented inmates suffering from mental illness in a class action lawsuit against the Bureau of Prisons as well as individuals in immigration proceedings, and has advised nonprofit organizations on data privacy and cybersecurity matters. Prior to joining the firm, Marissa clerked for United States District Judge Liam O’Grady in Alexandria, Virginia.

Mark Semotiuk

Mark Semotiuk, a real estate M&A lawyer, represents private equity funds and REITs in corporate real estate matters across asset classes. Mark leverages Latham’s robust global platform and trusted client relationships to execute high-value real estate transactions, including: Mergers, acquisitions, and dispositions Secondaries and recapitalizations Joint ventures, co-investments, and preferred equity placements Property and corporate financings REIT and private equity fund structuring Mark, a Chartered Financial Analyst, began his career in real estate finance, so he brings a strong business perspective to understanding how each transaction’s legal requirements support clients’ business imperatives.

Mark Austin

Mark Austin advises clients on a full range of public and private securities offerings as well as M&A and general corporate matters across multiple sectors. He leverages extensive experience to guide market-leading companies and investment banks on: Initial public offerings (IPOs) Rights issues and open offers Placings Mergers and acquisitions General corporate work A recognized industry leader, Mark is a member and former Chair of the Listing Authority Advisory Panel, the practitioner panel that advises the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on primary markets policy and regulation issues. He also serves on the FCA’s Markets Practitioner Panel and The London Stock Exchange’s Primary Markets Group. He is a member of the UK’s Capital Markets Industry Taskforce (CMIT), which was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in July 2022, and which is tasked with reforming the UK’s capital markets, as well as HM Treasury’s Digitization Taskforce. The Chancellor of the Exchequer appointed Mark in October 2021 as the independent chair of the UK Secondary Capital Raising Review, which proposed reforms to the capital raising process for listed companies. He delivered the Review to the Chancellor in July 2022. He also advised Lord Hill on the UK Listing Review in 2021. He received a CBE in the King’s 2024 New Year Honours List for services to the economy.

Mark Bekheit

Mark Bekheit, Global Vice Chair of Latham’s M&A practice, provides practical strategic advice to technology and life science companies at all stages in connection with mergers and acquisitions, minority investments, and other strategic corporate transactions. Mark's experience includes public and private company mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, tender and exchange offers, joint ventures, and minority investments for strategic and private equity clients, as well as general corporate representation and strategic planning for both publicly-traded and privately-held companies. Mark previously served as the lead in-house corporate lawyer of a Silicon Valley-based Fortune 500 company in its acquisitions and strategic investments in the consumer and enterprise data storage industries, which gives him first-hand experience into the relevant considerations and needs of corporations with regards to strategic transactions.

Mark Broude

Finance Partner

Mark Morris

Finance Partner

Mark S. Mester

Mark Mester has extensive experience in class action litigation and served for three years as Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Consumer Class Action Practice Group. Mark has been lead counsel in over 1,000 consumer class actions over the last 35+ years. Mark is presently Lead Counsel in multidistrict litigation for the NCAA in In re NCAA Student-Athlete Concussion Injury Litigation, In re NCAA Student-Athlete Concussion Injury Litigation-Single Sport / Single School (Football) as well as for Beyond Meat in In re Beyond Meat, Inc. Protein Content Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation. Mark is also Lead Counsel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a nationwide TCPA class action. He has also served as Lead Counsel in nationwide consumer class actions and multidistrict litigation for American Honda, Apple, Bass Pro, Behr, CCC Intelligent Solutions, Costco, Electrolux, Fairlife, Goldman Sachs, LG Energy, Navistar, Masco, Reckitt Benckiser, Safeway, Walmart, Weyerhaeuser, and Whole Foods. For many years, Mark was a member of the firm's Ethics and Pro Bono Committees.

Marlon Paz

Marlon Paz counsels broker-dealers and other financial services firms in matters related to securities regulation, regulatory enforcement, internal investigations and examinations, and compliance. He also helps clients navigate acquisitions of brokers, dealers, and investment advisers. Marlon combines government service, academia, and industry focus to help brokerage and advisory firms and individual executives as they manage complex securities laws. Clients turn to Marlon when faced with complex regulatory matters before the SEC or one of the self-regulatory organizations, such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Status and registration requirements, particularly Rule 15a-6 Financial responsibility Short-sale regulation Automated trading Sales practice rules Privacy Regulation ATS Regulation M Research and Soft-dollars Clearance and settlement Credit rating agency regulations Insider trading policies and procedures Rules relating to self-regulatory organizations Marlon brings clients seasoned and insightful advice drawing on his experience as a senior official at the SEC. Marlon contributed significantly to developing the SEC’s positions on many important regulatory and enforcement matters during his six-year tenure with the agency. He then served as the Inter-American Development Bank’s Principal Integrity Officer. In that role he led the development, investigation, and prosecution of fraud and corruption cases and oversaw compliance procedures relating to integrity due diligence, anti-money laundering, offshore financial centers, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control Specially Designated Nationals List. Marlon is an adjunct faculty member of Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where he teaches courses on US regulation of financial institutions and securities markets, securities law and the internet, and international business litigation. Marlon serves as the American Bar Association Business Law Section’s International Business Law Committee Chair and as Vice-Chair of the Federal Regulation of Securities Committee. He previously served as the Chair of the Trading and Markets Subcommittee chair. He is the former General Counsel to the District of Columbia Bar, the largest mandatory bar association of lawyers in the United States. He is also a past president of the Hispanic Bar Association of D.C. and a former national vice president of the Hispanic National Bar Association. He has been honored with the Leadership Award from the Hispanic National Bar Foundation and appointed an ambassador by the American Bar Association Business Law Section.

Matthew Hays

Matthew Hays, Global Vice Chair of the firm's Structured Finance Practice, primarily advises on structured finance transactions. Matt has considerable experience with matters across a broad range of asset classes relating to structured finance transactions, warehouse facilities, asset sale and forward flow transactions, and public and private securitization transactions. He represents clients in numerous industries such as automotive finance, banking, technology, and manufacturing. Matt regularly provides insight on issues related to LIBOR transition and issues affecting the fintech and marketplace lending industry at conferences around the country, including ABS East, LendIt Fintech USA, SFVegas, and Lend360. Matt is Chair of the Securitization and Structured Finance Committee of the American Bar Association/Business Law Section. He also serves as a board member and is Co-Chair of the Editorial Review Committee of the Structured Finance Association. Prior to joining Latham, Matt was a partner at a large global law firm.

Matthew Salerno

Matthew Salerno represents institutional and individual clients in their most sensitive and highest-stakes disputes, including crisis management, white collar investigations, complex commercial disputes, and bet-the-company litigations. Combining keen negotiating and trial skills, Matthew delivers strategic counsel to clients in a range of investigations and litigation. He regularly navigates business-critical matters on behalf of many of the world’s leading banks, financial institutions, and brands, as well as corporate officers and executives. Matthew draws on his mix of plaintiff and defense-side experience to develop effective case strategies for clients. His vast and varied white collar work includes Foreign Corrupt Practices (FCPA), insider trading, short-seller attacks, bribery, corruption, trading, and securities fraud matters. Matthew frequently advises on sovereign debt and securities matters involving government-owned entities. He also regularly handles trade secrets cases, breach of contracts disputes, and general tort matters, including defamation suits. Matthew advises clients throughout all phases of state and federal investigations. Leveraging his broad experience working with government agencies and officers, he helps clients interact effectively with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), state attorneys general, congressional oversight panels, and the Special Counsel’s Office. He secures desired outcomes for clients both by negotiating favorable settlements and bringing cases to trial. Matthew regularly advises clients on a pro bono basis, including in connection with immigration, domestic violence matters, and with respect to military veteran organizations. Matthew previously served as a member of the firm’s Associates Committee, a firm leadership body comprising associates and partners that manages associate reviews and development as well as partnership recommendations, as well as the firm’s Mentoring Committee.

Matthew Villar

Matthew Villar represents private equity firms and companies on a broad range of mergers, acquisitions, and dispositions. Matthew collaborates with clients across a variety of industries on their most complex M&A transactions. His practice includes: Public and private acquisitions and dispositions Co-investments Joint ventures Carve-outs General corporate matters A well-rounded practitioner and effective communicator, Matthew applies a commercially focused approach to help clients structure and execute transactions. Matthew serves on the firm’s Mentoring Committee.

Matthew Chase

Matthew J. Chase advises both established and emerging sponsors and asset managers on the formation, management, and operation of private funds. A pragmatic and creative problem solver, Matthew supports clients throughout the entire lifecycle of a fund. He regularly represents sponsors in the formation and structuring of US and global private investment vehicles, including buyout funds, credit and other debt funds, energy and infrastructure funds, growth and venture capital funds, and co-investment funds. Matthew's practice includes: Fund formation Formation of sponsors and internal sponsor arrangements GP-led secondary transactions and continuation funds Co-invest funds, vehicles, sidecars, platforms, and other co-invest arrangements Portfolio company investment and exit structuring Separately managed accounts and special purpose investment vehicles Matthew focuses on client objectives while maintaining strong, collaborative relationships among sponsors and investors. He brings particular experience representing new and emerging managers, including in connection with the formation of debut funds and strategies.

Matthew A. Brill

Matthew Brill, Global Chair of the Connectivity, Privacy & Information Practice, a member of the Supreme Court and Appellate Practice, and a former FCC senior official, represents communications industry leaders in their most complex litigation, regulatory, and transactional matters. A nationally recognized communications lawyer, Matthew draws on his sophisticated understanding of how rapidly evolving regulations shape the industry to advise service providers, investors, lenders, and other clients on matters involving: Broadband regulation, including net neutrality and digital discrimination issues Telecommunications competition and universal service Wireless services National security and foreign ownership First Amendment and false advertising issues CDA Section 230 and online content regulation He represents clients in high-stakes, precedent-setting industry proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), trial and appellate courts, and state public utility commissions and attorneys general. Matthew served as the Senior Legal Advisor and Chief of Staff to FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy, where he developed national policies governing broadband Internet access, voice-over-IP (VoIP) services, local telephone competition, universal service subsidies, intercarrier compensation arrangements, and spectrum allocation. He served as a law clerk to Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. Matthew is an active member of the Federal Communications Bar Association and has chaired its Common Carrier Practice Committee. He maintains an active appellate pro bono practice, including First Amendment litigation.

Matthew B. Schneider

Matthew Schneider is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins with a focus on international capital markets transactions and securities regulation. He represents investment banks and private equity firms in public and private offerings of debt and equity securities, acquisition financings, and liability management transactions, with a particular emphasis on issuances of high yield debt securities. In addition to Matthew’s practice experience, he serves as a member of the firm’s Global Pro Bono Committee.

Matthew J. Peters

Matthew Peters is a versatile litigator and advocate who represents leading global companies and individual executives in complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on securities litigation. Matthew focuses his practice on counseling clients in high-stakes and complex matters, including: Securities fraud class actions Shareholder derivative litigation DeSPAC litigation Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigations Internal investigations Books-and-records demands Matthew brings clients a unique global perspective based on extensive experience studying and working in China, and a previous career with the Central Intelligence Agency. He maintains an active pro bono practice, representing victims of human trafficking and children in need of legal assistance. While in law school, Matthew served as an editor on the Duke Law Journal.

Matthew K. Roskoski

Deputy General Counsel

Matthew R. Conway

Matthew Conway advises on clients’ most sophisticated executive compensation matters, particularly in the context of high-stakes transactions. Matthew delivers prompt, practical advice to public and private companies, private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, and executives on: Employment and separation agreements Retention, equity, and other incentive programs Deferred compensation arrangements He leverages extensive experience amid evolving market conditions to devise novel approaches to structuring executive incentive and pay packages, bolstering clients’ continuing operations. A recognized thought leader, Matthew is a contributing author to Bloomberg BNA’s “Section 409A Handbook.”

Max Raskin

Max Raskin represents clients across the full investment lifecycle of executive compensation, employee benefits, and equity matters that arise in the context of public and private mergers and acquisitions. Max leverages trusted client relationships and a keen commercial sensibility to structure, negotiate, and implement incentive compensation plans and arrangements for public and private companies, private equity funds, management teams, and individual executives relating to: Employment, severance, and consulting agreements Changes in control Non-competition, retention, and deferred compensation Cash-based and equity-based compensation Golden parachute excise tax strategy Before joining Latham, Max worked for a Big Four accounting firm, where he performed E&P modeling, foreign tax credit modeling, and international tax structuring for global M&A transactions. Max maintains an active pro bono practice and regularly advises CO/LAB Theater Group — a nonprofit organization that offers individuals with developmental disabilities a creative and social outlet through theater arts — on employment, compensation, and labor issues.

Max Mazzelli

Max Mazzelli is a member of the firm’s Litigation & Trial Department and focuses on data privacy, complex commercial litigation, consumer protection, and cybersecurity. Max represents public and private technology companies in complex commercial and class action litigation in both state and federal courts involving data privacy, consumer protection, and commercial contract disputes. He represents companies in regulatory investigations and inquiries by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and other US and global government regulators, agencies, and bodies. Max counsels technology clients on privacy and internet issues, in particular compliance with US state privacy laws (e.g., CCPA), FTC requirements, GDPR, TCPA, COPPA, BIPA, ECPA and wiretap issues, and CLOUD Act; behavioral advertising and social media; data collection; security incidents; and forensic investigations triggered by government requests for information. Additionally, he assists technology clients with privacy policy drafting and provides transactional support on privacy-related issues. Max donates a substantial amount of time to pro bono work, including representing a single mother in a habitability dispute against her landlord, representing an individual unlawfully transferred by local law enforcement to federal immigration authorities, and assisting individuals seeking expungement of their prior criminal records to restore their employment prospects and to receive needed social services. Max served as a law clerk to Judge G. Murray Snow of the US District Court for the District of Arizona. He received his JD from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where he graduated first in his class and was the production editor for the Hastings Law Journal. Prior to joining Latham, Max was a judicial extern for Judge Charles R. Breyer of the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

Max Schleusener

Max Schleusener advises companies and private equity sponsors on a range of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and corporate governance matters. Max delivers pragmatic counsel to public and private companies, private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies. Combining experience in M&A and general corporate matters, he develops business-oriented strategies for clients�� most critical transactions. Max regularly advises on both bet-the-company M&A transactions, including mergers of equals, as well as complex carve-outs and joint ventures. His experience in domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions spans a multitude of industries, from the insurance, automotive, and manufacturing sectors to professional services and pharmaceuticals. Max also handles a variety of general corporate matters on behalf of public and private companies. He brings particular experience navigating thorny governance issues arising in joint ventures and whole company business combinations, including cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Additionally, Max counsels clients on shareholder activism and defense.

Maximilian Platzer

Dr. Maximilian Platzer is a partner in Latham & Watkins' Frankfurt office and practices in the Corporate Department. He advises private equity investors and corporate entities on German and cross-border M&A transactions and public takeovers. His practice covers both the buy-side and sell-side of acquisitions as well as co-investments and management participations. Prior to joining the firm in March 2017, Mr. Platzer was an associate for several years at another international law firm.

Mchaela Schmiederova

Misa Schmiederova represents both lenders and borrowers on a wide range of complex cross-border banking and finance transactions, including leveraged finance, infrastructure finance, trade finance, secured lending, and restructuring across a number of industry sectors, jurisdictions, and products. She has also undertaken a secondment with the Goldman Sachs leveraged finance execution team.

Melanie Howard

Melanie Howard advises clients on complex European and cross-border transactions. Melanie draws on her broad experience to help companies, private equity funds, and investment banks navigate: Cross-border public and private M&A Takeover code issues Securities law and listing rules Corporate and acquisition financing structures Highly regulated global carve-outs Strategic M&A Before joining Latham, she was a partner at another international law firm.

Melissa Fabian

Melissa Frankel Fabian represents private equity sponsors and borrowers in leveraged and other financing transactions. Melissa helps clients navigate a broad spectrum of financing transactions involving: Syndicated loans and private credit financings Asset-based and cash-flow loans Acquisition financings Cross-border transactions Liability management transactions She combines a drive for client service with extensive substantive knowledge to guide private equity sponsors, borrowers, and public companies through every step of a financing transaction and varying market conditions. Melissa has served as a member of the firm’s Training & Career Enhancement Committee, developing and overseeing in-house training and mentoring programs for associates.

Meredith Monroe

Meredith Monroe advises corporate clients, leading financial institutions, and individuals to navigate a wide range of criminal and civil litigation matters, with a particular focus on government cross-border investigations and complex securities regulatory issues. Meredith regularly handles sensitive and high-profile matters on behalf of US and international clients, drawing on her significant experience in relation to investigating potential violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and US securities laws and regulations. She brings particular experience advising clients on internal and government-facing investigations involving multiple regulators and jurisdictions. More broadly, she advises on alleged financial crimes, criminal and civil fraud, and deceptive business practices, regularly working with a full spectrum of government agencies and regulatory regimes, including: Department of Justice (DOJ) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) EPA (state and federal) Financial Industry Regulation Authority (FINRA) Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Department of Labor (DOL) Meredith adeptly diffuses intense situations, adapts to fast-moving investigations, and can provide clients with insightful and effective guidance based on significant on-the-ground experience in countries across Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Meredith also regularly helps clients to create, review, and enhance their internal compliance programs, including drafting policies and procedures, conducting risk assessments across jurisdictions, and advising companies with respect to innovative compliance monitoring and analytics. Complementing her investigation and litigation work, Meredith also regularly advises clients in connection with cross-border mergers and acquisitions, including pre- and post-acquisition due diligence and counseling. Meredith is a member of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association and maintains an active pro bono practice, handling prisoner rights litigation, immigration appeals, landlord tenant litigation, community outreach and police reform, as well as educational reform. She is also a former member of the firm’s Women Enriching Business committee.

Michael Green

Michael Green is a counsel and member of Latham’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Practice and Environment, Land & Resources Practice. He advises clients on a range of ESG and Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) matters, in the context of transactional work, the management of risks and opportunities, and litigation matters.

Michael Esser

Widely recognized as one of Germany’s leading antitrust lawyers, Dr. Michael Esser advises clients on German and European competition matters ranging from complex merger clearances to global cartel investigations and litigation. Mr. Esser draws on more than two decades of experience at the forefront of high-profile antitrust procedures to deliver favorable outcomes for prominent German, European, and international companies, with a focus on the technology, fintech, telecommunications, and e-commerce sectors. Regardless of the matter at hand, Mr. Esser harnesses his sophisticated technical knowledge and strong agency relationships to resolve issues involving antitrust enforcers and courts worldwide. A sought-after writer on competition topics, Mr. Esser regularly contributes to prominent legal publications. His work includes serving as a co-editor of the antitrust journal Neue Zeitschrift für Kartellrecht (NZKart).

Michael Sullivan

Michael Sullivan has represented both publicly and privately held companies in a broad range of complex transactions including public offerings and private placements of equity and debt securities, tender offers, venture financings, joint ventures, mergers, stock purchases, and asset purchases. Michael has also represented investment banks in public financing transactions and private equity funds in various mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining the firm, Michael clerked for Chief Judge William J. Zloch of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Michael Hardy

Michael Hardy is a partner in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins. He is a member of the Derivatives and Structured Finance Practices. Mr. Hardy advises on a range of structured finance and derivatives transactions, including securitizations, structured credit and equity derivatives, securities lending and repo arrangements, repackagings, and structured hedging arrangements. His clients include asset accumulators / private equity funds, banks, other financial institutions, and financial market infrastructures (FMIs). He also advises in relation to regulatory capital, insolvency issues, clearing documentation, netting arrangements, derivatives regulation, and recovery and resolution. Mr. Hardy regularly speaks at derivatives and securitisation industry conferences, seminars, and meetings.

Michael Ning

Michael Ning counsels private equity sponsors, investors, and corporations on a variety of cross-border corporate transactions and investments. Mr. Ning has broad experience advising on, and assisting clients with, mergers and acquisitions, privatizations, private equity and leveraged buyouts, joint ventures, minority investments, equity capital markets, and compliance related matters.

Michael Rackham

Michael Rackham is a counsel in the Singapore office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Mr. Rackham is an experienced adviser to private equity investors and corporations on complex, cross-border corporate matters in the Asia-Pacific region, including mergers and acquisitions, disposals, auctions, private equity and leveraged buyouts, take-privates, spin-offs, and joint ventures. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Rackham worked for 10 years in the Hong Kong and London offices of two other US law firms.

Michael Beanland

Michael Beanland is counsel in the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Real Estate Practice. Michael has extensive experience advising on real estate finance in the UK and across Europe and on real estate matters in the UK, with particular expertise in large-scale development projects. With a training background in architecture as well as law and having been seconded to Australian developer Lendlease for three years, Michael brings unique expertise to his role in the Real Estate Practice in London. Prior to joining Latham, Michael worked at an international law firm.

Michael Podolny

Michael Podolny represents technology and life sciences companies from startup through exit as their outside corporate counsel. Michael advises technology companies — ranging from startups to mature private and public companies — as well as venture capital and private equity firms that finance such companies, in day-to-day matters and a variety of corporate and securities transactions. He leads transactions on behalf of companies, investors, and entrepreneurs worth billions of dollars annually. His transactional work includes: Public and private financing transactions Mergers and acquisitions Tender offers, liquidity programs, and secondary stock transactions Corporate governance matters Formations and restructurings Crowdfunding transactions Employment matters Equity incentives Securities law compliance License agreements Often the first point of contact on day-to-day corporate and securities law matters, Michael regularly connects clients to the full breadth of Latham’s global platform. With a robust cross-border practice, Michael regularly advises clients based in Israel, Australia, Europe, India, and East Asia.

Michael Seringhaus

Dr. Michael Seringhaus litigates patent disputes in federal court and before the PTAB for life sciences and pharmaceutical companies, with a particular focus on biologics and biosimilars. Michael leverages his PhD in Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry to represent clients in various fields including: Biologics, particularly antibody pharmaceuticals Biosimilars Small molecule pharmaceuticals Next-generation DNA sequencing Michael has experience in all phases of complex patent disputes, both in federal courts and before the Patent Trial and Appeals Board (PTAB). He also provides due diligence analysis and counsels companies on portfolio strategy and litigation risk. Before entering private practice, Michael served as a judicial intern for Judge Timothy Dyk of the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and clerked for Justice Craig Stowers of the Alaska Supreme Court. Prior to attending Yale Law School, Michael's graduate research focused on computational models to predict essential genes; he also participated in the ENCODE pilot project to identify and analyze functional elements in the human genome.

Michael Saliba

Michael Saliba advises issuers, underwriters, sponsors, and investors on a range of complex domestic and cross-border capital markets transactions. Drawing on his broad transactional experience and sector-specific knowledge, Michael helps clients successfully navigate a range of capital markets transactions, including: Acquisition financings High-yield and investment grade debt offerings Debt exchange offers, tender offers, and consent solicitations Initial public offerings and deSPAC transactions Project financings Registered and private equity financings Restructuring transactions Spin-off transactions Michael also regularly counsels clients on a variety of corporate and securities law matters as well as high yield debt covenant and debt structuring analyses.

Michael Waldman

Michael Waldman represents financial institutions in leveraged finance transactions, including acquisition financings, debt restructurings, cross-border transactions, asset-based financings, recurring revenue-based financings, and margin loan financings. Michael has significant experience in syndicated finance and direct lending transactions in a broad array of industries, such as technology, healthcare, retail, communications, pharmaceuticals, and industrials.

Michael Bond

Mike Bond advises public and private companies and institutional equity investors on private equity and other M&A transactions including takeover offers, strategic investments, and joint ventures, often with an international dimension.

Michael Fee

Litigation Partner

Michael Vardanian

Michael Vardanian is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Michael has broad mergers and acquisitions experience, encompassing both public and private acquisitions, dispositions, co-investments, joint ventures, and general corporate matters. Michael’s practice primarily focuses on representing private equity firms. His representative clients include Odyssey Investment Partners, Leonard Green & Partners, and Energy Capital Partners. Michael has also represented US and non-US clients across a wide range of industries, including energy, retail, media, telecommunications, manufacturing, and technology.

Michael A. Morin

Partner

Michael Evan Bern

Michael Bern represents clients in high-stakes trial and appellate litigation. Michael leverages his appellate-focused approach to litigation strategy, persuasive oral advocacy, and superior writing and research skills to represent clients in: Appellate matters at all levels of state and federal courts Complex disputes across a wide range of substantive legal areas, including First Amendment and other constitutional issues, administrative law, trade secrets, securities, aviation, insurance, and real estate Class action defense He has filed numerous merits and certiorari stage briefs before the US Supreme Court and drafted more than 150 briefs before state and federal appellate courts. Michael also shapes and executes clients’ trial court strategy. Michael has successfully argued multiple appeals in state and federal court, as well as dispositive and other trial court motions, and has led on many successful challenges to the legality of federal, state, and local government actions, including agency rulemaking. Michael maintains an active pro bono practice, including work on behalf of veterans, homeless individuals, and people who are incarcerated. A recognized leader at the firm, Michael has served on the firm’s Recruiting Committee and Training & Career Enhancement (TACE) Committee. During the 2011-12 term, Michael served as a law clerk to Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor of the US Supreme Court. From 2008-09, he served as a law clerk to Judge Michael McConnell of the US Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. Before attending law school, Michael worked as a management consultant, primarily advising life sciences clients on portfolio analysis, research and development strategy, marketing strategy, and mergers and integration. Michael serves on the board of Ingenuity Prep, a charter school in Washington, D.C.

Michele Penzer

Michèle Penzer is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins and is a member of the firm’s Finance Department and the Banking Practice. Michèle has built a robust finance practice, navigating clients through some of the most volatile market conditions over the past nearly three decades. Michèle's practice focuses primarily on the representation of a wide range of banks and alternative lenders, as well as borrowers, in leveraged finance transactions, including acquisition financings, project financings, other senior secured lending transactions, and restructurings in a broad range of industries, including energy, communications, retail, technology, and industrials. She has significant experience in the structuring, negotiation, and documentation of secured and unsecured credit facilities, offering clients seasoned guidance at every turn. Michèle is recognized as a leading attorney and is ranked for US banking and finance in Chambers Global, Chambers USA, and The Legal 500 US. In 2017, Michèle was named to the inaugural list of Leading Women Lawyers in New York by Crain’s New York Business. Beyond the unwavering commitment to her clients, Michèle has continually overseen the firm’s commitment to the New York legal and business community and its sophisticated client base. Michèle currently serves as Global Chair of the firm’s Recruiting Committee and has held multiple other leadership roles, including as former New York Office Managing Partner, former Global Co-Chair of the Banking Practice, former member of the firm’s Executive Committee, former New York Chief Community Engagement Partner, and former Chair of the firm's Diversity Committee and Associates Committee. She also helped to found Women Enriching Business (WEB), a firm-wide initiative developed to help give women the tools to develop networks and business development skills. Michèle is a member of the State Bar of New York, the New York State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. She is on the Board of Directors of Sanctuary for Families, on the Board of Directors of the New York Women's Foundation, a member of the Board of Advisors of the Yale Law School Center for the Study of Corporate Law and a member of the Advisory Council of the Hastings Center.

Michele M. Anderson

Michele Anderson, a partner in the firm’s National Office, advises clients and Latham lawyers facing complex issues arising under the US securities laws. Prior to joining Latham, she served for 24 years in the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Corporation Finance. She held a number of senior positions in the Division, including most recently serving as Associate Director and Acting Deputy Director. For nearly 15 years she led and then oversaw the Division’s Office of Mergers and Acquisitions. Michele leverages her extensive knowledge and SEC experience to help the firm’s lawyers and clients navigate the disclosure requirements and other SEC rules that affect domestic and cross-border M&A and capital markets transactions. She also advises public company clients confronting shareholder activism and corporate governance issues. As Associate Director at the SEC, Michele oversaw the Division’s legal and policy program and the work of the Office of Mergers and Acquisitions, the Office of International Corporate Finance, and the Office of Structured Finance. She directed rulemaking initiatives and no-action, interpretive, and exemptive positions on: Domestic and cross-border M&A transactions Federal proxy rules Registration, disclosure, and reporting requirements that apply to foreign issuers and issuers of asset-backed securities As Chief of the Office of Mergers and Acquisitions, Michele managed the SEC’s regulation of M&A transactions and the application and interpretation of SEC rules relating to: Tender offers Mergers Going-private transactions Debt restructurings Beneficial ownership reporting Contested and other non-routine proxy solicitations She also has extensive experience with the full range of SEC reporting and disclosure obligations as a result of her broad oversight responsibility for the SEC’s disclosure review program for public companies. Michele is a frequent speaker on federal securities law developments, public company M&A, activism, and shareholder voting, and has served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center, where she taught the course “Takeovers, Mergers and Acquisitions.”

Michelle Carpenter

Michelle Carpenter is a partner in the Tax Department of Latham & Watkins’ Los Angeles and Orange County offices and a member of the firm's Executive Committee. Michelle advises clients on a broad range of compensation arrangements and benefit plans in a variety of industries, with extensive experience working with public and private companies. Michelle focuses her practice on: Counseling on employee benefits and compensation aspects of mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, spin-offs, financings, and other corporate transactions Structuring executive compensation arrangements, including employment agreements, separation / severance agreements, equity compensation arrangements, and deferred compensation programs Preparing executive compensation disclosures for proxy statements and other securities filings Counseling on tax, securities, ERISA, and corporate law issues as they relate to executive compensation and employee benefits arrangements Prior to joining the firm, Michelle served as an extern for Judge Gary Allen Feess in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Michelle is fluent in Swedish.

Mike Turner

Mike Turner is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department and Emerging Companies Practice. He primarily handles venture capital, growth equity, and M&A transactions. He represents clients who operate across the TMT sector, with a particular focus on software, consumer internet, video games and e-sports, fintech, digital health, and e-commerce. Mike’s TMT sector experience owes much to his time as a general partner in a technology-focused venture capital fund from 2005-2008.

Mikhail Turetsky

Mikhail Turetsky focuses his practice on finance and capital markets, and he has extensive experience advising banks and corporate clients on all aspects of transactions across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Mikhail's primary areas of expertise include debt and equity capital markets as well as a broad range of finance transactions, including project finance, structured finance and financial restructuring.

Mitchell Rabinowitz

Mitchell Rabinowitz provides comprehensive transactional counsel to key players in the fintech industry, including many of the world’s leading investment banks, infrastructure providers, startups, and newly created consortium entities. Mitch helps clients launch, build, jointly create, invest in, and acquire and sell businesses built at the intersection of financial services and technology. In particular, he offers sophisticated insights into the market structures and evolving regulatory environment impacting the fintech space, as well as firsthand experience working with prominent industry participants. Mitch also draws on his in-depth, sector-specific technical knowledge, having worked extensively on the creation of electronic trading platforms, alternative trading systems, exchanges, clearinghouses, and data repositories. Mitch advises on a range of US and international fintech matters, including: Complex consortium, joint venture, and strategic alliance transactions Mergers and acquisitions Technology outsourcings Related arrangements, including electronic trading platform arrangements; market data and analytics; software/technology development and maintenance; and license, management, partnership, operating, and shareholder agreements

Mollie Duckworth

Mollie Duckworth, Local Chair of Latham's Austin Corporate Department, brings more than 15 years of industry experience handling a wide variety of corporate and securities matters, with a particular focus on representing public companies throughout their life cycle. Mollie regularly advises both public and private companies in connection with M&A transactions, and represents issuers and investment banks in public offerings and private placements of equity and debt securities. She also advises corporations and MLPs with respect to complex transactional matters, including compliance with federal securities laws, corporate governance, and day-to-day corporate counseling. Mollie’s clients include companies in the technology, power, renewables, oil and gas, and energy infrastructure sectors. Mollie’s practice includes: Representing issuers and underwriters in IPOs, PIPEs, and other securities offerings Exchange Act reporting Corporate governance Mergers and acquisitions Mollie is active in several professional organizations, including: Austin Bar Association Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow United Way for Greater Austin, Board Member Austin Chambers of Commerce, Business Engagement Committee

Monica C. Groat

Monica Groat advises companies on regulatory, litigation, and transactional matters involving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the life sciences industry. Monica counsels pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, tobacco, dietary supplement, food, and other related industry clients regarding all aspects of the FDA-regulated product life cycle, including: Pre-market product development and clinical and pre-clinical testing Product submissions Compliance with good manufacturing and quality system regulations Product marketing, promotion, and labeling Regulatory inspections and product recalls Monica draws on her science background and experience with all stages of life science product regulation and enforcement to help clients resolve litigation against the FDA and other federal agencies. She also regularly advises on regulatory matters in connection with capital markets and M&A transactions involving FDA-regulated entities. Before joining Latham, Monica was a trial attorney for the Consumer Protection Branch of the US Department of Justice’s Civil Division. Previously, she worked as a food, drug, and medical device enforcement associate at an international law firm. During law school, Monica was a member of The University of Chicago Legal Forum. She currently serves as a member of the Food and Drug Law Institute’s Webinar Committee.

Morgan Whitworth

Morgan Whitworth represents market-leading companies and business leaders in securities litigation and other complex litigation matters. Morgan defends publicly traded companies, investment managers, and their senior officers and directors in: Securities class action litigation Corporate governance litigation Securities litigation appeals SEC and other regulatory investigations M&A litigation Books and records demands Complex commercial litigation He prepares trial-ready strategies and aggressive defenses that regularly lead to early and favorable resolutions. He focuses on understanding clients’ perspectives and objectives to navigate bet-the-company litigation while minimizing clients’ business disruption. Morgan maintains an active pro bono practice, representing clients in federal civil rights litigation, immigration matters, and proceedings before the Department of Veterans Affairs. Prior to joining Latham, Morgan clerked for Judge Anne C. Conway of the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida. While at Duke Law, Morgan was an articles editor of the Alaska Law Review and interned with the Enforcement Division of the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Morgan E. Brubaker

Morgan Brubaker represents a broad range of clients in drafting and negotiating complex, multi-jurisdictional commercial transactions relating to technology. Morgan regularly advises clients with respect to: Cloud computing and data strategy Acquisitions Strategic alliances Joint ventures Intellectual property licensing Development, manufacturing, supply, and commercialization agreements Data privacy and security matters Morgan takes a commercial approach to solving clients’ business issues using risk-based legal strategies to protect clients’ interests while helping them achieve their business goals. Drawing on experience as a technology consultant advising Fortune 500 corporations on global IT planning and strategy, she understands clients’ commercial, operational, and regulatory challenges in the jurisdictions where her clients do business. Morgan serves as pro bono liaison for the Nature Conservancy and helps a range of pro bono clients with technology licensing matters.

Morgan L. Maddoux

Morgan Maddoux represents government contractors in high-stakes investigations and litigation involving the False Claims Act (FCA) and other allegations of fraudulent conduct, bid protests, and government contract compliance matters. Morgan has represented IT, aerospace, defense, and other government in connection with all phases of government investigations and complex commercial litigation involving the FCA. Morgan combines deep regulatory knowledge with extensive FCA experience to secure successful resolutions for her clients. Morgan also counsels clients regarding compliance with a wide variety of regulatory and contractual requirements related to performing government contracts, including: Cybersecurity requirements under the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Procurement integrity Small-business size status and affiliation Socioeconomic clauses Subcontracting obligations Cost and accounting requirements She has also represented government contract clients in bid protests before individual agencies, the Court of Federal Claims, and the Federal Circuit. Morgan also helps clients navigate mandatory and voluntary disclosure requirements, as well as suspension and debarment matters. A former member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, Morgan maintains an active pro bono practice and serves as the D.C. office’s liaison to the Tahirih Justice Center. She regularly represents pro bono clients in immigration cases before the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, including successfully obtaining a T visa for a client who was the victim of severe human trafficking and derivative T visas for the client’s minor children and mother.

Nadia Sager

Nadia Sager serves as global Co-chair of the firm’s Investment Funds Practice and Chair of the San Diego office’s Corporate Department. Ms. Sager represents top private fund sponsors and investors in forming, investing in and operating leading private funds.

Naim Culhaci

Naim Culhaci advises clients on matters involving broker-dealer, investment adviser, and securities market regulation, particularly within the fintech industry. Naim leverages a comprehensive knowledge of the financial regulatory landscape to guide investment banks, hedge funds, private equity firms, alternative trading systems, digital asset intermediaries, transfer agents, service providers to the securities industry, and emerging companies on a wide range of broker-dealer regulatory matters, including: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) membership applications FINRA and US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) compliance enforcement Mergers and acquisition transactions Financing transactions Cross-border broker-dealer activities and extra-jurisdictional implications FINRA and SEC rule changes and developments He forges trusted relationships with clients to understand their business needs and crafts solutions that help to mitigate risk while achieving their objectives. Naim also guides institutional money managers and other investors with respect to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 reporting requirements, including filing of Forms 13H and 13F. He regularly provides financial institutions, corporate, and other clients with regulatory advice relating to equities market regulation compliance. He is member of SIFMA and serves on the ABA Business Law Section’s Subcommittee on Trading and Markets. A recognized thought leader, Naim also frequently writes on new regulations.

Najla Al-Gadi

Najla Al-Gadi’s practice focuses on advising issuers and investment banks on equity capital markets transactions including initial public offerings (IPOs) and other securities offerings. She also advises public and private companies and investment banks across various industries on public and private M&A transactions, corporate governance matters, and other matters relating to Saudi Arabian securities regulations. Her practice includes: Capital markets Mergers and acquisitions Corporate matters Regulatory matters

Natalie Hardwick Rao

Natalie Hardwick Rao represents clients in high-stakes white collar investigations and criminal defense matters across a number of regulatory regimes, including government-facing and internal corporate investigations, and congressional inquiries. Natalie approaches each matter with fact-finding prowess and forward-thinking strategy to defend individuals and leading corporations in investigations involving the Department of Justice (DOJ), congressional committees, and other government agencies. She leverages her experience as a former military analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency to advise clients on these matters, while identifying risk and developing strategies to achieve successful resolutions. Natalie also counsels large companies across multiple industries on compliance with anti-corruption laws, including developing, implementing, and enhancing corporate compliance programs. She also frequently advises clients in connection with cross-border M&A and capital markets transactions, including pre-acquisition due diligence. Natalie maintains an active pro bono practice, including securing federal sentencing relief for Cory Maples, an Alabama death row inmate whose original lawyers abandoned him, as part of the team that received the firm’s 2022 Robert M. Dell Prize for Extraordinary Pro Bono Service. She formerly served as a member of the firm’s Training & Career Enhancement (TACE) Committee, which develops and oversees in-house training and mentoring programs for associates.

Natasha Gianvecchio

Natasha Gianvecchio is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office, where she serves as Local Chair of the Finance Department, and a member of the Energy Regulatory & Markets Practice and the Project Development & Finance Practice. Natasha focuses on the regulatory and energy market developments that impact a variety of clients in the electric and natural gas industries in the United States, including independent power producers and sponsors, power marketers, electric utilities, natural gas companies, and financial institutions. She has extensive experience with the development of, implementation of, and compliance with the competitive wholesale energy market rules in the regional energy markets in New England (ISO-NE), New York (NYISO), the Mid-Atlantic (PJM), the Midwest (MISO), California (CAISO), Texas (ERCOT), and the Southwest (SPP). Natasha regularly handles the drafting, negotiation, and review of physical and financial power purchase, offtake and trading arrangements, including virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs), through bespoke or structured agreements as well as standard electric, gas, and financial master agreements, including ISDA, EEI, WSPP, and NAESB. Her work involves power projects and trading across the United States with a wide variety of counterparties, including financial institutions, strategic trading platforms, traditional utilities, governmental entities, cooperatives, and corporate and industrial (C&I) buyers. Natasha’s experience also encompasses a broad range of issues under the Federal Power Act (FPA), Energy Policy Act, Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA), the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA), and various other federal and state energy statutes, and regulations. Natasha regularly advises investors and lenders on the regulatory and market risks, approvals, and related issues associated with the acquisition and financing of equity and debt interests in energy assets. She represents clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Department of Energy (DOE) and the regional market operators in matters related to the following: Development of, implementation of, and compliance with FERC rules and regulations, including with respect to: FPA Section 203 approvals for mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations of energy companies and assets FPA Section 205 rates and compliance, including market-based rate authority PUHCA, including qualifying facility (QF) and exempt wholesale generator (EWG) issues Electric interconnection issues Competitive wholesale power markets Enforcement inquiries, investigations and self-reports, particularly as relate to the regional energy market rules Administrative litigation and settlements across a variety of power-related matters Natasha is a member of the Energy Bar Association and serves on the firm’s Finance Committee.

Neil Campbell

Neil Campbell advises clients on complex cross-border private equity and M&A transactions. He draws on over 10 years of experience acting for large private equity houses on their most significant deals. He co-authored the chapter “Due Diligence” in Private Equity: A Transactional Analysis and co-authored the chapter “Partial Exits” in Private Equity Exits: A Practical Analysis.

Nell Perks

Nell Perks represents leading financial institutions in a wide range of disputes and contentious regulatory investigations, frequently with an international element. She leverages her comprehensive understanding of the challenges that financial institutions face and extensive experience across the spectrum of financial services litigation — including complex and structured products disputes — to: Manage investigations and disputes, from their earliest stages through to settlement Advise clients on regulatory enforcement and risk management in relation to disputes Identify and craft solutions that take account of regulatory implications and potential follow-on litigation Advise on global regulatory compliance, including anti-money laundering and anti-bribery obligations Nell helps financial services clients navigate complex regulatory and criminal investigations, including in some of the most significant US and UK investigations in recent years, involving the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO), US Department of Justice (DOJ), and US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), as well as regulators in other jurisdictions. She forges trusted relationships across the UK financial services industry to advise banks on how to improve their culture within the context of global regulatory frameworks and in related investigations. Nell has spent time seconded to the commercial and retail litigation team and the compliance team of a major bank client. She has also spent three months on secondment as a judicial assistant at the Royal Courts of Justice. She maintains an active pro bono practice, including coordinating the firm’s participation in the Domestic Abuse Response Alliance, an organization that represents London-based individuals who are not eligible for legal aid but cannot afford to pay for private representation to seek orders of protection in domestic violence cases. Nell also serves as a global leader of Latham’s Parent Lawyers Group. She has higher rights of audience in the courts of England and Wales.

Niall Lynch

Niall E. Lynch, nationally recognized litigator and former DOJ Antitrust Division prosecutor, represents global companies in all aspects of complex criminal antitrust investigations and follow-on litigation. Niall combines strength and poise under fire and commercial pragmatism to help clients navigate the intricacies of DOJ antitrust investigations. He deftly handles every stage of criminal antitrust investigations, including: Negotiating compliance with agency subpoenas, including grand juries Strategically defending clients and executives Resolving agency investigations with no enforcement action Securing favorable terms in plea and deferred prosecution agreements Winning at trial He regularly guides multinationals and their executives in criminal and administrative price-fixing investigations in international antitrust and competition matters involving information exchange, algorithmic pricing, cartels, government contracts, civil conduct, and criminal investigations. He also seamlessly handles follow-on class action litigation, antitrust and compliance training, and FTC conduct investigations. Before joining Latham, Niall served as Assistant Chief in the DOJ’s San Francisco Field Office. He led several of the division’s most significant criminal prosecutions, including the liquid crystal display (LCD) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM) grand jury investigations, which resulted in US$1.6 billion in criminal fines and dozens of individual prosecutions. He also prosecuted numerous cases in the General Crimes Section while serving as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. Niall is Co-Chair of the American Bar Association Antitrust Section’s Cartel & Criminal Practice Committee and chaired the Executive Committee of the California State Bar’s Antitrust and Unfair Competition Law Section. He also previously served as Local Chair of Latham & Watkins’ San Francisco Litigation & Trial Department. He is local partner in charge of mentoring for the Bay Area and has served as Vice Chair of the firm’s Recruiting Committee and on the Associates Committee. Niall maintains an active pro bono practice, including serving on the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

Nicholas Boyle

Nick Boyle, Global Vice Chair of the firm's Complex Commercial Litigation Practice, represents litigants as lead counsel in their highest stakes commercial disputes, particularly those involving digital assets with an international component. Nick leverages his understanding of the global digital economy and extensive courtroom experience to craft coordinated litigation strategy, often cross-border, for a broad range of clients. He has represented investment banks, private equity funds, B2B data providers, movie studios, software and technology companies, and the world’s largest commercial real estate marketplace. He regularly appears in federal courts around the country, in New York and Delaware state court, and in multiple arbitral fora, including: The American Arbitration Association (AAA) The International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) JAMS In addition to general commercial disputes, Nick handles trade secrets and copyright matters, securities suits, unfair competition cases, employment litigation in the financial sector, and antitrust and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) cases. He has argued before the nation’s leading state appellate courts, The New York Court of Appeals and The Delaware Supreme Court. Nick regularly garners recognition from leading industry authorities. He has also served as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation since 2018. Nick prioritizes giving back to the community and maintains an active pro bono practice, including helping Ethiopian refugees navigate the asylum process. He serves on the board of the Counsel for Court Excellence, which works to improve access to the Washington, D.C., justice system. He also participates in the Economic Club of Washington, D.C.’s mentoring program for first-generation college attendees and volunteers with DC Central Kitchen programs to benefit people with limited access to career opportunities.

Nicholas McQuaid

Nick McQuaid, a former Senior DOJ and White House official, and former co-head of the New York Litigation Department, leverages extensive experience at the highest levels of the federal government to represent clients in their most complex legal challenges. Nick co-leads the firm’s Congressional Investigations Practice and is Co-Chair of Latham’s Washington, D.C. Litigation & Trial Department. Nick, a former Acting Assistant Attorney General who led the US Department of Justice’s Criminal Division for the first six months of the Biden administration, draws on his experience both from government service and private practice to provide tested counsel to clients facing investigations involving: The Department of Justice (DOJ) Congress The Securities and Exchange Commission Other regulatory bodies He skillfully leads internal investigations and advises senior company leaders and boards of directors on highly sensitive, bet-the-company matters. Before his most recent government service, Nick served as Co-Chair of Latham’s New York Litigation & Trial Department. Nick has also held roles as Deputy White House Counsel and as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. As Acting Assistant Attorney General and then Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Nick helped lead the DOJ’s Criminal Division for over 20 months, overseeing more than 600 federal prosecutors investigating securities fraud, healthcare fraud, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the Bank Secrecy Act. He also led the formation of the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team and supervised its work. During the Obama administration, Nick served for nearly four years in the White House Counsel’s Office, including as Deputy White House Counsel. In that role, he handled sensitive litigation and investigations, dealing extensively with congressional committees on high-profile investigations, including inquiries into the Benghazi attacks and the Affordable Care Act’s implementation. He also prepared numerous senior White House staff and cabinet officials for congressional hearings and other forms of testimony. Nick liaised with the DOJ and advised the President and senior White House staff on risk management, ethics, and compliance matters. In addition, he worked closely with officials at the Treasury Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Before working in Washington, Nick served for many years as an Assistant US Attorney in the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, where he successfully tried numerous cases to verdict, as well as briefed and argued several appeals in the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Nick has also prosecuted complex criminal organizations and other significant cases involving wire, bank and securities fraud, and money laundering. Nick serves on Law360’s White Collar Editorial Board. Nick clerked for US District Judge Denise Cote of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, and then for US Circuit Judge Robert Katzmann of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Nicholas L. Schlossman

Nicholas Schlossman represents clients in high-stakes litigation matters, including disputes with the government, consumer class actions, and other complex proceedings. Nicholas combines extensive complex commercial litigation experience with a sophisticated understanding of multiple regulated industries. He represents clients before trial courts, arbitrators, appellate courts, and administrative agencies, typically in cases involving a complex regulatory overlay. He works with clients in a number of highly regulated industries, including: Telecommunications Pharmaceuticals Healthcare Biotechnology Energy Technology He fosters trusted relationships with clients to understand their business and legal objectives and devise a litigation strategy that allows them to achieve those goals. In addition, he regularly drafts briefs and counsels clients on novel issues of administrative law and challenges to the legality of government actions. His matters arise under a wide range of federal statutory and regulatory regimes, including the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; Controlled Substances Act; Plant Protection Act; Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA); Communications Act; Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulations; Copyright Act; securities laws; and various consumer protection statutes. In addition to litigating these issues, he provides pre-dispute counseling to clients in regulatory matters that may result in litigation. Nicholas serves as a member of the firm’s Ethics Committee. He also maintains an active pro bono practice, including multiple engagements concerning nationwide civil asset forfeiture practices.

Nick Cline

Nick Cline is an M&A lawyer with more than 25 years of experience focusing on UK and international company board advisory work and cross-border M&A, investment, recapitalization and joint venture transactions. He is a former member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Nick has represented, among others, Vodafone, VEON, Virgin Media, Qatar Investment Authority, Taylor Wimpey, Thomas Cook Group, Aon, Warner Bros., Mattel, Yildirim Holdings, Emerson Electric, and Human Rights Watch.

Nicola Higgs

Nicola Higgs is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and Global Co-Chair of the firm's Financial Institutions Industry Group. She specializes in financial services regulatory advice and has vast experience advising financial institutions and market infrastructure providers on a wide range of complex domestic and cross-border regulatory issues. Nicola advises global investment banks, corporate finance houses, fund managers, insurers, stockbrokers, market infrastructure, and data services providers on a variety of legal and regulatory risk management matters, with particular expertise in the FCA’s Conduct of Business Rules, European regulatory developments, such as MiFID II, PRIIPs KID Regulation, and the EU Benchmark Regulation, and contested enforcement actions. She has developed a formidable reputation advising global investment firms on the sale of complex derivative products to professional and retail investors, including cross-border issues. Nicola also has a strong track record in advising private banks and wealth managers on their regulatory obligations.

Nicole McNeil

Nicole McNeil advises public company clients on general securities, corporate governance, and public reporting matters, including compliance with Exchange Act disclosure requirements, proxy rules, insider reporting and trading restrictions, stock exchange governance rules, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related regulations. Her clients include both US and foreign New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq-listed companies across a broad range of industries, with a particular focus on life sciences, technology, and retail. Prior to law school, Nicole worked as a paralegal in the dedicated Health Care Fraud Unit of the United States Attorney's Office. Nicole received a BA in Biology from Williams College and a JD from Cornell Law School.

Nicole Buffa

Nikki Buffa provides environmental counseling in all areas of environmental law with a particular focus on the siting of major infrastructure projects, the energy transition and renewable energy, stakeholder engagement, and crisis management. As partner, Nikki brings two decades of experience working on energy and environmental policy. Nikki has focused her career on regulatory compliance and federal and California-state environmental policy, involving a diverse range of infrastructure clients related to renewable energy resources, environmental diligence, and land use entitlements. Nikki currently advises developers, utilities, other clients on all aspects of project development from initial permitting and entitlement strategy through governmental approvals incorporating legal, political, community, and public relations issues. Her experience with landscape-level land and species management ranges from deep marine environments to the high desert. She currently serves on the boards of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the Advisory Board of the University of California at Berkeley Institute for Parks, People, and Biodiversity. In 2020–2021, Nikki served on the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition team as the White House Council on Environmental Quality Transition Team Lead. Nikki rejoined Latham after serving eight years in the Obama Administration, most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff at the United States Department of the Interior. Prior to joining the Department of the Interior, Nikki was the Deputy Director of Cabinet Affairs at the White House. Here, she worked closely with senior White House staff and agency leadership to advance the President’s policy and regulatory priorities at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Departments of Interior, Agriculture, Energy and Transportation. In 2009, after serving on the 2008 Presidential campaign and Presidential Transition Team, Nikki became the Deputy Chief of Staff, then later Associate Director, for the Council on Environmental Quality at the White House. Nikki helped develop and implement the Administration’s policies on clean energy, transportation, and environmental and human health protection.

Nicole Valco

Nicole Valco, a partner in the Complex Commercial Litigation Practice, advises market-leading companies on range of disputes in federal and state courts. Nicole has experience successfully litigating high-stakes cases through trial to verdict. Her practice covers a broad range of business disputes, including: Business torts Consumer protection and unfair business practices Contract Fraud Privacy Trade secrets Intellectual property She has particular experience with clients in several industries, including technology, energy, pharmaceutical, retail, financial, and fitness industries. Nicole is an active member of the firm’s Training and Career Enhancement Committee and serves on the Board of Governors of the Northern California chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.

Nima Movahedi

Nima J. Movahedi advises clients on a broad spectrum of complex corporate transactions, particularly in the aerospace & defense, technology, and life sciences sectors. Nima leads boards and management with his extensive experience in complex financing and acquisition structures to guide private and public companies, venture capital and private equity firms, and investment banks on: Mergers and acquisitions Venture, growth capital, and private equity transactions Structured equity, pre-IPO debt and equity financings, and similar private capital transactions Public and private securities offerings and securities law compliance Early-stage formation and corporate strategy Employment matters and equity incentives Restructuring and special situations He helps corporate clients navigate challenges that arise on the path to exit, and leverages access to the full resources of Latham’s global platform to address key issues in sophisticated cross-border transactions.

Ning Li

Ms. Li focuses on capital markets transactions such as initial public offerings and listings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as well as mergers and acquisitions of both public and private companies. She is also experienced in various due diligence investigations, corporate governance and post listing compliance matters. Ms. Li is fluent in English and Mandarin.

Olga Ponomarenko

Olga Ponomarenko is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins. Olga primarily advises clients on mergers and acquisitions. She counsels clients from various industries on a range of complex M&A transactions and general corporate matters. Olga also has significant experience in equity capital markets, and represents issuers and underwriters in offerings of shares and depositary receipts outside the US under Regulation S and within the US in exempt and registered offerings.

Oliver Prakash-Jenkins

Oliver Prakash-Jenkins represents private capital sponsors on the full spectrum of their formation, investment, and operational activities across a range of strategies. Oliver delivers incisive advice and innovative solutions for his clients and their businesses, approaching each matter energetically and collaboratively to advance their commercial aims in fund formation related matters involving: Buyouts Infrastructure, including digital infrastructure Energy, including energy transition Credit Real estate Growth equity He has experience working with all types of clients, from global multi-strategy managers and emerging managers to first-time fund sponsors, on capital-raising initiatives ranging from US$100 million to more than US$14 billion, including with respect to their co-investment and separately managed account programs, as well as open-end structures. Through his work, Oliver builds long-term relationships with clients to help them navigate management and general partner-level considerations, and structure their internal governance, economic, and succession arrangements. Oliver is particularly noted for his work in the buyout, infrastructure, and credit space, which includes advising six of the largest infrastructure sponsors on the successful formation of their closed-end and open-end equity funds, as well as credit funds incorporating various rated feeder, multi-currency, and back-leverage solutions. As part of his practice, Oliver frequently represents clients on their most sophisticated structured secondaries transactions, including traditional secondaries, GP-led recapitalizations, and stapled tender offers. He also counsels prominent investors on their primary and co-investment activities, as well as management teams seeking to spin out their business to an independent platform. When executing matters for his clients, Oliver leverages a comprehensive understanding of regulatory components and counterparties to implement structures across multiple jurisdictions — including Luxembourg, Ireland, Mexico, and Chile — and maximize fundraising and deployment opportunities for his clients. Before joining Latham, Oliver advised several prominent European private capital sponsors while based in London at another international law firm. Representative Speaking Engagements Panelist, Emerging Managers' Fundraising Bootcamp (September 11, 2024) Speaker, “North American Sponsors: How to Successfully Unlock European Capital” (April 23, 2024)

Omar Maayeh

Omar Maayeh advises companies globally across the full business life cycle, from inception to exit, with a focus on emerging technologies. Mr. Maayeh leverages a sophisticated understanding of market trajectories and extensive experience to advise companies on: Mergers, acquisitions, and dispositions Joint ventures Venture financing Regulatory compliance Initial public offerings Life as a public company He distills complex concepts into commercial advice that supports clients’ objectives at every stage of their business. Mr. Maayeh unlocks the resources of the firm’s global platform to connect clients with the legal tools for any need that arises. A recognized leader within the firm, Mr. Maayeh has served on the Mentoring, Recruiting, and Women Enriching Business (WEB). He prioritizes bolstering the emerging companies ecosystem and regularly speaks at events hosted by a number of Middle East-based incubators and accelerators, including Hub71, Area2071, the Abu Dhabi Global Markets Fintech Reglab, Astrolabs, and WOMENTUM. Mr. Maayeh maintains an active pro bono practice, including on behalf INJAZ UAE, a member of JA Worldwide that empowers youth with skills for work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.

Omar Nazif

Omar Nazif is the Managing Partner of the firm’s San Diego office and the former Local Chair of the Finance Department. Prior to joining the San Diego office, Omar was an associate in the firm’s Dubai, London, and San Francisco offices. Omar represents financial institutions, sponsors, and developers in connection with all phases of the development and financing of domestic and international energy and hospitality projects, including gas, wind, solar, and geothermal energy projects. Omar's experience includes structuring and negotiating financing arrangements, project contracts, and joint ventures, as well as advising on mergers and acquisitions of energy projects. Omar holds the Islamic Finance Qualification issued by the UK’s Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment. Before attending law school, Omar worked as a software developer for four years, focusing on developing logistics and medical software.

Óscar Franco

Óscar Franco is a partner in Latham & Watkins’ Madrid office and a member of the Litigation & Trial Department. Mr. Franco has extensive experience advising clients on complex, high-profile disputes, including commercial litigation and international arbitration proceedings, as well as restructuring and insolvency matters.

Oswald Cousins

Ossie Cousins defends and advises clients on the full spectrum of complex employment law challenges. Ossie leverages 25 years’ experience as a trial lawyer and high-level adviser to both established and emerging companies on all aspects of employment law, including matters involving: Wage-and-hour compliance and litigation Private Attorney General Act litigation Equal pay claims Discrimination and harassment Whistleblower and retaliation Reductions in force Disability accommodation He has tried cases to verdict before federal and state court juries and judges, as well as served as lead counsel in arbitrations and administrative proceedings. Ossie also counsels emerging tech companies on any employment issues that may arise. A recognized thought leader, Ossie frequently speaks on legal developments, theories, and practical aspects related to employment law and litigation. He is a member of the American Employment Law Council (AELC), the American Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section, and the Bar Association of San Francisco. He is admitted to practice before the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the US Supreme Court.

Otto Von Gruben

Otto von Gruben advises German and international clients on complex M&A and real estate transactions, often in a cross-border context. Drawing on his breadth of experience across a full spectrum of transactional matters, Mr. von Gruben serves a variety of public and private companies, including strategic investors, private equity, and sovereign wealth funds. His work covers a range of industries, with a particular focus on the real estate, automotive, and healthcare sectors. Mr. von Gruben's practice includes: Corporate real estate and real estate private equity transactions Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity transactions Joint ventures Distressed transactions Mr. von Gruben combines a results-driven sensibility and a knowledge of the key market players to complete both German and cross-border deals efficiently. In particular, he frequently navigates clients’ most intricate transactions involving novel structures and complex international considerations.

Owain Davies

Owain Davies advises on the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects, and has represented project owners, sponsors, and lenders on many of the largest and most high-profile projects in the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Davies has more than two decades’ experience advising project owners and sponsors on the key project contracts required for the development of major energy and infrastructure projects, and on related project financing arrangements. He regularly advises on complex first-of-their-kind projects, helping project developers navigate the unique challenges faced by these pioneering and market-defining projects. He also has extensive experience advising lenders and investors on debt and equity participation in energy and infrastructure projects, with a focus on the identification and analysis of potential risks and issues for lenders and investors, and the development of mitigation strategies. Mr. Davies has particular experience and expertise advising on: liquefied natural gas (LNG) export and import projects, including onshore and floating liquefaction, regasification, and storage facilities power projects, including renewables (geothermal, solar, wind, hydro, and biomass), nuclear and conventional thermal power projects, (including LNG-to-power) projects oil refinery and petrochemicals projects, including numerous world-scale new-build and expansion projects mining and natural resources projects, including iron ore and zinc mining projects, and coal gasification projects

Parag Patel

Parag Patel advises financial services companies, financial institutions, and fintechs on transactional and regulatory matters, with a particular focus on emerging payments, innovative technology, consumer and small-business lending, and banking. Parag guides banks, non-bank lenders, payments and technology companies, and their vendors on regulatory compliance, supervision, money transmission, lending, anti-fraud and anti-money laundering, and transactional matters. He leverages deep knowledge to help major financial institutions and fintech startups navigate global payment and financial services regulations. Parag has broad experience with all major federal and state laws that regulate payments and consumer and small-business lending in the US, including: Bank Secrecy Act Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Equal Credit Opportunity Act Electronic Fund Transfer Act Fair Credit Reporting Act Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Truth in Lending Act State money transmission, broker, and lending laws, as well as federal pre-emption of state financial laws Payment network rules, such as NACHA, Visa, and Mastercard rules Parag strategizes innovative and practical solutions to clients’ complex regulatory and transactional issues that arise when revolutionary technologies integrate with heavily regulated financial activities. He regularly advises clients on blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies, smart contracts, using “big data” in decisioning systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and integrating mobile and wearable devices into financial services. He has an extensive background in the regulation of money transmitters and other types of money service businesses (MSBs) and has helped dozens of fintech startups navigate these rules at various stages of their business evolution.

Patrick Mitchell

Patrick Mitchell is a partner in Latham’s London office and a member of the Entertainment, Sports & Media Industry Group. He works exclusively in the sports and entertainment space, advising a wide variety of corporates, investors, financiers, sports governing bodies, broadcasters, and other media companies on their premium commercial transactions and regulatory issues. Patrick advises on sophisticated sponsorship and media rights arrangements, the launch and expansion of media and digital services, sports technology, and all other areas involved in establishing, commercialising, and investing in leagues, teams, and events.

Patrick Leftley

Patrick Leftley represents clients in public and private securitization and structured finance transactions. He is a partner in the Finance Department of the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Structured Finance Practice. Patrick represents banks, asset managers, and corporates on a wide range of public and private securitization and asset-backed financing structures. He handles transactions across a full spectrum of asset classes, including: Residential and commercial mortgages Consumer loans SME finance Student loans Auto finance Trade receivables Credit card receivables Lease receivables He draws on extensive experience, regularly advising on novel structures as well as some of the market’s largest securitization transactions. Patrick brings complementary knowledge of market practice and the shifting regulatory landscape affecting the securitization and structured finance industry to help clients protect their investments and scale their businesses. Prior to joining Latham, Patrick was seconded to the treasury function of a captive auto-finance company and the structured derivatives desk at a major UK bank. He is ranked by the leading industry publication Chambers UK.

Patrick Justman

Patrick Justman advises clients on trademarks and other intellectual property issues, including related litigation, enforcement, prosecution, management, and counseling. Patrick regularly counsels market-leading companies across industries in matters related to: Trademark and trade dress counseling, prosecution, enforcement, and litigation False/comparative advertising and unfair competition litigation Trade secret counseling and litigation Copyright counseling and litigation Internet law and domain name recovery and management Online defamation and rights of publicity Breach of contract and commercial disputes Patrick draws on substantial experience in all aspects of federal and state civil litigation. He has a strategic sensibility, and creatively and aggressively litigates cases to trial or a favorable resolution. He has demonstrated extensive skill in both the procedural and substantive aspects of the law before key agencies in multiple jurisdictions, including the: United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board European Union Intellectual Property Office World Intellectual Property Organization National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau Patrick regularly writes and speaks about trademark and intellectual property issues. Prior to joining the firm, he served in the US Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of California (Civil and Criminal divisions), the US Department of Homeland Security –Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the US District Court of the Southern District of California for the Honorable Marilyn L. Huff.

Patrick Kwak

Patrick Kwak advises clients on international corporate finance transactions and securities regulation. He draws on a sophisticated understanding of the market to represent companies, private equity firms, and investment banks in: Public and private debt and equity securities offerings, including Rule 144A offerings, with an emphasis on high-yield debt products Leveraged and acquisition financing, including bridge financing Restructurings and liability management transactions, including tender offers, consent solicitations, and exchange offers Patrick guides a broad range of stakeholders through a company’s full financing life cycle, including distilling complex concepts into commercially actionable advice that allows clients to achieve their business objectives. He unites expertise across the firm’s finance, M&A, regulatory, and restructuring practices to support complex private and public acquisition financings and capital structure realignments. A recognized leader at the firm, Patrick served on the Associates Committee.

Patrick C. English

Patrick English advises clients on merger control matters, particularly involving the healthcare industry and premerger notification analysis. Patrick leverages a particular knowledge and passion for the healthcare industry and a nuanced understanding of the regulatory space to guide companies — especially those in the pharmaceutical, life sciences, and medical device sectors — on: Merger control proceedings before the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice Premerger notification analysis, including under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act Internal investigations and compliance programs He helps clients strategically navigate an evolving antitrust regulatory landscape, while evaluating risk and anticipating issues before they compromise a transaction. Patrick devises creative solutions that allow his clients’ commercial visions to become reality. A recognized leader both within the firm and in his field, Patrick has served on Latham’s Recruiting Committee, as Local Co-Leader and Global Co-Leader of the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group, and on the Pro Bono Committee. Over the last decade serving in the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Section, he has been Co-Chair of the Membership, Diversity & Inclusion (MD&I) Committee and supported the Section’s Mentoring and Law Student Ambassador programs. In addition, Patrick has served as the leader of the Section’s LGBTQ+ Squad, a Vice Chair of MD&I Committee, a Vice Chair of the Health Care and Pharmaceuticals Committee, and as Young Lawyer Representative for the Health Care and Pharmaceuticals Committee. He maintains a significant and varied pro bono practice involving multiple areas, including immigration, Social Security benefits, expungements, and human rights. Patrick also serves as Whitman-Walker Health pro bono liaison at Latham. He is a longstanding advocate for Whitman-Walker, having previously held roles as Co-Chair of both the Whitman Walker Health Walk to End HIV Legal Community Campaign and the Steering Committee for Whitman-Walker’s Going the Extra Mile event. In addition to his pro bono work, Patrick was elected to the D.C. Bar Board of Governors in 2023. Before law school, Patrick spent three years with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its Bureau of Competition, where he focused on mergers in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. He has also served as a Research Fellow for the American Antitrust Institute.

Paul Kukish

Corporate Partner

Paul Yin

Paul Yin is a partner in the Finance Department of Latham & Watkins’ London office and a member of the Banking Practice. He advises direct lenders and private credit funds, commercial and investment banks, private equity sponsors, and corporate borrowers on a wide range of cross-border and domestic transactions with a particular focus on acquisition, rescue/special situations, real estate, and general corporate financings.

Paul Moura

Paul Moura, a recognized litigator and counselor, devises innovative solutions for clients in complex business disputes and high-stakes insurance coverage matters. Paul combines his sophisticated understanding of the insurance industry with diversified litigation and arbitration experience to represent clients in coverage disputes and claims stemming from: Cybersecurity incidents Investigations Consumer class actions Sexual abuse claims Mass torts Post-transaction disputes Business interruption losses Intellectual property infringement Monetary and digital asset theft Property damage Accusations of unfair competition Privacy violations He partners with clients to identify and mitigate risks associated with emerging technologies, business crises, and corporate transactions, including helping clients maximize the value of their insurance assets and customize novel coverages. Paul advises US and international clients on a broad range of global coverages, including general liability, errors and omissions (E&O) and professional liability, directors and officers (D&O), cybercrime, fidelity, and representations and warranties (R&W). Before entering private practice, Paul worked with a media policy think tank based at the London School of Economics, where he developed a network of policymakers, researchers, and lobbying groups involved in consumer protection and digital rights. He also served as a judicial extern for Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and as an intern at the United Nations World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Paul maintains a busy docket of pro bono and community work. A recognized thought leader, he regularly speaks and writes on topics involving the risks that emerging technologies and strategies present for risk control.

Paul Bonewitz

Paul Bonewitz serves as Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Finance Department, and formerly served as Chair of the New York Finance Department. He is a member of the Banking, Direct Lending & Private Debt, Capital Markets, and Private Equity Finance Practices. He represents investment banks, direct lenders, and other financial institutions in a wide range of leveraged finance transactions, including acquisition financings and cross-border financings, syndicated, asset-based, and unitranche financings, special situations lending, and workout transactions. Paul's representative clients include various investment banks and direct lenders, including: Jefferies Finance Barclays Bank Goldman Sachs JPMorgan Chase Bank Credit Suisse Bank of America Golub Capital Markets Apollo Credit Blackstone Credit Macquarie Principal Finance Churchill Asset Management Varagon Capital Partners Ares Capital Corporation He is also a member of Latham’s Finance Department’s Opinions and Confirmations Committee.

Paul Davies

Paul Davies is Global Co-Chair of Latham’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Practice and a member of Latham & Watkins’ Sustainability Committee. He advises clients on a range of ESG and environmental, health & safety (EHS) matters, in the context of transactional work, the management of risks and opportunities, and regulatory and litigation matters. Paul is a member of the Board of Directors of Environmental Law Institute (ELI). He is “internationally regarded” for his “outstanding” work, which has “played a pivotal role in the industry” – Who’s Who Legal 2016, Environment. In 2024, The Legal 500 recognized Paul with the ESG Lifetime Achievement Award: Sustainability at its inaugural UK ESG Awards. In 2023, he was recognized in Financial News’ Fifty Most Influential in Sustainable Finance list and the only lawyer to be recognized two years running. Paul was also recognized in Real Deals ’ Future 40 ESG 2023 listing. He was shortlisted for ESG Due Diligence and ESG Lawyer at the Real Deals ESG Awards 2022. The awards recognize and celebrate authentic ESG change in private equity. Further, Paul was named among Europe’s Top 10 Innovative Individuals for being “at the forefront for environmental law in Europe and Asia” and actively collaborating with environmental consultancies to “promote knowledge sharing” and to develop innovative products – FT Innovative Lawyers Report 2019.

Paul Dolman

Paul Dolman is an M&A lawyer with more than 20 years of experience focusing on UK and international private equity transactions. He has extensive experience advising institutional investors on investments and divestments, as well as private equity-backed companies on M&A and other corporate matters. Paul has commented and written extensively on private equity, including contributing the chapter entitled “Acquisition Documentation” to Private Equity: A Transactional Analysis.

Paul J. Hunt

Finance Partner

Pedro de Rojas

Mr. de Rojas leverages his deep knowledge of the restructuring process and a sophisticated understanding of an evolving insolvency landscape to guide multinationals, investors, and financial institutions on: Designing restructuring solutions, including converting debt into equity or equity-like instruments Implementing restructuring plans using the most efficient legal regimes Liaising with stakeholders across the capital structure He approaches complex transactions with a strategic, commercial mindset and unlocks Latham’s global platform to devise bespoke client solutions. A recognized thought leader, Mr. de Rojas regularly speaks on insolvency topics at industry events, including for INSOL. He is also a visiting professor at Instituto de Empresa (IE) and Universidad Cardenal Cisneros. Before joining Latham, Mr. de Rojas spent 20 years working as a banking and restructuring lawyer at the Spanish office of a Magic Circle law firm.

Pedro Rufino Carvhalo

Pedro Rufino Carvalho advises clients on high-profile financing and corporate transactions, particularly involving Brazil’s energy, infrastructure and alternative asset management sectors, as well as in a wide range of other emerging markets. Pedro draws on extensive experience both in private practice and in-house in several jurisdictions and a sophisticated understanding of local economic trends to guide clients on: Financings Project development M&A Joint ventures Energy and infrastructure investments Private investment fund-related matters Prior to joining Latham, he was managing director and global general counsel for a NASDAQ-listed international alternative investment firm. Before that, he was a partner in the London office of another global law firm.

Penelope Davey

Penelope Davey advises clients on a range of cross-border corporate transactions. Ms. Davey helps private equity and venture capital firms, investment funds and financial institutions, as well as emerging companies, corporates and state-owned enterprises execute complex cross-border transactions, including: Mergers and acquisitions Divestments Auctions Joint ventures Venture capital financings Ms. Davey brings clients a commercial sensibility, drawing on experience working both in London and in Singapore to efficiently navigate matters across the region, with a particular focus on transactions related to energy and infrastructure.

Peter Norris

Peter Norris advises clients on a broad range of complex banking and finance transactions, both in the GCC region and internationally. Mr. Norris draws on more than a decade’s experience in the Middle East and a sophisticated understanding of the local market to guide governments, companies and sponsors, and financial institutions on matters spanning bank finance, Shari’ah-compliant structures, project finance, capital markets, and restructurings. He has served on the firm's Recruiting Committee and maintains an active pro bono practice, including representing the Africa Eye Foundation, a Swiss nonprofit corporation, on a performance-based loan for the Magrabi ICO Cameroon Eye Institute.

Peter Gilhuly

Finance Partner

Peter Rosen

Litigation Partner

Peter Sluka

Peter Sluka, Global Co-Chair of the Hybrid Capital Practice, advises on private debt and alternative capital financings as well as traditional capital markets transactions. Peter represents a variety of direct lenders, mezzanine funds, private debt and structured equity providers, and other financial institutions and financial sponsors in complex financing transactions, including: Unitranche solutions Private second lien financings Preferred equity and holdco PIK financings Privately placed high yield notes Convertible debt and equity financings (including PIPEs) Growth investments Equity co-investments Special situations In addition, Peter represents both issuers and financial institutions in traditional public and private capital markets transactions, including: Initial public offerings Direct listings Secured and unsecured high yield debt offerings Bridge lending Debt exchange offers and tender offers Restructurings Mezzanine financings Peter also represents domestic and foreign companies with respect to general corporate and securities matters, including corporate governance issues, Exchange Act reporting obligations, and stock exchange rules and requirements. Peter draws on his deep market and product knowledge to assist clients in structuring and negotiating complex and creative financing transactions and investments. He provides innovative solutions for clients to help them protect their investments and close deals with highly sophisticated counterparties.

Peyton Worley

Peyton Worley guides emerging and established technology companies through their entire life cycle, and advises the venture capital firms and growth capital firms that invest in technology companies. Peyton advises companies from formation through to IPO and beyond. He regularly helps clients navigate: Formation Capital raising Strategic partnerships Leveraged and unleveraged mergers and acquisitions Founder liquidity transactions IPOs SEC reporting and compliance Peyton draws on experience with a wide range of industries, including social, digital media, e-commerce, fintech, adtech, enterprise software, network security, gaming, content publishing, biopharmaceuticals, cleantech, and life sciences. Given the volume of dealflow he handles, he has developed a keen sense of what is at market, drawing on a comprehensive perspective of the needs of both the company side and the capital side. In the course of a recent year, he handled more than 30 equity financings and five venture-backed acquisitions/sales. He also regularly represents issuers and underwriters in the capital markets, including on more than 25 capital markets offerings over the past few years.

Philip Rossetti

Corporate Partner, Office Managing Partner

Philipp Studt

Philipp Studt is a counsel in the Brussels office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s Global Antitrust & Competition Practice. His practice focuses on regulatory aspects of transactions, including foreign direct investment (FDI) control and merger control. Mr. Studt assists clients in navigating the increasingly complex regulatory landscape comprised of FDI, merger control and foreign subsidies rules in the EU and globally. He regularly advises clients in sectors seen as sensitive and critical, ranging from technology to energy to healthcare, on the risks and strategy at the outset of a transaction and assists them in obtaining the necessary FDI and merger control approvals. Mr. Studt has navigated some of the world’s most active regulatory regimes, including the EU, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, and Australia. Furthermore, Mr. Studt’s experience includes advising clients on complex questions around horizontal and vertical agreements and in State aid matters. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Studt worked as a senior associate at other international law firms in Brussels and as a consultant at the World Bank (IFC) in Washington, D.C.

Pia Naib

Pia Naib advises US and non-US financial institutions on the full spectrum of US bank regulation. Pia leverages extensive bank regulatory experience across a breadth of financial services industry transactions to distill complex regulations into practical advice for banks, broker dealers, and investment funds and asset management firms in matters related to: US Bank Holding Company Act Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, including the Volcker Rule Bank Secrecy Act and related anti-money laundering issues US financial regulatory reform US state commercial lending licensing and regulation New York banking law She understands her clients’ commercial objectives and collaborates across the firm’s robust global platform to help her clients mitigate risk and achieve those goals. A recognized leader at the firm, Pia currently serves on the Recruiting Committee and has previously served on the Associates Committee and the Training & Career Enhancement Committee. Pia regularly writes and speaks on topics related to financial regulation and fintech, including before the Institute for International Bankers.

Polina Tulupova

Polina Tulupova advises on a full range of equity derivatives and equity-linked transactions in the US market. Polina combines extensive experience navigating both US domestic equities and the equities of US-listed foreign private issuers, including dual-listed issuers, to advise investment banks and users of such financial products — such as issuers, private equity sponsors, hedge funds, and high-net-worth individuals — on: Convertible bonds, including related call spreads (capped calls) and stock borrow facilities, as well as exchanges, repurchases, and unwinds Financing strategies related to concentrated equity positions via over-the-counter derivatives (hedging and/or monetization) Fixed and variable share forward sales and related equity offerings, including registered at-the-market offerings (in particular, for REITs) Accelerated share repurchases Fund-linked securities, such as collateralized fund obligations Margin loans In her prior work at another leading international law firm and while on secondment to Credit Suisse’s Equity Corporate Finance Desk, she was involved in some of the EMEA region’s most significant equity capital markets transactions from 2010 to 2016. A recognized leader at the firm, Polina recently served as co-leader of the Women Lawyers Group in the New York office.

Posit Laohaphan

Posit Laohaphan is the Managing Partner of Latham's Asia offices and the head of the firm’s Structured Equity and Finance Practice in Asia. Mr. Laohaphan advises clients across Asia on a range of investment and financing matters in the public and private markets covering equity-linked capital markets products, private credit, structured equity and finance, and OTC derivatives. He helps clients on: Structured capital markets products, such as equity-linked securities OTC equity derivatives Structured lending products, such as margin loans Direct lending and private capital transactions Structured finance Workouts and restructuring of financing transactions General corporate and capital markets transactions Mr. Laohaphan draws on over two decades of experience advising on complex structured cross-border transactions. He began his career in New York in 2004 before moving to Hong Kong in 2010 to build Latham’s structured equity and financing business in APAC. Mr. Laohaphan advises clients across different product areas, geographical markets, and client types (both buy-side and sell-side). Given his broad and sophisticated practice he serves as a strategic advisor to clients.

Preeta Paragash

Preeta Paragash is counsel in the Finance Department and Banking Practice in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Preeta’s practice focuses primarily on the representation of investment and commercial banks, private debt funds, borrowers, and private equity firms in a broad range of leveraged finance transactions and debt restructurings, with a particular focus on acquisition financings and cross-border transactions. Prior to joining Latham, Preeta was an associate at another major international law firm.

Prue Criddle

Prue Criddle advises clients on sophisticated European and cross-border leveraged finance transactions. She draws on extensive experience to guide leading financial institutions on a broad range of leveraged finance matters, both in the syndicated market and in the direct lending space. Before joining Latham, she was a partner at another international law firm.

Quentin Gwyer

Quentin Gwyer is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Real Estate Practice. Her has extensive experience advising on real estate finance in the UK and across Europe and on real estate matters in the UK. Quentin has experience advising on: Real estate finance transactions – both UK and pan-European – and in respect of a wide variety of real estate asset classes Real estate debt-on-debt transactions in multiple European jurisdictions Intercreditor arrangements (both mezzanine and A/B) Restructuring of distressed real estate loans The syndication and distribution of real estate debt including sale and purchase of debt, tranching and multi-jurisdictional sub-participations Acquisitions and disposals of real estate backed loan portfolios Real estate sale and leaseback transactions Acquisitions and disposals of commercial real estate He has also advised on the workout of distressed debt across Europe and general finance and real estate matters, including landlord and tenant matters. Prior to joining Latham, Quentin was executive counsel at GE Capital Real Estate and also worked in the London office of an international law firm based in New York.

Rachael Astin

Rachael Astin represents clients in transactional and regulatory work relating to the Entertainment, Sports & Media (ESM) sectors, with a particular focus on digital media and content distribution. Rachael has more than a decade of experience guiding entertainment, sports, and media clients including film studios, production companies, broadcasters, other content owners and distributors, digital platforms, sports organizations, and investors of all sizes on: Complex rights licensing deals, including distribution arrangements, media rights agreements, content commissioning and production, sponsorship and brand management, and other core ESM commercial agreements New media sector digital ventures and strategic joint ventures Commercial aspects of media sector mergers and acquisitions, investments, and private equity Media and platform regulatory advice relating to digital, broadcast, and advertising General copyright advice relevant to the ESM sector She leverages extensive knowledge of a broad range of media sub-sectors— including TV, film, sports, publishing, advertising, video games, and music— to help clients keep up with rapidly-evolving market trends, and futureproof their businesses. Rachael has broad and deep knowledge of rights ownership, distribution, and content monetization that allows her to effectively advise clients on complex transactions across the spectrum of ESM. Prior to joining the firm, Rachael worked in a leading international media and technology practice. She has previously worked in the Middle East, having spent 18 months in Dubai, working with the technology, media, and telecommunications team of the largest law firm in the region. Rachael maintains an active pro bono practice, leveraging her sector expertise, focused on content commissioning, production, and the structuring and launch of new ventures, such as advising Global Citizen on the licensing of its live music concert during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Rachael is a member of the UK Royal Television Society and Women in Film & Television UK.

Rafael Molina

Rafael Molina represents Spanish and international clients in their most sophisticated transactions at the intersection of corporate, finance, and real estate law. Leveraging more than two decades of experience, Mr. Molina guides international investors, developers, financial institutions, and promoters on negotiating a wide range of real estate transactions and corporate matters, involving: Real estate M&A across asset classes, including hotels, data centers, retail and leisure centers, office buildings, logistics and industrial, and residential Structured finance and securitizations Single names, loan-to-own, and workouts and restructurings Servicers Performing loan (PL), re-performing loan (RPL), and non-performing loan (NPL) portfolios He approaches negotiations with confidence and a sophisticated understanding of his clients’ interests, ready to devise complex structures that facilitate deal execution. Mr. Molina also regularly advises global private equity houses and investment funds on real estate as an asset class and related large-scale financing work. Mr. Molina serves on the board of the University of Navarra.

Raghav Bajaj

Raghav Bajaj leads clients at all stages of contested proceedings before the US Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Raghav leverages his sophisticated understanding of the technology underlying his clients’ businesses to represent both petitioners and patent owners in: Inter partes reviews (IPRs) Post-grant reviews Appeals, including to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit A recognized leader in the patent bar, Raghav is a member of the Austin Yeakel Intellectual Property Inn of Court. He is also a board member and former chair of the South Asian Bar Association of Austin. Before joining Latham, he was a partner at another global law firm.

Rainer Traugott

Dr. Rainer Traugott advises German and international companies, private equity firms, and infrastructure investors on complex transactions and general corporate issues, often in a multijurisdictional context. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience, Mr. Traugott delivers pragmatic and creative counsel to clients in a range of corporate matters. He handles both public and private transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, public takeover offers, and mergers. Mr. Traugott also regularly advises executive and supervisory boards on critical corporate governance issues. His comprehensive corporate guidance extends to business transformations, including spin-offs, separations, and carve-outs. Mr. Traugott harnesses his sophisticated understanding of the needs of corporate, private equity, and infrastructure clients to help parties negotiate successfully and execute transactions efficiently. A versatile practitioner, he advises on transactions across industries and jurisdictions. His distinguished deal work includes a number of precedent-setting matters involving novel structures. Mr. Traugott previously served as Global Co-Chair of the Mergers & Acquisitions Practice and on the firm’s Strategic Client Committee.

Rainer Adlhart

Rainer Adlhart is a member of the corporate finance team, advising private equity sponsors, corporates, debt funds, and financial institutions on complex domestic and cross-border finance transactions, with particular expertise in US capital markets, private debt, and venture capital. Mr. Adlhart advises on: High-yield bond offerings Private placements Crossover and investment grade bond offerings IPOs, SPAC transactions, and capital raisings Restructurings Tender offers, consent solicitations, and other liability management transactions Mr. Adlhart also advises borrowers and lenders on syndicated credit, acquisition finance, direct lending, and leveraged finance transactions. He regularly acts for founders, high-growth companies, and investors in initial- through late-stage venture capital financings. Before joining the firm, Mr. Adlhart worked at other international law firms in London and New York. Mr. Adlhart is a member of the Munich Bar Association.

Rajiv Gupta

Rajiv Gupta heads Latham’s India Practice and advises Indian companies and global clients doing business in India on a full range of corporate and finance transactions. He draws on more than two decades of experience advising on capital markets transactions. Rajiv brings an unusual combination of skills to advise both issuers and underwriters on a full range of capital markets transactions, including: US IPOs and SEC-registered transactions Indian IPOs High-yield bonds Convertible securities He has developed a preeminent India practice advising on hundreds of complex, high-profile, and precedent-setting capital markets transactions. Rajiv also leverages Latham’s global platform to help clients navigate a full range of complex or cross-border corporate transactions, including: Mergers and acquisitions Private equity Restructuring Leveraged finance Rajiv served as an appointed member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Advisory Committee. A native Hindi speaker, Rajiv has been educated in India, the US, and the UK, and has practiced in New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore, so brings a global perspective to clients’ transactions. He regularly speaks on capital markets and corporate transactions, at key industry conferences, including the Indian Banks’ Association’s conference. Rajiv’s pro bono work includes advising on the innovative Women’s Livelihood Bond series, sponsored by the Impact Investment Exchange.

Ray Schrock

Ray Schrock, Global Chair of the Restructuring & Special Situations Practice, represents public and private companies, private equity sponsors, creditors, and other clients in complex liability management transactions and complex international and US restructuring matters. Widely recognized as one of the world’s leading restructuring lawyers, ranked Band 1 by Chambers & Partners globally and in the United States, Ray advises leading public companies, financial institutions, private equity funds, portfolio companies, and creditors on matters across multiple sectors in complex liability management transactions and restructurings. Ray has led some of the world’s most novel and complex liability management transactions and complex restructurings, including: Sears, J. Crew, Serta Simmons Bedding, AMC Entertainment, Steward Health Systems, PG&E, Air Methods, Southeastern Grocers, Tidewater, DiTech, A&P Supermarkets, Ally Bank/ResCap, and many others. Before joining Latham, Ray was practice co-chair and global management committee member at another leading global law firm.

Raymond Cheng

Raymond Cheng is a counsel in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Mr. Cheng has advised international banks, corporates, and high net worth individuals on a range of derivatives, banking, and capital markets transactions. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Cheng worked as an associate in the Hong Kong office of a Magic Circle law firm for four years.

Rebecca Crowley

Rebecca Crowley is a member of the Finance Department who focuses on the infrastructure and core-plus infrastructure sector, with particular experience in cross-border acquisition financing. Rebecca acts for sponsors, corporate borrowers, and lenders (infrastructure funds, bank lenders, institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, and pension funds) on a broad range of capital structures, including loans and notes structures. She has significant experience handling digital infrastructure and energy transactions.

Rebecca (Reba) L. Rabenstein

Dr. Reba Rabenstein advises clients regarding complex intellectual property and trade secret litigation, arbitration, and strategy across industries, with a particular focus on leading branded pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Reba is a seasoned trial attorney representing clients at all stages of litigation, including pre-suit investigation, litigation, trial, and appeal. She has gone to trial in multiple district courts, including the District of Delaware, the Southern District of New York, and in the District of Massachusetts, where she participated in the first virtual patent trial in that district. Having worked both for patentees and patent defendants, Reba helps her clients strategically navigate cutting-edge legal issues to achieve successful outcomes. For pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, she regularly handles cases involving: Regenerative medicine Gene therapy Molecular biological techniques Small molecule pharmaceuticals Drawing on her academic experience in cellular and molecular biology, physiology, and pharmacology, she is well-positioned to understand the science and translate it to judges and juries. In addition, Reba leverages her litigation experience to advise clients on due diligence matters and business strategies regarding intellectual property. Prior to joining Latham, Reba served as a law clerk to Chief Judge Kimberly A. Moore of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She earned her JD from the University of Michigan Law School, where she served as executive note editor of the Michigan Telecommunications and Technology Law Review. As a result of her graduate and undergraduate research and various collaborative efforts, Reba has co-authored several scientific articles.

Regina Kim

Regina Jinseo Kim advises Korean and global clients on outbound and inbound investments and corporate transactions. Ms. Kim helps global private equity firms and market-leading Korean companies on strategic transactions, including: Mergers and acquisitions Joint ventures Minority investments She draws on previous experience working at a Korean law firm, as well as working in the US, and Hong Kong. A skilled bilingual and bicultural practitioner, Ms. Kim also brings experience working on landmark multibillion-dollar mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures in South Korea and other jurisdictions. She also works closely on the ground with global Latham teams on a full spectrum of matters. Ms. Kim is active with Latham’s Women Enriching Business Committee initiative.

Reza Mojtabaee-Zamani

Reza Mojtabaee-Zamani is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Reza is a member of the firm’s Corporate Department with a focus on equity derivatives and equity-linked products, including convertible notes and related equity derivatives, structured share repurchase transactions, hedging and monetization transactions, and margin loans and other equity-based finance transactions. Reza serves as the current Chair of Latham's New York Recruiting Committee.

Richard Chul Kim

Richard Chul Kim is counsel in the Finance Department of Latham & Watkins Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise. He advises clients on project development and finance, and structured finance. Mr. Kim has practiced in Asia since 2008. He regularly works on transactions involving Korean, Japanese, and other international sponsors, lenders, and government agencies in the energy sector on their global financing and development needs. He also advises clients on various aspects of cross-border corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures. Mr. Kim previously served a secondment with Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) from 2015 to 2017. Prior to his career in Asia, Mr. Kim worked as an attorney in Los Angeles and was a judicial extern to Judge Stephen V. Wilson in the US District Court for the Central District of California. Mr. Kim is qualified to practice before the California Bar and a registered foreign lawyer in Japan of the Dai-Ni Tokyo Bar Association (California Law).

Richard Watkins

Richard Watkins advises private equity and corporate clients on M&A, joint venture, and other strategic transactions with an Asia-Pacific nexus. Mr. Watkins combines extensive experience across a broad range of deal types with a depth of understanding of local markets to guide clients on: Cross-border mergers and acquisitions, ranging from buyouts to minority investments, both public and private Investing and raising growth capital Consortia and joint ventures Structured and downside-protected quasi-equity investments He works closely with Latham colleagues worldwide to structure innovative solutions that utilize the latest legal technology and integrate market-leading advice from across the global platform. Mr. Watkins’ experience spans both buy side and sell side in a variety of industries, particularly real estate, asset management, tech and digital infrastructure, healthcare and life sciences, and consumer goods. Drawing on his prior experience in London and Moscow, Mr. Watkins provides pragmatic, commercial advice that reflects his experience guiding clients through evolving geopolitical and economic conditions. Mr. Watkins serves on the firm’s Global Mentoring Committee.

Richard Trobman

Richard Trobman serves as the Chair and Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins and a member of its Executive Committee. His practice includes representing investment banking firms, private equity firms, and companies in public and private offerings of securities, restructurings, bridge loans, and merger and acquisition transactions, with a particular emphasis on issuances of debt securities and leveraged transactions. Rich has represented a broad range of clients, including LBO companies, such as Advent, BC Partners, The Carlyle Group, Cinven, EQT, PAI Partners, and Nordic Capital, and investment banks such as JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs. He is mentioned as a leading lawyer for high yield in the most recent editions of IFLR, The Legal 500 UK, and Chambers UK, with Chambers describing him as “an absolutely excellent lawyer who is profoundly plugged in to the high-yield market.”

Richard Quay

Richard Quay represents financial sponsors, their portfolio companies, and public and private strategic interests in high-profile, cross-border corporate transactions across a broad spectrum of industries. Richard has helped some of the world’s most sophisticated financial sponsors — including Apollo Global Management, Searchlight Capital Partners, and Morgan Stanley — navigate complex: Mergers, acquisitions, carve-outs, and other dispositions Large-cap private equity investments and leveraged buyouts Co-investments and joint ventures General corporate matters He crafts creative solutions to quickly, efficiently, and effectively execute his clients’ business objectives for their most critical matters.

Richard Kim

Richard Kim advises clients on capital markets transactions and counsels public companies within the technology and life sciences sectors. Richard leverages a pragmatic approach and forges relationships across the capital markets space to guide issuers and investment banks on: Initial public offerings (IPOs) Follow-on and secondary offerings Debt offerings, including convertible notes offerings Within his public company representation practice, he develops a comprehensive understanding of his clients’ business objectives and helps them navigate complex issues relating to securities law compliance and corporate governance. Richard also represents late-stage private companies as they prepare to go public. Richard serves on the Mentoring Committee and previously served on the Recruiting Committee.

Richard Butterwick

Richard Butterwick is a partner and Co-Chair of the Corporate Department of Latham & Watkins’ London office. He is a former Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Public Company Representation Practice. Richard’s practice encompasses a wide variety of domestic and cross-border corporate finance and merger and acquisition work, including public takeovers, private M&A, joint ventures, activism defense, and capital markets transactions. In 2011, he returned to the firm from a two-year secondment as an executive member of the UK Takeover Panel.

Richard P. Bress

Litigation Partner

Rick Kline

Rick Kline, Chair of Latham’s Technology Industry Group and Bay Area Corporate Department, advises leading innovators and financiers on a full spectrum of corporate and securities matters. Rick combines his keenly pragmatic approach with a sophisticated understanding of the tech sector, including software, digital health, digital media, and information technology, to guide clients on: Complex equity securities offerings, including IPOs, direct listings, 144A offerings, and follow-on stock offerings Venture financings M&A transactions Corporate governance matters He forges trusted relationships with CFOs, CEOs, and general counsel to help clients meet the challenges that arise at any stage of a company's growth, particularly as they approach life as a public company. Rick unlocks the resources of the firm's robust global platform to craft practical commercial solutions, including relating to employee benefits and M&A.

Rick Press

Eric (Rick) Press brings a uniquely qualified background and a commercial mindset to advise clients on M&A and corporate transactions. Rick has extensive experience spanning the entire private equity and credit market life cycle, including responding to regulatory and crisis special situations. With this background, he helps clients navigate complex transactions across multiple sectors. Prior to joining Latham, he was a senior partner at a global private equity firm for 25 years, where he led many of the firm’s investments across the industrials, lodging, gaming, leisure and financial services sectors. Before that, Rick practiced at another global law firm and worked as a corporate strategy consultant. Rick has served on dozens of public and private company boards, with experience on board executive, compensation, nominating and governance, and audit committees.

Rob Moulton

Rob Moulton is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins. He specializes in financial services regulatory advice and has vast experience advising investment banks, governments, corporate finance houses, clearing houses, fund managers, insurers, stockbrokers, and online trading business on a variety of legal and regulatory risk management matters. Rob has particular expertise in the FCA’s Conduct of Business Rules, European regulatory developments such as MiFID and MAR, and contested enforcement actions. He is recognized in the Hall of Fame in The Legal 500 for financial services non-contentious regulatory. He is the former Chair of the firm's Financial Institutions Industry Group.

Rob Ellison

Rob Ellison is a member of the Litigation & Trial Department and the Entertainment, Sports & Media Practice. He advises clients in the areas of entertainment, sports, and media litigation, general commercial litigation, and trade secrets litigation. Mr. Ellison has successfully represented clients ranging from entertainers and high-net-worth individuals to leading internet, entertainment, and emerging companies, as well as sports franchises. He has substantial trial experience and routinely leads his teams in all facets of the discovery process. With a keen eye to limiting litigation exposure, Mr. Ellison has deftly handled sensitive government and internal investigations, high-profile entertainment litigation, and disputes for high-net-worth individuals, leading internet, and emerging companies, as well as sports franchises.

Robbie McLaren

Robbie McLaren’s practice includes cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and emerging companies. He represents clients who principally operate in the life sciences, healthcare, and technology industries. Robbie is Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry Group and former Co-Chair of the London Corporate Department.

Robert McGuire

Robert McGuire represents public and private companies, including private equity sponsors and other alternative asset managers, in a range of mergers and acquisitions transactions and other complex corporate matters. Robert’s practice includes advising on: Mergers, acquisitions, and dispositions Leveraged buyouts Co-investments Joint ventures Restructuring transactions General corporate matters Robert has particular experience advising family offices and their portfolio companies, as well as high net worth individuals, in transactions ranging from emerging company minority investments to middle market buyouts. His client work covers a range of industries, including entertainment, media, gaming, retail, consumer products, healthcare, business services, and technology. Prior to joining Latham, Robert was Assistant General Counsel at a Big Four accounting firm. Prior to entering private practice, Robert was a fellow at a human rights nongovernment organization, where he focused on international law. He co-authored the nondiscrimination chapter in The 1949 Geneva Conventions: A Commentary, published by Oxford University Press.

Robert Blamires

Robert Blamires leads strategic counseling and transactional work on cutting-edge regulatory compliance issues in the firm’s Privacy & Cyber and Data & Technology Transactions Practices. He works with some of the world’s largest and most cutting-edge companies and on some of the most complex, market-making transactions. A seasoned leader, Robert draws on more than two decades of practice, and his multi-jurisdictional qualifications and experience, to guide US and international clients on data privacy, cyber, and related regulatory issues (covering both US federal/state and UK/EU data privacy laws), in the context of: M&A, private equity, IPO, venture capital and other corporate and commercial transactions, including pivotal strategic decisions and structuring, highly bespoke diligence, drafting, and negotiation Compliance strategies and implementation Growth strategies, including international expansion and associated cross-border/multijurisdictional issues Incident response, containment, and management Robert helped grow the firm’s US Privacy & Cyber Group and leads US Transactional Privacy & Cyber. He also sits on the firm’s Technology and Security Committees, is Chair of the Working Group on AI, and is a member of the firm's AI Task Force. As a prominent member of the data privacy and cybersecurity community, Robert regularly writes and speaks on privacy and cybersecurity, as well as on AI and other technology, and is an editor of the firm’s Global Privacy & Security Compliance Blog. He maintains multiple International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) certifications, including: Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP) Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) Privacy Law Specialist (PLS) Certified Information Privacy Professional for Europe, US Private Sector, and US Government (CIPP/E, CIPP/US, and CIPP/G) Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT) Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) Publications “Oregon and Delaware Join the Surge of US States Enacting General Privacy Legislation,” Latham & Watkins, September 6, 2023 “EU-US Data Privacy Framework Goes Live: What Are the Practical Implications?,” Latham & Watkins, August 1, 2023 “Employee Data Increasingly in the Crosshairs of Data Privacy Enforcement,” Latham & Watkins, July 20, 2023 “California - Sectoral Privacy Overview,” OneTrust DataGuidance, July 1, 2023 “Indiana, Montana, and Tennessee Enact General Data Privacy Laws, Bringing the Total to Nine and Counting,” Latham & Watkins, May 23, 2023 “And Now There Are Six: Iowa Passes New Privacy Law,” Latham & Watkins, April 3, 2023 “Overview of the EU-US and Swiss-US Privacy Shield Frameworks,” OneTrust DataGuidance, December 1, 2022 “Preparing for the New Data Privacy Landscape,” Latham & Watkins, November 7, 2022 “CCPA Will Now Fully Regulate Personnel and B2B Information,” Latham & Watkins, September 14, 2022 “Due Diligence: The Key Ingredient in Restaurant M&A,” Latham & Watkins, August 16, 2022 “Cyber Risk in Finance: A Q&A With Latham Partners,” Practical Law, March 2, 2022 “Massachusetts: Cybersecurity,” OneTrust DataGuidance, December 1, 2021 Presentations “Vendor Procurement in the age of AI,” International Association of Privacy Professionals KnowledgeNet, March 2024 “An Insider’s Perspective: Global Privacy and Cyber Developments, Trends and Enforcement Strategies,” Latham & Watkins, London, March 2023 “The Future State of M&A: Dealmaking in the Golden Age of Cybercrime,” Aon M&A and Transaction Solutions Symposium, California, January 2023 “Developments in ESG: Opportunities for Privacy Governance,” The Rise of Privacy Technology Data Privacy Week Conference, January 2023 “I’m GDPR compliant: How do I manage US/GDPR privacy risks given the changing landscape?” Privacy Laws & Business 35th Annual Conference, Cambridge, July 2022 “Cyber is Coming to a Loan Near You,” Loan Syndications and Trading Association, October 2021 “Incorporating California’s New Data Privacy Regime into an International Compliance Program,” Privacy & Security Forum, October 2020

Robert Frances

Robert Frances is a partner in the San Diego office of Latham & Watkins. Robert has extensive experience in a broad range of transactional real estate and finance projects, including property acquisitions and dispositions, secured lending, construction financing, mergers and acquisitions, hotel, casino, and power plant development and financing, and other project finance transactions.

Robert Howard

Robert Howard chairs the San Diego office’s Environment, Land & Resources Department, composed of 23 lawyers who work on litigation, environmental and energy projects throughout the United States. He represents clients in the energy-oil and gas industry, energy-power industry, aerospace, defense and cleantech industries.

Robert Fernandez

Robert Fernandez advises clients on corporate and real estate transactions, with a particular focus on finance, acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, commercial leasing, and real estate development. Robert, a nationally recognized real estate lawyer, develops strategic legal and business solutions for a variety of institutional lenders, investors, developers, landlords, and tenants. His work encompasses a range of complex transactions involving all types of asset classes and property types, including hotels and resorts, offices, life science and medical research facilities, industrial facilities, shopping center developments, multifamily developments, and data centers. Robert regularly advises institutional lenders, including commercial banks and debt funds, as well as sophisticated owners and developers, in the negotiation of credit agreements and related security documents. His work spans the credit stack, including senior secured, mezzanine, and preferred equity financings. Robert also represents institutional real estate investors in acquisitions and dispositions of commercial real estate, as well as in real estate joint venture transactions throughout the United States. Additionally, he represents both landlords and tenants in commercial lease negotiations, with a focus on large anchor and headquarter leases. Robert plays a prominent role in various community and professional organizations. He currently serves as Chairman of the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation, an agency that promotes economic development and tourism for the Village of Downers Grove in Illinois. He is also a Board Member of the Chicago Civic Federation, one of Chicago’s oldest civic leadership and government research organizations. Robert is also a fellow of both Leadership Greater Chicago, a civic leadership development organization, and the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. While studying at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Robert served as Note and Comment Editor for the Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business.

Roberto Muñoz

Roberto Muñoz is an associate in the Madrid office of Latham & Watkins. He advises national and international clients on complex litigation and arbitration proceedings concerning domestic and cross-border disputes. Mr. Muñoz represents clients before Spanish courts (including high courts, appeal courts, the Supreme Court, and the Constitutional Court) and also acts as counsel in arbitrations conducted under the main institutional arbitration rules (ICC, CIMA, CAM, TAM, SCC, NAI, etc.). His experience includes: Complex financial litigation Real estate litigation Construction litigation Termination of agency and distribution agreements Termination of services agreements Termination of joint-venture agreements Termination of license agreements Restructuring and Insolvency Mr. Muñoz is also a lecturer at the Centro de Estudios Garrigues, Villanueva University, and of the arbitration course of the Consejo General de la Abogacía and the International Chamber of Commerce.

Ron E. Shulman

Litigation Partner

Ross Pooley

Ross Pooley, Vice Chair of the Global Asset Based Lending Group, is a finance partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins. He has more than 25 years of experience representing a wide range of banks, private credit providers, and other financial institutions and corporates in: Senior and subordinated leveraged finance Cross-border acquisitions Asset based financings Preferred equity and margin lending Restructurings

Ross McAloon

Ross McAloon advises clients on complex capital markets, securities regulation, and corporate governance matters, particularly in the life sciences and technology industries. Ross helps companies, investment banks, and private equity firms navigate capital markets transactions and related matters involving: International and US-registered offerings, including IPOs Private placements Rights offerings General corporate, securities, and public company matters He draws on extensive transactional experience in multiple jurisdictions to proactively address client concerns and help them achieve their commercial goals. Ross previously practiced in the firm’s New York and London offices and as a secondee at an international investment bank. While in law school, he served as an articles editor for the American Intellectual Property Law Association Quarterly Journal. Ross' active pro bono practice includes representing Human Options, an organization that works to protect victims of domestic violence in Orange County.

Rowland Cheng

Rowland Cheng retired from the partnership in July 2024. Rowland advised Chinese and global clients on complex inbound and outbound transactions with a nexus in China. He helped clients negotiate and successfully execute cross-border transactions, including: Mergers and acquisitions Dispositions Joint ventures Investments Rowland brought clients a sophisticated global perspective and the ability to translate international practice to a Chinese context. He drew on his experience as a partner in Latham’s California offices, and more than two decades practicing in Asia. He established Latham’s presence in Mainland China in 2005 and was resident in Shanghai to witness the evolution of market practice in PRC — including the shift toward increasingly active Chinese corporates and the burgeoning life sciences market. He skillfully leveraged Latham’s global platform, to assemble teams to handle any regulatory, IP, or corporate issues that may arise in a transaction.

Ruchi G. Gill

Ruchi Gill advises clients on all aspects of complex national security matters. Ruchi counsels clients around the world on complex US national security regulatory issues involving the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), export controls, and economic sanctions. She draws on extensive experience representing clients before CFIUS and related national security regulators, including negotiating significant agreements with the US government to protect national security interests while preserving shareholder and business interests. Ruchi also advises clients on legal, policy, and enforcement issues that arise under: Sanctions programs administered by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the State Department The State Department’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) The Commerce Department’s Export Administration Regulations (EAR) Ruchi's US government executive and legislative branch experience allows her to provide clients with valuable insight into US national security and foreign relations issues. Before joining Latham, Ruchi served as Deputy Chief Counsel for the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, where she advised on legal and oversight matters, legislative activity, and nominations related to US foreign policy and national security for the Committee’s Democratic staff. She also managed a broad range of committee equities in larger legislation, including the US Innovation and Competition Act of 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, and annual defense authorization and appropriations bills. From 2007 to 2017, Ruchi served at the US State Department in various roles, including as an attorney-adviser and special assistant to the Legal Adviser, a foreign affairs officer in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, and as an economic officer in Guangzhou, China. She frequently participated in bilateral and multilateral consultations and negotiations, as well as advised on economic sanctions, export controls, foreign sovereign immunity, cyber activity, international arbitration, and treaty negotiation and interpretation. She received numerous State Department awards in recognition of her work.

Rüdiger Malaun

Dr. Rüdiger Malaun, a highly regarded German capital markets lawyer and former Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Capital Markets Practice, advises clients on strategic financing transactions, with a particular focus on high-yield bond offerings and other debt instruments. He draws on more than 20 years of experience, handling a remarkable volume of the largest and most sophisticated offerings in Europe, among them more than 60 high-yield bond transactions. Dr. Malaun has earned widespread recognition for his work. JUVE notes he is the “clear leader on high-yield bonds” who “plays in a league of his own” and Chambers interviewees describe him as “the biggest name for high-yield work in Germany” and “highly skilled, very effective and technically brilliant.” Dr. Malaun advises corporates, sponsors, and investment banks on: Complex high-yield bond transactions (both under US and German law), including related liability management transactions Equity and equity-linked financings Large corporate bonds Commitment papers for bridge-to-bond financing transactions P2P financing transactions ‘Cross-over’ bonds (e.g. in the real estate sector in the DACH Region) High yield bond advise in restructuring context

Ruonan Duan

Ruonan Duan advises clients doing business in Asia on corporate and finance transactions. Ms. Duan helps both borrowers and lenders, including Chinese and international private equity firms, private debt providers, corporates, banks, and funds on a wide range of banking and finance transactions, including: Leveraged finance Property finance Acquisition finance Syndicated corporate finance Restructuring and workouts She has particular experience with the infrastructure, consumer, healthcare, real estate, and technology sectors and with executing deals in jurisdictions across Asia, including China, Korea, India, and the Philippines. Ms. Duan draws on her Mandarin fluency and five years practicing in the Shanghai office of a magic circle law firm to provide clients insight on regional market practice. Ms. Duan is a member of the Young Leaders Committee of the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association. As an active member of the Hong Kong community, she provides pro bono support, including as a volunteer at Equal Justice in Hong Kong.

Ryan Benedict

Ryan Benedict, a US securities and capital markets lawyer, advises public and private company issuers and underwriters on a range of equity and debt capital markets transactions in the US, EMEA, and beyond. Ryan is Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Retail & Consumer Products Industry Group. Drawing on his extensive product knowledge and on-the-ground experience working in London, Continental Europe, and New York, Ryan regularly counsels clients on their most complex and significant capital markets transactions. His work spans a variety of key industries, including technology and life sciences. Ryan's practice work includes: Initial public offerings and follow-on offerings, including US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered offerings and Rule 144A/Reg S transactions Special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) transactions High yield and investment grade debt offerings Bank capital and financial regulatory matters Tender offers and liability management transactions Public company representation Ryan frequently advises on innovative transactions involving bespoke deal structures. He brings particular experience handling cross-border offerings, including US-registered transactions and listings on securities exchanges throughout Europe. Outside of his commercial work, Ryan takes a proactive role in helping industry participants successfully navigate the capital markets — including by organizing thought leadership initiatives and industry roundtables.

Ryan Walsh

Ryan represents both public and private companies and their officers, directors, and special committees in connection with a variety of litigation, white collar, and enforcement matters, including: General commercial litigation Securities class actions Shareholder derivative litigation Mergers and acquisitions litigation Proxy contests SEC enforcement actions and FINRA investigations High-exposure and high-profile litigation While at USC Law School, Ryan was the senior submissions editor of the Southern California Law Review. He graduated Order of the Coif. Ryan also received the James G. Holbrook Award and the American Board of Trial Advocates Excellence in Preparation for Trial Practice Certificate. Ryan graduated cum laude and with High Honors from Harvard University with an AB in Economics. His thesis in Economics was selected for archival in the Harvard libraries. Ryan was also a competitive soccer player for the Crimson. Ryan is also active in his community – he is a member of the executive committee for the Sonenshine Pro Bono Reception and serves on the board of Community Legal Aid SoCal.

Ryan LaFevers

Ryan LaFevers advises lenders and borrowers on a full range of leveraged finance transactions. Ryan helps direct lenders and other private credit providers, as well as banks, public companies, and private equity-owned borrowers execute middle-market and large-cap finance transactions, including: Acquisition financings Revolving credit facilities Term loans Unitranche loans (including agreement among lender (AAL) arrangements) First and second lien financings Split lien deals, including asset-backed lending (ABL) facilities Non-US guarantor and collateral transactions Secured bond transactions Shari’ah-compliant financings Restructuring transactions and distressed situations (including forbearance agreements and last-in-first-out (LIFO) and first-in-last-out (FILO) arrangements) He draws on strong working relationships with clients, a calm approach to negotiation, and an extensive personal library of precedent to handle both traditional and bespoke transactions (including complex cross-border transactions). Ryan also maintains an active pro bono practice, regularly handling asylum cases and supporting non-profits on organizational matters.

Saad Khanani

Saad Khanani advises public and private companies and venture capital and private equity firms in the technology, life sciences, and other growth industries. Saad helps public and private technology and life sciences companies, as well as institutional investors navigate a range of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and investments. He also advises emerging and growth companies on formation, corporate governance, securities law, and transactional matters. Saad guides clients through complex transactions and growth initiatives with business-oriented advice. He draws upon his prior experience as the founder of an apparel business and a management consultant at McKinsey & Company — where he advised senior leadership at technology companies and federal government agencies. Saad previously worked in Latham’s office in the United Arab Emirates with a practice focused on general corporate and technology transactions matters. In addition to his commercial work, Saad maintains a pro bono practice, and is an active contributor to Latham’s training and development, recruiting, and diversity programs. Saad was a James Kent Scholar and a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and member of the Columbia Business Law Review and the Faculty Rules Committee while attending Columbia University School of Law.

Salvatore Vanchieri

Salvatore Vanchieri represents clients in a variety of complex corporate finance and capital markets transactions. Salvatore draws on broad experience across financing structures and industries to advise issuers, private equity firms, and financial institutions on the full spectrum of US and cross-border financing transactions, including: Preferred equity and holdco PIK financings Initial public offerings (IPOs) and subsequent equity financings Acquisition financings Debt exchange offers and tender offers Secured and unsecured high yield debt offering Investment grade debt offerings SEC related matters, corporate governance, and other general corporate matters He understands the nuances that arise at the intersection of law and finance, and skillfully walks clients through every stage of a transaction, from initial structuring to deal execution. Salvatore guides issuers from early stages and helps companies prepare for key milestones, including IPOs, as well as navigate life as a public company.

Samir Deger-Sen

Samir Deger-Sen is an experienced appellate lawyer, who represents clients in their most complex litigation matters. Samir focuses his practice on Supreme Court and appellate litigation and is widely recognized as one of the leading appellate lawyers of his generation. He has argued over 15 times in appellate courts across the country, including the US Supreme Court, and has successfully represented clients in the technology, media, and financial sectors in their highest-stakes appeals. In the last year alone, he was named three times in The American Lawyer’s Litigator of the Week feature for his successful arguments on behalf of Meta Platforms, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and Brigade Capital Management. He has been recognized by Law360, Bloomberg Law, and Lawdragon as one of the top appellate attorneys nationwide under the age of 40. Samir has been a primary author of more than one hundred briefs involving a wide range of constitutional, statutory, and administrative law issues. In the Supreme Court, he has been a lead brief writer in multiple merits cases, has successfully persuaded the Court to grant certiorari on several occasions, and has been lead counsel to national organizations filing amicus briefs before the Court. He also has significant trial-level experience, including first chairing depositions, drafting and arguing dispositive motions, and authoring critical briefs in numerous international arbitrations. Samir is resident in both the firm’s New York and London offices and is available to help UK-based clients navigate novel, complex, and challenging questions of US law. Samir has particular experience in class actions and is proficient in substantive Rule 23 law. He has been the primary author of briefs involving some of the largest putative classes in the country, including defending clients against multi-billion dollar class actions in the Second and Ninth Circuits. Notably, Samir has, on multiple occasions, successfully secured interlocutory appellate review of class certification decisions, which is granted in only a small fraction of cases. He also regularly advises on complex class action issues in district court litigation. In addition, Samir has significant experience in securities appeals. Over the past two years, he has successfully obtained complete dismissal of claims in several securities class actions on appeal in the Second and Ninth Circuits. Samir has an extensive pro bono practice, where he has acted as lead counsel in high-profile constitutional litigation, including multiple precedent-setting victories in the Ninth Circuit. Before entering private practice, Samir was a law clerk at all three levels of the federal judiciary. He clerked for Justice Anthony Kennedy of the US Supreme Court, on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and on the District Court for the District of Hawaii. Before law school, Samir was a lecturer in International Politics at Oxford University, where he taught several undergraduate level courses. Samir has substantial public speaking experience. He is the winner of numerous national debating competitions and a former World University Debating Champion.

Samuel Pape

Samuel Pape represents clients in a broad range of high-stakes international disputes. He is a strategic advisor and trial advocate in international commercial and investment treaty arbitration. He also acts in complex commercial litigation in England and overseas. Drawing on over a decade of experience, he represents multinational companies, financial institutions, private equity firms and sovereign States in disputes across a range of sectors including energy, mining, banking, technology, manufacturing and aviation. His experience includes acting in financial, corporate and shareholder disputes, as well as in transnational tort class actions. Samuel's cases often involve novel and complex issues, including ESG issues. Samuel is bilingual in English and French and also speaks Spanish and Portuguese. He frequently handles disputes involving these languages. Samuel is an active member of the international arbitration community. He is the Representative for the United Kingdom on the ICC Young Arbitration & ADR Forum. He is also managing editor of the European Investment Law and Arbitration Review and has authored a number of publications. He is frequently invited to lecture and to speak on panels on subjects relating to international arbitration.

Samuel Weiner

Tax Partner

Samuel Newhouse

Sam Newhouse, Global Vice Chair of the firm’s M&A Practice, advises clients on a broad mixture of high-value public and private M&A transactions and joint ventures, across a range of sectors. He has extensive experience handling complex cross-border transactions, regularly working across Europe, the US, Africa, and India. Sam has spent time seconded to ExxonMobil Corporation’s M&A Legal Team in London and to Hewlett Packard’s M&A Legal Team in Geneva.

Sander Ash

Sandra Benjamin

Sandra Benjamin advises a wide range of corporate clients on their most complex labor and employment issues. Sandra takes a commercially focused and pragmatic approach to helping clients achieve their business objectives while avoiding employment-related risks relating to: M&A and other transactions Employee and other worker agreements Policies and practices Employee disputes Reductions in force and severance arrangements Compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws She serves on Latham & Watkins’ Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Review Board Committee and maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising nonprofits on a variety of employment-related matters. Prior to joining Latham, Sandra worked in-house at a global financial services firm. Before that, she practiced in a leading law firm’s New York and Los Angeles offices.

Sanjev Warna-kula-suriya

Sanjev Warna-kula-suriya is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Finance Practice. He is also Chair of the Global Structured Finance and Securitization Practice. Sanjev advises private equity sponsors, hedge funds, commercial and investment banks, and corporates on a broad range of innovative capital raising, monetization, structured disposal, and investment transactions, often involving complex cross-border special situations and structured techniques. He is a visiting Fellow at The Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London in relation to the Law and Practice of International Finance Master’s Degree. Sanjev advises clients across a wide range of asset classes and structures, including public and private debt, equity-linked and hybrid capital markets issues, securitizations, and cross-border structured finance. He also has significant expertise in the sale and purchase of financial asset portfolios, distressed investments and restructurings, and the establishment of alternative lending platforms and direct lending.

Santiago Bejarano

Santiago Bejarano advises clients on a range of high-stakes international disputes around the world, under both civil law and common law regimes. Santiago regularly represents domestic and multinational corporations and state-owned enterprises in a wide variety of industries and business sectors in their highest-stakes international disputes. Drawing on his dual qualification as an attorney in Colombia and New York and his in-depth understanding of Latin America’s legal systems and business practices, he has particular expertise advising clients on matters involving this region. He regularly conducts advocacy in Spanish-language or dual-language arbitrations. Santiago brings over a decade of experience representing clients in international commercial and investment arbitrations held under all major institutional and ad-hoc rules, including the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS), the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) , and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). He has conducted arbitrations seated in all major arbitral hubs, including New York, Washington D.C., London, The Hague, and Paris, among others. He has handled disputes relating to the licensing of intellectual property, M&A transactions, distribution contracts in various sectors including pharmaceutical and luxury goods, and energy, oil, and gas development, distribution , and commercialization. Santiago is consistently recognized by clients and peers as a leading arbitration practitioner, and is described in various publications by sources as “an increasingly prominent name for Latin America-related work,” “excellent,” “always up-to-speed on the advice,” “able to leverage years of common law training and practice to effectively advise on cross-border disputes,” and “one of the smartest lawyers” in the field. Santiago is Lecturer in Law at University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where he teaches International Arbitration, and is a frequent speaker at international arbitration conferences around the world. In addition to his work on arbitration matters, Santiago has advised clients in connection with high-profile government investigations and inquiries, white collar matters, and complex, multi-jurisdictional internal investigations. Santiago keeps an active pro bono practice, advising clients on immigration-related matters. He received the Legal Aid Society’s Pro Bono Publico Award in 2015 for his work on immigration cases.

Sara Schlau

Sara Schlau focuses on employee benefits and executive compensation matters. Sara regularly advises public and private companies, as well as private equity funds, on the employee benefits and compensation aspects of corporate transactions, and has experience in: Executive compensation and employee benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions, financings, initial public offerings, and other corporate transactions Representation of employers and executives in the negotiation, design and administration of employment agreements, separation agreements, severance and change in control arrangements, deferred compensation programs, and equity and other incentive compensation plans and arrangements Public company representation, including preparing proxy materials and securities filings related to executive compensation matters

Sarah Axtell

Sarah Axtell counsels public and private companies at every stage of their corporate life cycles, with a focus on advising technology companies and leading initial public offerings and other capital-raising transactions. Drawing on her broad background in corporate and securities law, Sarah helps clients grow their businesses from startup to IPO, and beyond. She brings particular experience handling transactional and corporate governance matters on behalf of growth-stage companies, including leading tech innovators. She focuses on capital markets transactions. Sarah also represents venture capitalists and investment banks involved in private and public stock offerings. Her company-side work encompasses: Corporate governance Public offerings General corporate representation and counseling Public company representation Venture capital financings Mergers and acquisitions Sarah is a local leader of Latham's Bay Area Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee, a firm-wide initiative developed to promote the long-term success of women lawyers and executives.

Sarah Gagan

Partner

Sarah Gadd

Sarah Gadd, partner in Latham & Watkins' London office, is part of the Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Practice. She advises a wide range of clients on all aspects of employment law, human resource (HR) issues, benefits, and incentives, including share-based incentives. Sarah primarily handles employment and share-based incentives law matters and the HR and benefits aspects of corporate deals, particularly deals with an international reach. She has also acted for the client and the supplier on a number of outsourcing matters. Sarah advises on matters including recruitment and severance, downsizing, transfers of undertakings, employee consultation, day to day employment law issues, benefits, and incentives. She also advises extensively on stock options and other forms of share-based compensation. Sarah also advises on employee-related aspects of the UK corporate governance and financial regulatory regimes including the application of the FCA Remuneration Code, Prospectus and Listing Rules, the Takeover Code, and the UK Corporate Governance Code to employees and incentives. She is a member of Employment Lawyers Association and the Share Plan Lawyers group.

Sarah A. Tomkowiak

Sarah Tomkowiak, an accomplished trial attorney, litigates high-stakes civil business disputes and investigations in federal, state, and arbitral venues across the United States. Sarah leverages her pragmatic approach to negotiations and extensive trial experience — including a major victory in one of the only securities class actions to go to a jury trial in a decade — to help clients navigate: Securities law disputes and corporate governance matters Complex commercial litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants, particularly relating to copyright disputes Enforcement actions She represents issuers and executives facing US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) subpoenas and investigations, as well as board committees in connection with internal investigations into financial reporting, accounting, disclosures, and internal controls issues. Leadership A recognized leader within and outside the firm, Sarah is a founding member of Washington Area Women Trial Attorneys (WAWTA). She is also active in the D.C. Women’s Bar Association and is vice chair of the American Bar Association’s Class and Derivative Actions Subcommittee. She has co-authored the ABA’s annual publication Recent Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation – Class Actions. She has served on Latham’s Recruiting, Associates, and Pro Bono Committees. Sarah maintains an active pro bono practice, including in partnership with the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and the National Veterans Legal Services Program.

Sarah E. Fortt

Sarah Fortt, Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Practice, helps clients navigate potential risks and opportunities relating to climate change, human rights, and corporate culture. Sarah advises public and private companies and their boards on ESG-related corporate governance, disclosure obligations, and regulatory requirements. With an eye toward ESG and cultural matters, she regularly works with boards to manage their approaches to: Governance Crisis management and preparedness Succession planning Board education She also counsels clients in high-stakes governance situations, including board- and C-suite-level ethical concerns, emergency board and C-suite transitions, shareholder activism, and board conflict, as well as corporate crises, such as cybersecurity and data security breaches. Sarah draws on her background in executive compensation and sophisticated understanding of cross-organizational incentive structures to help clients create consistent, effective, and meaningful stakeholder communications. Before joining Latham, Sarah led the ESG efforts at a global law firm. Sarah serves on the Advisory Board for PracticalESG.com and regularly authors articles on ESG-related topics for leading publications. Additionally, she serves on the editorial boards for Insights and the Corporate Governance Advisor.

Scott Cockerham

Partner

Scott Cockerham

Scott Cockerham advises on the tax aspects of investments in the renewable energy and energy transition sectors. He provides practical tax and commercial advice on the development, financing, purchase, and sale of energy and infrastructure projects, including tax equity financing and tax credit transferability transactions. Scott leverages his significant experience to represent clients on a broad spectrum of investments involving assets across the renewable energy and energy transition landscape, including: Solar energy On-shore and off-shore wind Battery storage Carbon capture utilization and sequestration Hydrogen Fuel cells Renewable natural gas Geothermal Biomass Electric vehicles A recognized thought leader, Scott regularly publishes and presents on the tax aspects of renewable energy investments and transactions. He is consistently recognized by leading industry publications for his cutting-edge work in the renewable energy sector.

Scott Ollivierre

Scott Ollivierre represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in debt financing transactions across their life cycle. Scott draws on extensive experience with cutting edge of technology and commercial creativity to advise clients on: Acquisition financing for leveraged buyouts, including cash-flow and asset-based credit facilities Junior lien and mezzanine financings Holdco financings Bridge lending Refinancings Liability management transactions, restructurings, and workouts Debtor-in-possession and exit financings He distills complex financing structures and evolving market conditions into business-focused advice that allows clients to efficiently achieve their objectives. Scott's matters include numerous large-cap and middle-market US and international financing transactions. Scott maintains an active pro bono practice, including negotiating two loan agreements for the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, a nonprofit that offers family and social services to the community.

Scott Joiner

Scott Joiner is a first-chair trial lawyer who represents individuals and organizations in high-stakes white collar matters and complex commercial litigation. Scott regularly represents global corporations, emerging companies, boards of directors, and individual entrepreneurs, founders, and senior executives in highly sensitive matters, including: Internal corporate investigations Government investigations brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) White-collar criminal litigation Regulatory investigations and enforcement actions brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), including matters implicating novel consumer protection and data privacy issues Scott leverages extensive government experience to help clients navigate potential crises and avoid legal and reputational pitfalls. Earlier in his career, Scott served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of California, where he was a member of the Corporate & Securities Fraud Unit and the Organized Crime Strike Force. During more than seven years at the US Attorney’s Office, he worked on a wide range of white collar matters, including cases involving securities fraud, insider trading, public corruption, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act offenses, FCPA violations, and money laundering and cryptocurrency investigations. From 2004 to 2008, Scott served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, deploying to Ramadi, Iraq in 2007 with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. Before joining the Marine Corps, Scott practiced with an international law firm, where he focused on complex commercial litigation and white collar matters. Scott also maintains an active pro bono practice, where he represents underserved communities and indigent clients, including children seeking asylum in the United States.

Finance Partner

Corporate Partner

Partner

Scott Wolfe advises startup and emerging businesses and public companies, particularly in the life sciences and high-technology industries. He regularly represents companies and investment banking firms in public offerings, private placements, venture capital financings, real estate investment trusts, debt offerings, corporate partnering arrangements, and mergers and acquisitions.

Scott C. Herlihy

Partner

Sean Wu

Sean Wu advises global and Chinese companies on investigations and disputes. Mr. Wu helps clients navigate issues related to fraud, securities fraud, professional standards, FCPA, anti-corruption / anti-bribery, sanctions, and other trade compliance matters in China. Specifically he helps clients with: Internal and government investigations Compliance due diligence Compliance programs and training He also advises clients on litigation in China and in global jurisdictions with cross-border elements involving foreign parties. Mr. Wu is both US and PRC trained and fluent in both English and Mandarin. He helps clients bridge the gap between the two judicial systems and provides insight into cross-border, cross-cultural issues. Mr. Wu draws on experience advising clients in a range of industries, including online commence, data and technology, finance, professional services, pharmaceutical, medical, biochemical, automobile, manufacturing, shipping, and consulting. Prior to private practice, Mr. Wu interned in Chinese courts, including the PRC Supreme People’s Court.

Sean Parish

Sean Parish advises clients on complex corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions. Sean draws on his extensive transactional experience and Latham’s robust global platform to guide public and private companies, private equity sponsors, and their portfolio companies on: Cross-border M&A Leveraged buyouts of public and private companies Strategic investments Carveouts Mergers of equals Joint ventures General corporate matters He devises practical solutions for clients across multiple industries, with a particular focus on the healthcare and insurance sectors.

Sean Finn

Sean Finn is a partner in Latham & Watkins' London office and advises a wide range of clients on all aspects of corporate, finance, and business taxation. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and serves as a Vice Chair of Latham's Finance Committee. Sean has particular expertise in advising on tax aspects of: Private equity transactions Mergers and acquisitions Reconstructions Joint ventures Reorganizations Financings Refinancings Restructurings and workouts

Sebastian Pauls

Dr. Sebastian Pauls advises private equity clients on the full lifecycle of domestic and cross-border transactions. Mr. Pauls advises German and international financial and strategic investors on private equity and M&A transactions across a wide range of industry sectors. He provides strategic and legal advice on buy-side and sell-side transactions, including: Acquisitions and sales of mid-cap and large-cap companies Management participation programs Carve-outs Minority investments / co-investments Exit plans, and timetables Given his extensive and complementary German and cross-border experience, he has a keen sense of trends in the private equity space.

Sebastian Max Hauser

Max Hauser advises German and international clients on a broad spectrum of antitrust matters under German and EU laws, in particular regarding: Merger control clearances in Germany, the EU, and globally Cartel and abuse of dominance investigations, as well as compliance programs and audits Antitrust damages claims, representing both defendants and claimants Mr. Hauser is recognized by Who’s Who Legal, JUVE and WirtschaftsWoche as a leading antitrust and competition lawyer. Sources describe that he “keeps calm in stressful situations and finds solutions extremely fast”, and is “always three steps ahead”. He excels at simplifying complex issues, especially in cross-border M&A situations, drawing on experience from more than a hundred merger control filings in various jurisdictions. Mr. Hauser advises clients from a wide range of industries, including financial services, private equity, automotive, food retailing, health care, information technology, and oil and gas. Mr. Hauser regularly publishes articles on antitrust law issues, and has co-authored a cartel damages handbook. He is a co-founder and board member of the Competition Litigation Forum in Germany. Mr. Hauser is a member of the firm’s Associates and Legal Professional & Paralegal Committees and a former member of the firm’s Recruiting Committee.

See Wah (Mandy) Wong

Senet Bischoff

Corporate Partner

Seniz Yakut

Seniz Yakut advises financial sponsors and borrowers on a full spectrum of debt financing, including leveraged buyouts. Seniz combines her strong business acumen with a client-centric approach to help borrowers — including private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies — navigate complex capital needs, including: Senior secured first and second lien facilities Asset-backed loans Unitranche financings Mezzanine financings Refinancings and restructurings Liability management transactions, exchange offers, unrestricted subsidiary financings, and other liquidity facilities Secured convertible notes Cross-border financings She partners with clients to identify short-term and long-term needs and devises customized, creative solutions that advance their objectives. Her clients include leading sponsors with private equity assets under management of several billion dollars for portfolio companies across a wide range of industries. A recognized leader at the firm, Seniz is a member of the Pro Bono Committee and serves on various Private Equity Group subcommittees for training, mentoring, and recruiting. She mentors through Latham’s formal channels and proactively fosters an environment that yields collegiality and efficiency. Seniz maintains an active pro bono practice, including negotiating two loan agreements for the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, a nonprofit that offers family and social services to the community.

Seonaid Todisco

Seonaid Todisco is a partner in the Finance Department of the London office of Latham & Watkins. She specializes in all aspects of core and hybrid infrastructure, acting for a wide range of infrastructure funds, bank lenders, institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, and pension funds.

Seth Richardson

Seth Richardson advises project sponsors, investors, and lenders in the development and financing of renewable and conventional energy projects, petrochemical and liquefied natural gas terminals, casino resorts, athletic complexes, and other infrastructure projects. Seth routinely counsels project sponsors on the structuring, drafting, and negotiation of: Construction, design, and other development-related agreements, including: EPC contracts Turbine supply agreements Module supply agreements Construction management and other development agreements AIA and DBIA construction forms Power purchase and other offtake agreements Operation and maintenance, asset management, and other service-related agreements Purchase agreements and other ancillary agreements relating to the ownership, operation, acquisition, and disposition of infrastructure projects and commercial developments Seth also regularly advises both sponsors and lenders on negotiating credit agreements and other financing documentation for commercial and infrastructure projects (construction-phase and operational).

Seth Gottlieb

Seth Gottlieb, Global Vice Chair of the Technology Industry Group, represents private and public companies, entrepreneurs, and venture capital investors in a broad range of corporate transactions. Seth counsels high-growth companies throughout their life cycle, guiding them from their first financing as a startup through IPO and beyond. He advises clients on corporate governance, financing, securities, and M&A transactions in multiple cutting-edge sectors, including: Software Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Consumer products Digital health Medical device Biotechnology Fintech A trusted advisor to boards and management teams with deep corporate and securities law experience, he helps companies navigate their most significant business and legal matters. Seth also advises venture capital and growth-focused private equity firms on their strategic investments, and he works closely with investment banks to facilitate their underwriting of public offerings. Seth is an adjunct professor of law at Santa Clara University School of Law, where he teaches on venture capital and corporate governance. Before joining Latham, he was co-chair of the emerging companies and venture capital practice at another global law firm.

Seung-Ju Paik

Seung-Ju Paik represents investment and commercial banks, direct lenders, and other financial institutions in a broad range of finance transactions, with a particular focus on leveraged finance. Seung-Ju regularly advises on the full spectrum of bank financing transactions, including: Acquisition financings Debt restructurings Cross-border financings Mezzanine financings Asset-based financings

Shagufa R. Hossain

Partner

Shannon Lankenau

Shannon Lankenau is a member of the Environment, Land & Resources Practice. Shannon received her JD in 2013 from University of California, Hastings College of the Law where she was awarded the Pro Bono Society Achievement Award and was a member of the Hastings Law Journal. Additionally, Shannon received her MA in International Affairs from the George Washington University. After law school, Shannon served as a law clerk for the Judge Larry R. Hicks of the United States District Court, District of Nevada. During law school, she also externed for Judge Charles R. Breyer of the United States District Court, Northern District of California.

Shaun Thompson

Shaun Thompson advises private equity funds, companies, investors, lenders, and insurance providers on UK employment law and pensions law in the context of corporate transactions, financings, outsourcings, restructurings, and pension insurance transactions. Shaun advises on the full spectrum of employment and pensions law issues related to transactional structuring and implementation, risk, and potential regulatory sanctions, including: The employment and pensions aspects of corporate transactions Transactional due diligence Recruitment and severance Employee relations and consultation Labor relations and trade union issues Employee transfers Workforce classification issues and restructuring Issues related to the UK Pensions Regulator’s statutory “moral hazard” powers and the powers of UK pension trustees Amendment and restructuring of UK pension arrangements Pension plan de-risking and insurance transactions He draws on long experience advising on the full life cycle of transactions, and has a keen understanding of the dynamic regulatory landscape in which businesses operate. Pro Bono Shaun maintains an active pro bono practice, with particular focus on advising UK charities on employment law issues.

Shawn Anderson

Shawn Anderson is a corporate partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins. He has significant experience representing private equity sponsors, issuers, and investment banks in complex and multi-jurisdictional transactions, including debt and equity offerings, acquisition financings, and liability management transactions, with a particular emphasis on issuances of high-yield debt securities. Shawn also regularly advises companies, including foreign private issuers, on securities law compliance and corporate governance issues, and in restructurings and private financings. Prior to attending law school, Shawn was a newspaper reporter and editor in Upstate New York.

Shing Yuin Lo

Shing Lo is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Emerging Companies & Growth Practice. An accomplished emerging companies lawyer, she has advised a number of iconic venture capital funds and tech companies in venture capital financings and M&A transactions. Shing’s practice encompasses series financing rounds (covering early stage, growth and pre-IPO rounds), bridge/convertible rounds, venture and growth debt, and M&A transactions. She has a hands-on approach and regularly counsels founders and investors on a wide range of issues, including early stage company formation, venture and growth financing strategy, global expansion, and general corporate counselling.

Shira Bressler

Shira Bressler is counsel in the New York office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Real Estate Practice. Shira advises clients on all aspects of commercial real estate law with a focus on mergers, acquisitions, and dispositions. Shira has worked on transactions involving portfolios of properties and single assets from both the purchaser and seller sides. She also has significant experience in real estate finance, including development projects, securitized financing, project finance, corporate banking, and secured high yield transactions. Her finance experience includes representation of lenders and developers in the financing of industrial facilities, hotels, power plants, coal and sand mines, office buildings, shopping centers, and casinos. Shira has represented joint venture partners and real estate private equity funds in the negotiation of complex joint venture agreements for purposes of developing and operating hotels, casinos, and oil and gas pipelines. In addition, Shira has represented landlords and tenants, including emerging companies, in commercial lease and sublease negotiations for office and industrial space. Shira is an active participant in the firm’s pro bono program, having worked extensively on the firm’s representation of Holocaust survivors seeking reparations from the German government. Shira has also represented nonprofit organizations in their lease negotiations. Most recently, Shira has assisted various charter schools leasing new space in the New York metropolitan area and Washington, D.C.

Sidharth Bhasin

Sidharth Bhasin advises on private equity investments and exits, public and private M&A transactions, and joint ventures. Mr. Bhasin helps private equity, sovereign wealth, and pension funds, as well as Asian and international corporates on complex cross-border transactions, including: Private equity investments and exits Public and private M&A Joint ventures Fundraising He regularly works on transactions across the Asia-Pacific region, including in India and Southeast Asia, as well as outbound transactions to the United States and Europe. Mr. Bhasin has worked in New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and was educated in India, the UK, and the US, so brings a global perspective and commercial sensibility to a full spectrum of transactions. He has developed significant industry knowledge across a range of industries, particularly in the energy and infrastructure (including digital infrastructure) and technology, media, and telecoms (TMT) sectors.

Simon Hawkins

Simon Hawkins, an experienced and trusted advisor to financial institutions and fintech companies, advises on a range of regulatory matters and transactions. He leads the financial regulatory practice in Asia and co-chairs the firm’s Digital Assets & Web3 Practice. Mr. Hawkins advises a full range of financial industry and fintech clients �� from traditional commercial and investment banks, private equity firms, broker/dealers, and insurers to innovative fintech companies, including payments companies, crypto exchanges and custodians, token issuers, and Metaverse and decentralized finance (DeFi) projects. He provides confident and seasoned regulatory advice and transactional support to clients doing inbound and outbound business in Hong Kong. As an early mover in the fintech industry in Asia, he provides insight and skilled judgment on the dynamic fintech industry and rapidly evolving crypto regulatory landscape. Resident in Hong Kong since 2009, Mr. Hawkins has developed strong working relationships with regulators at the Securities and Futures Commission and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. He serves as an active member of ASIFMA and the Fintech Association of Hong Kong. Mr. Hawkins regularly steers clients safely through situations of high risk and uncertainty, coordinating a global team of Latham colleagues, and local counsel. Mr. Hawkins has worked in London, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, and served as a secondee at HSBC in Hong Kong, where he assisted with the launch of HSBC’s Prime Finance business in Asia.

Simon Pritchard

Simon Pritchard advises clients on their highest stakes UK, EU, and international competition law matters. He draws upon more than 25 years’ experience, having served in government on the Office of Fair Trading’s Senior Executive Team and as the UK’s first Senior Director of Mergers, and in private practice in Brussels, London, and Washington, D.C. Simon now guides market-leading companies on: Complex Phase 1 and 2 merger control including parallel EU/UK, US/UK, and other multi-jurisdictional inquiries Challenging agency decisions and precedent-setting merger litigation before the Competition Appeal Tribunal Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) market investigations UK cartel inquiries including leniency applications A recognized thought leader, he has regularly acted as a competition expert to various UK Parliamentary and Whitehall committees, and served as nongovernmental adviser to the Office of Fair Trading and the US Federal Trade Commission. Having helped shape certain foundational aspects of modern UK merger enforcement, he also remains an active participant in periodic efforts to adapt and improve competition policy and procedure in the UK.

Simon Skinner

Simon Skinner advises clients on the UK tax aspects of complex corporate transactions, including in the private equity sector and for listed clients. Simon draws on his sophisticated understanding of the global tax landscape to serves as a trusted advisor to listed companies, institutional investors, founders, and management teams in a wide array of tax-related matters, including: M&A and joint ventures Restructurings and reorganizations UK and international tax advisory projects Initial public offerings (IPOs) Tax disputes A recognized leader of the tax bar, he is actively involved with the Law Society's Tax Law Committee, through which he contributes to the development and refinement of tax legislation and policy. Before joining the Latham, Simon was a partner at a UK-based law firm, where he had served as head of its tax department.

Simon Tysoe

Simon Tysoe is a partner in the Corporate Department of the London office and served as former Co-Chair of the firm’s Oil & Gas Industry Group. Simon specializes in transactions in the energy sector, and has extensive experience advising clients on a range of cross-border energy and natural resources transactions, including upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas M&A, joint ventures, restructuring, and project development. Mergers & Acquisitions Oil & Gas Transactions Project Development & Finance Africa Practice Latin America Practice

Sonja Pollack

Sonja Pollack represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on leveraged finance transactions across the investment lifecycle. Sonja combines extensive bank financing experience with efficiency-fueled process to guide clients through all aspects of: Acquisition finance Secured, unsecured, mezzanine, and subordinated credit facilities Syndicated, direct lender, and clubbed credit facilities Asset-based and cash-flow loans Liability management transactions With an emphasis on the middle market, she tailors strategies to meet clients objectives, including for securing the best terms and mitigating execution risk. A recognized leader at the firm, Sonja actively participates in the firm’s formal mentoring program, with a particular focus on lateral integration. She is member of the Women Lawyers Group and the Parent Lawyers Group. Sonja is also a lifelong competitive equestrian.

Sophie Lamb

Sophie Lamb KC is an internationally renowned leading counsel who provides strategic leadership and powerful advocacy on a range of multidisciplinary, reputational risk-management, and bet-the-company international arbitration and litigation matters. A trusted advisor to boards of public companies, sovereign nations, private equity houses, and participants in the energy and technology sectors, she is consistently recognized among industry’s global elite for her work in some of the most significant and topical cases of the moment. Her mandates have featured in The Lawyer’s top 20 cases of the year and she has featured on their list of the UK’s most influential and inspirational lawyers for her successes “in billion dollar, high profile, politically sensitive and often market-shaping arbitration cases and related court trials.” Sophie is a “go-to-advocate” who draws on an exceptionally diverse international case load and more than 25 years of international tribunal and trial experience including in the UK Supreme Court. Her experience extends across the full range of significant corporate and commercial arrangements, international investment law, public law, and climate litigation. Leveraging strong expertise in class action litigation targeting multinational groups, she is increasingly engaged on sensitive and strategic mandates which engage the ESG agenda, covering such issues as directors’ duties, reporting risks, climate change and public interest litigation, global supply chain integrity, human rights-related exposure, and OECD National Contact Point processes. Sophie is a Bencher of Gray’s Inn and a Governor of the London Academy of Excellence, a school focused on eliminating educational disadvantage which has achieved particular success helping students from less-advantaged backgrounds win places at the best universities around the world. She has previously served as Global Co-Chair of Latham’s International Arbitration Practice and was the UK’s representative on the ICC Court of Arbitration until 2022.

Stacey Wong

Stacey Wong advises clients on a broad spectrum of complex equity and debt capital markets transactions, including US-registered and cross-border Southeast Asia deals. Mr. Wong draws on extensive US securities law knowledge and experience guiding investment banks and issuers through the challenges inherent in cross-jurisdictional transactions. He has advised high-growth and private equity-backed companies, government-linked and sovereign issuers, and state-owned enterprises on: Initial public offerings (IPOs) High-yield, convertible, and investment-grade debt offerings Private placements and block trades Liability management exercises and refinancings Follow-on offerings Other strategic equity investments Mr. Wong takes a commercial approach to each transaction and devises creative and pragmatic solutions to help clients achieve their business goals. He builds trusted relationships to advise clients on their US public company requirements and corporate governance matters, and advises shareholders on Section 13 and 16 reporting obligations. Mr. Wong has served on the firm’s Associates Committee and Recruiting Committee. Before law school, Mr. Wong worked for a US senator, advising on banking and health care issues.

Stacey L. VanBelleghem

Stacey VanBelleghem represents clients in a variety of industry sectors on major project infrastructure and development, administrative petitions and rulemaking, and litigation under federal environmental law. Stacey has particular experience advising clients on federal environmental laws, including: Clean Air Act National Environmental Policy Act Endangered Species Act National Historic Preservation Act Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Clean Water Act American Indian Law Stacey has in-depth knowledge of federal permitting and approvals for major infrastructure projects, including numerous renewable energy projects, working both to secure project approvals and to intervene and defend approvals in many federal court cases. Stacey also represents numerous clients in air quality and climate change issues, with an emphasis on the regulation of criteria pollutants, hazardous air pollutants, and greenhouse gas emissions from major stationary sources. She is also a frequent speaker and writer on these issues. Stacey formerly served as Global Co-Chair of the Project Siting & Approvals Practice. In addition to her environmental practice, Stacey works on a variety of pro bono matters for the firm. She has previously served in management roles on the firm’s Diversity Leadership Committee, Global Associates Committee, and Global Pro Bono Committee. Before becoming an attorney, Stacey worked at the National Trust for Historic Preservation in its Public Policy Department and also at the National Park Service.

Stefan Süss

Stefan Süss is a partner in Latham & Watkins' Munich office. He served as Local Department Chair of the firm's German Tax Department. He specializes in German and international tax law, focusing on tax-optimization of private equity and M&A transactions, and on structuring funds and financial instruments. Mr. Süss is qualified as a certified tax advisor and is a member of the International Fiscal Association.

Stefan Patzer

Stefan Patzer represents German and international clients in a wide range of complex and high-profile disputes, both in and out of court as well as in arbitration proceedings. Mr. Patzer handles a variety of different litigation and arbitration matters, including: Securities litigation and mass actions Complex commercial litigation Insolvency-related litigation Competition and cartel damages claims Insurance-related disputes His focus industry sectors include automotive, energy & infrastructure, healthcare, and financial services. Mr. Patzer draws on experience successfully handling hundreds of court hearings, including some of the largest and most complex mass litigations in Germany. He regularly speaks and writes on current legal issues for leading industry publications, including Börsen-Zeitung, Handelsblatt, and Legal Tribune Online (LTO).

Stefan Bartz

Dr. Stefan Bartz is a counsel in Latham & Watkins' Frankfurt and Hamburg offices and a member of the firm's Litigation & Trial Department and the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice. Mr. Bartz has significant experience: Conducting internal investigations Representing clients before government enforcement agencies Implementing and developing compliance management systems and risk mitigation measures Conducting compliance due diligence in connection with M&A transactions He primarily advises clients on internal investigations (white collar investigations) and preventive compliance matters. He regularly provides compliance support in private equity and M&A deals. Dr. Bartz holds a PhD in criminal and data protection law and regularly publishes on white collar and enforcement issues, particularly with reference to US law.

Stephan Hufnagel

Dr. Stephan Hufnagel advises public and private companies and financial investors on the full spectrum of complex transactions. A versatile practitioner, Dr. Hufnagel leverages extensive experience guiding German and international companies, private equity sponsors, and infrastructure investors on: Private and public transactions Mergers and acquisitions Auction sales and divestitures Co-investments Fund-to-fund transactions He also advises clients with respect to corporate governance aspects. Dr. Hufnagel regularly organizes and presents at the firm’s Private Equity and M&A Academies in Germany, and he has served on the firm’s Mentoring and Recruiting Committees.

Stephanie Fontanes

Stephanie Fontanes has broad experience in all aspects of finance and real estate law. She has extensive experience in structured finance, acquisition, disposition, development, leasing, ground leasing, joint venture transactions, and hotel and casino management relationships. Stephanie represents borrowers and lenders in complex finance transactions with a focus on energy and infrastructure, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. Her real estate and joint venture practice is focused on healthcare, hospitality (including gaming, hotel, and golf properties), and energy (including solar, wind, gas, and geothermal projects). Stephanie has represented clients in mergers and acquisitions involving companies with large portfolios of retail, hospitality, and other asset types, and in the formation and negotiation of complex joint ventures for purposes of developing and operating medical office buildings, assisted living facilities, hotels, and casinos. She also has extensive experience in the negotiation of management agreements for hotels, casinos, and assisted living facilities.

Stephanie Teicher

Stephanie Teicher advises companies, private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies and strategic investors across all stages of the corporate and investment life cycle. Stephanie draws on over 25 years of experience to guide her clients to achieve their goals on a full range of financing transactions. She regularly advises on: Acquisition financings Leveraged buyouts Bridge loans Private placements She forges long-term relationships with her clients and leverages her extensive market knowledge to collaborate on novel and creative transaction structures. Stephanie consistently garners recognition from leading publications, including Chambers Global and Chambers USA, Euromoney Legal Media Group, IFLR 1000, and The Legal 500 US. She was named Best in Banking and Finance at the 2016 and 2018 Euromoney — Americas Women in Business Law Awards and one of IFLR’s 2021 and 2022 America’s Women Leaders. Before joining Latham, Stephanie was a partner at another leading global law firm, where she served on the firm’s policy committee (its highest governing body) and as co-head of its private equity practice.

Stephen Amdur

Corporate Partner

Stephen McWilliams

Stephen McWilliams advises sponsors and lenders on the most complex and innovative project development and finance transactions in Asia. He heads the firm’s Project Development & Finance Practice for Asia. Mr. McWilliams counsels clients on innovative solutions to complex development and financing issues in developing markets across Asia, especially for first-of-their-kind, multi-lender projects. He particularly focuses on Energy & Infrastructure projects in the areas of: Petrochemicals Power Mining Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Energy Transition Mr. McWilliams brings decades of experience in Asia, helping lenders and sponsors establish markets with large scale precedent-setting deals. He leverages the firm’s global platform to assemble teams with market-leading experience across multiple practices.

Stephen Kensell

Stephen Kensell is the former Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ London office and former Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Banking Practice. He is one of the market’s foremost banking practitioners, with more than 20 years’ experience advising top financial institutions on a broad range of complex financing matters. Stephen has an outstanding reputation as one of the leading creditor-side lawyers in the London bank finance market. He has vast experience advising clients on a variety of event-driven financings, with particular expertise in leveraged, investment grade M&A, and IPO-related finance. Over the years, his work on many international and landmark transactions has placed him at the forefront of developments in the banking community.

Stephen Shi

Stephen Shi advises private equity and corporate clients on cross-border M&A transactions in Asia and globally, drawing on extensive experience handling transactions with a nexus to the Greater China region. Mr. Shi helps top-tier private equity firms and their portfolio companies, as well as multinational and Chinese corporations, successfully execute a wide range of complex and high-stakes transactions, including: Buyouts (including take-private transactions and carveouts) Joint ventures Exits Growth equity and minority investments As a native Mandarin speaker who has trained in the US and PRC, Mr. Shi brings both a global perspective and local expertise to his work. He has significant experience in sectors including real estate and infrastructure, logistics, technology, business services, and consumer products.

Stephen P. Barry

Stephen Barry represents clients spanning a broad spectrum of industries in high-stakes shareholder lawsuits, sensitive government and internal investigations, and complex commercial disputes and appeals. As a versatile and well-rounded litigator, Stephen skillfully handles all aspects of his clients’ needs — from early-stage preemptive counseling, to fact-finding and analysis, to written and oral advocacy. He tactfully manages complex internal investigations and defends clients in their most significant regulatory enforcement proceedings — including matters related to accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls. His litigation record — including in high-profile, bet-the-company lawsuits — ranges from first-chair trial experience to appeals before the US Supreme Court and numerous state and federal appellate courts. Stephen strives to resolve matters as efficiently as possible, in a manner that serves his clients’ interests and business needs — and his effective and strategic advocacy has led to early-stage dismissal of dozens of major lawsuits collectively alleging hundreds of billions of dollars in damages. Stephen’s clients include public and private companies, accounting firms, executives and board members, and other organizations from the energy, education, consumer retail, financial services, online media, telecommunications, transportation, biotechnology, and defense industries, among others. He also maintains an active pro bono practice, including representing clients in immigration proceedings and veterans' affairs matters. Prior to joining Latham, Stephen served as a law clerk to Judge Henry E. Hudson of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Steve Curtis

Steve Curtis is a partner in the Finance Department of the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Structured Finance Practice. He specialises in structured debt/securitization financings across all major asset classes, focusing in particular on infrastructure, regulated utilities, commercial real estate, and operating assets. Prior to joining Latham, Steve was a partner at a leading magic circle law firm.

Steven Lesan

Steven Lesan represents policyholders in high-stakes insurance matters, including coverage disputes and bad faith litigation, policy negotiations and renewals, and strategic portfolio management. Steven regularly handles matters in state or federal courts, or before arbitration panels related to a full spectrum of policies, including: Cyber, data, and privacy Comprehensive general liability Directors and officers liability Errors and omissions Environmental impairment liability Builders risk Film production Business interruption claims Property policies He has established an impressive track record recovering hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of Fortune 500 policyholders in complex and often cross-border insurance disputes. His sophisticated strategic instinct and exclusive focus on representing policyholders has led to precedent-setting decisions at the California Supreme Court, and favorable ADR solutions to seemingly intractable issues. Steven's client representation also touches on every aspect of insurance advising, including: Claims counseling through the life cycle of the pursuit for coverage Negotiating custom insurance products Strategically managing insurance portfolios and policy procurement Counseling on insurance-related aspects of corporate transactions and post-restructuring Diligencing insurance, indemnity, and “long-tail” liabilities Steven has served as an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego School of Law, lecturing on insurance and environmental law issues. Prior to practicing law, Steven served as a judicial extern for Judge M. Margaret McKeown of the US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, and for Judge Thomas J. Whelan of the US District Court for the Southern District of California, and as a law clerk for the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners, Office of the Inspector General. While in law school, Steven was the comments editor for the San Diego Law Review.

Steven Betensky

Corporate Partner

Steven Levine

Steven Levine advises key industry players on a full range of complex real estate and project development and finance matters, including real estate and project purchases, as well as sales and leasing transactions. Steven draws on his vast experience at the intersection of real estate and project finance to help clients successfully navigate their most significant business challenges. He delivers creative counsel to lenders, underwriters, and real estate and infrastructure project owners and developers on: Developing, constructing, and financing laboratory projects, office projects, and large infrastructure projects, including hotels, energy transition projects (including CCUS and hydrogen), casinos, sporting facilities, petrochemical projects, power projects, and water projects Leasing office, retail, gaming, hospitality, industrial, and laboratory projects Acquiring and disposing of raw land and office, retail, gaming, hospitality, industrial, and laboratory projects Ground leasing and land acquisition for hospitality, infrastructure, energy, and industrial projects Strategic advice on development and construction matters Sale-leaseback transactions for office, retail, gaming, hospitality, industrial, and laboratory projects Drafting and negotiating a variety of design, engineering, and construction agreements He also advises biotechnology companies on real estate and product procurement issues.

Steven Stokdyk

Corporate Partner

Suneel Basson-Bhatoa

Suneel Basson-Bhatoa advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on complex cross-border private equity and M&A transactions. He leverages more than a decade’s experience (including experience gained while on secondment at CVC Capital Partners) to guide clients on their most complex mandates, including transactions involving consortium equity arrangements, management equity arrangements, P2P arrangements, corporate reorganizations, and general corporate matters. A recognized leader at the firm, Suneel has previously served on the firm’s Global Recruiting Committee.

Susan Kempe-Müller

Dr. Susan Kempe-Müller, partner in the Frankfurt office of Latham & Watkins, advises and represents clients in all areas of intellectual property law, with a particular emphasis on trademark, competition, employee invention, and copyright law. Dr. Kempe-Müller has long-standing experience advising on transactions in the field of intellectual property and information technology. She has particular expertise in drafting and negotiating complex national and cross-border contracts in the IP/IT area. She advises clients on: License and service agreements Research and development contracts Software development and software transfer projects Cooperation agreements Outsourcing contracts Dr. Kempe-Müller also represents companies in litigation and proceedings before trademark and patent offices.

Susan E. Engel

Susan Engel is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Securities Litigation & Professional Liability practice. Susan's practice covers both trial and appellate litigation in a wide range of substantive areas, including securities law, class action, commercial, and constitutional litigation. Prior to entering private practice, Susan served as a law clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia of the United States Supreme Court and Judge Alex Kozinski of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Susan Y. Tull

Susan Tull, a seasoned patent trial lawyer, represents clients across a range of technologies in all phases and forums of litigation. Trial ready and technically knowledgeable, Susan delivers pragmatic advice to plaintiffs and defendants in complex patent disputes. Her experience covers a multitude of industries, including the mechanical, industrial, electrical, and medical device fields. Susan tries cases in venues across the country, including the US district courts, the US International Trade Commission, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the Patent Trial Appeal Board of the US Patent and Trademark Office. She also brings experience representing clients in jury trials through verdict and post-trial motions. Susan participates in and manages every aspect of patent litigation, including examining and cross-examining fact and expert witnesses, developing litigation strategies, taking complex discovery, working with technical and damages experts, and drafting and arguing motions. Susan also frequently advises on pro bono matters. Her work has included serving as lead appellate counsel in a post-conviction appeal before the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Susan is currently an adjunct professor of Patent Litigation and Dispute Resolution at George Mason University School of Law. She previously served as an adjunct professor of scholarly writing at George Washington University School of Law.

Suzzanne Uhland

Suzzanne Uhland represents public and private companies, lenders, sponsors, and investors in a wide array of restructuring transactions, including their high-stakes chapter 11 reorganizations and out-of-court restructurings. Suzzanne is widely recognized as one of the leading restructuring lawyers in the United States. She has been a fellow of the prestigious American College of Bankruptcy since 2011. Suzzanne leverages her keen market perspective and her decades of experience to devise creative solutions in clients’ most complex distressed situations. She partners with clients to diffuse volatile situations involving financial distress and acts immediately to protect her clients’ commercial interests. Suzzanne builds consensus across key stakeholders to maximize client value and expeditiously achieve successful outcomes. Her experience spans technology, real estate, energy, and municipal restructurings and financings, as well as international insolvencies and debt restructurings. She advises clients on insolvency related risks in structured finance and derivative transactions, including those involving cryptocurrency and other digital assets. Accolades and Recognitions Throughout her career, Suzzanne has been consistently recognized for her excellence by publications, clients, and peers. Suzzanne has been ranked by Chambers since 2008 and is touted as “practical, has very good solutions and commands the respect of the room.” Chambers has also quoted clients describing her as “very creative and very knowledgeable on case law," and also appreciate that “she has no ego; she just does the job and works with everyone's talents to get the right answer for the client. She is a real joy to work with in a very difficult situation.” Lawdragon describes her as “one of the leading bankruptcy attorneys in the U.S. today, sought after both for her skill in shepherding companies to higher ground and for her views and insights on matters of international debt and restructuring.” Suzzanne has been named a leading restructuring lawyer by the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America (New York, California), The International Who’s Who Restructuring and Insolvency Lawyers, The Legal 500 (Recommended for Finance: Restructuring) US 2021, National Litigation Star from Benchmark Litigation 2021-2025, and Top USA Women Dealmakers 2019 from Global M&A Network. Suzzanne has been profiled in Lawdragon’s Lawyer Limelight and Women Worth Watching. Known for her critical thinking on trends within the insolvency space, Suzzanne regularly speaks on panels at industry events. In addition to the American College of Bankruptcy, Suzzanne is a member of the highly selective International Insolvency Institute and is recognized as a Thought Leader for restructuring and insolvency by Who’s Who Legal in affiliation with Global Restructuring Review. Suzzanne serves on the board of the Friends of Orinda Creeks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and restoring the Orinda watershed in California.

Sven Völcker

Mr. Sven B. Völcker is a partner in Latham & Watkins’ Brussels office and member of the Global Antitrust & Competition Practice. His practice covers the full range of EU and German competition law, including merger control, cartel and other behavioral cases, and EU State aid. With more than 25 years' experience in competition law, Mr. Völcker guides clients through complex antitrust procedures. He has obtained merger clearances on behalf of his clients in a number of major cross-border transactions and has advised on some of the largest multi-jurisdictional cartel and abuse of dominance cases of recent years. With a track record of more than 25 cases before the EU courts, he is also an experienced litigator and able to effectively defend his clients’ business interest beyond the authority level, if needed. Mr. Völcker has particularly deep experience in a range of industry sectors, including aviation, high technology, software, financial services, and sports. Mr. Völcker frequently writes and speaks on competition law issues, and teaches EU and German competition law at Göttingen University and Brussels School of Competition. He is a non-governmental advisor to the European Commission in the International Competition Network (ICN).

Sven Nickel

Sven Nickel is counsel in the Frankfurt office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Real Estate Practice. Mr. Nickel advises German and international investors, asset managers, and financial institutions on real estate transactions, project developments, joint ventures, commercial leases, and all types of asset management matters. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Nickel worked as an associate in another international law firm in the real estate department, in the Frankfurt office for seven years.

Sy Damle

Sy Damle, former General Counsel at the US Copyright Office, litigates industry-defining matters at the intersection of copyright law and emerging technology. Sy combines a deep understanding of the technology on which his clients have built their businesses and his robust federal government experience to represent technology and new media companies — including leading streaming services, software companies, and online commerce platforms — in: High-stakes trials Regulatory proceedings before federal agencies including the US Copyright Office and Copyright Royalty Board Complex product counseling matters A former software engineer, Sy deftly navigates high technology matters, including those involving computer systems and networks and artificial intelligence. Sy is regularly called upon by private industry and government agencies to advise on cutting-edge issues of law and technology. He has testified before Congress and the US Copyright Office on issues involving generative AI and copyright law. Before joining the firm, Sy served as General Counsel and Associate Register of Copyrights at the US Copyright Office, where he oversaw the agency’s litigation, regulatory, and other legal work. Previously, he served as a US Department of Justice litigator, focused on IP, administrative law, and constitutional matters. Sy teaches copyright law at George Washington University and is an adviser to the American Law Institute’s Restatement of Copyright Law project. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the National Children’s Museum and as Technology Chair for the Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court. He served as a clerk for Judge Sandra L. Lynch of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Tara D. Elliott

Tara Elliott, a first-chair trial lawyer, focuses on high-profile intellectual property disputes and commercial litigation. She utilizes a unique combination of private practice and government experience to help navigate clients’ most complex legal issues. Tara has represented many of the world’s leading technology, retail, and manufacturing companies in infringement matters, corporate disputes, and appeals concerning patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and commercial contracts, among other issues. Tara currently serves as a Trustee on the Foundation for the Advancement of Diversity in Intellectual Property Law. She previously served on the Federal Circuit Lawyers’ Advisory Council and chaired the Third Circuit Lawyers Advisory Committee by appointment of the Chief Judges of those courts. She also served on the District of Delaware Merit Selection Panels for the US Magistrate Judge and Bankruptcy Judge vacancies. Prior to joining Latham, she was appointed to serve as a Special Master in the US District Court for the District of Delaware to assist the court in resolving disputes in complex commercial matters. She clerked for Judge Gregory M. Sleet, then Chief Judge of the US District Court for the District of Delaware, and Judge Raymond C. Clevenger of the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She began her career at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) where she was a computer engineer in the Directorate of Science and Technology and an analyst in the Directorate of Intelligence (now known as the Directorate of Analysis). Tara served for over a decade as a board member of a regional healthcare system in various capacities including on committees for governance, audit, and cybersecurity. Tara is consistently recognized by leading legal publications as a top intellectual property litigation lawyer including The National Law Journal, IAM Patent 1000, Lawdragon 500, Benchmark Litigation, Savoy, and Managing Intellectual Property, as an IP Star.

Tara Lynn Tavernia

Tara Tavernia represents sophisticated clients in complex antitrust matters, including strategic mergers and government conduct investigations. Tara draws upon her extensive experience to efficiently guide market-leading companies and private equity clients through high-stakes antitrust matters involving: Transaction reviews, including securing unconditional approvals and, when necessary, Second Request compliance and merger remedy negotiation Investigations brought by federal enforcers Antitrust litigation She leverages her deep understanding of the agency landscape to deliver high-level client service in the face of government scrutiny across a broad range of industries. Tara is a member of the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Section and currently serves as the Co-Chair of The Antitrust Source online magazine.

Terris Tang

Terris Tang advises clients on capital markets transactions and investments across Asia and globally, particularly with a China nexus. Mr. Tang draws on nearly two decades of experience and a sophisticated understanding of Hong Kong securities laws and regulations to guide corporations, private equity firms, and financial institutions on: Capital markets, including initial public offerings Mergers and acquisitions Take-private transactions Corporate restructurings General compliance matters Having worked in Beijing, Hong Kong, and London, he brings a global perspective to each corporate finance transaction. He represents companies on their transformational cross-border transactions — from IPOs to strategic inbound and outbound investments — in a broad range of sectors, including life sciences, technology, and logistics and mobility. A recognized leader at the firm, Mr. Tang serves on the Associates Committee and Opinions Committee. He previously served on the Recruiting Committee and the Legal Professionals & Paralegals Committee. Mr. Tang maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising nonprofits on corporate governance matters and obtaining charity status.

Tessa Bernhardt

Tessa Bernhardt advises clients on a full spectrum of complex corporate transactions and shareholder activism. Tessa combines extensive experience and her ability to distill sophisticated concepts into practical advice to guide public companies, multinational corporations, private equity sponsors, and special committees of boards of directors on: Public and private mergers and acquisitions Controlling and minority investments Carve-outs Corporate governance Activism defense She strategizes with skill in high stakes situations and represents both buy-side and sell-side clients in multijurisdictional transactions across a range of industries. A recognized leader at the firm, Tessa previously served as local leader of the Women Lawyers Group and on the global Associates Committee. She maintains an active pro bono practice, including helping clients establish nonprofits, advising an Afghan refugee on asylum proceedings, and providing guidance on California wildfire insurance claims.

Thomas Cochran

Tom Cochran is a Partner in the Finance Department of the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Structured Finance Practice. He is also a member of the firm’s Opinions & Confirmations Committee. Tom’s experience across asset classes includes advising on transactions collateralized by trade receivables, NPLs, residential mortgage loans, unsecured personal loans, auto loans, credit card receivables, FinTech-related financial assets, corporate loans (CLOs and direct lending), and other esoteric asset classes. The transactions have arisen in the context of portfolio acquisitions, corporate restructurings, broader M&A transactions, as well as ongoing treasury management, each of which have demanded bespoke financing solutions. He has advised on the full breadth of securitization structures from traditional public securitizations to private conduit-funded warehouse financings. Tom has also advised on a number of structured trade and energy related finance transactions, including gas and power financings, commodity receivables securitizations for large energy traders, freight receivables securitizations, inventory and commodity backed structured finance transactions, and structured supply chain finance solutions. Prior to joining Latham & Watkins, he was an executive director at Goldman Sachs supporting its securitization and structured finance businesses.

Thomas Grützner

Dr. Thomas Grützner, a compliance and litigation partner, represents corporate and financial institution clients on a variety of complex compliance and white collar crime matters and Human Rights as well as workplace-related investigations. Dr. Grützner serves clients by: Conducting internal investigations Representing clients before government enforcement agencies Managing crises Implementing and developing compliance management systems and risk mitigation measures Conducting compliance due diligence in connection with M&A transactions and supply chain aspects He draws on experience investigating alleged misconduct in more than 30 countries, including Algeria, Bangladesh, Dubai, Indonesia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the UAE, and Vietnam. He has defended DAX30 companies across a full range of industries before domestic and international enforcement agencies. Given his broad professional and academic experience, Mr. Grützner skillfully guides clients through the design and implementation of effective compliance management systems and compliance projects. Leading legal publications regularly recommend him. He regularly writes on white collar and enforcement issues, and has authored several books, including a handbook on white collar and tax criminal law (Wirtschafts- und Steuerstrafrecht - Handbuch für die Unternehmenspraxis 2nd edition). He is a member of the ICC task force, Addressing Issues of Corruption in International Arbitration.

Thomas Vogel

Thomas Vogel is a partner in the Paris and Frankfurt offices of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Vogel leads the Structured Finance and Derivatives Practices and the Fintech Industry Group in Paris. He is also a member of the Financial Regulatory Practice and the Global Digital Assets & Web3 Practice. Mr. Vogel regularly acts for global financial services firms, investment managers, hedge and investment funds, sovereign funds, and UHNW individuals. He advises on structured finance transactions, alternative investment structures across asset classes including structured strategic equity solutions, structured fixed-income transactions (delivered in synthetic format through derivatives instruments or in funded format through debt securities), strategic contingent hedging transactions, regulatory capital and synthetic risk transfer transactions, NPL portfolio transfers, synthetic credit, fund, energy, catastrophe and longevity derivatives, structured repo, and stock-lending transactions. Mr. Vogel also advises emerging companies, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), financial institutions, and investment managers on complex regulatory challenges in the development of bespoke financial crypto-asset and cryptocurrency technologies or DeFi market solutions including token sales, trading, refinancing, clearing, and settlement solutions on distributed ledger technology. He also advises clients on domestic and cross-border cutting-edge Fintech initiatives. He has also advised numerous corporates on innovative NFT and semi-NFT projects. Mr. Vogel regularly advises clients on financial regulatory issues (including in the crypto space) and pre-contentious financial disputes in the context of mediation, arbitration and litigation procedures, as well as on internal derivatives compliance programs and derivatives clearing documentation. Mr. Vogel has acquired years of transactional experience in New York, London, Hong Kong, and Tokyo both as a private practitioner (with a Magic Circle firm) and senior in-house counsel (with a leading US investment bank in New York). In recent years, he has represented clients in multi-billion dollar structured transactions in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Mr. Vogel is a member of the Frankfurt Bar Association.

Thomas Weitkamp

Thomas Weitkamp, a leading German finance lawyer, advises clients on complex domestic and cross-border finance and financial restructuring transactions. Mr. Weitkamp is admitted as a lawyer and solicitor (England and Wales). Mr. Weitkamp advises private equity funds, debt funds, financial institutions, and corporate borrowers on complex financing structures, including: Acquisition finance Direct lending (including senior/super senior structures) Public-to-private transactions Leveraged buyouts Infrastructure financing Corporate financing Restructurings He draws on extensive experience with lenders and borrowers, including recently focusing on unitranche and other direct lending financings. Mr. Weitkamp balances excellent technical skills with a savvy commercial sense to help clients achieve their strategic objectives and ensure the success of their financing transactions.

Thomas Giblin

Thomas (Tom) Giblin advises companies and individuals on a full range of civil and regulatory matters, including securities litigation, M&A-related litigation, shareholder derivative litigation, and government investigations. Tom helps clients navigate the complex litigation and regulatory landscape that securities issuers, corporate directors and officers, auditors, and financial institutions face. He has decades of experience representing clients in federal securities class actions, merger-related disputes, and investigations by regulators in the US and abroad, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Tom draws on a background in economics and a keen understanding of the underlying business needs of his clients. He frequently secures dismissal of securities litigation at the pleading stage and regularly resolves matters before they proceed to trial. Tom maintains an active pro bono practice. In one notable matter, he won a favorable verdict at trial for a small business owner accused of violating federal and state labor laws, and successfully argued for affirmance by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. During law school, he served on the editorial board of the Columbia Business Law Review. Tom has clerked for the Honorable Gary L. Lancaster, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, as well as the Honorable Thomas P. Agresti, Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Thomas Verity

Thomas Verity advises clients on complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance transactions, and general corporate and securities matters, particularly within the energy and infrastructure sector. Thomas combines extensive transactional experience with commercial pragmatism to guide large multinational corporations, private equity sponsors, financial advisors, and special committees of boards of directors on: Mergers and acquisitions involving public and private targets De-SPAC, spin-off, and carve-out transactions Corporate governance, shareholder activism, and crisis management IPOs, high-yield debt offerings, and other registered and unregistered offerings He leverages his strong ability to build rapport across multijurisdictional stakeholders and advisors to help clients efficiently navigate commercial and regulatory hurdles on compressed time lines. A recognized leader at the firm, Thomas served on the Recruiting Committee and continues to play an active role in associate and lateral recruitment while maintaining an active pro bono practice.

Thomas Nolan

Litigation & Trial Partner

Tim Scott

Tim Scott is a counsel in the London office of Latham & Watkins. With over 20 years’ experience in the insurance sector, Tim has played a leading role in shaping the insurance regulatory landscape in the UK. Prior to joining Latham, Tim was a Senior Legal Counsel at the Bank of England where he led the Bank’s work on insurer insolvency and resolution. From 2016, he played a leading role covering all major aspects of Brexit as it affected financial services, including equivalence, onshoring, and supporting trade negotiations as part of the Bank’s EU withdrawal unit. Tim also holds a unique perspective on the Solvency II regime in the UK and Europe from his time at the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the former Financial Services Authority. There he gained insight into the approach taken by the regulator when determining key applications made by the industry during that period, particularly in relation to restructured matching adjustment assets. Prior to his significant regulatory positions, Tim worked in private practice where he specialized in insurance M&A transactions, longevity trades, reinsurance arrangements, ISPVs, insurance financing, and complex regulatory matters affecting insurers.

Tim O'Mara

Tim O’Mara litigates clients’ highest stakes antitrust and unfair competition matters in federal and state courts across the US. Tim leverages more than two decades of experience to represent clients in complex, business-defining antitrust litigation. He has successfully represented clients including: Live Nation Ticketmaster Union Pacific Emerson Electric Electronic Arts PG&E Apple Oracle ATMI Marvell Semiconductor Hearst Sun World International He routinely distills complex fact patterns, and their underlying economics, into persuasive arguments before courts and juries coast to coast. A known entity across the antitrust bar, Tim lends his exemplary negotiation skills and credible presence at trial to each matter he works on, helping to ensure a successful resolution. A recognized leader at the firm, Tim has served as local Litigation Department Chair for the Bay Area and as a member of the global Finance Committee.

Tim Coxon

Tim Coxon advises financial institutions, corporations, developers, and private equity firms on financing transactions, with a focus on the energy and infrastructure sector. Dual-qualified to practice law in New York and in England and Wales, Tim helps clients navigate complex financings in the United States and internationally. His experience includes advising clients on the development, construction, and financing of power, oil and gas and infrastructure projects, with a focus on renewable energy. He also regularly handles corporate and leveraged financings for some of the world’s largest energy corporations and private equity sponsors. Tim’s practice includes advising on: Project and infrastructure financings Syndicated leveraged and acquisition financings Investment grade and secured corporate financings Securitization and asset-based transactions Letters of credit and working capital facilities Tim began his legal career in the United Kingdom, where he worked for an international law firm and an international investment bank. Prior to joining Latham, Tim spent several years working for international law firms in New York.

Timothy Hia

Timothy Hia advises clients on their most complex financing transactions across Asia, particularly in Singapore, India, Indonesia, and Thailand. Mr. Hia draws on two decades’ experience as a trusted advisor and pragmatic problem-solver to guide private equity sponsors, major corporate borrowers, and private capital lenders across the entire credit cycle on: Leveraged and acquisition financings Infrastructure finance transactions Corporate securities and capital markets offerings He closely collaborates with clients and colleagues to unlock the resources of Latham’s robust global platform, devising creative solutions that help clients achieve their commercial objectives. A recognized leader at the firm, Mr. Hia is former Local Chair of the Finance Department in Asia and has served on the Diversity Leadership Committee, Associates Committee, and Pro Bono Committee. Mr. Hia prioritizes giving back to the community. He currently serves as the Chairman of Youth Guidance Outreach Services, a social services organization benefitting youth at risk in Singapore, and as Vice-Chair of The Helping Hand, a halfway house assisting people with substance use disorder. He maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising Standard Microgrid, whose mission is to provide clean, modern, and affordable energy services to poor rural communities in Africa.

Timothy H. McCarten

Tim McCarten is counsel in the Washington, D.C. office of Latham & Watkins, where he is a member of the firm’s Litigation & Trial Department. With more than a decade of white collar defense experience, Tim is a trusted advisor to scores of companies, senior executives, and other well-known individuals. Tim helps clients navigate government investigations, white collar criminal and civil litigation, internal corporate investigations, and other sensitive situations. He has broad experience before the US Department of Justice (DOJ), US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), US Congress, and a range of other US federal and state authorities. Drawing on years of experience in high-profile global investigations, Tim has extensive experience in cross-border matters. Tim’s practice encompasses matters involving allegations of financial crimes or other misconduct, which frequently implicate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and similar anticorruption laws; securities laws; criminal tax laws; anti-money laundering (AML) laws; and the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA); as well as other federal laws and rules governing lobbying, campaign finance, and government ethics. Complementing his government-facing investigations practice, Tim also regularly counsels companies, private equity firms, and investment firms on regulatory compliance, including in the context of transactional due diligence. Tim received a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he served on the managing board of the Virginia Law Review. While in law school, Tim worked at the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia, and served as a Governor’s Legal Fellow in the Office of Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine.

Tingfei Fan

Tingfei Fan is a counsel in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Ms. Fan represents local and US corporations and financial institutions in connection with a range of corporate transactions, with a focus on capital markets, including: Initial public offerings and listings Bond offerings Mergers and acquisitions Regulatory and compliance Prior to joining Latham, Ms. Fan worked as an associate at multinational law firms in Hong Kong and China, representing clients in debt and equity offerings and various private equity investments in Hong Kong and the US.

Tobias Klass

Dr. Tobias Klass advises private equity funds, large and medium-sized companies and their shareholders, as well as real estate investment funds on the tax aspects of complex, often cross-border transactions. Mr. Klass, as a key member of a client’s deal team, navigates the increasingly complex German and international tax law issues in domestic and cross-border transactions. He focuses on the tax-optimization of private equity and M&A transactions as well as restructurings. He also advises on tax structures for inbound real estate investments. Mr. Klass is qualified as a certified tax advisor and specialist tax lawyer. He is a member of the International Fiscal Association.

Tom Bartlett

Tom Bartlett is a partner in the Project Development & Finance Practice of Latham & Watkins' London office. Tom has advised on energy and infrastructure projects across the globe for over 20 years. Project finance and development Energy, power, and renewables Mining and metals Infrastructure Space/Telecommunications M&A Debt restructuring

Tom D. Evans

Tom D. Evans, Global Vice Chair of the firm's Private Equity & Investment Funds Practice, is an M&A lawyer with almost two decades of experience advising funds and other financial investors on complex cross border mergers and acquisitions and corporate financing arrangements, including public and private acquisitions, carve-outs, take privates, consortium arrangements, minority investments, and disposals. He is a thought leader in the private equity industry. He co-edits PE Views, the Latham & Watkins quarterly publication addressing significant legal, regulatory, and market developments relevant to the private equity industry in Europe, co-edits Latham & Watkins’ annual European private equity M&A market study, edits the text Private Equity Exits: A Practical Analysis, and has published chapters in Private Equity: A Transactional Analysis and Global Investment Funds: A Practical Guide to Structuring, Raising and Managing Funds.

Tommy P. Beaudreau

Partner

Tony Sammi

Tony Sammi, Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Technology Industry Group and former Global Vice Chair of the Intellectual Property Litigation Practice, is a first-chair litigator who handles complex, high-profile technology matters at trial and on appeal. Tony represents clients in high-stakes, ground-breaking intellectual property matters at the cutting edge of innovation in US District Courts and on appeal, as well as before the US Patent and Trademark Office's Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). His status as a go-to trial lawyer for some of the industry's highest profile tech clients speaks to his impressive track record and his effective and aggressive case strategies. Drawing on his background in electrical engineering and physics, he takes to trial disputes across a broad range of technologies, including those involving: Aerospace Medical devices Software algorithms Virtual-reality, first-person shooter, and 3D gaming Petrochemical industry modeling software Source code Blood centrifuge devices Sporting equipment Pharmaceuticals Tony's practice includes strategic counseling for both US and multinational clients on evaluating, licensing, and protecting invaluable intellectual property portfolios. Tony's cases regularly garner coverage in, and he has been quoted by, outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, CNBC, Bloomberg, Vanity Fair, BBC News, USA Today, and The Hollywood Reporter. The National Law Journal described his closing arguments in a jury trial as a “virtuoso performance.” A recognized leader within the IP and tech bar, Tony is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the New York Intellectual Property Law Association. He previously served as President and Director of the South Asian Bar Association of New York, for which he is a founding member, and as Director of the National South Asian Bar Association.

Tracey Zaccone

Tracey Zaccone, Global Chair of the Hybrid Capital Practice, advises clients on a full spectrum of complex debt and equity financing transactions. Tracey advises leading private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, financial institutions, investors, and public companies on complex and bespoke hybrid debt and equity private and public financing transactions and traditional capital markets matters involving: Convertible and non-convertible debt and preferred instruments Secured and unsecured debt and warrant offerings PIPE transactions Pre-IPO investments High yield bond offerings Initial public offerings and pre-IPO transactions Spin-offs She also helps clients navigate liability management transactions and sophisticated out-of-court special situations and regularly advises on debt restructuring transactions, including consent solicitations, exchange offers, and tender offers. Tracey also counsels boards of directors and other clients on corporate governance, as well as NYSE and NASDAQ compliance. Before joining Latham, Tracey was a partner at another international law firm.

Tracy Liu

Tracy Liu draws on a wide range of experience to advise clients on complex cross-border finance transactions, with a particular focus on leveraged and acquisition financings. Tracy takes a results-oriented approach to guide banks and other financial institutions, sponsors, and corporate borrowers in financings across the capital structure, including: Syndicated loans Private credit financings Bank/bond and bridge financings Liability management transactions General bank lending Second lien, mezzanine, and PIK financings Restructurings Investment grade financings Emerging market financings Drawing on her secondment to J.P. Morgan’s leveraged credit team, she provides clients with keen market insight and commercial advice on their transactions. A recognized leader at the firm, Tracy has served on the Security Committee.

Tyler Brown

Tyler Brown advises strategic investors and their portfolio companies on their most complex federal energy regulatory law matters, particularly involving the power sector. Tyler leverages unrivaled experience and a sophisticated understanding of the federal energy regulatory landscape to help clients navigate: Federal energy regulatory compliance involving electric generation and transmission facilities Transactions in the power sector, including financings, mergers, and acquisitions Administrative litigation and enforcement actions with respect to the US electric energy markets before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) He analyzes issues under the Federal Power Act, Natural Gas Act, Natural Gas Policy Act, Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, Public Utility Holding Company Act, Interstate Commerce Act, and various state energy industry restructuring statutes affecting the domestic energy industry. Tyler maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising Green Era, a community-based renewable natural gas project in Chicago. Before law school, Tyler worked at an economic consulting firm, where he focused on power markets.

Ulf Kieker

Dr. Ulf Kieker is a partner in the Munich office of Latham & Watkins, practicing in the firm’s Tax Department. Mr. Kieker advises on national and international tax law. He focuses on German and cross-border private equity and M&A transactions, as well as restructuring mandates, including the respective financing via credit facilities or bonds and the structuring of management equity programs.

Verena Seevers

Verena Seevers advises clients on the German and international tax aspects of a full range of corporate and finance transactions, both domestic and cross-border. Ms. Seevers solves clients’ tax issues related to: Private equity transactions Mergers and acquisitions Real estate transactions Financings and restructurings Multi-jurisdictional tax planning She also advises on post-transaction tax issues related to tax audit and enforcement proceedings. Ms. Seevers brings a commercial sensibility drawn from extensive transactional experience. She provides effective answers to the myriad tax questions that arise, especially in the context of complex and deadline-driven transactions. Before joining the firm in 2013, Ms. Seevers was an associate in a Big Four accounting firm’s tax department. She studied in Hamburg and London, focusing from the outset on tax law.

Veronika Miskovichova

Veronika Miskovichova advises large clients on private equity transactions with a real estate component, joint ventures, acquisitions of different types of real estate assets, and financing and refinancing of real estate acquisitions and structured finance, with or without a real estate component. Ms. Miskovichova has broad experience in commercial law. She regularly advises on a variety of real estate transactions, including: Real estate M&A deals Real estate joint ventures Real estate finance Structured Finance transactions, with or without real estate component

Vicki Marmorstein

Finance Partner

Victoria Sander

Victoria Sander is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins. She has focused on the insurance sector for over 25 years and has been involved in some of the largest and most complex transactions in the insurance industry. Victoria specializes in all types of corporate insurance transactional work including public and private M&A, portfolio transfers, complex reinsurance arrangements, and distribution arrangements. She advises insurance companies and pension schemes in relation to a full range of buy-in, buy-out, and longevity risk transactions and provides technical insurance regulatory advice with respect to structured products, including credit risk reinsurance. Victoria is a member of the insurance committee of the City of London Law Society and the insurance sub-committee of the Financial Market Law Reform Committee, both of which aim to identify areas of law that are uncertain and need clarification.

Victoria E. VanStekelenburg

Victoria VanStekelenburg represents private equity firms and their portfolio companies in mergers, acquisitions, and other complex business transactions. Drawing on her experience in multifaceted and cross-border private equity matters, Victoria helps clients successfully and expeditiously navigate significant deals. She regularly advises on multijurisdictional transactions involving companies that operate worldwide. Her deal work encompasses diverse industries, from technology and manufacturing to government contracts and consumer products. Victoria counsels clients throughout every stage of the investment lifecycle, from purchase to sale. She also works with portfolio companies over the course of their life with a fund, including in connection with add-on acquisitions and governance matters. Regardless of the matter at hand, Victoria applies big-picture thinking and a collaborative approach to help clients address key legal and business challenges. Victoria has held several firm leadership roles and is currently on the firm's Recruiting Committee. She previously served as Co-Chair of the firm’s D.C. Women Lawyers Group, an affinity group that fosters connections among women lawyers. She also previously served on the firm’s Associates Committee, a body comprising associates and partners that manages associate performance reviews and makes partnership recommendations, as well as the Training & Career Enhancement Committee, which develops and oversees in-house training and mentoring programs for associates.

Vladimir Mikhailovsky

Vladimir Mikhailovsky advises issuers and underwriters in capital markets and finance transactions across the full spectrum of the capital structure. Vladimir regularly advises both global and local clients — companies and banks — on a variety of capital markets and finance transactions, including: Debt and equity offerings Subordinated debt Bilateral and syndicated loans Liability management Debt restructurings Derivatives He draws on extensive experience with a full complement of debt and financing products in multiple jurisdictions, as well as the familiarity with the relevant regulatory regimes, to execute complex, cross-border transactions.

Wei Wei

Wei Wei is a counsel in the Beijing office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Ms. Wei advises Chinese companies on initial public offerings in the US and Hong Kong, as well as corporate finance transactions involving debt and equity offerings and mergers and acquisitions. She is fluent in Mandarin and English.

Wenchi Hu

Partner

Wesley Lepla

Wes Lepla is a counsel in the Brussels office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s Global Antitrust & Competition Practice. He advises clients on merger control, in particular on multijurisdictional merger control notifications and proceedings. Mr. Lepla advises clients on all aspects of Belgian and European competition law, including merger control, cartels, anticompetitive agreements, and abuse of a dominant position. He assists them in navigating the increasingly complex merger control proceedings in the EU and globally. He regularly advises clients in various industry sectors including life sciences, media, technology, defense, and consumer goods. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Lepla worked as special counsel at another international law firm in Brussels. He was also a teaching and research assistant in International and European Law at the Free University of Brussels (VUB) for five years.

Whitney Weber

Whitney Weber represents industry-leading companies and their executives in high-profile securities litigation. Whitney represents public companies, officers, directors, and special committees in: Securities class actions Fraud-based claims Shareholder derivative litigation Mergers and acquisitions litigation Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement actions She guides clients through the full litigation life cycle in federal and state courts to develop comprehensive case strategies that limit exposure and align with corporate objectives. Whitney has served as first-chair counsel at trial and in depositions, in addition to preparing for multi-week trials that resulted in favorable client outcomes. She maintains an active pro bono practice, regularly representing indigent clients through the Federal Pro Bono Project in the Northern District of California.

William Lam

William Lam is a counsel in the Finance Department at Latham & Watkins. His experience includes advising sponsors, corporate borrowers, banks, and other financial institutions across a broad range of banking and finance transactions, with a particular focus on leveraged and acquisition financings.

William A. McConagha

Bill McConagha, a former Associate Chief Counsel and Assistant Commissioner at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is a nationally recognized life sciences attorney who advises clients on a range of complex issues spanning the FDA-regulated product life cycle, from premarket development and clinical trials, through product launch, post-market safety reporting, and manufacturing requirements, including cGMP. Bill draws on extensive federal government experience to represent companies across the FDA’s regulatory spectrum, including companies that manufacture or market pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biologics, foods, tobacco, and cosmetics. He helps clients navigate: FDA compliance, including preparing for and managing FDA inspections, responding to FDA 483s and warning letters, and complying with post-market safety requirements FDA regulatory issues, including pre- and post-market requirements and related commercial activities such as product importation and supply chain oversight FDA-related diligence and regulatory counsel, including negotiating representations and warranties, in corporate transactions Internal investigations involving clinical trial oversight, post-market safety reporting, and risk management A recognized industry leader, he worked at FDA for 17 years in various high-level roles and served as a Health Policy Advisor on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). During his tenure in public service, he received the following awards: Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service, Department of Health and Human Services; Excellence in Legal Services, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Health and Human Services; Commissioner’s Special Recognition Award, FDA; Commissioner’s Special Citation, FDA; and the Director’s Award for Outstanding Service, FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations.

William K. Hackett

William Hackett advises clients on private and public securities offerings, general company representation, and public reporting obligations. William counsels a full spectrum of clients, from founders and newly public companies to global market leaders and their investors. He advises clients on their public reporting obligations, with a particular focus on beneficial ownership disclosure, as well as auditor independence and corporate governance matters in connection with: Initial public offerings Follow-on offerings Mergers and acquisitions Day-to-day public company operations He draws on extensive experience collaborating with deal teams to craft effective disclosure strategies. William regularly interacts with US Securities and Exchange Commission regulators, including the Office of the Chief Accountant. Consistent with Latham culture, William serves as an accessible and valuable resource to clients, providing guidance and insight to deal teams and colleagues across the firm.

Winston Stromberg

Environment, Land & Resources Partner

Wolf-Tassilo Böhm

Dr. Wolf-Tassilo Böhm advises market-leading companies and private equity funds on EU data privacy and cybersecurity, particularly relating to business models in the digital economy. Mr. Böhm leverages a deep understanding of digital business models across industries to guide clients on: Data protection aspects of corporate transactions Counseling and strategic advice on products; international data transfers; and telecommunications data protection and ePrivacy laws Defense against EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) damages claims and other data protection related civil litigation Cybersecurity and cyber incident response He forges close relationships with companies to help them invest in digital business models and protect their assets. When data privacy is business-critical to a matter, he identifies potential issues, quantifies risk, and devises strategies that allow clients to achieve their commercial objectives. Mr. Böhm is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP-EU/GDPR) and regularly writes and speaks on data privacy topics. He serves on the firm’s Data Privacy and Security Committees. He maintains an active pro bono practice and advises on data privacy for nonprofit organizations.

Yana Nastyushenko

Yana Nastyushenko is a counsel in the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department and Derivatives and Structured Finance Practices. Yana advises clients on structured products and OTC derivatives transactions, typically cross-border and involving equity derivatives, margin loans, repos, and stock-lending trades, including in emerging markets. She also advises on structuring hedging solutions for a wide variety of financing and provides regulatory advice relating to derivatives.

Yohei Nakagawa

Yohei Nakagawa advises Japanese and international clients on a wide range of complex cross-border M&A transactions. Mr. Nakagawa draws on extensive experience across diverse sectors, including technology, life sciences, and media, to guide clients on: Outbound and inbound mergers and acquisitions Strategic investments International joint ventures Fully bilingual in Japanese and English, Mr. Nakagawa engages with clients and other parties seamlessly between both languages and brings a multicultural perspective to achieve commercial outcomes in complex cross-border M&A transactions. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Nakagawa was a partner at a leading international law firm in Tokyo, and has also practiced in the New York and Miami offices of his previous firm. Mr. Nakagawa is a member of the New York Bar and is a registered foreign lawyer (Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi) in Japan as a member of the Dai-Ni Tokyo Bar Association.

Yoseph Choi

Yoseph Choi is a member of the corporate finance team focusing on capital market transactions, with particular experience in US securities law. Yoseph has extensive experience representing companies in a variety of industries, investment banks, and other market participants on a wide range of public and private cross-border transactions, both with and without a US nexus, including initial public offerings, rights offerings, private placements, bond offerings, and tender and exchange offerings. Yoseph has also advised numerous international companies on US securities law matters on an ongoing basis. Prior to joining the firm as counsel in 2020, Yoseph was an associate at major US and German law firms. Yoseph is a member of the Frankfurt Bar Association.

Yvette Valdez

Yvette Valdez is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Yvette is Co-Chair of the Commodities and Derivatives Regulation and Enforcement Practice, head of the US derivatives regulatory practice, Co-Chair of the firm’s Global Digital Assets & Web3 Practice, and a member of the firm’s Financial Institutions and Fintech Industry Groups and Financial Regulatory and Derivatives Practices. Yvette advises emerging companies, financial institutions, and investment managers on complex regulatory challenges in the development of bespoke financial crypto-asset and cryptocurrency technologies including token launches, market infrastructure, trading, clearing, and settlement solutions on distributed ledger technology. She also advises clients on domestic and cross-border cutting-edge fintech initiatives in the derivatives markets. Yvette also has significant experience representing dealers, intermediaries, and end-users in connection with derivatives (swaps and futures) legal and regulatory matters under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Commodity Exchange Act, as well as related CFTC, SEC, and prudential regulation. Her regulatory practice consists of assisting foreign and domestic investment banks, futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, broker-dealers, and commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors with their derivatives regulatory compliance requirements as well as advising buy-side clients in connection with their margining, clearing, and trade execution requirements. Yvette also counsels clients in market infrastructure, trading, clearing, and settlement in the derivatives markets, including FBOTs, swap execution facilities, and designated contract markets. Yvette has extensive experience representing financial institutions in bespoke derivatives transactions, including interest rate and credit derivatives, foreign exchange transactions, total return swaps, commodity transactions, futures, and options. Yvette was named to Innovate Finance's 2018 Women in FinTech Powerlist in the Professional & Financial Services category in recognition of her leadership in the industry. Speaking Engagements ISDA Annual Legal Forum, Contractual Standards for Crypto Derivatives, October 2022 FIA Law & Compliance Division Conference, Ethics in Derivatives and Futures Law, April 2022 ISDA Conference, Developments in Crypto Derivatives, March 2022 DC Fintech Week, Crypto and ESG, October 2021 FIA Law & Compliance Division Conference, The Regulation of Digital Assets Panel, April 2021 ABA Derivatives and Futures Law Committee Virtual Winter Meeting 2021, Crypto and Fintech Developments Panel, January 2021 DC Fintech Week, Building Equity into Start-Ups: Lessons from Women in Fintech Panel, October 2020

Zachary Proulx

Zachary Proulx is a litigator who represents clients in complex commercial disputes and insolvency-related matters. Zachary handles financial institution litigation, insolvency litigation, and other high-stakes commercial disputes in state and federal courts. He advises clients across a broad range of industries and at all stages of civil litigation. In the complex commercial space, Zachary frequently counsels leading companies, financial institutions, and individuals in connection with: Breach of contract disputes Lender liability and credit disputes Fraudulent transfer claims Fiduciary duty claims Other complex business torts He has extensive experience in contested bankruptcy court proceedings and associated litigation. His clients in restructuring-related litigation include debtors, creditors, ad hoc lender groups, estate fiduciaries, and other stakeholders. Zachary also maintains an active pro bono practice, focusing on immigration matters. He previously served on the firm’s Training & Career Enhancement (TACE) Committee, which develops and oversees in-house training programs for associates. Prior to joining Latham, Zachary clerked for Judge Christopher C. Conner of the US District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Zachary graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School, where he served as an executive editor of the Michigan Law Review and received the Craig Spangenberg Oral Advocacy Award.

Zachary Rowen

Zach Rowen represents clients in M&A-related litigation, securities litigation, corporate governance, and other complex commercial litigation. Zach represents financial institutions, corporations, boards of directors, and individuals in high-profile matters, including: Shareholder derivative litigation Merger and takeover disputes Securities class action suits Professional liability litigation Zach draws on extensive experience in state and federal courts, particularly the Delaware Court of Chancery and the Delaware Supreme Court, and has achieved victories both at trial and on appeal. Given his familiarity litigating disputes arising from M&A transactions, Zach often provides pre-litigation counsel to clients on the risks of business decisions, including SPAC and de-SPAC transactions. He also has previous transactional experience, allowing him to bring a keen understanding of the full life cycle of a transaction and the subsequent litigation risks. Zach clerked for Judge J. Gerald Pappert of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He also interned for then-Chief Justice Myron T. Steele of the Delaware Supreme Court and Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster of the Delaware Court of Chancery.

Zachary N. Eddington

Zachary Eddington’s practice focuses on national security reviews before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and complex commercial litigation. In his CFIUS practice, Zachary has represented clients in several filed cases and has frequently advised clients on whether CFIUS has jurisdiction to review transactions and whether filings are required or advisable. He also has experience assisting clients with the negotiation and implementation of mitigation agreements and responses to inquiries regarding transactions for which filings were not made. In his litigation practice, Zachary has drafted or contributed to numerous briefs about a range of constitutional, statutory, and administrative law issues. He also has experience with various aspects of discovery. Zachary clerked for Judge Jerry Smith of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Before law school, he served as an intelligence analyst for the US Department of Defense in Washington and Baghdad.