The practice at Latham & Watkins has Sarah Gadd at its helm, who has expertise in advising on the full array of employment, benefit and incentives issues. The team has the capacity to guide clients through the scheme elements of complex and high-value international transactions, such as acquisitions and takeovers; this is an area of particular specialism for Kendall Burnett who is active across the scope of the team’s work. The team is also equipped to assist with employee-related aspects of corporate governance and financial regulations, and on the life cycle of share schemes. Rebecca Servian bolstered the group with her April 2024 arrival from Ashurst.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Rebecca Servian is a delight to work with. Focused on client delivery and a great team player.’

  • ‘Rebecca Servian consistently provides exemplary service. She provides advice which demonstrates a strong understanding of the technical aspects and nuances of employee share incentives, but it is always perfectly balanced with our practical needs.’

  • ‘The team is very collaborative and has a good range of expertise at multiple levels. They turned complicated projects and changing instructions into what felt like straightforward, easy to understand deliverables, with excellent advice that was clear to follow and applicable for our goals.’

  • 'Kendall Burnett is a noteworthy team member.’

  • ‘Rebecca Servian is an asset to the team - hardworking, determined and knowledgeable, and very well-versed in listed company transactions. An extremely competent project manager also.’

Key clients

  • Abcam plc
  • ArchiMed
  • BenevolentAI
  • Biffa Bidco
  • Block M Shareholders (Lightsource bp)
  • Cadence Design Systems
  • Checkout Technology
  • CoStar Group
  • Darktrace plc
  • Farfetch plc
  • Fidelity National Information Services
  • Lithia Motors, Inc
  • Secret Escapes
  • Solgold
  • Tapestry, Inc.
  • Tyman plc
  • Viasat, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Advised Abcam plc on its $5.7bn takeover by Danaher Corporation.
  • Advised a client on the transactional aspects of its acquisition, and in relation to the treatment of the target’s share-based incentives across a number of different plans, including tax qualifying awards, in connection with the transaction.
  • Advised Lithia Motors, Inc. on its acquisition of Pendragon plc alongside the formation of a strategic joint partnership with Pendragon in North America for the sale of dealer management software.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Sarah Gadd

Other key lawyers

Rebecca Servian, Kendall Burnett