Stelios Saffos > Latham & Watkins LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Latham & Watkins LLP has an extensive capital markets practice, covering the full range of equity and debt transactions. The firm is widely recognized for its extensive issuer-side relationships, although it is also a major player in underwriter-side engagements. It has also achieved significant growth in investment grade bond deals in recent years, advising on deals worth nearly $93bn during 2023. The firm is active in offerings linked to the funding of acquisitions. Along with New York, the firm has capital markets specialists across its US network, including Chicago, Washington DC and Los Angeles. New York managing partner Marc Jaffe is a major name in equity and debt offerings with Corey Wright bringing extensive knowledge in debt transactions, including high-yield. Global chair of capital markets Ian Schuman has a fine record in convertible debt and high-yield debt offerings. Stelios Saffos and Greg Rodgers are also key names, the latter noted for his expertise in convertible debt. All individuals are based in New York.

Latham & Watkins LLP stands out for its strength in both debt and equity offerings, and its balance between issuer and underwriter engagements. It has an outstanding presence in domestic transactions and offerings by non-US issuers. The firm is also unique as an international firm focused on start-ups, growth companies and large listed businesses. With its multi-office strategy, it has remained closely connected to key industries such as technology and life sciences, providing a steady stream of marquee deals. Ian Schuman is global chair of the capital markets practice and Richard Kline heads the technology industry group. Stelios Saffos and Los Angeles partner Greg Rodgers are also key figures, along with Marc Jaffe, Nathan Ajiashvili  and Alison Haggerty. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Latham & Watkins LLP routinely handles high-profile and headline deals in the market, including IPOs, investment grade debt and high-yield debt offerings. Its geographical reach and global reputation provides it with a wealth of clients and top engagements. It has continued to advise on headline offerings from around the world, including from Europe, Israel, Asia and Canada. It remains actively involved in the Israeli market, representing a number of issuers and underwriters on headline offerings. Marc Jaffe and global head of capital markets Ian Schuman are leaders in international offerings. Key figures also include Nathan Ajiashvili , who has a fine record in the life sciences sector, and Stelios Saffos. All are based in New York.

Latham & Watkins LLP is at the forefront of the high-yield market, being equally strong in both issuer and underwriter side engagements. With a core team of capital markets specialists in New York that have extensive experience in high-yield, it has a range of sector experts in multiple offices around the country, including Houston, Washington DC, Chicago and several California offices. Marc Jaffe is managing partner of the New York office and a rounded capital markets specialist with deep expertise in high yield. Ian Schuman is global head of the capital markets team and another prominent figure in this space, as is Stelios Saffos, who is vice-chair of the global group. Corey Wright is a leading name in high-yield bond and bank financings.

Latham & Watkins LLP offers a broad nationwide corporate governance practice, catering to an array of Fortune 500 companies on a key matters including ESG issues, shareholder proposals, SEC reporting and corporate investigations. The team has deep agency experience, comprising many former SEC senior officials and experienced corporate practitioners. Ian Schuman, Jenna Cooper, Stelios Saffos and Keith Halverstam  jointly steer the practice from New York, brining their comprehensive expertise in various corporate governance matters. Elsewhere, Julia Thompson focuses on company representation and securities regulation matters, while Washington DC-based Joel H. Trotter is distinguished for his ability to handle complex issues arising under the US securities laws.