Yvette Valdez > Latham & Watkins LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Based in New York, Latham & Watkins LLP covers the full range of over-the-counter and exchange-traded derivatives products, advising on swap, option and structured-note transactions involving interest rates, currencies, commodities, securities and credit, as well as derivatives relating to cryptocurrencies and digital assets. In addition to housing a robust commodities and derivatives regulation and enforcement practice, other key areas of expertise include equity-linked products and acting for US and international lenders and borrowers on margin loan transactions. Rafal Gawlowski chairs the financial institutions industry group and Witold Balaban, who splits his time between the firm’s New York and London offices, is noted for his standout experience advising on equity derivatives. Yvette Valdez acts for emerging companies, financial institutions and investment managers on regulatory issues associated with crypto-assets, and jointly leads the commodities and derivatives regulation and enforcement practice alongside enforcement expert Douglas Yatter. Courtenay Myers Lima advises on the structuring and distribution of innovative structured products, while Catherine Lee and Reza Mojtabaee-Zamani focus on equity-linked matters. Eric Rice, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, is another key contact in the group.

Latham & Watkins LLP stands out for its comprehensive advice to major financial institutions, global banks, investment firms, broker-dealers, trade associations and large fund complexes. Within this field of expertise, the team is regularly retained for derivates regulation, restructurings, financings, fintech matters and compliance with FINRA, NFA and SEC rulemaking, with further emphasis on broker-dealer IPO and other registered securities transactions. The three-partner leadership team in New York is made up of Stephen Wink, Alan Avery and Yvette Valdez, focused on securities regulatory, federal and state banking laws, and digital assets, respectively. As co-chair of the firm’s global digital assets and Web3 practice, Valdez is a key contact for derivatives work as well as cryptocurrency matters. Counsel Pia Naib is another standout for work relating to crypto assets, showcasing further expertise in anti-money laundering and issues relating to the US Bank Holding Company Act. Arthur Long joined the team in September 2022, previously at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.

Latham & Watkins LLP‘s lawyers are ‘able to opine not only on “nuts and bolts” legal issues, but also market trends and norms where legal clarity is lacking‘. The firm has built up an excellent track record on fintech transactions and their regulatory implications, where it represents a mix of established technology companies, startups, and investment funds. The transactional side ranges from IPOs and M&A, through to joint venture agreements, data protection and broker-dealer arrangements. Coupled with this is an increasingly strong track record in blockchain and cryptocurrency. Yvette Valdez  jointly leads the team with fellow New York partner Stephen Wink  who is praised for his ‘great experience and depth of knowledge‘. Barrie VanBrackle, a recent high profile recruit from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, ‘really understands the intersection of fintechs and banking‘. Clients also rate Mitchell Rabinowitz  and Jenny Cieplak  (New York) for their ‘deep expertise’. Todd Beauchamp is another well regarded partner. All partners are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.