William A. McConagha > Latham & Watkins LLP > Los Angeles, United States > Lawyer Profile

Latham & Watkins LLP’s client base ranges from globally recognized life sciences businesses to biopharma and biotech start-ups. The busy practice is active across a range of life sciences industry sectors, from pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to cosmeceuticals and food tech. The team’s key areas of activity include complex corporate transactions such as M&A, with experts including Julie Scallen. Also on the transactional side, Shayne Kennedy focuses on capital markets along with Matthew Bush and Nathan Ajiashvili, while Cheston Larson advises on financing. Through its development of licensing structures and facilitation of commercial transactions, the team has been active in the funding of drug development and commercialization. The firm also handles litigation matters such as IP disputes, counting on experts such as Arlene Chow, as well as regulatory and legislative strategies; Ben Haas is a key figure in the latter. Among the practice’s key figures are also John Manthei and Elizabeth M. Richards, both experts in FDA regulatory matters, and Terra Reynolds, in white-collar defense and investigations. In 2024, litigation and regulatory specialists Jennifer L. Bragg and William McConagha joined the practice from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and in April 2025, Kate Hillier  joined from Cooley LLP.

Latham & Watkins LLP offers strategic guidance to clients navigating complex regulatory challenges, government investigations, and high-stakes litigations. The firm’s white-collar practice specializes in handling matters related to securities fraud, antitrust violations, bribery, and other matters. Alice S. Fisher, a leading lawyer in the white-collar field, is highly regarded for her extensive expertise in corporate investigations and enforcement matters. She is joined by Douglas Greenburg, who brings great experience in white-collar criminal matters and SEC enforcement proceedings. Both are based in Washington DC  and are celebrated for their impressive legal acumen and leadership within their respective areas of specialization. Kevin Andrew Chambers  in Washington DC who draws on government experience to represent clients in white-collar, securities, and professional liability matters. Terra Reynolds  in Chicago focuses on healthcare and life sciences, defending clients against healthcare fraud allegations, including the FCA and AKS. Doug Yatter in New York advises clients in financial services and fintech on government inquiries, internal investigations, and regulatory issues. Jude Volek , Benjamin Naftalis also in New York represent clients in regulatory enforcement matters, government and internal investigations.  Jennifer Bragg , William McConagha, and Margaret Graham joined in 2024, and Jason Ohta was promoted in 2024, further strengthening the firm’s bench.