Latham & Watkins LLP

Thomas Forschbach

Thomas Forschbach is a partner in Latham & Watkins' London and Paris offices. Mergers and acquisitions Private Equity Capital markets

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 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 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

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.

Finance Counsel

Abid R. Qureshi

Abid Riaz Qureshi represents clients in government investigations, regulatory proceedings, and complex commercial litigation, drawing on more than two decades of successful trial experience. Abid helps clients navigate complex, high-value disputes in state and federal courts, in arbitrations, and in settlement negotiations. He regularly handles matters involving: False Claims Act Healthcare fraud and abuse claims Federal securities laws As an experienced trial lawyer, Abid has established an impressive track record, including winning on behalf of a client the highest-value arbitration award in Latham’s history. He meticulously prepares a case to understand how a dispute impacts a client’s business and to develop a winning strategy. In the courtroom, Abid is skilled at controlling the course of the case on cross-examination. Complementing his commercial litigation practice, Abid handles internal corporate investigations, governmental inquiries, and regulatory proceedings. He has particular facility with managing large multi-faceted investigations on behalf of international companies, drawing on experience investigating two of the largest healthcare fraud cases in the country. Leadership Abid served as Co-Chair of the Washington, D.C. office Litigation Department and as Global Chair of Latham’s Pro Bono Committee. Under his leadership, Latham increased pro bono efforts to provide more than 200,000 hours of free legal services annually. He has a long history of providing pro bono legal advice to the Muslim Alliance and immigrants’ rights groups. He received the Servant of Justice Award from the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia and the Impact Award from the Capital Area Muslim Bar Association in 2018. He currently serves as the Recruiting Committee Chair. In September 2016, President Obama nominated Abid to fill a vacancy on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

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 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, 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 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.

Finance Partner

Adam Ravin is counsel in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Adam is a member of the Finance Department and Restructuring & Special Situations Practice. Adam concentrates on chapter 11 representations, particularly on behalf of debtors, but also on behalf of secured and unsecured creditors and third-party acquirers. He has advised clients in a variety of sectors including manufacturing, retailing, mortgage lending, commercial real estate, chemicals production, air transportation, and oil and gas exploration.

Adam J. Sullins

Adam L. Kestenbaum

Adam Kestenbaum, Local Chair of the Tax Department in the Washington, D.C. office of Latham & Watkins, focuses on executive compensation and employee benefits matters. He advises on all types of compensation arrangements and benefit plans and in a variety of industries, with extensive experience working with oil and gas companies and master limited partnerships. As a member of the Tax Department, Retirement Committee, and global Benefits, Compensation & Employment Practice, Adam works with public and private companies, private equity sponsors, and executives, with particular focus on: Compensation and benefits issues that arise in corporate mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, financings, spin-offs, and other corporate transactions Negotiating and drafting executive employment and separation agreements Designing incentive and equity-based compensation programs and deferred compensation plans 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 Adam was recently named a Rising Star by Law360, which recognizes “attorneys under 40 whose legal accomplishments transcend their age.” Prior to joining Latham & Watkins, Adam served as a law clerk to then-Vice Chancellor, now Chief Justice Leo E. Strine, Jr. of the Delaware Court of Chancery and Delaware Supreme Court.

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.

Adrien Giraud is a partner in Latham & Watkins’ Paris office and a member of the firm’s Global Antitrust & Competition Practice. He specializes in French and European competition law and has significant experience in merger control, behavioral antitrust matters (including damages claims), and State aid. Adrien has 20+ years of experience advising French and international clients in complex EU and French merger cases and in some of the most significant antitrust investigations of recent years. His experience also encompasses civil antitrust damages litigation, an area in which he has represented clients in proceedings before the French courts. Furthermore, Adrien advises companies and public authorities on state aid compliance and assists them with European Commission state aid investigations and related litigation before the European courts. Adrien is a member of the board of directors and general secretary of the Association des avocats pratiquant le droit de la concurrence. (APDC). He is also founder and president of l’Entente, a Brussels-based association of French-speaking antitrust professionals. A recognized thought leader, Adrien frequently contributes to publications on EU and French competition law (“EU Competition Law and Pharmaceuticals” book, part of the New Horizons in Competition Law and Economics series, Edward Elgar editions, 2022; Lamy Droit Economique, Article 102 Chapter, Wolters Kluwer, 2019).

Ahmed el-Gaili, Co-Chair of the Middle East Corporate Department, 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. Ahmed 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.

Alfred C. Pfeiffer, Jr., former Global Vice Chair of Latham’s Litigation & Trial Department and former Co-Chair of the Antitrust & Competition Practice, represents clients in civil antitrust matters and other complex commercial disputes. Al, a trial lawyer, represents Fortune 500 companies across industries in high-stakes antitrust and complex commercial litigation. Drawing on more than 30 years of trial experience, he guides clients to successful resolutions, regularly winning at all stages of litigation, including when cases go to trial. He has developed a particular focus on antitrust claims involving dominant firm conduct. Al's work includes representing clients, as both plaintiffs and defendants, in dozens of jurisdictions across the country, including: Federal district courts United States Courts of Appeal for the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits Arbitration tribunals He has also successfully represented clients involved in investigations conducted by the US Department of Justice and the California Attorney General. Al has been active for many years in the leadership of the ABA’s Section on Antitrust. He serves on the Long Range Planning Committee and previously served on the leadership Council, as chair of the Intellectual Property Committee, on the Committee Operations Task Force, and as chair of the Communications Industry Committee. He co-authored the ABA Antitrust Section’s Telecom Antitrust Handbook.

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 Mendelson represents emerging and public growth companies, primarily in the life sciences industry. He served as the Co-chair of the firm’s Emerging Companies Practice from 2001 to 2013 and currently is Co-chair of the Life Sciences Industry Group. Mr. Mendelson has handled and supervised a variety of major business transactions.

Corporate Partner

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 M&A and international private equity transactions, as well as across the life cycle of their investments. Alejandro draws on decades of public and private M&A experience, having helped clients navigate more than 40 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, Alejandro is a lecturer on commercial law at the Complutense University and on mergers and acquisitions at ICADE and IE in Madrid.

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. Alena 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 Alena’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, Alena has built strong ties into Latham’s US litigation practice. Alena 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.

Alessia De Coppi

Alessia De Coppi structures and executes a range of complex financings on behalf of private equity firms, financial institutions, and companies. Drawing on her experience in multifaceted and novel transactions, Alessia handles the full spectrum of banking and finance matters on behalf of Italian and international entities. She serves a number of leading private equity and institutional clients as well as a mix of financial institutions, including commercial banks, investment banks, and direct lenders. Alessia’s practice work includes: Acquisition finance Debt capital markets Direct lending Corporate finance Private equity finance Restructuring Alessia brings particular experience navigating intricate and cross-border financings involving bespoke deal structures. She collaborates effectively with multijurisdictional teams to close transactions in an expeditious manner, while achieving clients’ broader business and legal objectives. Alessia served as local leader of the Women Enriching Business Committee and the Women Lawyers Group in Latham’s Milan office. She has previously served as a member of the firm’s Mentoring and Training & Career Enhancement (TACE) Committees.

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 Crosthwaite

Alexander Crosthwaite is a partner in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. He focuses on complex mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, public company representation, as well as securities laws.

Alexander Benedetti

Alexander Benedetti is a partner in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins. He primarily handles mergers and acquisitions, with particular emphasis on private equity and leveraged buyout (LBO) acquisitions. He regularly advises companies in a variety of general corporate matters, including governance issues, joint venture, recapitalization, restructuring transactions, securities law, and regulatory issues. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Benedetti practiced for eight years at a leading global law firm.

Alexander Lentz

Dr. Alexander Lentz is a member of the corporate finance team, focusing on capital market transactions and structured and hybrid capital solutions. In the last several years, Alexander has advised corporate clients in various industries, sponsors, and investment banks on various high-yield bond, liability management, structured, and hybrid capital transactions, as well as financial restructurings, with a particular focus on the DACH region. Prior to joining the firm in 2010, Alexander was an associate for three years at another US law firm. Alexander advises on: Complex high-yield bond transactions (both under US and German law), including related liability management transactions Structured and hybrid capital solutions (including hybrid and convertible loans/bonds, perpetual bonds, and structured/preferred equity solutions) 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) Capital markets transactions in the context of financial restructurings Sustainability-linked and green bonds

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 F. Cohen

Alex Cohen advises clients and Latham lawyers facing thorny issues arising under the US securities laws. As Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins’ National Office in Washington, D.C., he draws on his experience as a senior official at the SEC and decades of capital markets practice. Alex helps clients navigate: Complex securities transactions Registration and reporting with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Accounting restatements SEC investigations He is well-regarded in the global capital markets for advising non-US clients on US securities law matters, and spent 2001-2006 in Latham’s London and Hong Kong offices. Consistent with Latham culture, Alex serves as an accessible and valuable resource, providing guidance and insight to deal teams and colleagues throughout the firm. Alex served as the SEC’s Deputy General Counsel for Legal Policy and Administrative Practice and later as Deputy Chief of Staff. During his time at the SEC, he advised the SEC Chairman on highly sensitive questions across all aspects of the agency’s work, including the SEC’s response to the 2008 financial crisis. He also worked closely with the Chairman, Commissioners, and senior agency staff to develop and implement SEC rulemakings. He served as a law clerk to Judge Wilfred Feinberg of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Alexander Stefan Rieger

Dr. Alexander “Stefan” Rieger, Regional Chair of the firm’s Corporate Department in Continental Europe, is widely recognized for advising clients on complex M&A transactions and projects in the international infrastructure and energy sector. Stefan’s clients include leading infrastructure funds, pension funds, insurance companies, private equity investors, and corporates from around the globe. By utilizing his background as a straight-forward infrastructure lawyer, Stefan adds value rarely available in the market at the interface between infrastructure and M&A.

Alexandra Hagelüken

Alexandra Hagelüken advises creditors and borrowers on complex national and cross-border financings, drawing on more than two decades of experience with German and English law transactions. Alexandra formerly served as Co-Vice Chair of the firm’s Global Finance Department. Alexandra regularly advises on: Acquisition financing transactions Infrastructure financings Financial restructurings General corporate lending She excels at establishing long-term relationships with clients who value her pragmatic and unflappable approach. With a keen knowledge of both the products and the players in the German market, she has become a trusted advisor for clients pursuing landmark and innovative deals.

Alexandra Kelly

Corporate Partner

Litigation & Trial Counsel

Alfred Xue serves as Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Banking Practice. Alfred is a member of the Private Capital, Banking, Capital Markets, and Restructuring & Special Situations Practices. He represents private credit funds, lead arrangers, direct lenders, and other financial institutions in leveraged finance transactions, with a particular focus on cross-border transactions and acquisition financings. Over the past five years, Alfred has led more than 120 unitranche, direct lending, and syndicated loan transactions with an issuance value exceeding US$95 billion. 30 of these transactions have issuance values over US$1 billion. Alfred representative clients include various private credit funds, investment banks, direct lenders, leading domestic banks, and leading European financial institutions, including: Apollo Barclays Bank Citibank Goldman Sachs Golub Capital Markets HPS Investment Partners Jefferies Finance JPMorgan Chase Bank Morgan Stanley Royal Bank of Canada Stone Point Capital He is also a member of Latham’s Finance Department’s Opinions and Confirmations Committee and formerly served on the firm’s Recruiting Committee. Recognition Highlights Recognized for Banking & Finance by Chambers USA 2021-2024 Described as “highly rated” and recommended for Commercial Lending, The Legal 500 US Leading Lawyer for Commercial Lending, The Legal 500 US 2023-2024 Next Generation Partner for Commercial Lending, The Legal 500 US 2017-2022 Named a Top 500 Leading Dealmaker in America by LawDragon 2021-2024 Named a Rising Star for Banking by IFLR 1000 2021-2023 Named a Rising Star for Banking by Law360 2020 Named a Rising Star by the New York Law Journal 2019 “Leads complex financings for an exceptional roster of clients around the world” NYLJ Rising Star Awards 2019

Alice S. Fisher

Alice Fisher serves as Latham's General Counsel and is a partner in Latham’s Washington, D.C. office. She focuses her practice on white collar criminal investigations and internal investigations, and advises clients on a range of criminal matters and civil government enforcement matters. Alice has significant experience with corporate investigations and enforcement matters and frequently provides strategic counsel to corporations on managing the legal risks of operating in a global economy. She has particular experience in: International criminal matters relating to alleged bribery under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and other anti-corruption laws, economic and export sanctions, and other cross border investigations Criminal and civil fraud matters such as healthcare fraud, accounting and securities fraud, and procurement fraud Government enforcement inquiries and investigations in front of the US Department of Justice (DOJ), including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Consumer Fraud Protection Bureau, and Congress Alice previously served on Latham's Executive Committee and as Managing Partner of the firm's Washington, D.C. office. From 2005-2008, she served as assistant attorney general in charge of the Criminal Division of the US DOJ. As assistant attorney general, Alice led more than 750 attorneys and staff responsible for federal criminal enforcement policy as well as handling criminal matters in federal courts across the country in all areas of federal criminal law enforcement. Under her leadership, the Criminal Division pursued a broad array of federal criminal investigations and prosecutions, with particular focus on corporate fraud matters, including securities fraud, procurement fraud, financial institution fraud, anti-money laundering, healthcare fraud, computer hacking and cyber security, national security, as well as US-domestic and international corruption. Alice also chaired the National Procurement Fraud Task Force, supervised the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, and served as a member of the President's Corporate Fraud Task Force. She handled various transnational and multinational law enforcement operations and policies, including bilateral agreements and treaties involving information sharing and global criminal enforcement initiatives. Representing the DOJ in front of Congress, Alice testified on criminal enforcement policies and served on the Federal Criminal Rules Committee. Alice previously held other positions in government, including deputy special counsel to a US Senate Special Committee. Alice has published articles and spoken on criminal law topics such as the criminalization of corporate conduct, the FCPA, healthcare and procurement fraud, the False Claims Act, the US criminal enforcement environment, public corruption and the honest services statute, financial crime in the financial services industry, securities fraud, identity theft, cybercrime, and national security. She is also an elected member of The American Law Institute.

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.

Allen Wang is a partner in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Wang practices corporate law, with a focus on: Capital markets Mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings Public company representation Mr. Wang has worked on domestic and international capital markets transactions (including high yield bonds, IPOs, investment grade debt, convertibles, and other products), mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings in a variety of industries, including life sciences, technology, media, gaming, and financial institutions. His clients include domestic and international companies and investment banks, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan, and Deutsche Bank Securities. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Wang worked as an associate in the general practice group at a leading law firm in New York and as an investment banking associate in the financial institutions group at Morgan Stanley in New York, where he advised on capital markets and M&A transactions.

Allen M. Gardner

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 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.

Allyson M. Maltas

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 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.

Mandy Reeves, recognized as one of the top antitrust lawyers in the world, is a partner in the Litigation & Trial Department. She is the Office Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C. office, and formerly served as Global Chair of Latham’s Band 1 Global Antitrust & Competition Practice. Mandy is a sought after global leader in the antitrust bar, who clients turn to for sophisticated advice and representation in their toughest matters. She secures key victories for clients, whether it involves developing a creative strategy to work constructively with global regulators when obtaining regulatory approval, aggressively proceeding through trial successfully, or advising and leading the charge in defending novel monopolization claims in confidential investigations or landmark litigations. Her work cuts across all industries including high-tech, entertainment, sports, media, communications, life sciences, healthcare, semiconductors, agriculture, automotive, retail, and consumer products. Recently, over the span of 6 months, Mandy successfully tried two antitrust merger litigations against the DOJ (U.S. Sugar/Imperial Sugar and Booz-Allen/Everwatch), in addition to obtaining unconditional clearance for MGM’s US$7 billion sale to Amazon and Affera’s US$1 billion sale to Medtronic following FTC Second Requests, among others. Mandy previously served as Attorney Advisor to Commissioner J. Thomas Rosch at the Federal Trade Commission and is a sought after speaker and writer on antitrust issues. She is an active member of the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Section, where she previously served on the Section’s Governing Council and chairs the Annual Law & Economics Institute for Judges, a three-day intensive training program, which trains federal judges in antitrust law and economics. Mandy has served in multiple management roles at Latham including her previous position as the Global Chair of the firm’s Mentoring Committee. She is a past Finalist for the American Lawyer’s Mentor of the Year. Prior to joining Latham, Mandy clerked for Judge Mary Beck Briscoe, former Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and for Judge John G. Heyburn II, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.

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, 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 Beckingham, Vice Chair of the firm’s Global Corporate Department, advises clients across Asia on full spectrum of corporate transactions. Ms. Beckingham advises private equity, real estate, infrastructure, sovereign wealth, and venture capital funds, as well as emerging and listed companies on corporate transactions including: Public and private M&A and joint ventures Fundraising Restructuring Initial public offerings She draws on broad experience handling transactions across the region, regularly advising clients throughout the full lifecycle of their investments — from early stage to IPO exits. Resident in Asia since 2011, first in Hong Kong and now based in Singapore — Ms. Beckingham has advised clients across the region, from China to India. And she has advised private equity clients on IPO exits in Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Ms. Beckingham combines a client-focused, responsive, and commercial sensibility with a keen sense of market practice across the region, to provide strong advocacy for her clients.

Litigation & Trial Counsel

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 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.

Andrea Ramezan-Jackson

Andrea Ramezan-Jackson represents clients on corporate and partnership taxation. Her experience includes representing US and non-US corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies as well as private equity and venture capital funds with respect to tax matters pertaining to domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and reorganizations as well as financings, initial public offerings (including Up-C and SPAC transactions), divestitures, and other restructuring transactions.

Andrea Stincardini

Andrea Stincardini is an associate in the Milan office of Latham & Watkins. He primarily handles corporate law matters, with particular experience in: Mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and private equity deals Divestitures Strategic commercial contracts Corporate governance Venture capital

Andrea Schwartzman

Andrea Schwartzman advises clients on the formation and ongoing operations of a broad range of private investment vehicles. Nationally recognized as a leading investment funds lawyer, Andrea delivers practical and business-focused advice to private fund sponsors and asset managers at all stages and sizes, as well as institutional investors. She advises clients on various types of fund formation across a range of investment areas, including the buyout, energy and infrastructure, technology, and credit spaces. Andrea’s work encompasses a variety of matters in the private capital space, including: Fund formation GP-led secondary transactions Internal sponsor economic arrangements Joint ventures Strategic transactions, including the acquisition of investment managers Andrea also frequently provides pro bono counsel to various nonprofit organizations on general business matters. Andrea regularly speaks and writes on key issues concerning the investment funds space, including for leading industry conferences and publications. Andrea previously served as Global Vice Chair of the Associates Committee.

Andrea Hogan is a partner in the San Francisco office of Latham & Watkins, and is the local Chair of the firm’s Environment, Land & Resources Department. Ms. Hogan's practice focuses on environmental litigation and regulatory matters.

Andrea Monks, Deputy Managing Partner of the London office, advises leading financial institutions on their most significant disputes and contentious regulatory matters, both domestically and in a cross-border context. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Andrea helps a range of banks, asset managers, hedge funds, and other key participants in the financial services sector to navigate highly complex and sensitive disputes. She brings particular experience handling contentious regulatory investigations, having been involved in nearly all of the key global regulatory investigations to occur in recent years. Her work includes counseling clients in relation to risk management, internal investigations, and regulatory enforcement. An accomplished litigator, Andrea has been at the helm of a number of test cases, group actions, and precedent-setting matters in the UK involving the banking industry. She has taken cases all the way to the Supreme Court. Her practice encompasses complex and structured products disputes, insolvency disputes, trade and asset finance disputes, loan syndicate disputes, and disputes following on from regulatory findings. A former in-house banking lawyer, Andrea leverages her sophisticated industry knowledge and experience to help clients achieve their commercial objectives, including through settlements and other alternative forms of dispute resolution. Andrea also provides general commercial litigation representation, including in connection with contract disputes, fraud and asset-tracing, joint venture and supply chain disputes, and aviation disputes.

Andreas Lönner

Dr. Andreas Lönner is a counsel in the Hamburg office and practices in the Corporate Department. Mr. Lönner specializes in mergers and acquisitions and general corporate advice. He has specific expertise in stock corporation and capital markets law as well as complex reorganizations. Prior to joining Latham & Watkins, Mr. Lönner was an assistant to Prof. Dr. Gerald Spindler at the chair of corporate law at the University of Göttingen. During his practical legal training Mr. Lönner worked at a law firm in San Francisco.

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 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 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 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 Lundberg

Litigation Partner

Andrew Gray represents companies, financial institutions, boards of directors, and individuals in complex commercial litigation including securities class action lawsuits, corporate control and merger disputes, government investigation and enforcement actions, and other complex matters. Andrew represents industry-leading companies, officers, directors, professional service organizations, and financial institutions in connection with: Securities class actions Shareholder derivative litigation Fraud allegations Mergers and acquisitions litigation Battles for corporate control Government enforcement actions Internal investigations Other complex, high-exposure litigation Andrew has helped numerous clients achieve highly favorable jury verdicts, as well as dismissals at the motion to dismiss and summary judgment stages, including multiple victories for clients in the technology and software industries. Andrew previously served as a clerk to Judge Kim Wardlaw on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Prior to attending law school, Andrew was a teacher at Loyola High School of Los Angeles where he also coached football and basketball. Andrew is the former Chair of the Litigation & Trial Department in Orange County, has served on the firm's Associates Committee and Pro Bono Committee, and he participates in the firm's pro bono program. He is on the Boards of Directors of the Orange County Federal Bar Association, the Orange County chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Community Legal Aid SoCal, and Human Options, a non-profit dedicated to stopping the cycle of domestic violence.

Andy Gass is an acclaimed antitrust and IP lawyer who represents technology companies in their highest-stakes disputes. Andy is the architect of the firm’s decorated copyright practice and teaches a course titled “Copyright, Competition & Technology” at the UC Berkeley School of Law. He serves a wide range of clients, from early-stage startups to the largest companies in the world, as a trusted counselor and lead litigator. In that capacity, Andy has shaped the highest-profile, most cutting-edge issues in digital copyright law in the past decade, whether by resolving a matter behind the scenes, advocating in regulatory proceedings, or trying a case in US federal court. Andy regularly writes and speaks on issues related to the legal rules that govern artificial intelligence products, internet platforms, streaming services, and other topics. Before joining Latham, he was a law clerk to the late Honorable Stephen F. Williams on the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Andrew Parlen, head of the firm’s US Restructuring & Special Situations Practice, represents clients in a broad range of complex distressed situations. Andrew draws on extensive experience representing public and private companies, ad hoc creditor groups, and investors in navigating: Out-of-court restructurings Prepackaged and prearranged chapter 11 reorganizations Debtor-in-possession financings Acquisitions of distressed companies He has played pivotal roles in high-profile restructurings in diverse industries, including media, retail, industrials, pharmaceuticals, power, exploration and production services, financial services, healthcare, and homebuilding.

Andrew Clubok is Global Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Securities Litigation & Professional Liability Practice. Based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. and New York offices, he is a premier, go-to trial lawyer for complex, bet-the-company disputes. Andrew has diverse experience in trial, appellate, and administrative litigation across a wide range of substantive areas including securities law, tax litigation, environmental litigation, telecommunications, restructuring, and commercial litigation. Andrew is a go-to trial lawyer for some of the world’s biggest brands and has obtained complete defense verdicts and/or dismissals of dozens of securities class actions, shareholder derivative lawsuits, and arbitrations, including those involving IPO-related alleged misconduct, mortgage-backed securities, “short swing profits,” “naked short selling,” and federal preemption. He has tried numerous complex commercial and regulatory matters on behalf of automotive manufacturers, telecommunications providers, defense contractors, Internet companies, and major financial institutions. Andrew also regularly counsels clients on a wide range of matters, including Sarbanes-Oxley, antitrust, TCPA, FDCPA, federal election law, and regulatory compliance. Andrew served as a law clerk for Judge Frank J. Battisti of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. He is a current Trustee and former Board Member for the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.

Finance 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 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.

Ann Marie Wahls

Litigation Partner

Ann Buckingham has extensive experience representing companies on transformational, complex, and cross-border joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on the communications, technology, real estate, gaming, and energy sectors. Ann serves as primary outside corporate counsel for a range of public and private companies, and also advises on LLC and partnership structures, general corporate and securities matters, and capital markets transactions.

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.

Finance Counsel

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.

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.

Annie E. S. Froehlich

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.

Anthony Klein counsels emerging growth and established technology and service companies, negotiating their strategic alliances and technology/IP-related transactions. He serves as Global Co-Chair of Latham’s Connectivity Industry Group, and previously served as Global Co-Chair of the Data & Technology Transactions Practice, Chair of the Firm's Security Committee, and Chair of the Firm's Technology Committee. Anthony provides clients practical legal advice to facilitate their strategic business transactions. He leverages a sophisticated understanding of the intricacies of dynamic technologies, drawing on more than 30 years of experience in Silicon Valley and around the world. He regularly advises clients active in the following industries: Semiconductor design and manufacture, including IoT applications Transportation, including aviation, and connected and autonomous vehicles eCommerce, internet services, and retail and commercial products Medical devices and digital therapeutics AI solutions Cloud computing Anthony routinely structures, prepares, and negotiates US and cross-border agreements for: Strategic alliances and joint ventures Commercial development, manufacturing, and distribution arrangements Technology and intellectual property licensing and transfers IP aspects of M&A transactions

Anthony J. Richmond

Tony Richmond serves market-leading companies on large-scale and cross-border corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions and public financings. Tony previously served as Co-Chair of the Retail & Consumer Products Industry Group. Tony regularly represents private equity investors and their portfolio companies in significant transactions and acts as outside general counsel for several public companies. He excels at maintaining long-term relationships with sophisticated clients, leveraging his experience facilitating more than US$130 billion in public financings in the last 10 years. Tony chairs the firm’s Audit Committee as well as the Initiatives Committee. Prior to his legal career, he worked with a Big 4 public accounting firm. He is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (inactive status).

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.

Antonio Coletti

Antonio Coletti advises clients on a variety of capital markets, M&A, and general corporate matters, with a particular focus on equity and debt offerings. Widely recognized as one of Italy’s leading corporate lawyers, Antonio advises a mix of private equity firms, companies, and investment banks that do business in Italy. He handles a range of notable transactional matters, including equity and debt capital markets offerings and public mergers and acquisitions. His work also includes public company representation matters. Drawing on more than two decades of capital markets experience, Antonio combines sophisticated legal and regulatory knowledge with a pragmatic and commercially driven approach. He regularly advises on some of the highest-profile capital markets transactions in the Italian market. His capital markets work includes: Primary and secondary offerings, listings (initial public offerings, rights issues, and accelerated book build offerings) Public M&A, including stake buildings and take-over bids Bonds issues (investment grade, high yields, and convertible) Liability management (tender offers and consent solicitation) Structured finance transactions, including equity derivatives Antonio also advises clients on sales and acquisitions of public companies, as well as general corporate representation, reorganization, and compliance matters. Antonio previously served as Local Chair of the Corporate Department in Milan.

Antony (Tony) Kim

Tony Kim represents clients across the full spectrum of advisory and enforcement matters implicating cybersecurity, data privacy, and consumer protection issues. Tony helps companies navigate crises to avoid legal, risk, and reputational landmines. He also defends clients in regulatory investigations and enforcement actions by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), State Attorney General Offices (AGOs), the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), and various sector regulators, as well as in litigation matters, involving the following areas: Cybersecurity resiliency and incident response Privacy implications of innovative data use-cases Consumer protection issues, including in sales and marketing and advertising contexts with a particular focus on global e-commerce, fintech, and platform businesses In each of these areas, Tony partners with stakeholders in legal, IT/infoSec, product, growth, engineering, marketing, investor relations, communications, the c-suite, and the board/audit committee across governance, compliance, and crisis management contexts.

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 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 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, 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.

Environment, Land & Resources Counsel

Arthur F. Foerster

Arthur Foerster is a partner in the Chicago office of Latham & Watkins. Arthur's practice focuses on environmental law and litigation at both the trial and appellate level. In particular, Arthur is experienced in litigating environmental matters involving toxic torts, The Clean Air Act, contaminated sites, citizen suits, and other federal/state environmental statutes and regulations. His experience also includes litigating matters involving product liability, insurance coverage, industrial accidents, and complex business contract and tort disputes. He also has substantial experience in environmental enforcement defense, permitting, and transactional counseling. Arthur is particularly experienced in litigating environmental matters involving complex industrial processes and practices, complex issues of causation and damages, and complex expert testimony. For example, Arthur represents manufacturing, energy, and other clients in the defense of multi-plaintiff toxic tort actions involving chemicals, such as PCBs, pesticides, solvents, and petroleum products, alleged to have adversely affected thousands of persons via multiple exposure pathways. He routinely works with industrial, engineering, and medical experts in defending such claims. Arthur is the co-editor of ABA's second edition, Toxic Tort Litigation treatise.

Ashley Bauer has a wide range of experience in federal and state litigation and private arbitration, including antitrust litigation and cartel investigations, white collar criminal defense, and class action litigation. Ashley's antitrust practice includes regulatory investigations and the civil class action cases that typically follow. She has represented companies in cases involving alleged violations of state and federal antitrust laws brought by direct and indirect purchasers, including claims of: Price-fixing Market allocation Monopolization Unfair competition Ashley also has extensive experience as global coordinating counsel on matters involving price-fixing investigations and private damages actions before regulators and courts in the US, Canada, Europe, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia. Ashley is the San Francisco Co-Chair of Latham's Women Enriching Business (WEB) program, and has served as a member of the firm's local Training and Career Enhancement and Mentoring Committees.

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.

Aurélie Buchinet

Aurélie Buchinet advises clients on French and cross-boarder finance transactions, with a particular emphasis on leveraged finance. Ms. Buchinet combines extensive transactional experience and knowledge of the market to help banks and deal sponsors navigate leveraged buyouts, including: Senior and PIK financing Private equity financing Syndicated loan financing Public to Private financing Her comprehensive understanding of client objectives allows her to craft functional financing terms that balance the nuances of the transaction and protect her clients’ interests. Ms. Buchinet closely collaborates across the firm’s global platform and works with the banking, corporate, and tax teams, bringing her efficiency and organizational skills to complex multijurisdictional matters.

Austin Ozawa advises private equity funds and their portfolio companies as well as public companies on executive compensation and employee benefits matters. He also advises financial institutions on ERISA compliance and disclosure matters. Austin advises clients in the context of corporate transactions including initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and other financing transactions, as well as day-to-day compliance matters. Specifically he assists clients to: Manage tax and other legal compliance and employee integration issues in complex take-private, carve out, and other acquisitions Negotiate and draft executive employment and separation agreements Design, implement, and administer equity and non-equity incentive compensation plans and arrangements Structure and administer deferred compensation arrangements Analyze and comply with SEC and stock exchange disclosure and other requirements Additionally, Austin counsels issuers and financial institutions regarding ERISA “plan asset” and other issues related to debt and equity financing transactions, including collateralized loan obligation transactions. He brings clients a thoughtful approach to balancing their commercial business goals with legal compliance realities, in order to ensure an efficient outcome. Complementing his commercial work, Austin advises pro bono clients on employee and compensation matters. He has received a Cornerstone Award from Lawyers Alliance in recognition of his commitment to providing pro bono counsel to New York-area nonprofits for more than a decade.

Axel Schiemann is a financial regulatory partner who advises German and global clients on a full spectrum of domestic and cross-border regulatory issues and transactions in the financial sector. He is a member of the firm’s Financial Institutions Group. Axel regularly advises on: Prudential supervision of banks and investment firms (including CRR/CRDIV) Securities related compliance (including MAR, MiFID/MiFID II) Mergers and acquisitions in the financial industry Issuance of regulatory capital instruments Litigation in the financial sector Regulatory enforcement and investigations Bank recovery and resolution Corporate governance and remuneration systems IT/Outsourcing Fintech and ICOs Brexit-related issues Prior to joining Latham, Axel served in different in-house roles in the financial industry. Axel frequently writes and speaks on financial regulatory issues. For example, he is co-author of a commentary on Securities Compliance (Wertpapier-Compliance in der Praxis) and a commentary on the German Supervisory Act on Payment Services (ZAG - Kommentar zum Zahlungsdiensteaufsichtsgesetz).

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.

Barry Clarkson has significant experience in transactional matters involving public and private companies, primarily in mergers and acquisitions, public and private equity and debt offerings, venture capital and general corporate matters. He serves as regular M&A and securities counsel for local public and private companies, including wireless, telecommunications, digital marketing and energy companies.

Barton Clark advises clients on a full range of investment management matters, from the formation of sponsors and funds to a variety of strategic transactions. Drawing on 25 years’ experience, Barton develops practical and commercially driven solutions for private equity funds and their sponsors and advisers. He brings vast experience across a range of fund types and investment areas, with a particular focus on energy and infrastructure. An adaptive problem solver, Barton helps both established and emerging sponsors achieve the objectives for their funds in combination with their broader business needs and goals. His practice includes: Fund formation Portfolio investment structuring Sponsor equity Governance arrangements Joint ventures Other strategic transactions, including secondary transactions and special purpose acquisition company transactions Registration and compliance matters under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 An internationally acclaimed funds lawyer, Barton has been recognized by such publications as Chambers Global, Chambers USA, and The Legal 500 US. He has authored a number of articles on the private fund industry and served as executive editor of The University of Chicago Law Review while attending law school. Barton also regularly provides pro bono counsel to nonprofit organizations, including The Nature Conservancy.

Basil Al-Jafari

Basil Al-Jafari helps corporates, governments, and financial institutions navigate the full range of debt and equity capital markets products, including conventional bond and Sukuk issuances, debt restructurings, initial public offerings, rights issues, equity investments, and other general corporate finance matters. His practice covers the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He has acted for underwriters, issuers, and trustees on all types of debt issuances, including investment grade, crossover and high-yield offerings, MTN and Sukuk programs, and a broad range of liability management matters. Prior to re-joining the Dubai office, Basil was based in the firm’s Singapore office, where his practice focused on capital markets transactions across Asia.

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.

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.

Belinda Lee, Global Vice Chair of Latham’s Antitrust & Competition Practice, represents global companies in high-stakes litigation and investigations, with particular experience defending private damages actions and navigating clients through international jurisdictions. Belinda represents global companies in antitrust and complex litigation matters pending in courts throughout the United States, and before government regulators in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Belinda has extensive experience defending and advising companies in the technology, consumer products, transportation, and manufacturing industries. She has represented these companies in consumer class actions, price-fixing, monopolization, unfair competition, and licensing disputes. She has defeated class certification several times and regularly guided clients through criminal investigations that close without enforcement action. Belinda is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and serves by appointment on the Law360 Editorial Board for Competition and the Executive Committee of the Antitrust & Unfair Competition Section of the California Lawyers Association. She serves on the Board of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus and is a frequent author and speaker on legal issues relating to expert witnesses, antitrust compliance, and law firm diversity. As the former Global Chair of Latham’s Training and Career Enhancement Committee, Belinda oversaw the formal and informal training programs for all Latham attorneys, from summer associates to senior partners.

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.

Benedicte Large Bremond

Bénédicte Large Bremond is counsel in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. She has significant experience in mergers and acquisitions, including private equity transactions as well as majority and minority investment transactions. She also regularly advises public and private companies and investment funds in general corporate law matters, including corporate governance, security offerings, and stock exchange regulations. Ms. Large Bremond is a former knowledge management lawyer for the firm's Corporate Department in Paris. After being Paris co-leader of Latham's Women Enriching Business (WEB) initiative (whose objective is to create a professional women's network and support the long-term success of women), she is now member of the Global Diversity Committee and very active in promoting diversity and inclusion within and outside the firm.

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 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 Su represents Asia-based clients on cross-border corporate and US securities law matters, particularly involving companies in the technology sector. Mr. Su leverages more than two decades’ experience navigating global markets and extensive knowledge of US securities law to guide companies and investment banks on: US equity and debt registered offerings Rule 144A/Regulation S equity and debt offerings and private placements PIPEs Convertible bonds Tender offers Going-private transactions Cross-border mergers and acquisitions He has worked extensively across the Greater China region, particularly in the technology sector, including semiconductors, electric vehicles, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, fintech, and ecommerce. Mr. Su understands Chinese issuers’ and international underwriters’ commercial objectives in capital markets transactions and crafts responsive, pragmatic solutions.

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.

Benjamin Stern advises companies and financial institutions on a broad range of corporate finance, securities regulation, and general corporate matters. Benjamin counsels underwriters, initial purchasers, and issuers in complex finance and other corporate transactions. His practice includes: Equity offerings Exchange offers Leveraged buyouts Secured and unsecured high-yield offerings Tender offers Benjamin handles matters involving a variety of industries, including manufacturing, gaming, technology, energy, and media.

Benjamin Carale

Benjamin Carale, head of the firm’s Philippines-focused team, represents issuers and underwriters on a full spectrum of cross-border corporate finance and securities transactions in the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the PRC. Mr. Carale draws on his deep connection to the Philippines and a sophisticated understanding of the global markets to guide clients through all aspects of: Initial public offerings, follow-on transactions, rights offerings, and block trades Investment-grade and high-yield debt offerings Tender offers, exchange offers, and other liability management transactions Mergers and acquisitions, investments, and joint ventures Having practiced in New York, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, Mr. Carale forges trusted relationships with clients to bridge local business practice and cultural divides and effectively consummate transactions. He unlocks the resources of the firm’s robust global platform to help his clients achieve their capital-raising and other corporate objectives. Mr. Carale serves on the firm’s Finance Committee, and he previously served on the Recruiting Committee and Associates Committee. A recognized thought leader, he regularly speaks at industry conferences on securities law, including with Philippine market participants and regulators.

Benjamin Cohen represents public and private US corporations, non-US corporations, investment banks, and private equity funds in capital markets, general securities, and corporate matters. A nationally recognized corporate lawyer, Benjamin regularly handles a broad array of high-profile and innovative capital markets and other financial transactions, including: Initial public offerings Direct listings SPAC transactions High yield debt offerings Leveraged buy-outs Public and private equity offerings Debt exchange offers and tender offers and consent solicitations Benjamin represents issuers and investment banking firms in capital markets and other financing transactions and companies with respect to general corporate and securities matters in a broad array of industries, including: Technology Retail Healthcare Natural resources Homebuilding Energy Gaming

Benjamin A. Potter

Ben Potter advises private and public companies, venture capital, and private equity firms, as well as investment banks involved in the technology, life sciences, and other growth industries. He serves as Global Chair of the Emerging Companies & Growth Practice and is the former Global Chair of the Technology Industry Group. Ben provides clients timely hands-on support and leverages access to the full resources of the firm’s global platform. He draws on considerable legal insight and complementary prior experience at IBM Global Services and two education startup companies in New York City. Ben provides clients with company representation on 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 License agreements Corporate governance matters

Benjamin J. Hanelin

Environment, Land & Resources Counsel

Bert Reiser is a partner in Latham & Watkins' Washington, D.C. office, where he is a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice and International Trade Commission (ITC) Patent Litigation Practice. Bert is also a former member of the firm's Training and Career Enhancement Committee. Prior to joining Latham, he was head of a multinational law firm’s Section 337 practice where he was primarily involved in international intellectual property disputes before the United States International Trade Commission under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. In Section 337 investigations, Bert has represented both American and foreign companies as complainants and respondents in more than 50 ITC investigations, including nearly 30 ITC trials. He has also successfully represented clients in ITC enforcement actions and proceedings before US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to clear redesigns for importation. Previously, Bert was the attorney advisor to Judge Paul J. Luckern of the ITC, where he assisted in the adjudication of more than 20 disputes under Section 337.

Finance Counsel

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.

William Trach is a partner in the Boston office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s Litigation & Trial Department and White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice. Mr. Trach focuses on white collar crime, government investigations and complex civil litigation. His practice has included representing individuals and corporations in a variety of criminal and civil matters, including securities fraud, bribery and RICO cases. In addition, he has handled a variety of complex civil litigation and regulatory work.

Blair Connelly is Global Vice Chair of the Securities Litigation & Professional Liability Practice and former Co-Chair of the Litigation Department in the New York office. He focuses his practice on M&A litigation, securities lawsuits, and corporate governance disputes. Blair has represented directors, officers, boards, committees, corporations, financial institutions, and individuals in numerous high-profile merger and takeover litigations, securities class actions, derivative lawsuits, and complex internal investigations. He has successfully litigated some of the largest stockholder lawsuits involving mergers and acquisitions and other corporate governance issues. Blair has argued and won precedent-setting decisions in the Delaware Court of Chancery, the Delaware Supreme Court, and other jurisdictions on cutting-edge issues of corporate law. He also leverages his expertise to advise clients as deals are being put together to avoid litigation pitfalls. Blair is widely recognized as a premier legal practitioner in securities and M&A litigation. Blair has served on the firm’s Finance Committee, Associates Committee, Paralegal Administration Committee, and its Training and Career Enhancement (TACE) Committee, where he ran the firm’s Deposition and Trial Advocacy training programs.

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 advises multinational private equity funds and corporates on strategic cross-border transactional tax matters, particularly in leveraged buyouts. She draws on her deep understanding of global markets to structure complex transactions in a tax-efficient manner, relating to: Mergers and acquisitions Financing agreements Debt and equity capital markets Restructurings Joint ventures Management incentive plans She works closely with colleagues across the firm’s global platform, especially with the Milan office, to mobilize internal and external resources that help clients achieve their commercial goals.

Litigation & Trial Partner

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.

Brad Kotler serves as Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins and a member of its Executive Committee. Prior to his election as Vice Chair, Brad was a finance partner in the Chicago office, where his practice focused on advising clients on complex credit financings. He regularly counseled both creditors — including major investment banks — and borrowers. Brad’s practice consisted of structuring, negotiating, and documenting financings for acquisitions and working capital purposes, including: Secured and unsecured term and revolving credit facilities Tender-offer and second-step merger financings Debtor-in-possession facilities Large-cap and middle-market cash flow and asset-based loans (ABLs) Islamic financings Brad has held multiple leadership positions with the firm. He previously served as the Managing Partner of the Chicago office, as Global Vice Chair of Latham’s Finance Department, as Local Department Chair for the Finance Department in Chicago, and as the Chicago office representative on the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, Recruiting Committee, and Women Enriching Business Committee. Brad previously served as the Co-Chair of the Board of Keshet, a not-for-profit organization providing educational, recreational, and residential services to special needs adults and children in Chicago.

Bradd Williamson

Bradd Williamson, Local Co-Chair of the New York Tax Department and former Global Chair of the Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Practice, represents companies, sponsors, compensation committees, and executives in connection with executive compensation and employee-related matters. Bradd helps clients navigate the tax, securities, and corporate law issues that arise in connection with executive compensation, employment, and benefits matters relating to: Employment agreements, as well as equity-based and other incentive compensation arrangements M&A and private equity transactions Capital markets transactions, including IPOs, spin-offs, deSPACs, and direct listings Financing and restructuring transactions Public company representation Non-qualified deferred compensation plans and related Section 409A issues Securities law disclosure related to executive compensation arrangements He leverages more than two decades of experience and extensive substantive knowledge to efficiently develop practical workforce solutions with a wide variety clients located across industries and around the world. A recognized thought leader, Bradd frequently speaks and writes on executive compensation topics.

Corporate Partner

Bradley C. Faris

Bradley Faris, former Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Mergers & Acquisitions Practice, regularly represents corporate and private equity clients from across industries and jurisdictions in their highest-stakes public and private M&A transactions. Bradley has built a preeminent corporate practice that spans the full spectrum of M&A matters, with a focus on complex transactions for leading global companies and private equity sponsors. His extensive deal work includes: Transformational "merger of equal" and other business combinations Special committees and conflict of interest transactions Going-private transactions Divisional carve-out transactions and cross-border M&A Shareholder activism and takeover defense counseling Bradley regularly speaks and writes on new developments in the field, including in public company M&A and takeover defense. Bradley previously served as Chair of the 2018 Ray Garrett Jr. Corporate & Securities Law Institute at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois Bar Association.

Brandon John Glenn Bortner

Brandon R. Anderson

Brandon Anderson is the Deputy Office Managing Partner of the Chicago office and a member of the Finance Department, focusing his practice on leveraged finance. Since joining the firm, Mr. Anderson has represented financial institutions, as well as corporate borrowers and private equity funds, in a broad range of leveraged finance transactions, with a particular focus on senior secured lending, recapitalizations and acquisition financings. Mr. Anderson has experience in structuring, negotiating and documenting US and international secured and unsecured lending transactions, including working capital financing, asset-based financing and debtor-in-possession financing.

Brendan McShane

Brendan McShane advises market-leading companies at the intersection of antitrust law and business innovation, with a particular focus on class action defense and government investigations. Brendan draws on extensive experience in precedent-setting matters across the consumer products; entertainment, sports and media (ESM); and hospitality spaces to help clients resolve disputes in high-exposure, complex antitrust and unfair competition matters. His experience spans claims involving: Price fixing (including algorithmic pricing platforms and software) Vertical distribution Bid rigging Group boycotts Exclusive dealing Resale price maintenance Monopolization He regularly resolves litigation at the motion-to-dismiss, class certification, and summary judgment phases — and, if necessary, litigates cases through trial. His advocacy spans matters in both the class action and business-to-business contexts. Brendan also helps clients navigate civil and criminal investigations brought by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and state attorneys general. Brendan is an active member of the Bar Association of San Francisco, the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, and the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Section. He has served on the firm’s Recruiting, Pro Bono, and Legal Professional & Paralegal Committees. Brendan maintains an active pro bono practice, including representing clients in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status petitions through the International Refugee Assistance Project, section 1983 matters, and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions.

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 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 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 is Deputy Office Managing Partner of the Riyadh office. 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. Brian 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 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

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 J. Cuneo is a partner in the Silicon Valley office of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Cuneo practices general securities and corporate law, with an emphasis on the representation of public and private companies in the technology and life sciences industries, venture capital funds and investment banks.

Brian C. McManus

Brian McManus, Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Boston Tax Department, advises companies and high net-worth individuals in all phases of civil and criminal tax disputes. Widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading tax litigators, Brian helps clients confidentially resolve a range of controversies — from Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audits and appeals to litigation before federal and state courts throughout the United States. He delivers clear and technically astute counsel to a diverse mix of American and international clients, including multinational and Fortune 500 corporations from diverse industries (such as technology, banking, insurance, energy, pharmaceuticals, airlines, entertainment, and retail), global professional services firms, international charitable organizations, trust companies, and offshore corporate providers. Drawing on nearly two decades of “inside the Beltway” experience, Brian regularly handles controversy matters with broader tax policy implications. His Washington ties include serving as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center where he currently teaches IRS Practice and Procedure in the graduate tax (LLM) program. Brian brings a winning track record in court handling some of the nation’s largest tax disputes. His work encompasses all areas of federal and state taxation, with an emphasis on disputes involving cross-border and international tax matters, sophisticated corporate transactions, enterprise and asset valuations, transfer pricing, partnerships, tax-exempt organizations, oil and gas taxation, tax shelters, promoter penalty defense, and cryptocurrency. He also frequently handles sensitive tax matters involving allegations of fraud and potential criminal tax charges, as well as voluntary disclosures of domestic and offshore filing errors. Brian is admitted to practice before the US Court of Appeals for Federal Circuit, the US Tax Court, the US Court of Federal Claims, and the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Brian, who serves as a Vice Chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Tax Section's Civil and Criminal Tax Penalties Committee, regularly speaks at national tax conferences and on podcasts. He is also the author of numerous tax controversy-focused articles.

Brian D. Miller

Brian Miller advises public companies, private equity funds, and large stockholders on monetizing equity positions and complex securities reporting requirements. Brian draws on extensive experience and a sophisticated understanding of Securities and Exchange Commission regulations to guide clients on: Initial public offerings Mergers and acquisitions Registered and unregistered sales of securities by private equity sponsors, significant stockholders, and executives Strategies to effectively monetize large public equity positions SEC beneficial ownership reporting He serves as a trusted advisor to clients and devises effective transaction structures and strategies most critical to their commercial objectives. Brian also regularly leads on SEC disclosure and corporate governance matters. Brian maintains an active pro bono practice, including on asylum matters, and he prioritizes mentoring associates, especially within the Washington, D.C., office. Before joining Latham, Brian served as Legislative Director to US Representative Anthony Weiner of New York.

Brian E. Kowalski

Brian Kowalski, former Global Vice Chair of the Litigation & Trial Department, represents clients in government and regulatory investigations, conducts internal investigations, and advises clients on complex compliance issues, including in connection with strategic transactions. He focuses on litigating and defending securities enforcement and white collar criminal investigations and proceedings, conducting internal corporate investigations, and related civil litigation. Brian has extensive experience representing clients in investigations and litigation involving accounting and securities regulation, US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and other complex regulatory matters. His practice has a global focus including handling major mandates in the United States and across South America, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Brian regularly represents clients facing investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), and other federal and state entities concerning accounting, disclosure, internal control, and related issues. He also has deep experience conducting investigations on behalf of Audit Committees in the context of financial restatements and helping navigate related disclosure and regulatory issues. In addition to enforcement matters, Brian maintains an active complex litigation practice, often involving parallel litigation and enforcement matters. Brian also has substantial experience advising public companies on compliance, disclosure, and related issues. He regularly advises investment banks, private equity firms, and other companies on compliance matters in the context of cross-border M&A and capital markets transactions.

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.

Brian T. Glennon

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 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 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.

Burc Hesse is Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins in Germany. He advises financial investors, focusing in particular on complex cross-border leveraged buyouts. He counsels private equity investors and their portfolio companies, both on the buy-side and the sell-side, on M&A transactions, including: Cross-border and domestic transactions LBOs/MBOs/MBIs Minority investments Co-investments Share and asset deals Mr. Hesse draws on more than 20 years of experience with private equity, through all phases of economic cycles. Leading legal publications including JUVE, Chambers, and IFLR regularly rank him highly, describing him as “an absolute dealmaker” and a skilled negotiator.

C. Timothy Fenn

Camilla Kehler-Weiß

Dr. Camilla Kehler-Weiss advises corporate clients, private equity houses, and investment banks on a broad spectrum of international capital markets transactions, including IPOs, capital raisings, and equity-linked issuances. With a strong background in stock corporation law, Camilla also assists corporate clients and their shareholders in navigating the complexities of a public company post-listing, as well as in PIPEs and public M&A deals. Camilla advises on: IPOs Spinoffs Capital raisings Block trades Equity-linked transactions

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.

Carla-Sophie Imperadeiro

Carla-Sophie Imperadeiro is a partner in Latham & Watkins' Finance Department. She has a wide range of experience representing borrowers, equity sponsors, and lead banks in financing transactions, with a particular emphasis in private equity and LBO financings. Carla-Sophie Imperadeiro received her graduate business law and postgraduate international trade law degrees at the University of Paris, Pantheon-Sorbonne in 2004 and 2005, respectively. She received her postgraduate law degree from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris in 2006.

Carles Esteva Mosso

Carles Esteva Mosso, former Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Competition, draws on more than 25 years of enforcement agency experience to advise clients on complex EU and international mergers, antitrust and State aid matters. Carles advises clients on complex merger control proceedings, including Phase II investigations and merger appeals. He is a leader in the area of foreign subsidies control and has advised clients on the implementation of the EU Regulation on Foreign Subsidies (FSR), including handling the first filing ever submitted to the EC under the new regulation. Prior to joining the firm, he served in multiple high-profile positions at the European Commission, including as Deputy Director-General in charge of Merger Control (from 2014-2019) and of State Aids (from 2019-2021). He also held a number of other leadership posts relating to merger enforcement and competition policy. He was a member of the Cabinet of former Commissioner Mario Monti; Head of Unit responsible for Merger Policy; Mergers in Telecoms and IT and Private Enforcement and Director for Competition Policy and Strategy. In these capacities, he has been actively involved in some of Europe’s most significant and complex merger control and State aid matters, policy decisions, and legislative proposals over the past two decades. Amongst others, he spearheaded the proposal for an EU regulation on foreign subsidies. His experience includes working in cooperation with senior government representatives of EU Member States on matters of national importance and with prominent competition enforcement agencies across the world. Carles combines his deep understanding of law and policy matters, commercial acumen, as well as his unique perspective on complex decision making and big picture issues to assist clients with their most sophisticated competition law matters.

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 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.

Corporate Partner

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 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.

Caroline A. Reckler

Caroline Reckler, a nationally recognized bankruptcy lawyer, advises debtors around the world on all aspects of restructuring and special situations. Caroline regularly advises public and private companies in financial distress and purchasers of distressed companies. Specifically, she helps clients navigate: Chapter 11 proceedings Prepackaged, prearranged, and involuntary bankruptcies Debtor-in-possession financings Cross-border bankruptcies Caroline helps distressed companies navigate through difficult circumstances with creative solutions based on a sophisticated sense of market practice. A recognized leader of the firm, Caroline has also served as Global Chair for the firm's Women Enriching Business (WEB) initiative, Chair of the Chicago office’s Finance Department, and as the firm's Chicago office recruiting partner.

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.

Carrie Girgenti

Carrie Girgenti is counsel in the Corporate Department of Latham & Watkins' New York office and focuses on intellectual property and technology-related matters. Carrie regularly counsels clients regarding a variety of trademark, copyright and patent issues, and provides intellectual property and technology advice in the context of mergers and acquisitions and financing transactions. She is experienced in a range of intellectual property and technology-related transactions including intellectual property licensing, services and consulting arrangements, software licensing, strategic alliances, intellectual property and technology transfers, co-branding agreements, and supply and distribution agreements. Carrie is also a member of the Trademark Prosecution Practice through which she handles the procurement of trademarks as well as related proceedings before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Cary Hyden is a partner and previously served as Chair of the Corporate Department in Orange County for almost 10 years. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and general corporate and securities matters for companies, private equity sponsors and financial advisors. He has substantial experience representing companies in hostile takeover matters and in situations involving activist stockholders.

Cary R. Perlman

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.

Finance Counsel

Catherine E. Palmer

Cathy Yeung serves as Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Greater China Practice and formerly served as Global Vice Chair of the firm‘s Capital Markets and Public Company Representation Practices. She advises on a full range of PRC-related corporate transactions. Ms. Yeung draws on more than two decades of experience to advise leading investment banks and Chinese companies on the following types of corporate transactions: Capital markets, including initial public offerings and secondary offerings Mergers and acquisitions, including public M&A Privatizations Private equity She also advises listed companies across a full range of industries on regulatory and compliance as well as corporate governance matters. Ms. Yeung, a native mandarin speaker, was born and raised in China, and received her legal education in China and Hong Kong, so brings a strong understanding of Chinese culture and business practice to her work. She regularly leads global teams of market leading-colleagues from across the firm to efficiently and seamlessly address Chinese clients’ needs. She served as the company secretary of Bank of China from 2008-2015. Ms. Yeung speaks at seminars regarding the rules governing the securities listings on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and corporate governance.

Cathy A. Birkeland

Corporate Partner, Deputy Office Managing Partner

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.

Cesare Milani is a partner in the Milan office of Latham & Watkins with particular expertise in public and administrative law and regulated sectors. He is a member of the firm’s Environment, Land & Resources Practice. Mr. Milani advises clients on public and administrative law, including contentious and non-contentious matters. He has considerable experience advising private equity funds, financial institutions, and industrials on: Regulated sectors in general Public law concessions, authorizations, and permits Italian foreign investment regulation Public procurement matters Environmental law and energy law

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.

Charles Carpenter

Charles Carpenter is a partner in the New York and Houston offices of Latham & Watkins. Charlie is a member of the Corporate Department and focuses his practice on corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, private equity and securities offerings. Charlie has over 17 years of experience in the energy sector, with particular knowledge on master limited partnerships and energy focused private equity transactions. Charlie is a member of the American Bar Association.

Environment, Land & Resources Of Cousel

Charles Ruck primarily advises on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and general corporate and securities matters. He serves as primary outside counsel to a number of public and privately held companies and he regularly represents boards of directors and special committees in complex strategic corporate governance matters. Charles is the Global Department Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Corporate Department, a former member of Latham’s Executive Committee, and former Chair of the firm’s Strategic Client Initiative. Charles has experience advising on a variety of transactions, including: Corporate governance and special committee matters Activism and stockholder matters Hostile takeovers and going private transactions

Charles H. Sanders

Charles Sanders is a partner in the Boston office of Latham & Watkins. His practice focuses on intellectual property matters with an emphasis on patent litigation.Mr. Sanders represents clients as lead counsel in federal district court, the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and the Federal Circuit. He has obtained multimillion-dollar settlements, ITC exclusion orders, summary judgments and trial victories.

Charles-Antoine Guelluy

Charles-Antoine Guelluy is a partner in Latham & Watkins' Paris office. He has extensive experience representing clients in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and stock exchange regulations, and is actively engaged in all aspects of real estate law, focusing on the sale and purchase of real estate companies and portfolios.

Cheston Larson’s practice covers a broad range of general corporate matters, including counseling public and privately-held companies, as well as representing venture capital and investment banking firms, in private and public financing transactions. Cheston advises clients on the formation of new businesses and their capital raising transactions, spanning the spectrum from angel and venture financings to IPOs, follow-on offerings, PIPEs, and debt financings. He also represents clients in mergers and acquisitions and other strategic transactions, as well as SEC disclosure and reporting requirements, Nasdaq and NYSE compliance, and corporate governance matters. Cheston routinely counsels clients in the life sciences, software, telecommunications, cleantech, and other technology industries. Cheston is a frequent speaker on IPO and securities law-related topics. In law school, Cheston was an editor of the Harvard Law Review and worked for the SEC’s Enforcement Division as part of Harvard's Clinical Practice Program.

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 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, Christian 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. Christian's 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, Christian brings a proven track record of helping clients successfully navigate significant deals in the Middle East, including those involving bespoke deal structures. Christian 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. Christian 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.

Christian H Jahn

Dr. Christian Jahn advises companies, private equity funds, debt funds, and banks on acquisition financings, corporate loans, and restructurings, including mid-cap and large-scale cross-border transactions. He regularly advises German and international clients on: Leveraged buyouts and other M&A transactions Domestic and cross-border financings and restructurings Syndicated corporate loans Dr. Jahn brings a commercial pragmatism and complementary technical rigor to complex and cross-border matters. He leverages the firm’s global platform and efficiently manages teams in multiple jurisdictions to execute financings. Dr. Jahn has particular skill in handling China-related matters, as he studied Mandarin and Chinese law at Nanjing University. Dr. Jahn frequently writes and speaks on finance and restructuring topics. He authored and co-edited the books “Acquisition Finance Agreements in Germany” (Beck 2017) and “Akquisitionsfinanzierungen” (Beck 2019). He has also published several articles on Chinese law and is a member of the German-Chinese Lawyers’ Association (DCJV).

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.

Christine G. Rolph

Christine Rolph is a partner in the firm's Washington, D.C. office and has served as the Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Product Liability, Mass Torts & Consumer Class Actions Practice. Christine has extensive experience in litigating consumer class actions, toxic torts, product liability/consumer fraud suits, and multi-plaintiff matters. She has represented clients in various high-stakes environmental, chemical, and complex commercial matters in federal and state courts. She has published articles in Law360, Class Action Litigation Report, law.com, Intellectual Property Strategist, and the Mass Torts/ABA Publication. Christine served as co-editor of the Toxic Tort Litigation handbook published by the American Bar Association. In addition, Christine has represented clients in major insurance matters involving a wide array of policy types, including comprehensive general liability policies, directors and officers policies, professional and employment liability policies, multi-media liability policies, and various other special and manuscript policies. Her practice includes the representation of entities in obtaining insurance coverage or bad faith damages in connection with environmental remediations. Christine was appointed to head the Training and Career Enhancement Committee in Washington, D.C., and also has served as the Global Co-Chair of multiple associate training academies. In addition, she has been named as one of Latham’s Best Supervisors on multiple occasions. Prior to joining Latham, Christine graduated summa cum laude from Duke University in 1994 and received her juris doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1997. She was a Division 1 Track & Field collegiate athlete and received Duke University’s William J. Griffith Award.

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 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 Shoff

Chris Shoff is a partner in the Century City office of Latham & Watkins. He is a leading advisor to emerging companies, venture capital firms, private equity firms and strategic acquirers in the technology, life sciences, cleantech and energy industries. Chris Shoff focuses his practice on the representation of technology companies from start-ups to global corporations in a broad range of industries, including software, digital media and entertainment, mobile, consumer Internet, medical device, pharmaceutical and healthcare services. He regularly represents clients throughout their entire life cycle from formation to exit. In this role he advises entrepreneurs and companies on corporate formation, equity incentives, convertible note and preferred stock financings, securities law compliance, corporate governance, public offerings and mergers and acquisitions

Christopher Garrett

A partner in the San Diego office, Christopher W. Garrett has practiced law with the firm since 1981. His practice centers on environmental law, municipal law and land use law throughout California and the Western United States. His areas of expertise include federal, state and local regulation of air pollution, water quality, hazardous waste, solid waste, wetlands protection, endangered species preservation and other environmental and land use laws, including municipal law, public finance and government contracts requirements. His particular areas of concentration involve air pollution laws and regulations and compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Christopher Plaut

Corporate Partner

Christopher Yates

Chris Yates, a partner in Latham & Watkins’ San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices, litigates and tries precedent-setting antitrust cases in courts across the United States. Mr. Yates regularly counsels and represents clients at the forefront of the sports, technology, travel, healthcare, and life sciences industries. Drawing on more than two decades of litigation and trial experience, he routinely achieves success for clients facing a variety of cutting-edge antitrust and competition issues, including: Consumer class actions Challenges to sports governing bodies IP-related antitrust claims Distribution and pricing policies Industry standard-setting and related claims of anticompetitive collusion or monopolization Alleged aftermarket monopolization Mr. Yates has successfully argued in federal trial courts throughout the country, including New York, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Delaware, and California, and has won appeals before the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and other appellate courts. Mr. Yates previously served as Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Antitrust & Competition Practice.

Christopher Hazuka

Dr. Christopher (Chris) Hazuka advises life sciences companies on the agreements and transactions that are essential to their success at all stages of their life cycle, drawing on his experience as a scientist and former in-house counsel. Chris, based in both San Diego and the Bay Area, brings clients a scientist’s sensibility, a passion for creating synergies to bring innovation to market, and a pragmatic understanding of the full complement of business and legal issues clients face. In particular, he helps established and emerging life sciences companies by providing problem-solving advice to structure, negotiate, and execute a myriad of transactions, such as: Complex collaborations Intellectual property and technology licenses Relationships to assist in developing drug candidates and innovative technologies Manufacturing and quality agreements Commercial agreements, including profit sharing and co-promotion agreements University licenses Clinical trial agreements In the context of strategic transactions, he advises on: Due diligence and disclosure matters Venture financings, public offerings, and M&A transactions Chris earned a PhD at Stanford University in the Neurosciences Program for his work in Dr. Richard Scheller’s laboratory on the molecular mechanisms of neurotransmission. He later served as in-house counsel for Orexigen Therapeutics, an emerging company that successfully developed and commercialized a drug to treat obesity. At the La Jolla, California-based company, Chris assisted with challenging issues across the company’s full range of legal matters. He also clerked for Judge Jeremy Fogel of the United States District Court of Northern California, assisting on several high-stakes technology patent litigation matters.

Christopher Kaufman

Mr. Kaufman’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and corporate governance. His practice emphasis is on high technology clients including semiconductor, software and biotechnology companies, privately held start-up companies and major investment banks.

Christopher Harris

Litigation & Trial Partner

Christopher Clark

Christopher Clark, Co-Chair of the Washington, D.C. Corporate Department, advises private equity firms, public and private companies, and investment banks on capital markets transactions and related matters. Christopher represents clients in a broad range of financing and other transactions, including: Leveraged buyouts Equity offerings, including IPOs, follow-on offerings, block trades, and preferred equity offerings High yield, investment grade, and convertible bond offerings Special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) transactions Christopher draws on his extensive experience along the full spectrum of capital markets transactions to provide a novel and commercial perspective to clients, often crafting bespoke solutions to advance their interests. He provides comprehensive guidance on securities laws, disclosure issues, debt compliance, liability management, and corporate governance matters.

Christopher Cross

Corporate Partner

Christopher Dorian

Finance Counsel

Christopher Campbell

Christopher Campbell is a partner in the San Francisco office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm's Litigation & Trial Department. He is a member of the firm’s global Antitrust & Competition Practice, with a focus on domestic and international antitrust enforcement actions and US class action defense.

Christopher Norton

Christopher Norton is a partner in the Latham & Watkins Environment, Land & Resources Practice. He focuses his practice on environmental and energy, land use and climate change. Christopher formerly served as the Global Co-Chair of the Environmental Regulations & Transactions Practice. His experience includes matters involving the Clean Air Act and its state and local counterparts, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental liabilities related to real estate and business transactions, complicated mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, private and government-lead contaminated property litigation, advocacy of environmental policy and the siting of new power plants. Christopher has broad experience in siting energy projects as well as considerable experience in matters related to the Warren-Alquist Act and the procedures of the California Energy Commission. He also handles administrative, civil and criminal enforcement matters at local, state and federal levels. Christopher co-authored Chapter II: Air Pollution Control in the Eleventh Edition of the California Environmental Law Handbook. Prior to beginning the practice of law, Christopher served as the Environmental Affairs Manager and Legislative Affairs Manager for the Southern California Gas Company. He also served as a Projects Manager, Air Quality Engineer and Water Systems Engineer. Christopher is the former chair of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association's Southern California Air Quality Alliance. As a leader of this industry coalition, he developed and advocated public policy related to environmental rules and regulations, and participated in the drafting and passage of state environmental legislation.

Christopher Garcia

Co-Head of Weil's White Collar Defense, Regulatory and Investigations practice

Christopher D. Brearton

Deputy Office Managing Partner, Corporate Partner

Christopher D. Lueking

Christopher Lueking is in his 36th year of practice with Latham & Watkins. Christopher advises clients on corporate finance, securities, and public and private company representation, including initial public, secondary, high-yield bond, and private securities offerings. He also counsels public and private companies on securities, finance, and corporate governance matters. Christopher's practice includes representation of issuers and investment banks in public offerings of equity and high-yield debt as well as investors and issuers in venture capital transactions.

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 R. Drewry

Christopher Drewry, a corporate partner in the Chicago office and Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defense Practice, regularly represents multinational corporations across industries and jurisdictions in their highest-stakes M&A transactions and shareholder activism defense matters. Christopher has built a leading cross-border practice that spans the full spectrum of M&A and shareholder activism defense matters, with a focus on complex transactions and board-level advice for leading global companies. His extensive experience includes: Transformational “merger of equal” and other strategic M&A transactions Multijurisdictional global business separations Cutting-edge shareholder activism and takeover defense counseling Specialized special committee and board governance advice Christopher regularly speaks and writes on new developments in the field, including editing the M&A chapters in the updated third edition of Investment Banking: Valuation, LBOs, M&A and IPOs and on evolving shareholder rights plan (poison pill) technologies. Christopher is a member of the firm's Finance Committee and the Women Enriching Business Committee. He is a former member of Latham’s Pro Bono Committee.

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. Christos 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, Christos 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. Christos 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. Christos 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, Christos 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 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.

Cindy Caillavet Sinclair

Cindy Caillavet Sinclair is a partner in the Chicago office of Latham & Watkins. Cindy represents borrowers, private equity firms, and commercial and investment banks in leveraged finance transactions, including: Acquisition financings Large cap and middle market cash flow and asset-based lending facilities Reserve-based lending facilities Debtor-in-possession facilities and exit facilities Cindy is a former member of the firm’s Women Enriching Business Committee.

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 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.

Claudia M. O'Brien

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 Naples is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins and serves as lead counsel in patent infringement, trade secret and other IP-related litigation. Clem has extensive experience litigating in the International Trade Commission and in District Courts across the country. In addition to his litigation experience, Clem has negotiated complex patent license agreements, including agreements covering worldwide patent portfolios in excess of US$100 million. Clem also regularly consults regarding the sale or acquisition of companies with significant patent assets. Prior to law school, Clem was a Lead Engineer at Silicon Valley Group Lithography Systems, now ASML, where he focused on the design and development of the optical train of the Micrascan line of deep-UV step-and-scan lithography tools. He also wrote custom software for modeling the optical performance of the machines. Clem's cases have covered a wide range of technologies, including: Telecommunications Biometric devices Optics Semiconductors Heavy oil processing Video and audio streaming Wireless technologies MPEG compression Clem also has extensive experience litigating cases involving large volumes of source code. He also prosecuted patents in various fields, such as computer software, satellite thrusters and mass spectrometry.

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.

Corporate Counsel

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.

Conrad Andersen

Conrad Andersen is an infrastructure partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and serves as Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Energy & Infrastructure Industry Group. Conrad advises a diverse range of infrastructure funds, investors, and financial institutions on all aspects of core and hybrid infrastructure on complex infrastructure financing and acquisition transactions. Conrad has significant experience advising infrastructure funds, institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, and pension funds. He has significant experience advising clients across all infrastructure sectors, including, among others, airports, energy infrastructure, digital infrastructure, and utilities.

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.

Cora Grannemann

Cora Grannemann, a counsel in the Finance Department of Latham & Watkins' Frankfurt office, advises German and international clients on national and cross-border transactions, including leveraged buyouts, strategic acquisition, financial restructurings, and corporate lending within German and English law, helping clients to successfully address all aspects of their financing needs. She focuses on forward-looking leveraged buyouts and corporate finance transactions featuring complex and innovative structures, including bank/bond and covenant-lite. Cora also lectures on "Introduction to English Law" at the Goethe University in Frankfurt.

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 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.

Craig S. Kornreich

Damara 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 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.

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 Smith

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.

Dana Fleischman

Corporate Partner

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 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, 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.

Daniel Seale is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins and is Global Chair of the firm’s Banking Practice. Daniel is a member of the Finance Department; the Banking, Capital Markets, and Private Equity Practices; and the firm’s Strategic Client Committee. He is a former Vice Chair of the firm’s Associates Committee and former Local Chair for the Finance Department in the New York office. Daniel represents financial institutions, corporate borrowers, and other alternative financing providers in leveraged finance transactions with a particular focus on acquisition financings. Daniel has also represented buyers and sellers in both public and private mergers and acquisitions transactions. Having advised on hundreds of large-cap syndicated loans, middle market loans, unitranche loans, and direct lending transactions, Daniel has broad exposure to the global financial markets and its key participants. He regularly handles major financing transactions for clients such as Antares Capital, Bank of America, Blackstone Credit, Golub Capital, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and Sixth Street. Daniel served as a Judicial Clerk to Chief Judge Ronald Lagueux of the United States District Court, District of Rhode Island. Thought Leadership Co-author, “United States Lending & Secured Finance,” The Legal 500 Country Comparative Guides, April 2021, 2023, 2024 Co-author, "The Dynamics of European Covenant Lite," The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Lending & Secured Finance 2023 Speaker, “Financing an Acquisition,” PLI Leveraged Finance Conference, May 2021 Co-author, “Direct Lending: Fierce Competition and Escalating Deal Sizes Return,” Private Capital Insights, April 2021 Speaker, “Financing an Acquisition,” PLI Leveraged Finance Conference, May 2020 Speaker, “Direct Lending Panel,” PLI Leveraged Finance Conference, May 2019 Co-author, “Chapter 6: Direct Lending and Other Alternate Capital: Current Direct Lending Terms in 2019,” PLI Leveraged Finance, February 2019 Co-author, “The Continued Growth of European Covenant Lite,” The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Lending & Secured Finance 2019 “Expert Q&A on Direct Lending,” Thomson Reuters Practical Law 2017

Daniel Meron, Co-Chair of the Healthcare Services & Providers Industry Group and a former high-level official at both the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, represents healthcare industry leaders in high-stakes government disputes. He served previously as Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice Group. Daniel leverages an unmatched understanding of the subtleties inherent in litigation involving the DOJ and HHS to represent plans; providers; PBMs; specialty pharmacies; and pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device manufacturers in: False Claims Act (FCA) and related civil investigations Legal challenges to the validity of agency regulations and policies Providing sophisticated compliance counseling Daniel joined Latham from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where he served as General Counsel from 2006 to 2007. He advised department leadership on sensitive and high-priority matters involving all of the key statutes and regulations that HHS enforces, including the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Medicare and Medicaid statutes, as well as the federal Anti-Kickback Statute. As General Counsel, Daniel also worked closely with the Office of Inspector General to coordinate positions on enforcement matters relating to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) statutes and regulations. From 2003 to 2006, Daniel was the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the US Department of Justice’s Civil Division. He oversaw healthcare civil fraud (FCA) and off-label promotion prosecutions, as well as defense of FDA and CMS regulations, policies, and reimbursement decisions. Daniel served as a law clerk to Justice Anthony M. Kennedy of the US Supreme Court and to Judge Laurence H. Silberman of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.

Daniel Rees is a partner at Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm's Corporate Department. Daniel advises boards of directors and management teams on mergers and acquisitions, a broad range of other strategic corporate transactions, and provides general representation to public and private companies, including on corporate and securities law matters, takeover defense, and securities offerings. He primarily represents companies in the healthcare and life sciences, technology, consumer products, and real estate industries. He also regularly represents top investment banks in their capacity as financial advisors in M&A transactions.

Daniel Brunton focuses his practice on environmental law, with an emphasis on helping developers obtain entitlements for large or controversial projects and defending those entitlements in court. Daniel has extensive experience with California’s environmental-review statute and the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”). He often works with developers to ensure that their CEQA documents are litigation-ready and has successfully defended over 20 CEQA lawsuits challenging the environmental review for projects he has worked on. Daniel has broad experience with the other statutes that govern developments, including the Clean Water Act, the Subdivision Map Act, the Coastal Act, the Endangered Species Act, and local zoning and land use laws. He has also developed an expertise in tribal consultations under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and under California law. Daniel’s entitlement practice focuses on large-scale infrastructure projects, including renewable energy projects, stadiums, rail and highway projects, and transmission lines. In recent years, Daniel has developed a specialty in projects related to renewable energy and is a founding editor of Latham & Watkins’ blog on clean energy.

Daniel Settelmayer

Corporate Partner

Daniel J. Dominguez

Daniel Dominguez, Local Co-Chair of the Litigation & Trial Department in the Washington, D.C. office, advises clients on sensitive and high-stakes investigations and crises, including internal investigations and a broad range of government inquiries. Daniel draws on his extensive federal government experience as a strategic legal advisor in the White House to guide financial institutions, private equity investors and their portfolio companies, and publicly traded corporations on: White collar defense Internal investigations Enforcement actions by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Public company cyber investigations Responses to congressional investigations He skillfully familiarizes stakeholders with the investigative process, having handled dozens of crises for clients in a broad range of industries, including financial services, energy and infrastructure, and private equity. A recognized leader at the firm, Daniel serves as a Co-Vice Chair of the firm’s Diversity Leadership Committee and previously was a member of the Recruiting Committee, where he was Global Co-Chair of the Diversity Recruiting Sub-Committee. Before rejoining the firm in November 2015, Daniel served as Associate Counsel to President Obama in the Office of the White House Counsel. In this role, Daniel provided strategic legal guidance to the White House Counsel and the President’s senior advisors on legal and policy issues, including matters related to congressional oversight and investigations. In addition to advising White House staff, Daniel counseled several federal agency clients to develop strategies in response to congressional investigations and other high-profile inquiries. Daniel maintains an active pro bono practice, including serving on the board for The Appleseed Foundation, a progressive nonprofit that advocates for economic and social justice, and representing clients in asylum matters.

Daniel S. Schecter

Daniel Scott Schecter is a litigation partner in the Century City office of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Schecter previously served as Vice-chair of the firm's global Litigation & Trial Department and Chair of the Los Angeles Litigation & Trial Department. His practice focuses on litigating and trying to verdict intellectual property, technology and entertainment cases and complex business disputes. He has prevailed in jury trials, bench trials and arbitrations taken to verdict or decision with more than US$3 billion in claimed damages at stake.

Daniel T. Lennon

Corporate Partner

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 Brown advises clients on a wide range of European and cross-border leveraged financing matters. Danielle 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.

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.

Darryl Steensma

Darryl Steensma advises life sciences companies, investors, and financial institutions on a wide range of transactional matters. Drawing on deep technical and subject matter experience as a biopharmaceutical scientist, Darryl advises clients on their most critical partnerships and corporate transactions. He regularly counsels on matters regarding: Licensing and corporate partnering Co-promotion, co-marketing, and co-commercialization agreements University license agreements Research and collaboration agreements Asset purchases and mergers Manufacturing, distribution, and quality agreements Clinical trial collaboration and supply agreements Royalty stream purchases and sales Darryl is registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office and has litigated numerous patent cases. His experience prosecuting and litigating patents on behalf of multinational and start-up companies, including substantial experience in Hatch-Waxman litigation for both generic and branded pharmaceutical companies, informs his counsel on transactional and investment matters. Prior to practicing law, Darryl held postdoctoral research positions at The Scripps Research Institute and at Georgetown University Medical Center. He is a named co-inventor on four US patents and is a co-author of over 10 peer-reviewed research publications.

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 advises corporate clients and investment banks on a broad range of complex German and international equity capital markets transactions. David 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 Spinoffs 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.

Corporate Partner

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 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 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 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 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

David Raab is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. David formerly served as Global Chair of the Tax Department, Global Co-Chair of the Transactional Tax Practice, and Chair of the New York Tax Department. His practice focuses on corporate and partnership taxation. David currently serves on the firm’s Diversity Leadership Committee. David has considerable experience representing leveraged buyout, venture capital and hedge funds, investment banking companies, real estate investment trusts, and other public and privately owned corporations. He also represents partnerships and limited liability companies with respect to tax matters pertaining to mergers, acquisitions, recapitalizations, divestitures, public financings, and administrative and judicial tax controversies. David handled the tax aspects of formation of a number of large investment funds, as well as stock and asset acquisitions and dispositions, mergers, public offerings of debt and equity securities, and other corporate restructuring transactions for a number of corporations and private equity firms, including The Carlyle Group, GTCR, BC Partners, Energy Capital Partners, Odyssey Investment Partners, Global Infrastructure Partners, Cinven, Nestle, Broadcom Ltd., and Host Hotels & Resorts. David was selected as a 2016 MVP for tax by Law360, and is regularly recognized in Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US for his domestic and international tax work. David is a former President of The Tax Club of New York City. He has authored a number of articles for various tax publications.

Corporate Counsel

David Hammerman

Finance Partner

Corporate Partner

David Concannon

Corporate Partner

David Meckler focuses on all aspects of commercial real estate law and represents real estate investors, capital providers, owners, developers, and others in all aspects of real estate related transactions. His practice focuses on capital investment directed to real estate and real estate operating companies, financings within all segments of the capital stack, joint ventures, and property and operating company acquisitions and dispositions. David's clients include: Private equity funds and investment advisors Publicly traded REITs Real estate operating companies Healthcare systems and providers Investment banking firms Private US and International investors

David Langer is counsel in the Environment, Land & Resources Practice in the New York office. His practice involves advising clients on a broad spectrum of environmental aspects of corporate, real property, and financial transactions, including CERCLA, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act, and related state and local laws, such as New Jersey's Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA). Significant transactional matters have included representations of sellers, purchasers, lenders, and underwriters in the context of asset and stock acquisitions, securities and high-yield debt offerings, commercial credit facilities, and project finance transactions. He has also been involved in negotiation of contracts for solid waste disposal services and electric power demand side management projects. David's regulatory practice has involved permitting and compliance support for independent electric power plants and other industrial and commercial facilities, including waste oil recyclers; cement, pesticide, cosmetic, and paper manufacturers; and bus operators. He has experience in the federal Clean Air and Clean Water Acts and related state and local programs. David's Clean Air Act experience includes consultation on new source review (NSR, PSD, NSPS) issues for construction or modification of facilities, Acid Rain regulations, Regional Emission Trading programs, Title V applications, and air permit enforcement actions. His Clean Water Act experience includes representation of clients with respect to both permit applications and enforcement actions, compliance with storm water discharge regulations, and advising a municipal client on amendments to its sewer use ordinance. David's litigation experience includes administrative enforcement actions relating to violations of air pollution control permits and regulations, building code standards, asbestos control programs, wastewater discharge standards, storm water permits, community right-to-know reporting obligations, and product safety standards. Other litigation matters have included cost recovery actions relating to leaking petroleum storage tanks, arbitration of disputes over solid waste contracts, challenges to local solid waste flow control ordinances, and commercial contract disputes. David has also represented an independent energy marketer in state utility commission proceedings relating to the deregulation of natural gas and electricity markets. David has participated in pro bono representations of the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Hebrew Free Burial Association, and the South Brooklyn Local Development Corporation.

David Lee is a partner in the Corporate Department. He served on the Training and Career Enhancement Committee for many years and continues to lead the firm's negotiations program. He is a former member of the Ethics Committee. Mr. Lee's practice focuses on: Mergers and acquisitions Capital markets General public and private company representation

David Kuiper is counsel in the Corporate Department. His practice focuses on technology transactions, intellectual property and general commercial matters. He has significant experience structuring, drafting and negotiating: Complex licensing transactions Collaboration and co-promotion agreements Supply and distribution agreements Franchise circulars and agreements Strategic alliances Joint ventures between domestic and international companies David provides advice in connection with mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions, privacy law, entertainment law and advertising and promotions law. David served as a Captain in the United States Air Force from 1982 to 1989, during which he served as a Navigator and Weapon Systems Officer in the F-111 fighter bomber and a flight safety officer responsible for investigating aviation accidents. David also served as General Counsel to MaterniCare, Inc., a venture capital-backed physician practice management company focused on women's healthcare.

David Schindler

Finance 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 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, David counsels leading global clients on a variety of competition issues, working closely with regulatory authorities around the world to achieve favorable outcomes for clients. David 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. David offers clients sophisticated insight into navigating various regulatory reviews. David 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. David served on the firm’s global Diversity Leadership Committee from 2020 to 2022.

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 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 J. Greene

David J. Miller

Corporate Partner

Finance Partner

David K. Callahan

Litigation Partner

David L. Shapiro

David L. Schwartz

Finance Partner

David P. Frazier

David Frazier serves as Global Vice Chair of Latham’s Intellectual Property Litigation Practice. He represents clients in complex biopharmaceutical patent litigation and provides strategic counseling across the life sciences industry, particularly biologics, antibodies, cell therapy, gene editing, and other emerging technologies. A trailblazer in defending cutting-edge pharmaceutical products against infringing biosimilars, David combines his sophisticated understanding of molecular biology with keen market insight to represent leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in: Litigation involving innovator products and follow-on biologics Hatch-Waxman litigation Brand-on-brand litigation Licensing and ownership disputes, including related arbitration Strategic counseling David has robust experience leading and co-leading biopharmaceutical patent litigation, as well in Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceedings and strategy. In multijurisdictional parallel proceedings, he coordinates with local counsel all over the world to implement seamless litigation strategy. Before joining Latham, he was a partner in the patent litigation practice at a global intellectual property law firm. A recognized leader at the firm, David has served as a member of the firm’s Recruiting Committee. David maintains an active pro bono practice, including representing clients in veterans’ rights matters.

David R. Hazelton

Litigation Partner

David S. Dantzic

David Dantzic advises private equity firms and their portfolio companies on complex mergers and acquisitions. David leverages nearly three decades of experience structuring and negotiating cross-border transactions to guide both US and non-US clients on: Public and private M&A for both strategics and financial sponsors Going-private transactions Carve-out acquisitions Consortium arrangements Joint ventures Drawing on his sophisticated understanding of multidimensional deals, he thrives on complexity and adeptly solves legal structural issues on all aspects of his clients’ transactions, including environmental, employment, tax, and regulatory. He works closely with Latham colleagues worldwide to integrate solutions from across the global platform to address any multijurisdictional, multidisciplinary challenge that arises. A recognized leader within and outside the firm, David is a former Chair of the firm’s Washington, D.C. Corporate Department and has served on the Initiatives Committee and the Associates Committee. In addition to his work for firm clients, he serves as President of the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia, a role in which he received the 2023 Servant of Justice Award. He is also a founding Board Member and Treasurer of Hill Center, a nonprofit organization that provides arts, education, and cultural programs in Washington, D.C.

David S. Heller

Of Counsel, Retired Partner

David T. Della Rocca

David Della Rocca, former Vice Chair of the Global Tax Department and former Chair of the Global Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Practice, advises public and private companies on complex executive compensation and employee benefits matters. David leverages deep experience and his role as a trusted advisor to help clients navigate: Executive compensation and employee benefit matters in connection with mergers and acquisitions, spinoffs, and initial public offerings Equity-based and other incentive compensation plans and arrangements, including stock option plans, employee stock purchase plans, and deferred compensation plans Day-to-day executive compensation and employee benefit issues that arise in public and private companies

Daying Zhang, a partner in the Hong Kong office, advises issuers and underwriters on capital markets transactions. Ms. Zhang advises both public and private companies on full range of capital markets transactions and corporate matters, including: Initial public offerings (IPOs) and follow-on offerings in the US and Hong Kong Public company representation including regulatory compliance, M&A, and privatization She draws on extensive work in both China and the US, advising a wide range of issuers and underwriters, particularly in the technology, financial services, and energy sectors. She also advises clients on related litigation and internal investigation matters.

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 Dunlavey is Chair of the Litigation & Trial Department in Orange County. His practice focuses on patent infringement, trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition and other intellectual property litigation.

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 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.

Denis Criton is a partner in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins. He specializes in mergers and acquisitions, with particular expertise in leveraged acquisitions (LBOs). Mr. Criton has considerable experience representing private equity institutions in acquisitions, disposals, and restructurings. For more than 18 years, he has been representing French and foreign investors in strategic transactions and joint ventures. Mr. Criton was the Global Chair of the Knowledge Management Committee for four years. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Criton worked in the London and Paris offices of several leading law firms.

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.

Dennis Craythorn

Corporate Counsel

Dennis Lamont advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on debt financing for leveraged buyouts, tuck-in acquisitions, and recapitalizations. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience, Dennis helps clients structure and manage a variety of capital structures in large cap, middle-market, and lower-middle-market investments, with a focus on: Direct lender and clubbed credit facilities Syndicated first- and second-lien credit facilities Asset-based revolving facilities Mezzanine financings Holdco debt He builds trust through long-term relationships with his private equity clients, some of whom he has guided for decades. Dennis leverages his cutting-edge market knowledge and commercial acumen to succinctly distill complex information that helps sponsors make strategic business decisions in fast-paced transactions. Dennis also advises his clients in connection with exit, liability management, and a variety of workout transactions. Dennis has lived in Brazil, the Netherlands, Russia, and the US, and he has spent significant time working for clients in the UK.

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.

Derek Chua is a partner in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Mr. Chua has extensive experience in a wide range of structured equity, equity-linked, and OTC derivative transactions, including: Equity derivative transactions such as swaps, forwards, options, stock lending, and repos and monetization transactions Convertible and exchangeable securities offerings Margin loan transactions Other complex structured equity transactions He also provides transactional and regulatory advice in connection with structured product and OTC derivative transactions, including issues relating to netting and collateral, capacity and licensing, and mandatory clearing and reporting. In addition, he is experienced in structured finance transactions, establishment of structured note and repackaging programs, issuance of equity, credit, index, and portfolio-linked instruments, structured and repackaged notes, and other retail and institutional structured products.

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 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.

Diego Romero is an associate in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins. As a member of the firm’s International Arbitration Practice, he advises clients on the resolution of high-stakes, complex international disputes. Mr. Romero advises in international arbitrations under the ICSID, ICC, and UNCITRAL Rules, with a particular focus on investment and commercial disputes involving Latin America.

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

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 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.

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 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 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.

Doug Lumish, a nationally recognized trial lawyer and Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, tries cases for the world’s leading technology and life sciences companies on their most important intellectual property and technology related litigation. Doug has served terms as Global Vice Chair of Latham’s Litigation and Trial Department, Global Co-Chair of the IP Litigation Practice, and Co-Chair of the Bay Area Litigation & Trial Department. Doug has an exceptional record of winning at all stages of litigation, including at jury trials, bench trials, and on appeal. He regularly handles patent, trade secret, contract, licensing, fraud, and other technology-related cases in courts across the country, and before the International Trade Commission and customs regulators. He has won jury trials and summary judgments for plaintiffs and defendants alike, and has defeated billions of dollars in claims against his clients.

Douglas Yatter is Global Vice Chair of Latham's White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice and Co-Chair of the firm’s Commodities and Derivatives Regulation and Enforcement Practice. He is also a founding member of Latham’s Global Digital Assets & Web3 Practice. A leader of two Latham practices ranked Band 1 nationwide in Chambers (Derivatives and Fintech/Crypto-Asset Disputes), Douglas advises clients across the financial services and fintech industries and the energy and agricultural sectors in government and internal investigations, litigation, and regulatory matters. As a former Chief Trial Attorney in the Division of Enforcement of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Douglas' experience with commodities regulation enables him to assist large financial institutions, commodity trading firms, energy companies, fintech ventures, and other clients in navigating a complex and rapidly developing regulatory and enforcement environment. He also draws on his experience to represent clients in class actions and other litigation involving financial instruments and market conduct. At the CFTC, Douglas was a leader of two of the agency’s highest profile enforcement matters, including both the ISDAFIX benchmark investigation and the investigation of the collapse of MF Global. He also conducted and supervised various other matters involving violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations, including fraud, manipulation, false reporting, spoofing, trade practice abuses, customer protection, insider trading, and cybersecurity. His work addressed swaps, futures, and other derivatives across various markets, often in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the National Futures Association (NFA), and other domestic and international authorities. In all, his cases resulted in orders for sanctions totaling nearly US$1.6 billion. In addition to traditional commodities, Douglas advises cryptocurrency clients on a range of compliance, litigation, and enforcement matters at the forefront of regulatory developments involving digital assets and blockchain technology. His recent cryptocurrency matters have included investigations by the CFTC, SEC, and Department of Justice on regulatory compliance for token offerings, centralized and decentralized trading platforms, insider trading, money laundering, and market manipulation. In his extensive civil litigation practice, Douglas represents clients in federal and state courts and arbitration proceedings in a wide array of complex matters, including securities and shareholder derivative suits, antitrust cases, and transactional disputes. Douglas serves on the Advisory Board of NYU School of Law’s Program on Corporate Compliance & Enforcement and the Board of Directors of the Fund for Modern Courts. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a member of the ABA Derivatives & Futures Law Committee and the Futures Industry Association Law & Compliance Division. Early in his career, he clerked for Judge Dennis Jacobs of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Douglas is a frequent speaker on enforcement topics and industry trends, including cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, and other areas of innovation.

Douglas H. Burnaford

Douglas N. Greenburg

Douglas Greenburg represents clients in internal corporate investigations, white collar criminal matters, and SEC enforcement proceedings. He previously served as Global Chair of the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice, Global Vice Chair of the Litigation & Trial Department, and Local Chair of the Litigation & Trial Department. Douglas draws on more than 25 years of experience with issues related to: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Money laundering Economic sanctions and export control Securities fraud He counsels clients throughout the world on compliance with US laws and advises US clients on domestic compliance issues arising from international operations. Douglas has particular experience representing public companies, as well as their boards and audit committees, in connection with high-stakes law enforcement and regulatory matters. From 2003-2004, Douglas investigated terrorist financing as a member of the staff of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. In 1995 and 1996, he served with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Enforcement. Douglas regularly appears in top rankings in legal publications, including Chambers and The Legal 500. Clients describe him as, “Fantastic … a great lawyer and an effective leader.”

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 Gardiner counsels clients on strategies for maximizing insurance coverage and represents policyholders in complex insurance coverage and bad faith disputes. Drew has prosecuted coverage claims involving a variety of first- and third-party policies, including commercial general liability, directors and officers (D&O) liability, errors and omissions and environmental impairment policies. Drew also has significant experience advising clients on the strategic management of insurance portfolios, including evaluating D&O policy terms, and negotiating improvements in policy language. Additionally, Drew counsels clients on insurance-related aspects of corporate transactions and negotiates custom insurance products for a variety of potential risks, including representation and warranties, environmental, tax, property, and business interruption policies. Drew has represented a number of clients seeking insurance coverage for historical environmental liabilities, including National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) in remediation of contaminated sediments in San Diego Bay, Xcel Energy in remediation of sediments at the Ashland Superfund Site on Lake Superior, and Montrose Chemical Corporation of California in remediation of contaminated groundwater, soils, and DNAPL in Torrance, California. Drew also represents the NCAA in obtaining insurance coverage for over 250 class action and individual lawsuits alleging the NCAA’s liability for alleged concussion-related injuries suffered by former student-athletes. In addition to the above, Drew's current clients include Facebook, Cigna, Carvana, and PG&E.

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.

Environmental, Land & Resources Partner

E. Marcellus Williamson

Ed Siskel, an experienced litigator, crisis manager, and strategic advisor, combines experience at the highest levels of government and the private sector to help clients navigate high-stakes legal, policy, reputational, and business challenges. Combining his experience at the White House, Justice Department, private practice, and in-house at a global alternative asset manager, Ed skillfully counsels clients through: Government-facing litigation and investigations Regulatory and policy change Risk management Business strategy Before joining Latham, Ed served as White House Counsel for President Biden, and Deputy White House Counsel for President Obama. In those roles, Ed advised the President and senior White House staff on a broad range of legal, policy, and compliance matters — including issues of executive authority, national security, domestic policy, and judicial nominations. Leading a team of White House lawyers and working closely with counsel across Executive Branch agencies, he managed the Biden and Obama Administrations’ responses to Congressional and other high-profile investigations, complex litigation, and policy matters. Ed also draws on extensive experience in the private sector as in-house counsel, having served as chief legal officer at Chicago-based alternative asset management firm, Grosvenor Holdings LLC. He also leverages experience at another global law firm where he advised corporate clients on litigation, crisis management, and government investigations. Ed’s Chicago roots include serving as Corporation Counsel — the city’s chief legal officer — during Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration. In that role, Ed advised Mayor Emanuel and city leadership on all legal issues as well as overseeing a department of 300 attorneys and staff, managing high-profile litigation, regulatory, and transactional matters for Chicago. Ed’s public service includes high level roles in the Department of Justice, including serving for two years as Associate Deputy Attorney General during the Obama Administration, working on significant DOJ investigations and policy matters across all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Criminal Division, law enforcement agencies, and the criminal components of the department’s litigating divisions. Prior to his service with the DOJ, Ed served as a federal prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, where he: conducted eight jury trials to verdict, including a four-month long corporate and securities fraud case; argued several appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; and supervised numerous fraud and public corruption investigations and indictments. Earlier in his career, Ed was a law clerk for Justice John Paul Stevens on the United States Supreme Court, and for Judge Dorothy Nelson on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

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.

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 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 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 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.

Edward J. Shapiro

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 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.

Corporate Partner

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.

Elise Auvray is a counsel in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins. Her practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and compliance. She also advises clients on data privacy and white collar crime. Ms. Auvray resolves a broad range of complex disputes through litigation proceedings, mostly in an international context and in various areas of business, working in matters involving assistance and representation of clients before all courts (civil, commercial, criminal, and arbitral tribunals). Ms. Auvray is also active in firm management, serving on the Associates Committee.

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 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.

Elizabeth Jaffe

Finance Counsel

Elizabeth Prewitt

Elizabeth Prewitt, a leading first-chair trial lawyer and former federal prosecutor, defends multinational companies and executives facing high-stakes government antitrust investigations and litigation. Elizabeth has a formidable track record of success leading her clients through government antitrust investigations, managing bet-the-company litigation, and leading the defense in the courtroom. She leverages her insight into the approaches of antitrust and competition enforcers globally to guide clients through: Complex civil investigations initiated by the US DOJ and FTC, and state and foreign competition enforcement agencies Civil and criminal litigation Complex and cross-border cartel investigations Before entering private practice, Elizabeth spent 16 years as a trial lawyer in the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice (DOJ). She also served as Assistant Chief of the Antitrust Division in the New York office from 2012 to 2014. She was designated as a Visiting International Enforcer to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition in Brussels. Her work on both sides of the Atlantic uniquely positions her to navigate matters with multinational components and parallel investigations conducted by antitrust enforcers and regulators globally. A two-time recipient of the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award and the Assistant Attorney General’s Award, Elizabeth led the DOJ’s criminal antitrust cartel investigations into some of its largest investigations at the time, including into Libor and Forex rate-rigging alongside parallel inquiries by global competition and fraud enforcers. In recognition of her exceptional experience and reputation globally, she has been selected to serve in senior leadership positions in the International, American and New York State Bar Associations. She is also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the David E. Rockefeller Foundation.

Elizabeth M. Richards

Elizabeth Richards advises clients navigating the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) oversight and regulation of the life sciences industry, including digital health, medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, dietary supplement, food, cosmetic, and other life sciences industry clients. Elizabeth counsels clients on regulatory, compliance, transactional, and legislative matters involving the FDA. Her practice spans all stages of the product life cycle, including with respect to: Pre-market product development and launch strategy Clinical trials and pre-clinical testing Product submissions Product marketing, promotion, and labeling Good manufacturing practice Agency inspections and recalls Enforcement actions In addition to her focus on regulatory counseling and advocacy, Elizabeth frequently drafts and negotiates contracts with vendors of life sciences clients, including clinical trial sites, contract research organizations, contract manufacturers and laboratories, and suppliers. She also regularly advises on regulatory matters in connection with capital markets, financing, and M&A transactions involving FDA-regulated entities. She currently serves as a member of the FDLI’s Medical Products Committee and served as an inaugural member of the FDLI Digital Health Committee, and has previously served on its Publications and Academic Programs Committee. Elizabeth is also a member of Latham’s Artificial Intelligence Task Force and the firm’s Digital Health Steering Committee, bringing together subject matter experts tracking developments in the rapidly evolving digital health space, and she participates as a member of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association’s FDA Working Group. Elizabeth also previously served as an Advisory Board member of the Children’s Law Center.

Elizabeth R. Park

Elizabeth Park advises communications, information technology, and media companies in highly technical transactional and regulatory matters. Elizabeth combines her sophisticated understanding of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector (Team Telecom) processes with commercial pragmatism to advise on matters involving: Foreign ownership issues Satellite communications Wireless and wireline telecommunications Internet services Multichannel video services Broadcast television and radio Non-communications companies’ investment in or use of telecommunications in their business operations Device manufacturers and technology developers She helps clients secure transaction approvals in mergers and acquisitions, structure private equity investments and other financing transactions to meet regulatory requirements, and negotiate a variety of technology and content agreements. In the regulatory arena, Elizabethguides clients on regulatory policy issues and FCC and other government agency procedures. She has represented clients in a wide range of adjudicatory and rulemaking proceedings before the FCC. A recognized leader in her field, Elizabeth is Co-Chair of the Federal Communications Bar Association’s Transactional Committee and regularly speaks on communications regulatory issues at industry events. She has also served on the firm’s Legal Professional and Paralegal Committee. Elizabeth serves on the Children’s Law Center’s Advisory Board.

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 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.

Corporate Counsel

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 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.

Emily Cridland is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and is a member of the firm’s Corporate Department. She trained in Latham's London and Singapore offices and spent time as an associate working in-house on secondment to Markit Group Limited (now part of S&P). Her practice focuses on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, venture capital, reorganisations, and general corporate matters for clients across a variety of industries. In addition to her legal practice, Emily has previously held the role of Vice Chair on the firm's Recruiting Committee and has also served on the Associates Committee.

Emily E. Taylor

Emily Taylor is counsel in the Boston office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm's Emerging Companies Practice. She represents technology, life sciences and retail companies from formation through IPO.

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 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 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 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.

Erika Brini Raimondi

Erika Brini Raimondi advises clients across a broad range of complex financing transactions. Ms. Brini Raimondi leverages extensive experience to guide clients on: Acquisition finance Restructuring Private equity finance Corporate finance Debt capital markets Direct lending A recognized leader at the firm, Ms. Brini Raimondi serves as local leader for the Diversity Leadership Committee and was previously local leader of the Women Lawyers Group.

Erika L. Weinberg, Co-Chair of the New York Corporate Department, provides broad-based corporate counsel to financial institutions and companies, including in connection with public and private financings and general securities matters. Drawing on her extensive track record handling significant transactions and complex financial regulatory issues, Erika serves as a strategic advisor to clients from across industries, including financial services, healthcare, media and entertainment, telecommunications, manufacturing, and retail. Her work includes: Bridge lending and loan commitments Initial public offerings Liability management transactions, including debt exchange offers and tender offers Public and private equity offerings Secured and unsecured high yield debt offerings Erika also advises clients on periodic and current filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and satisfying requirements set by the national securities exchanges. Erika has been named to Crain’s New York Business 2021 Notable Women in Law List. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. She previously served as the Co-Chair of the firm’s Women Enriching Business (WEB) program in the New York office.

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.

Erin Brown Jones

Erin Brown Jones advises clients on enforcement, compliance, transactional, and litigation matters across a range of regulatory regimes, with a focus on the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and US securities laws and regulations. She serves as Co-Deputy Office Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C. office. Erin was recognized in Global Investigations Review’s 2020 “40 Under 40” list recognizing the next generation of outstanding investigations specialists. Erin represents clients in both domestic and cross-border investigations, and has experience navigating government-imposed compliance monitor decrees and regulator reporting requirements, advocating in front of government agencies, and engaging with cross-border teams, forensic accountants and experts, and external auditors, Boards, and other stakeholders. Erin has investigative experience with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), State Department, and Department of Commerce, as well as working with clients facing Congressional investigations. Her experience includes investigations around the world, including field work for major multinational companies in at least 16 countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. Complementing her government-facing work, Erin conducts internal investigations for clients across a range of compliance areas, including highly sensitive allegations of harassment, discrimination, hostile workplace, and retaliation. In addition to her investigations practice, Erin also works closely with clients across industries – including the manufacturing, technology, pharmaceutical, aerospace, healthcare, and oil and gas industries – to review and enhance their internal compliance programs to align with US government expectations and industry leading practices, including drafting policies and procedures, conducting risk assessments, delivering proactive and insightful training, and advising companies with respect to innovative compliance monitoring and analytics. Erin also regularly advises clients in connection with cross-border M&A, financing, and capital markets transactions, including pre- and post-acquisition due diligence and counseling. Prior to her experience at Latham, Erin held fellowships with the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Office of Force Transformation, and also served in the AmeriCorps program. Erin previously was a member of Latham’s Recruiting Committee, and currently serves on the firm’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Review Board and as a member of the ESG Task Force.

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.

Esperanza Barrón Baratech

Esperanza Barrón Baratech is an associate in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins. She is a member of the firm’s International Arbitration Practice and represents companies, states, and state-owned entities in high-stakes, complex international disputes. Esperanza has acted in international arbitrations, both institutional and ad hoc, with a particular focus on investment, energy, oil and gas, and construction. She has a wide range of experience in proceedings under the aegis of the principal arbitration institutions, including the ICC, SCC, and ICSID, as well as under the UNCITRAL Rules.

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.

Etienne Gentil is of counsel in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins, where he previously was a partner for 15 years. Etienne acts primarily on leveraged financing, asset financing, and syndicated loans. He was the President of the Commission on French Securities Interest Reform for think tank Paris Europlace from 2014 to 2021.

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

Evan Smith is a partner and Corporate Department Deputy Chair for the Boston and Waltham offices of Latham & Watkins. He represents clients on a broad range of corporate matters in life sciences, technology and other industry sectors.

Eveline Van Keymeulen

Eveline Van Keymeulen is a partner in Latham & Watkins' Brussels and Paris offices and Global Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins' Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice. She advises multinational companies and start-ups in the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical devices, cosmetics, and food and beverage sectors on a broad variety of complex European, domestic and cross-border regulatory matters, including clinical trials, product approvals, regulatory incentives, market access, promotion and advertising, post-market obligations, and general compliance matters. In addition, Eveline has extensive experience advising on cannabis and hemp-based product regulations. She successfully challenged the legality of French hemp regulations in the first landmark case related to cannabidiol (CBD) products before the Court of Justice of the European Union (Case C-663/18, Kanavape). This transaction won the Creating New Standards award at the Financial Times European Innovative Lawyer Awards 2022. Eveline has authored numerous articles and has been a featured speaker on EU regulatory matters at prominent conferences such as the Pharmaceutical Law Academy in Cambridge. She also serves on the editorial board of the European Pharmaceutical Law Review. In addition, Eveline has been quoted in BBC Business Daily, Bloomberg, The Times, Les Echos, and other leading international business journals on life sciences regulatory and policy matters.

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

Eyad Latif advises private and public companies and venture capital and private equity firms in the technology, life sciences, and other growth industries. Mr. Latif helps private and public 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, and transactional matters. Mr. Latif guides clients through complex transactions and growth initiatives with business-oriented advice. Mr. Latif previously worked in the firm’s San Francisco and New York offices focusing on general corporate and technology transactions matters. Mr. Latif received his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), where he received the American Jurisprudence Award in Islamic Law and co-founded the Berkeley Journal of Middle Eastern & Islamic Law.

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.

Fabrice Fages advises French and international clients and their US subsidiaries on complex commercial disputes and sensitive compliance and ESG matters. Mr. Fages helps financial institutions, multinational companies, and French corporates to prevent and mitigate risk and to navigate litigation, including: Civil, commercial, and criminal litigation Mass/class action litigation Internal and government investigations International arbitration and mediation Mr. Fages also regularly helps clients implement compliance and ESG programs. A versatile, internationally recognized lawyer, he draws on both extensive experience appearing before judges and well-honed negotiation skills to avoid litigation. Mr. Fages brings a business sensibility to help clients navigate crisis management, cross-border and French law compliance-related issues. With a broad perspective on complex disputes, he offers clients a strategic view toward dispute resolution. Mr. Fages has long been involved in the evolution of legal and regulatory public policy. He worked with the French Senate on business and financial legal matters from 1999 to 2002 and at the French National Assembly. He draws on experience advising the Conseil National des Barreaux (CNB) on governmental issues. He is a founding member of the Legal Committee of Paris Europlace and an Expert of the leading French think tank, Club des Juristes. Mr. Fages has contributed as an Expert to two committees; one dedicated to anticorruption (2022), and one dedicated to “Devoir de vigilance” (2023), both chaired by former Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve. He is currently a member of a committee on internal investigations, chaired by a former justice minister, Dominique Perben. He also teaches litigation at the Université of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and arbitration at the Université of Paris 2 Panthéon Assas.

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.

Farrell J. Malone

Farrell Malone advises market-leading companies on the antitrust aspects of complex, high stakes mergers and acquisitions in the US and worldwide. Farrell leverages nearly two decades’ experience across a broad spectrum of highly scrutinized industries to guide clients through: Global merger review processes Antitrust investigations and enforcement Follow-on litigation Drawing on his extensive economics background, Farrell helps clients navigate the transactional complexities inherent in US Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reviews and investigations. Farrell seamlessly integrates with his Latham M&A colleagues and in-house deal teams to mitigate antitrust risk from deal inception to deal close and address any post-closing issues. He has driven strategy for some of the highest profile global deals in recent years and helps clients maintain antitrust compliance across the full scope of their business. Farrell's substantial international practice involves coordinating strategy for merger clearance in major jurisdictions worldwide, including Europe, Brazil, China, and India, among others. Farrell has three years’ experience practicing competition law in Brussels, Belgium. A recognized leader at the firm, Farrell is a member of the Training and Career Enhancement Committee, which serves to train the next generation of Latham lawyers.

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.

Fernando Mantilla-Serrano

Fernando Mantilla-Serrano, Global Co-Chair of the International Arbitration Practice, brings deep knowledge and experience in international arbitration representing companies, states, and state-owned entities in highly complex commercial and investor-state disputes. Fernando acts as lead counsel in arbitrations conducted under the main institutional arbitration rules (ICC, LCIA, SCC, ICDR), as well as ad hoc rules, in venues around the globe. He has in depth experience in complex investor-state disputes, in particular under the aegis of ICSID. He serves regularly as tribunal chairman, sole arbitrator and party-appointed arbitrator, and has also served as an expert before arbitral tribunals and state courts. His practice covers numerous sectors, with particular focus on the oil & gas, power, natural resources, construction, manufacturing, and automotive industries. Fernando is member of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) Governing Board and of the Singapore International Arbitration Center (SIAC) Court of Arbitration, fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), and member of the International Law Association (ILA).

Fernando Colomina

Fernando Colomina advises borrowers and lenders on complex financing structures in cross-border M&A and private equity transactions, particularly leveraged buyouts. Mr. Colomina helps banks and other financial institutions, sponsors, and corporate borrowers and issuers implement innovative international structures in the Spanish market. He approaches each transaction with creativity and versatility, drawing on extensive experience across the financing spectrum. Mr. Colomina unlocks the resources of Latham’s global platform to connect clients with the right tools for each financing, regardless of jurisdiction. He also frequently works with the high yield team to seamlessly execute bank/bond financings. A recognized thought leader, Mr. Colomina annually serves as an editor for Business Research’s The Acquisition & Leveraged Finance Review, as well as the author of its Spanish chapter.

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.

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 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 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 Bierwirth

Frank Bierwirth is a counsel in the Frankfurt office of Latham & Watkins. He has extensive experience advising on a variety of structured finance and debt capital markets matters including: OTC derivatives Structured notes Securitization and covered bonds Debt issuance programs Bond and Schuldschein loan transactions His regulatory practice includes financial services and securities, market infrastructure such as CCP clearing and trading systems, as well as investment funds and insurance regulatory law.

Frank Sun, Co-Deputy Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ Asia offices, advises clients on complex private equity investment and M&A transactions. A native Mandarin speaker focusing on multijurisdictional work, Mr. Sun has practiced law in London, Beijing, New York, and Hong Kong, and combines nearly two decades of local market knowledge in Greater China and broad transactional experience to provide solutions to private equity funds and corporate clients in a wide range of cross-border transactions, including: Control acquisitions Growth capital investments US take private Hong Kong public takeovers Private investments in public equity (PIPEs) A recognized leader at the firm, Mr. Sun has served on the firm’s Training and Career Enhancement Committee and Recruiting Committee.

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.

Gabe Gross is a veteran first-chair trial lawyer and skilled courtroom advocate who represents leading life sciences and technology companies in their most important intellectual property and commercial disputes. A partner in the Bay Area offices and co-chair of Latham’s national Trial Advocacy training program, Gabe has won jury verdicts, summary judgments, arbitration awards, and appeals, defeating billions of dollars in patent infringement and licensing claims on behalf of his clients. Gabe’s litigation practice focuses on intellectual property and other complex commercial disputes. He is deeply experienced in patent, trade secret, licensing, trademark, copyright, false advertising, and unfair competition disputes. With a background in biotechnology, Gabe serves as lead trial counsel for innovative clients across the life sciences, medical device, high-tech, and consumer products industries. He has represented clients in federal and state courts across the country, including in California, New York, Texas, Delaware, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, before the US International Trade Commission, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and US Customs and Border Protection, as well as in arbitrations domestically and abroad. Gabe has tried cases to juries over patent infringement, copyright infringement, and contract disputes. He has tried cases to arbitrators over intellectual property licensing and other commercial disputes. Gabe also is a registered patent attorney with experience in inter partes review and other patent office proceedings. Gabe’s pro bono practice includes representing clients in immigration and asylum matters, inmate civil rights cases, veterans’ benefits disputes, and unlawful detainer actions. Gabe enjoys giving back to the community and for years has coached his local high school’s mock trial team and volunteered as a mock trial coach, judge, and Deposition Course instructor at Berkeley Law. Speaking Engagements Panelist, “Trade Secrets Unlocked: State or Federal Court – Which Is Best for Your Case, and How Do You Win There?,” Latham & Watkins, June 24, 2020 Panelist, “Trade Secrets Unlocked: How In-House Lawyers Can Litigation to Win,” Latham & Watkins, January 30, 2020 Panelist, “Trade Secrets Unlocked: Managing Risk When On/Offboarding” Latham & Watkins, May 1, 2019

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. Mr. Gianasso 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.

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 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, 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.

Garrett S. Long

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 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.

Environmental, Land & Resources Partner

Gary E. Axelrod

Corporate Partner

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.

Geoffrey Kuziemko

Dr. Kuziemko is a member of the Technology Transactions Practice and the Life Sciences Licensing Practice. He has over 14 years of experience negotiating and drafting complex agreements involving the transfer, use and sharing of intellectual property, including agreements covering the research, development, licensing, supply, manufacturing, partnering, promotion and marketing of drug products.

George Mihlsten

Environmental, Land & Resources Partner

Corporate Counsel

Giancarlo D’Ambrosio

Giancarlo D’Ambrosio is a partner in the Milan office of Latham & Watkins. He primarily advises clients on corporate, M&A, private equity, capital markets, and financial transactions. Mr. D'Ambrosio represents private equity funds and their portfolio companies, publicly traded and privately held companies, as well as financial institutions on: Mergers and acquisitions Joint ventures Investments Divestitures Strategic structured finance transactions Corporate governance and public company representation Capital markets transactions (primary and secondary offerings, listings, bond issues, and liability management transactions) His experience spans a broad range of industries, including sports, fashion, entertainment, and media. Mr. D’Ambrosio serves on the firm’s local Recruiting Committee.

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.

Giorgia Lugli advises multinational private equity firms, financial institutions, and companies doing business in Italy on a range of investments, M&A transactions, and restructurings. Drawing on her experience in complex, cross-border transactions, Ms. Lugli delivers pragmatic and creative counsel to international and Italian clients. She regularly navigates multifaceted transactions in tight timeframes by effectively managing multiple work streams and collaborating closely with clients’ legal counsel. An accomplished private equity practitioner, Ms. Lugli counsels clients throughout every stage of the investment lifecycle — from negotiating investment agreements to assisting clients on corporate governance matters to executing sales. She fosters strong relationships with stakeholders from target companies across diverse industries to help ensure efficient deal closings. Ms. Lugli brings particular experience in cross-border transactions involving companies in highly regulated sectors. Ms. Lugli’s practice work also includes joint ventures, corporate reorganizations, and acquisitions of insolvent companies.

Giorgio Ignazzi

Giorgio Ignazzi advises clients on leveraged finance, international capital markets transactions, and securities regulation. Mr. Ignazzi represents private equity sponsors, issuers, private credit funds, and investment banks in: Public and private offerings of debt and equity securities Acquisition financings Liability management transactions Before joining Latham, Mr. Ignazzi worked at another global law firm in London, focused primarily on capital markets transactions. In 2018, he joined Latham & Watkins in London and subsequently transferred to the Milan office.

Giovanni Sandicchi

Giovanni B. Sandicchi represents Italian and international clients in a range of private equity and M&A transactions, often in a cross-border context. Drawing on his sophisticated market knowledge and broad-based transactional experience, Mr. Sandicchi advises leading private equity and infrastructure funds, as well as family-run companies and venture capital funds. He regularly navigates transactions across a multitude of industries, including aerospace, defense, and healthcare sectors. His practice includes: Mergers & acquisitions Private equity Infrastructure funds transactions Distressed M&A Joint ventures Corporate governance Strategic commercial contracts Mr. Sandicchi also regularly provides pro bono counsel to nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations seeking assistance corporate governance matters.

Giovanni Spedicato

Giovanni Spedicato represents private equity sponsors and leading industrial players in complex mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Spedicato combines his sophisticated business expertise with broad legal knowledge to advise clients on: M&A, joint ventures, and private equity transactions Divestitures Strategic commercial contracts Corporate governance Venture capital He strategically approaches every negotiation and designs pragmatic solutions that allow his clients to meet their business expectations and needs. A recognized thought leader, Mr. Spedicato regularly lectures at top universities on M&A. Before joining Latham in 2011, Mr. Spedicato was teaching assistant of Corporate Law at LUISS Guido Carli University.

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.

Glen B. Collyer

Grace M. Lee is a tax partner in the San Francisco office of Latham & Watkins and focuses on US federal income taxation. Grace advises clients on US federal income tax matters relating to mergers and acquisitions, investments, and other transactions. She has substantial experience representing strategic and financial buyers and sellers, public and private companies, and investors in connection with US and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and partnerships, reorganizations, and financing transactions. Prior to joining Latham in 2007, she practiced in New York. Grace clerked for Judge Susan Oki Mollway, US District Court for the District of Hawaii, from 2002 to 2003.

Graeme Smyth represents banks, underwriters, and issuers in a wide range of asset-backed securitizations and other structured finance transactions, especially those involving esoteric assets. Graeme draws on nearly two decades of experience helping clients navigate structured financing of a broad range of assets, including: Music catalogs Triple net real estate ABS Aircraft portfolios and enhanced equipment trust certificate (EETC) aircraft financings Shipping containers Residential solar power assets Railcars Rental car fleets The financing, leasing, and exchange of airport take-off and landing slots Trade and other receivables He leverages extensive knowledge of different financing approaches to appropriately structure solutions for specific assets, including pioneering music catalog portfolio securitization. Graeme prioritizes understanding all aspects of his clients’ business to balance financing objectives with necessary flexibility for cash flow, operations, and other commercial needs.

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 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 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 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.

Finance Partner

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.

Gregory Rodgers

Greg Rodgers is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Rodgers is a member of the Corporate Department and the Capital Markets, Derivatives and General Corporate Representation Practices. Mr. Rodgers is named as one of the leading capital markets lawyers in the United States by Chambers USA, and by Chambers Global.

Gregory Hannibal

Gregory G. Garre

Gregory Garre is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office and Global Chair of the firm’s Supreme Court & Appellate Practice. Widely considered one of the nation’s top appellate advocates, he has been recognized by Benchmark Litigation as a National Litigation Practice Area Star and Local Litigation Star every year since 2020, by Law360 as a 2016 Appellate MVP, and by National Law Journal as a 2016 Winning Litigator. Gregory handles a broad array of complex litigation matters at all levels of the federal and state court systems and counsels clients on constitutional, statutory, regulatory, and other legal matters. Gregory served as the 44th Solicitor General of the United States (2008-2009), after being unanimously confirmed to the position by the US Senate. As Solicitor General, he was the federal government’s top lawyer before the Supreme Court and was responsible for overseeing the government’s litigation in the federal appellate courts. He also served as Principal Deputy Solicitor General (2005-2008) and as an Assistant to the Solicitor General (2000-2004). He is the only person to have held all of those positions within the Office of the Solicitor General. Gregory has argued 49 cases before the Supreme Court and has briefed and served as counsel of record in hundreds of additional cases before the Court at both the merits and certiorari stage. Gregory has successfully argued some of the highest profile cases before the Supreme Court during the last 15 years, including Fisher v. University of Texas, Florida v. Georgia, Ashcroft v. Iqbal, Vance v. Ball State University, United States v. Home Concrete & Supply LLC, Maples v. Thomas, Christian Legal Society v. Martinez, FCC v. Fox Television Stations, Inc., Winter v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., Baze v. Rees, and Dastar Corp. v. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. In addition, he has filed scores of successful certiorari petitions before the Court, and successfully opposed certiorari on numerous occasions. Gregory has frequently prevailed in the most hard-fought cases before the Supreme Court. For example, in Florida v. Georgia, the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision allowing Florida’s equitable apportionment action against Georgia to proceed, a major win for the state in its battle to save the Apalachicola region. In Fisher v. University of Texas, the Supreme Court issued a 4-3 decision upholding the University of Texas’s admissions program against a constitutional challenge. In Vance v. Ball State University, the Court issued a 5-4 decision in favor of Gregory's employer client, in one of the most closely watched employment discrimination cases in recent years. And, in United States v. Home Concrete, the Court sided with Gregory's taxpayer client and handed the IRS a rare defeat in a 5-4 decision that the Wall Street Journal reported could have a billion dollar tax impact. Gregory also has argued scores of cases before the federal and state courts of appeals. In recent appeals, for example, he secured the reversal of a US$657 million dollar damages award entered against United Technologies Corp. under the False Claims Act, which had been the largest damages award entered for the government under the False Claims Act following a trial. As The American Lawyer wrote, “Gregory Garre convinced a federal appeals court to throw out [the US$657 million award],” “upending a government victory in a roller-coaster case spanning three decades.” (United Technologies Corp. v. US) Gregory also has handled numerous cases before the Federal Circuit, including in the areas of patent eligibility and claim construction. For example, he secured a complete victory before the Federal Circuit on behalf of WildTangent, Inc. in Ultramercial Inc. v. WildTangent Inc., named by Law360 as one of five patent cases to watch in 2014. In OIP Technologies Inc. v. Amazon.com, he secured the dismissal of a major patent infringement action against Amazon. And he secured a complete win for Amazon.com in another major patent fight in United Video Properties, Inc. v. Amazon.com. Gregory has handled numerous other patent matters, including successful dispositive motions in district court. Gregory also secured high-profile appellate victories on behalf of one of the country’s largest builders in a major tax appeal in the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Shea Homes v. Commissioner); a group of leading oil, gas, and other Fortune 100 companies in a major environmental case decided by the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (National Environmental Development Ass’n Clean Air Project v. EPA); and on behalf of Ford Motor Company in a significant preemption case decided by the South Carolina Supreme Court (Priester v. Ford). In addition, in NJOY v. FDA, Gregory secured a path-marking victory in the D.C. Circuit on behalf of an e-cigarette maker on the scope of the Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory authority over e-cigarettes, which the Wall Street Journal called a “bet-the-industry case.” Gregory has handled cases involving a wide array of additional matters, including in the areas of administrative law, alien tort statute, antitrust, arbitration, bankruptcy, business and employment and labor law, contract law, civil rights, education, environmental law (Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and National Environmental Policy Act), First Amendment, Fifth Amendment, food and drug, Indian law, intellectual property (patent, copyright, and trademark), international law, labor, preemption, separation of powers, tax, telecommunications, torts, and voting rights. Gregory has been consistently recognized as one of the nation’s premier Supreme Court and appellate advocates by Chambers USA, The American Lawyer, The Legal 500 US, Super Lawyers, Benchmark Litigation, and Best Lawyers in America. Chambers USA has repeatedly ranked Gregory in its top-tier for appellate advocates nationwide, recognizing him as a “phenomenal” advocate, especially in “high-stakes issues.” Gregory has also been named by Washingtonian magazine as one of Washington’s Best Lawyers and included on its list of the Stars of the Bar. In 2006, he was named to The American Lawyer’s Fab 50 list of top litigators under the age of 45 expected to be “leading the field for years to come.” In addition, his appellate briefs have been singled out as exemplary in Point Made: How to Write Like the Nation’s Top Advocates (2011 Oxford University Press), a book highlighting “great writing” by “the most renowned and influential advocates.” In 2014, Gregory was elected to both the American Law Institute and the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. In 2012, he was awarded the prestigious Rex Lee Advocacy Award. In 2016, 2014, and 2011, he was recognized by the Financial Times in its US Innovative Lawyers Report. In 2010, he was named Appellate Lawyer of the Week by the National Law Journal for his successful arguments before the Supreme Court in two different cases just eight days apart. Gregory also has received numerous awards for his public service, including the Attorney General’s Medallion for his service as Solicitor General. He is a recipient of the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award, the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering Interests of US National Security and additional honors from the Department of Justice for his work on important civil litigation matters. In addition, he received the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award — the Navy’s highest civilian honor — for his argument in Winter v. NRDC, which secured a major Supreme Court win for the Navy. In 2011, the Chief Justice of the United States appointed Gregory to the Standing Committee on the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Judicial Conference of the United States, the highest rule-making body in the US Judicial System, where he served until 2017. In that capacity, Gregory also served as a liaison member of the Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules. In 2018, Gregory was appointed to the Board of Directors of the US Chamber Litigation Center, the litigating arm of the US Chamber of Commerce. Gregory has taught constitutional law and Supreme Court practice at the George Washington University Law School, where he delivered the commencement address for the law school in its 150th anniversary year. He has testified before Congress on several occasions and speaks and publishes frequently on issues related to the Supreme Court and appellate practice. Following his graduation from law school, Gregory served as a law clerk to Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and to Judge Anthony J. Scirica of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Guido Bartolomei

Guido Bartolomei focuses primarily on corporate finance (equity and debt capital markets), corporate governance, and public company representation, as well as mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Bartolomei is particularly experienced in equity and debt capital markets offerings, public company representation, corporate law, and mergers and acquisitions. He assists private companies, sponsors, investment banks, and investment funds on a wide range of public and private, domestic, and cross-border transactions.

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.

Litigation Partner

Haim Zaltzman, Global Vice Chair of Latham's Emerging Companies & Growth Practice, focuses on private capital, finance, and other corporate transactions, primarily in the healthcare, life sciences, and technology fields. Haim is a member of the firm's Strategic Client Committee and Private Capital Practice. Haim frequently represents borrowers/issuers, sponsors, and financial institutions in private capital transactions, including: Technology growth financings (venture, structured, ABL, ARR, CARR/bookings, milestone-based, Up C, SPAC-related, and other structures) Direct lending transactions (private equity acquisition financings, cash-flow, ARR, CARR, liquidity, and other structures) Life sciences intellectual property monetization transactions (IP-backed debt, royalty buyout, synthetic royalty, revenue participations, R&D financings) Leasing, crypto/bitcoin, securitization, and other similar asset-based transactions Structured equity, pre-IPO debt and equity financings, and similar private capital transactions Haim holds leadership positions with the Chinese American International School and the American Jewish Committee. Haim has also been featured on CNBC, The Information, Bloomberg, The Washington Post, CFO Magazine, The Recorder, Law360.com, The Daily Journal, the International Financial Law Review, and VCExperts.com for his debt experience.

Hanno Kaiser advises clients on transactions and antitrust investigations with global scope, particularly involving digital platforms and their underlying hardware technology stack. Hanno also advises on the emerging global framework of AI regulation. Hanno brings a global perspective and technological expertise at the intersection of antitrust, AI, privacy, and intellectual property to help clients obtain required approvals and navigate matters involving: M&A transactions Joint ventures Standard setting and similar cooperative industry efforts Government investigations in the US and Europe under antitrust or AI regulations (payments, social media, messaging, e-commerce, search, ad tech, cloud, digital and analog semiconductors, satellite networking infrastructure) Strategic advice on antitrust and AI issues (blockchain, virtual reality, ad tech) Hanno understands the technologies that drive his clients’ businesses and the markets in which they operate, making him a trusted advisor to his clients’ management. Hanno has represented clients before the US FTC and DOJ, the European Commission, the German Federal Cartel Office, the Korean Fair Trading Commission (KFTC), China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), and other agencies around the world, as well as in civil antitrust litigation. He serves on the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and has previously served on its Initiatives Committee and Training and Career Enhancement Committee. Hanno frequently speaks on antitrust and technology topics. Before moving to San Diego, he taught technology antitrust at the UC Berkeley School of Law.

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 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 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.

Heather A. Crossner

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.

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 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 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.

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.

Hervé Diogo Amengual

Hervé Diogo Amengual represents international clients in transactional and litigation aspects of restructurings and bankruptcy matters. Mr. Diogo Amengual represents the various parties in a restructuring/bankruptcy context (debtors, lenders and other creditors, prospective purchasers, managers, and shareholders) before, during, and after bankruptcy proceedings. He is also actively involved in the management of the firm, representing the Paris office on the Ethics Committee.

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.

Hilary Shalla is a partner in the Real Estate Group. She has extensive experience representing individuals, partnerships and corporations, including REITs, MLPs, private equity sponsors and institutional clients, in a broad range of commercial real estate transactions.

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.

Holly Bauer advises clients at all stages of corporate development on their most challenging compensation, employee benefits, and employment matters. Holly combines creative problem-solving with impeccable judgment to guide clients on all aspects of: Complex corporate transactions, including cross-border mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, and initial public offerings Public and emerging company representation on ongoing executive compensation and employee benefits matters, including employment arrangements, proxy materials, and securities filings related to executive compensation Global equity or cash-based incentive plans, deferred compensation plans, and health and welfare plans Drawing on her prior corporate law experience, Holly approaches each matter with a sophisticated understanding of the corporate and securities law aspects of executive compensation and benefits. A recognized leader at the firm, Holly is Global Chair of the EEO Review Committee and previously served on the Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee.

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 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 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 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.

Hugh O'Sullivan

Hugh O’Sullivan advises financial sponsors together with their portfolio companies, corporates, funds, and financial institutions on a full spectrum of complex and multi-jurisdictional financing transactions. Hugh draws on almost two decades of experience advising clients on high-value leveraged finance and restructuring transactions, including: Unitranche Bank and bond/bridge First and second lien Bank and mezzanine Holdco PIK Margin Loans Asset based financings Hugh trained at another international law firm and spent his early career at Latham & Watkins, during which time he was seconded to Goldman Sachs. Before returning to Latham he practiced with other international law firms.

Hugo Varenne is an associate in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the International Arbitration Practice. He advises clients on the resolution of high-stakes, complex international disputes. Mr. Varenne also advises in international arbitrations under the ICSID, ICC, and SCC Rules, with a particular focus on investment and commercial disputes involving Latin America.

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, 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, 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, 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 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 Felstead, Global Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Complex Commercial Litigation Practice, advises clients on a variety of commercial litigation and regulatory disputes, with a particular focus on the media, technology, and sports industries. He draws on more than two decades of experience navigating complex and high-profile disputes to achieve clients’ business objectives. He regularly advises many of the world’s leading companies in the media, technology, and sports industries on high-value, multijurisdictional issues. Combining sophisticated industry knowledge and practical problem solving, Ian handles a diverse range of commercial disputes — from breach of contract claims to a variety of regulatory investigations and inquiries. His practice encompasses proceedings brought before a variety of venues, including the UK High Court and domestic and international tribunals, as well as regulatory processes around the world. Additionally, Ian has particular experience in relation to data protection, defamation, and breach of confidence/privacy. He regularly advises individuals and companies on data protection and reputation management issues.

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 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.

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 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.

Ivan Rabanillo advises clients on Spanish and international tax aspects of cutting-edge cross-border transactions. Mr. Rabanillo combines extensive transactional experience and a comprehensive understanding of multijurisdictional market practice to guide Spanish multinational groups and international investors on: M&A and joint ventures Capital markets transactions Banking and structured finance Restructuring and special situations Qualified to practice in Spain, Brazil, and New York, he approaches each transaction from a global perspective. Mr. Rabanillo devises practical and efficient solutions for clients’ time-sensitive commercial needs.

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.

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. Michael Chambers

J. Patrick Nevins

Patrick Nevins is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Energy Regulatory & Markets and Project Development & Finance Practices. Patrick has more than 25 years of experience advising leading energy companies in the development of major infrastructure projects, administrative litigation, and high-stakes regulatory matters. His clients have included electric utilities, oil and liquids pipelines and shippers, and companies in all segments of the natural gas industry, including: Pipeline and storage companies LNG project developers Local distribution companies Producers Patrick has advised clients with respect to commercial arrangements and regulatory approvals for numerous major infrastructure projects, including: new and expanding gas pipelines, LNG projects, gathering and processing facilities, and NGL pipelines. Patrick has developed a deep understanding of the government agencies that regulate the energy industry and represents clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), state regulatory commissions, the Department of Energy (DOE), and in the US Courts of Appeals concerning the judicial review of agency decisions. In 2018, Patrick was named to BTI Consulting Group’s Client Service All-Star List, which recognizes leaders in superior client service identified exclusively by corporate counsel. He has been ranked Band 1 for Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation) Nationwide by Chambers USA 2018-2022. Patrick is recognized as a leading energy regulatory lawyer and has been repeatedly named a leading lawyer in the energy and oil and gas industry by Chambers Global (2012-2023), Chambers USA (2005-2022), The Legal 500 US (2022), Who’s Who Legal (2011-2017 & 2019), Best Lawyers (2012-2019), and Euromoney’s ExpertGuides (2013-2016 & 2018).

J. Ryan McCarthy

Ryan McCarthy is a partner in the Boston office of Latham & Watkins. He has a broad-based corporate practice, representing public and private companies in connection with mergers and acquisitions, complex investments, carve-outs, auction processes, joint ventures, reorganizations and other general corporate matters.

J. Scott Ballenger

Litigation Partner

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.

Jaime Hall is an associate in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins. Her practice focuses on derivatives, financial regulatory matters, cross-border capital markets transactions, and structured finance. Ms. Hall has significant experience advising corporates, financial institutions, investment managers, hedge funds, sovereign funds, and high-net worth individuals on a wide variety of derivatives, structured finance, and cross-border capital markets transactions including structuring and implementing general or finance-linked hedging strategies, strategic contingent hedging transactions, strategic equity derivative transactions, securitizations, regulatory capital transactions, international securities offerings, EMTN programs, and trade receivables programs. She represents clients in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. She also advises clients on a wide variety of financial regulatory issues relating to EMIR, MIFID, Dodd-Frank, and AML-FT requirements. Ms. Hall has transactional experience in Latham's London and Paris offices, having started her career in the London office working in its corporate and finance departments. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Hall worked as a project manager for an international non-governmental organisation, managing and designing media and civil society projects funded by the EU, the United Nations, and international agencies.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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, 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.

Corporate Partner

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 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.

Jay Metz, Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Tax Department, advises individual executives, public and private companies, and compensation committees on a broad array of compensation and benefits issues in the context of day-to-day business, corporate transactions, and crisis situations. Jay regularly designs compensation plans and advises clients with respect to tax, securities, and corporate law issues that arise in connection with establishing and administering plans, including: Stock option and other equity incentive plans Phantom equity, carveout, and other retention plans Employee stock purchase plans Nonqualified deferred compensation plans Incentive compensation plans and arrangements Jay represents clients with respect to compensation and benefits issues in a variety of corporate transactions, including: Corporate mergers and acquisitions Spin-offs Initial public offerings He regularly works with employers and executives to negotiate, design, and document executive employment, change in control, and severance agreements. In addition, he advises companies on matters affecting tax-qualified retirement plans, and health and welfare programs. Prior to attending law school, Jay was the Chief Financial Officer of an independent physician association and health maintenance organization. He also served several years in the United States Air Force as a cryptologic linguist.

Finance Partner

Litigation & Trial Partner

Jim Lynch, former Vice Chair of Latham’s 600-lawyer global Litigation & Trial Department, is a 20-year trial lawyer whom clients engage for their most important trials and business disputes. He has successfully tried 15 matters to judgment for plaintiffs and defendants, in federal and state court, before juries, and in arbitration, involving trade secret, patent and other intellectual property issues, and critical technology, accounting /auditing, and enterprise-threatening commercial disputes. He currently is lead counsel for iHeart Media and Pandora in a dozen nationwide class actions involving pioneering copyright law issues.

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 L. Arnone

Environmental, Land & Resources Partner

James P. Beaubien

Jim Beaubien is a partner in the Century City office of Latham & Watkins, where he has practiced since 1991. Mr. Beaubien formerly served as Office Managing Partner, as well as Chair of the Corporate Department, in the Los Angeles office. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and public companies.

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 Sadler advises clients on complex antitrust issues related to transformative mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and business conduct. Jamie has significant experience advising world leading clients on: Preparing competition filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act Responding to Voluntary Access Letters and Second Requests issued by the FTC and DOJ Assessing, preparing, coordinating and responding to foreign competition filing requirements and inquiries Jamie works closely with clients across industries to develop strategies and solutions for compliance with antitrust laws. He helps clients navigate competition regulatory landscapes and provides advice on the antitrust risk associated with potential mergers and acquisitions. He deftly advises on diligence and integration processes and purchase agreement negotiations, and he assists with obtaining regulatory clearances. Jamie’s experience also includes advising clients with respect to: Government investigations Anti-corruption risks related to mergers and acquisitions and compliance A recognized leader in the antitrust bar, Jamie is a member of the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Section and has served on its Mergers & Acquisitions Committee. Jamie maintains a strong pro bono practice, advising organizations such as the Potomac Riverkeeper Network and the Innocence Project. Before joining Latham, he was counsel at another global law firm.

Jamie Wine is an accomplished trial lawyer and a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. Her recent wins include a trial victory in Delaware Chancery Court for Scilex Pharmaceuticals in a breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of trades secret case against its former President and CEO, the dismissal of a highly-publicized defamation suit against Chess.com relating to a chess grandmaster cheating scandal, the dismissal of a high-profile equal pay lawsuit brought by the US Women’s National Soccer team against the US Soccer Federation, and the dismissal of a US$2 billion securities class action and the winning of a US$666 million award in a post M&A dispute for DXC Technology Corporation. In addition to her trial practice, Jamie regularly advises a number of issuers, each of the Big Four accounting firms, and various financial institutions on a variety of complex commercial and securities litigation matters, as well as SEC and other regulatory investigations. Jamie is widely recognized for her excellence. She has been praised by leading publications and was a finalist for The American Lawyer’s Litigator of the Year (2020). She is consistently featured as a leading litigator and trial lawyer by Chambers USA, Benchmark Litigation, and Lawdragon. Jamie formerly served as Global Chair of Latham’s Litigation & Trial Department, and prior to that, as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. She is a longstanding member of the Board of the Legal Aid Society.

Jamie D. Underwood

Jamie Underwood co-heads Latham’s Chambers Band 1-ranked International Trade Commission (ITC) Practice and helps innovative companies effect their global IP litigation strategies. Jamie Underwood uses her first chair experience to resolve Section 337 disputes before the ITC, Customs, and the Federal Circuit for clients around the world. Before joining Latham, she led another multinational law firm’s Chambers-ranked Section 337 group. To achieve business-driven results, Jamie draws on her experience handling more than 65 ITC actions that have covered a wide range of products and industries. Reflecting her deep knowledge in this unique area of law, Jamie has been qualified as an expert in Section 337-related arbitration proceedings. Complementing her ITC work, Jamie litigates IP, antitrust, and complex commercial matters in federal trial and appellate courts. She also advises entities on patent and trade policy issues before Congress, federal agencies, and the Administration. Jamie is part of Latham’s AI Task Force, regular faculty for associate trial training, and a former Vice Chair of the firm’s DC Women Enriching Business Committee. She has donated her time through pro bono representations in district court and the United States Supreme Court. She also is a Board Member for DC Appleseed. Prior to private practice, Jamie clerked at the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and DC Superior Court. She also worked at the DC US Attorney’s Office, with the War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and as a Dean’s Fellow researching a book on constitutional courts of Central and Eastern Europe. Jamie has lived in Austria, Germany, and Hungary, which included time at Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien and the Hungarian Parliament. Thought Leadership Jamie speaks and writes frequently on ITC, IP, and trade topics, including contributions to A Lawyer’s Guide to Section 337 Investigations Before the US International Trade Commission. She has taught Section 337 law at Georgetown University, Catholic University, and University of Baltimore. For several years, she participated on the global stage as an NGO delegate at multiple World Trade Organization Ministerial Conferences. Jamie currently co-chairs the Legislative Committee for the ITC Trial Lawyers Association and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. She previously served as President and Board member of the Federal Circuit Bar Association and a Vice Chair of the IPO's ITC Committee.

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.

Finance Of Counsel

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 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.

Jana K Dammann de Chapto

Dr. Jana Dammann de Chapto advises international clients on merger control and foreign investment control. Dr. 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.

Jane Summers is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. She is a member of the firm's Finance Department and Banking Practice, where she focuses primarily on the representation of major financial institutions in leveraged finance transactions, including acquisition financings, cross-border financings, asset-based facilities, and other senior secured lending transactions, as well as in connection with strategic purchases of distressed debt. Ms. Summers also advises loan market participants on strategic initiatives designed to address structural issues in the syndicated lending and loan trading markets, speaks frequently on market trends and serves as an expert witness and consultant involving questions critical to market practices. She is a member of the firm’s Ethics Committee, Finance Committee and co-head of Latham's Women Enriching Business Initiative in New York.

Janice M. Schneider

Janice M. Schneider is Global Co-Chair of the Environment, Land & Resources Practice. She draws on more than 30 years of experience on environmental and natural resource issues. Prior to rejoining Latham, Janice served as Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management for the US Department of the Interior where she oversaw four Interior Department agencies: the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), including more than 12,000 employees and a combined budget of US$1.5 billion. As Assistant Secretary, she oversaw the Department’s management and use of federal lands, waters, and mineral and non-mineral resources on about 245 million acres of federal surface lands, 700 million acres of federal mineral interests, and the 1.7 billion acre Outer Continental Shelf, successfully completing an extensive array of agency rules and initiatives. She was confirmed by the US Senate in May 2014. Prior to joining the US Department of the Interior, Janice was a partner in Latham’s Environment, Land & Resources Department, served as Chair of the department in Washington, D.C., and served as Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Project Siting & Approvals Practice where she handled a broad range of matters in federal court and before federal agencies, members of Congress, and its staff. Before that she served as Counselor to the Deputy Secretary of Interior, a trial attorney at the US Department of Justice in the Wildlife Section, and in the Interior’s Office of the Solicitor in the Division of Indian Affairs and the Honors Program. Her experience includes: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Endangered Species Act (ESA) and other wildlife laws Federal Land Policy and Management Act and National Forest Management Act Mineral Leasing Act Mining laws Clean Water Act Tribal and cultural resource issues Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) Janice has extensive experience guiding clients to successful outcomes in the energy development sector both onshore and offshore, including renewable solar and wind energy, hydropower, oil and gas, coal, pipeline and transmission line development, licensing, operation, and compliance; the minerals and mining sector; and public land, national forest, American Indian land, national wildlife refuge, and national park use and management. Janice is a first-chair litigator and is well versed in federal policy development and legislative and regulatory activities, including working effectively with states and local government and industry, tribal, and non-governmental stakeholders; analysis and drafting of legislative language and testimony; preparing and commenting on rules; and other agency initiatives. She is a frequent public speaker and has testified before Congress numerous times. Before entering the legal field, Janice worked for six years as a biologist and consultant with the National Park Service, University of Miami, Florida Department of Transportation, and a private firm.

Jarrett S. Taubman

jarretttaubman@lwcom

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 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 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 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.

Corporate Partner

Jason Morelli, a corporate partner in Latham & Watkins’ Chicago office, advises public and private companies, and private equity sponsors on complex corporate transactions, including: Cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) Leveraged buyouts of public and private companies Strategic investments and PIPEs Divisional carveouts Merger-of-equals transactions Takeover defense matters Proxy contests Jason provides clients with creative solutions to complex issues drawn from a keen sense of market practice. He regularly writes and speaks on M&A topics.

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 D. Cruise

Jason Cruise advises market-leading clients on the antitrust aspects of their transformative deals before regulators in the US and globally. Leveraging nearly two decades of experience, Jason combines a deep knowledge of economic trends with regulatory insight to guide public companies and private equity firms on all aspects of: Deal clearance for mergers and acquisitions reviewed by antitrust regulators in the US and globally Defense of antitrust investigations and litigation in the US and globally Antitrust counseling on joint ventures, other competitor collaboration, information sharing, sales and marketing practices, and other commercial activities He draws on a sophisticated understanding of the rapidly evolving US antitrust regulatory landscape and how global regulators’ collaboration impacts deals to craft compelling client solutions that optimize commercial outcomes. Well-versed in market economics across a multitude of industries, Jason has developed a keen awareness of the specific antitrust considerations for deals in the energy, infrastructure, industrial, technology, communications, and other sectors; and he is regularly tapped by industry press including MLex, Bloomberg, and others for his commentary in these spaces. In recognition of his work, he is consistently ranked by MergerLinks as one of the Top Antitrust Lawyers in North America (2019, 2020, 2021, & 2023).

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 Licht serves as Global Co-Chair of the Private Equity Finance Practice and previously served as Local Co-Chair of the Corporate Department in the Washington, D.C. office. He regularly represents private equity sponsors, public and private companies, and investment banks in capital markets transactions, particularly initial public offerings and acquisition financings. As a nationally recognized capital markets lawyer, Jason guides clients across industries and across borders to execute their transactions efficiently and effectively. He provides seasoned advice drawn from a sophisticated understanding of the perspectives of all parties in capital markets and finance transactions, and from his extensive experience advising public and private companies on a wide range of issues. Jason represents clients through a full spectrum of financings and corporate transactions, from acquisition to exit, including: Acquisition financings Initial public offerings Equity and debt offerings, including high yield offerings Public company representation Governance matters Liability management transactions Special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) IPOs and acquisition transactions

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.

Jason R. Bosworth

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 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.

JD Marple is a partner in Latham & Watkins' Silicon Valley office and a member of the Corporate Department. His practice focuses on strategic counseling and negotiation advice with respect to technology transactions and outsourcing arrangements. Mr. Marple regularly structures and negotiates a wide variety of transactions, including strategic alliances, joint ventures, intellectual property asset acquisitions, patent and other intellectual property licenses, manufacturing, supply and distribution agreements, and marketing and advertising agreements.

Partner, Tax Controversy

Jean Paul Poitras

Jean Paul Poitras is a partner in Latham & Watkins' Brussels office. His practice focuses on EU competition law, with an emphasis on cartel defense, merger review, cooperation agreements, and abuse of dominance. Over the years, he has also handled matters involving other areas of EU law including aviation law, environmental law, product safety, and trade. Mr Poitras has practiced in Brussels for more than 25 years and served as the Managing Partner of Latham's Brussels office from March 2012 to March 2018. In the area of cartels, Mr. Poitras coordinated a global team that assisted one of the airlines involved in the air cargo investigations. The matter spanned ten jurisdictions and covered both regulatory/criminal and civil damage proceedings. He also coordinated a global team that assisted one of the liner shipping companies in the European Commission’s liner shipping investigation and has experience in cartel investigations involving financial services. Mr. Poitras has been involved in many second phase EU merger cases, in which he acted for one of the merging parties or for a complainant. His merger work has covered a broad range of industries including aviation, beverages, computer manufacturing, elevators/escalators, forestry equipment, heavy trucks, internet services, software, and steel. Notable case highlights include leading the team for US Airways that secured EU clearance for the US Airways/American Airlines merger, and leading the team for Neptune Orient Lines that secured EU and global clearances for the NOL/CMACGM merger. Mr. Poitras has also advised on non-merger cooperation and information exchange issues, including in the context of alliances and joint ventures, trade associations, joint sales agreements, and joint purchasing agreements. Mr. Poitras has particular expertise and experience with cooperation in the aviation and liner shipping industry. His work on abuse of dominance issues has focused on marketing practices and pricing.

Jean-Luc Juhan is a partner in the Corporate Department of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Juhan is particularly active in the fields of complex commercial transactions (joint ventures, strategic affiliations, licensing, sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution arrangements) and technology / IP related transactions (procurement and marketing, IT systems integration, business process and technology outsourcing, telecommunications, hosting, data privacy, e-commerce, and sponsoring). Mr. Juhan has developed a substantial practice advising clients in a broad range of sectors including media, sport and entertainment, luxury, retail, financial, telecommunications, aerospace and defense, energy, life sciences, and manufacturing. He teaches contract law and international trade law at the University of Paris I La Sorbonne, the University of Aix-Marseille, and the University of Cairo.

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.

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. Jeff 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, liability management transactions, restructurings, and holdco financings. Jeff 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, Jeff delivers sophisticated and business-driven counsel with a focus on the Italian, Spanish, and Greek markets.

Litigation & Trial Partner

Jeffrey Greenberg

Finance Partner

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.

Jeff Homrig is a seasoned first-chair trial lawyer who handles high-stakes intellectual property and commercial cases around the country for some of the world’s most innovative technology and life sciences companies. Resident in the Austin Office, he serves as Global Vice Chair of Latham’s Intellectual Property Litigation Practice and leads our IP practice in Texas. He also has deep ties to the Bay Area, previously chaired the Silicon Valley and Bay Area Litigation & Trial Departments, and maintains an office in Silicon Valley. Plaintiffs and defendants turn to Jeff for a wide range of issues, including patent, trade secret, and commercial matters. He counsels clients with pragmatic and practical advice to help them steer clear of problems when they can, and navigate them safely when they do arise. Jeff has a demonstrated ability to translate complex technological issues into core themes that persuade juries. He regularly tries cases across the country, including in state and federal courts in California, Texas, Delaware, and before the International Trade Commission (ITC). Academic and Public Service Jeff is an adjunct lecturer at Berkeley Law, teaching the Patent Litigation II course. He co-authors the Federal Judicial Center’s definitive how-to guide for federal judges on patent litigation, which is now in its third edition. He served as a deputy district attorney for Santa Clara County, trying numerous criminal cases to verdict.

Jeffrey Carlin is counsel in the San Diego office of Latham & Watkins and is a member of the firm’s Environment, Land & Resources Department. Mr. Carlin focuses his practice on litigation involving the environment and land use entitlements. He has substantial experience litigating a wide-range of these disputes in trial and appellate courts.

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

Jeffrey N. Anderson

Jeffrey R. Chenard

Jeff Chenard, Global Department Chair of the firm’s Finance Department, represents private equity sponsors and borrowers in secured lending and other financing transactions. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Jeff helps clients navigate and execute complex acquisition financing, including: Traditional syndicated loan facilities Cross-border financings Private credit financings Mezzanine financing transactions He fosters deep relationships by quickly building clients’ trust and understanding their commercial objectives. An astute practitioner, Jeff leverages market knowledge to foresee challenges and craft effective solutions. Jeff helps clients meet their emerging needs by unlocking opportunities across Latham’s global platform, especially within the firm’s broader Private Equity Practice. He leads debt finance teams that work closely with M&A and capital markets teams to achieve seamless execution on transactions of all sizes and levels of complexity.

Jeffrey S. Muñoz

Corporate Partner

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 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 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 Barry, Global Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Intellectual Property Litigation Practice, represents clients in all aspects of general commercial litigation with a particular focus on intellectual property, including: Trademark and trade dress infringement litigation, counseling, prosecution, and worldwide trademark portfolio management Trademark licensing counseling and litigation False advertising and unfair competition counseling and litigation Copyright counseling and litigation Trade secrets counseling and litigation Defamation and right of publicity counseling and litigation Jennifer offers clients extensive experience in both procedural and substantive law, as she has successfully litigated before numerous federal and state courts as well as the Patent and Trademark Office's Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Jennifer regularly tackles internet law matters and has successfully handled domain name portfolio management and recovery of domain names before the World Intellectual Property Organization, the National Arbitration Forum, and the ADR.EU Center of the Czech Arbitration Court. She has also worked extensively on social networking and website/e-commerce issues and has been invited to speak on several panels in this area.

Jennifer Brennan

Jennifer Brennan is Global Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Finance Department and a partner in the Restructuring & Special Situations Practice. She has extensive experience advising the full range of stakeholders across the capital structure, including asset managers, hedge funds, alternative capital providers, banks, private equity sponsors and corporates, on restructuring, special situations, and finance transactions. Jennifer is particularly focused on managing large-scale, multi-jurisdictional transactions and matters requiring the navigation of diverse stakeholder interests to achieve commercial solutions. The implementation of such transactions has been through a variety of means and processes, including UK schemes of arrangement, UK company voluntary arrangements, US Chapter 15, Spanish homologation, Canadian CCAA process, pre-packaged administration, security enforcement, and French mandat ad hoc and conciliation, and have at times involved the injection of new financing to both bridge liquidity and to support the new capital structure. She has experience in a range of sectors including retail, automotive, chemicals, energy and renewables, financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, logistics, gaming, and telecommunications.

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. Giordano

Jennifer Giordano, a preeminent antitrust trial lawyer, defends market-leading companies in cutting-edge antitrust matters in courts across the country. Jenn draws on more than two decades of experience to advise clients on their highest stakes antitrust matters. She achieves exceptional results at all stages of litigation — routinely defeating class certification or securing victories in dispositive motion practice, as well as at trial and on appeal, when necessary. She excels at handling sprawling multidistrict litigation, class actions, and strategic B2B litigation on claims relating to: Monopoly and monopsony Price fixing and price discrimination Tying State law unfair competition claims Jenn represents clients across industries that are facing claims at the forefront of the evolving body of antitrust law. She persuasively crafts strategies for clients that help protect their core business model. Jenn maintains an active pro bono practice, including representing Washington, D.C. nonprofits, such as the Children’s Law Center, in impact litigation.

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 M. Kent

Jennifer Kent represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, as well as private and public company borrowers, in secured lending and other financing transactions. Jennifer is a versatile lawyer, helping clients at all stages of the business lifecycle execute a comprehensive range of financings, such as: Acquisition and carve-out financings Syndicated first- and second-lien credit facilities Direct lender/private credit financings Cross-border financings (including “certain funds” financings) Asset-based loans Recurring revenue facilities Investment-grade credit facilities Subordinated debt facilities Debt restructurings and liability management transactions Jennifer draws on extensive cross-border experience, having advised on more than US$20 billion worth of complex multijurisdictional financings. Having previously worked in Latham’s London office, she also brings clients a unique understanding of European-based financings and restructurings. Jennifer assists clients with their financing needs across a variety of industries, including technology, healthcare and life sciences, airline, retail/consumer products, aerospace and defense, and manufacturing. In addition to her commercial practice, Jennifer served as a Global Chair of Latham’s Black Lawyers Group and is a former member of the firm’s Recruiting Committee. She has been widely recognized by organizations, including the National Law Journal, for both her commercial work and for her leadership in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion. As part of her pro bono practice, Jennifer regularly advises small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs under the D.C. Bar’s Small Business Legal Assistance Program. During law school she served as a member of the executive board of the Boston College Law Review.

Jennifer S. Van Driesen

Finance Partner

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 Wagner

Jeremiah Wagner, Co-Chair of the Global Fund Finance Group, is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Structured Finance & Securitization Practice. He has extensive experience across a range of structured finance, securitization (cash flow and synthetic), derivative, and asset-based lending transactions involving a wide array of asset classes, including secured and unsecured consumer loans, corporate loans (including SME and middle-market), residential mortgage loans, commercial mortgage loans, credit card receivables, small and big ticket equipment leases, auto loans and leases, dealer floorplan loans, insurance products, trade receivables, and many different types of inventory. Jeremiah represents clients (sponsors, originators, issuers, lenders, underwriters, and arrangers) in international capital markets transactions, including securitizations and other asset-backed US-registered public offerings, cross-border offerings, commercial paper programs, and private placements. He has also been involved in a number of tender offers for asset-backed securities in the United States and Europe. He also represents financial institutions and companies in asset-based lending transactions and other similar financings. His experience in this area targets inventory and receivables financing across a number of jurisdictions, including the United States and Europe. Jeremiah also advises clients on a number of regulatory matters affecting the banking and securitizations industries. He is frequently involved with various association responses to regulatory matters, including capital requirements, accounting, rating agencies, liquidity requirements, and other similar matters.

Jeremiah M. Wolsk

Corporate Partner

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 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 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.

Jerome McCluskey

Jerome McCluskey represents clients on a wide variety of private equity financing transactions. Jerome advises private equity and private credit clients as well as companies on a wide variety of investment and financing transactions, with a focus on credit transactions. He also helps private equity clients manage complex management company and fund organizational and transaction structures as well as portfolio company matters. Prior to joining Latham, Jerome was Managing Director, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer of Charlesbank Capital Partners. Prior to Charlesbank, Jerome was a partner at another global law firm. Jerome serves on the Board of Visitors of Stanford Law School and is a Fellow in the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers. He co-authored The LSTAs Complete Credit Agreement Guide, Second Edition, an industry-leading guide for the global syndicated credit market.

Jesse Sheff is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. He is a member of the Finance Department. Jesse has significant experience representing financial institutions and other alternative financing providers in a broad range of leveraged finance transactions. He primarily handles acquisition financings and cross-border transactions. Jesse has advised on countless investment grade, pro-rata term loan, large-cap syndicated, middle market, and direct lending financings. He has also represented corporate borrowers in some of their most significant and transformative acquisition financings. He regularly handles major financing transactions for clients such as Jefferies, UBS, Goldman Sachs, Guggenheim Partners, and others. In recent years, he has also represented public and private corporate borrowers in financings totaling more than US$5 billion.

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 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 Stebbins Bina

Jessica Stebbins Bina is a partner in the Litigation & Trial Department. Her practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, with substantial experience in the entertainment and media industry.Ms. Stebbins Bina has represented clients at all levels of state and federal courts. She has tried complex cases to successful jury verdicts, and has extensive motion and discovery experience. She has also litigated numerous cases through successful appeals, and argued before both the state and federal appellate courts. Her extensive litigation experience has also enabled her to assist clients in obtaining early, favorable settlements through strategic approaches.

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, 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.

Jim Morrone represents high-growth public and private companies as well as domestic and foreign strategic and financial investors and intermediaries. Jim advises clients on a broad spectrum of transactions, including: Mergers and acquisitions Private growth financings Minority investments, including middle- and late-stage preferred stock, structured equity, and limited liability companies Convertible debt and equity Restructurings Special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) transactions Capital markets transactions Corporate governance Federal and state securities law compliance He draws on several years of experience as Principal and Senior Counsel at Weston Presidio, a middle-market leveraged buyout firm focused primarily on leveraged buyout and minority investments in retail, consumer, and industrial segments. Jim has routinely worked collaboratively with regulators and parties around the table to develop novel and innovative solutions to issues of first impression. He leverages his broad business and legal experience, an intuitive sense of clients’ needs, and resources across the firm’s platform to facilitate successful transactions.

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

Joachim Grittmann

Joachim Grittmann is counsel in the Frankfurt office and practices in the firm’s Litigation & Trial Department. He has broad experience in administrative and regulatory law, including: Public procurement law State aid law Compliance matters, e.g., data protection and export control His practice involves all aspects of public law matters for a variety of public and non-public clients. Mr. Grittmann is also a Master of Public Administration and an associate professor for public law at the University of Heidelberg.

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 Noll, Chair of the firm’s Transactional Tax Practice, focuses on corporate and partnership taxation. Jocelyn has experience representing public and privately owned corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies, both US and non-US, with respect to federal tax matters pertaining to taxable and tax-free mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, public and private financings, and securitizations.

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 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 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

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).

Environmental, Land & Resources Partner

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.

Corporate Partner

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, 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 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 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 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 Sobolewski

John Sobolewski represents sponsors and corporate borrowers in their most complex financing and liability management transactions. He is the Global Chair of Latham’s Liability Management practice. John’s practice spans the full range of leveraged finance, including liability management and special situations, leveraged M&A and LBOs, complex hybrid capital, debt capital markets offerings and exchanges, syndicated and direct loans, NAV loans and capital call facilities, management company financings, and out-of-court workouts. John has led many of the largest and most complex liability management exercises seen in the market, and has received numerous recognitions for his work in the field. John writes frequently on financing and liability management matters, and his work has been published in CFO magazine, Financier Worldwide magazine, the International Comparative Legal Guide, and the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance. John has advised clients across industries, including technology, communications, media and entertainment, REITS and real estate, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, retail, education, transportation and logistics, and energy.

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.

Environment, Land & Resources Department Partner

Finance Partner

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 Giouroukakis

Corporate Partner

John Balsdon is a partner in the London office of Latham & Watkins and part of the Project Development & Finance Practice. John primarily advises on energy finance with an emphasis on the oil and gas sector, advising clients on matters ranging from project financing to structured trade finance, prepayments, and reserve-based lending. John has more than 25 years' experience, working in both emerging and mature markets, advising on some of the major pan-European and West African energy project financings taking place within the sector, as well as on all major financing needs across the energy value chain. A recent career highlight includes advising on the project finance aspects of a US$7 billion oil and gas project in Ghana with ENI supplying gas for power generation, reportedly the largest single project Foreign Direct Investment inflow to Ghana since Independence.

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 Guccione is a partner in Latham & Watkins’ Private Equity Practice and a member of the Energy & Infrastructure Industry Group. He has extensive experience advising on a broad range of corporate, energy, and infrastructure matters. Prior to joining Latham, John was Managing Director, Legal at OMERS Infrastructure, a leading infrastructure investor and asset manager. In addition to leading OMERS Infrastructure’s European legal team, he was a member of the board of directors of Caruna, NET4GAS, and High Speed 1. John was also previously a member of the energy and infrastructure group at a Magic Circle law firm.

John J. Sikora Jr.

Litigation Partner

Corporate Partner

John R. Manthei

John Manthei, Global Chair of the Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice, focuses his practice on regulatory matters involving the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries. John's practice includes assisting clients with all aspects of the FDA-regulated product life cycle, including, among others: Pre-market development FDA product submissions Development of market exclusivity strategies Drafting and negotiation of both US and international clinical trial agreements FDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulation of marketing and promotion of products Quality System Regulation and Good Manufacturing Practice requirements (including assisting in third-party audits and drafting SOPs) FDA inspections Product market withdrawals and recalls FDA and DEA export and import requirements Civil and criminal compliance and enforcement John has also been involved extensively in Administrative Procedure Act litigation, including successfully challenging the Agency in Catalyst Pharmaceuticals v. FDA, Eagle Pharmaceuticals v. FDA, Pacira Pharmaceuticals v. FDA, Endo/Par Pharmaceuticals v. FDA, Genus Medical Technologies v. FDA, Sottera/NJOY v. FDA, Commonwealth v. FDA, and Fontem v. FDA, as well as successfully intervening to defend FDA actions on behalf of clients in Jazz Pharmaceuticals v. FDA, Teva v. FDA, Weyth Pharmaceuticals v. FDA, and Athenex v. FDA. In addition, John regularly advises investment banks, and private equity funds in life sciences company investments and corporate transactions.

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 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 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 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 Wry is counsel in the New York office of Latham & Watkins, where he is a member of the Banking Practice in the Finance Department. Jonathan's practice includes experience in acquisition finance, syndicated loans, first lien/second lien financings, bridge financing, asset-based lending, letter of credit financings, sports finance, project finance, international joint ventures, securitizations and restructurings. His clients have included commercial banks, private investment/equity firms, energy and power companies, real estate investors, sports teams, insurance companies, and national and international retail, healthcare and hospitality chains.

Jonathan Su, a former adviser to two US Presidents and a former Deputy Office Managing Partner of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, represents companies, boards of directors, and individuals in high-stakes investigations and controversy matters. Jonathan co-leads the firm’s Congressional Investigations practice. Most recently, Jonathan served in government as Deputy White House Counsel to President Joseph R. Biden Jr., where he led a team of lawyers at the White House Counsel’s Office that had principal responsibility for congressional oversight and controversy matters at the White House and across the Executive Branch. Jonathan’s responsibilities included engaging with members of the Cabinet, as well as chiefs of staff and general counsels of Executive Branch agencies, on a wide range of matters. Jonathan was also part of the core team from the White House Counsel’s Office that was responsible for the confirmation process of the Hon. Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court. During the Obama administration, Jonathan served as Special Counsel to President Barack Obama, where he advised on congressional oversight and controversy matters. Prior to his roles at the White House, Jonathan served as a federal prosecutor at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, where he conducted 12 jury trials to verdict. Among his most significant matters, Jonathan secured convictions — through jury trials and guilty pleas — of the leaders of a US$78 million Ponzi scheme that affected more than 1,000 victims on the East Coast and in California (US v. Andrew Williams). He also led the Maryland component of a joint Maryland/District of Columbia federal prosecution of the largest embezzlement (US$49 million) in the history of the District of Columbia government (US v. Harriette Walters). In 2011, then-US Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein awarded Jonathan the US Attorney’s Award for Excellence in Prosecution of Fraud. Jonathan’s work in government service and private practice has been covered in the Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, Reuters, the Associated Press, Roll Call, The Hill, and the National Law Journal. Jonathan has served in multiple management roles at Latham, including his previous position as Deputy Office Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C. office and Global Chair of the Firm’s Pro Bono Committee. Jonathan maintains an active pro bono practice, and he was part of a 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. Outside of Latham, Jonathan serves on the board of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. Earlier in his career, Jonathan was a law clerk for the Honorable Julian Abele Cook, Jr. of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and for the Honorable Ronald M. Gould of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In 2022, President Biden appointed Jonathan to the Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States. Jonathan is also a member of the Board of Visitors of Georgetown University Law Center.

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.

Jonathan D. West

Jonathan West is counsel in the firm’s Entertainment, Sports & Media Practice.Mr. West represents actors, producers and celebrities in connection with negotiating personal services agreements and employment agreements in the entertainment, media and publishing industries. He counsels clients on a variety of intellectual property matters involving copyright and trademark issues, focusing on negotiating intellectual property licensing and joint venture agreements.

Jonathan D. Link

Jonathan M. Strang

Jonathan P. Solomon

Jonny Solomon is the former Chair of the Chicago Corporate Department, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the firm's Retail & Consumer Products Industry Group. He advises clients on a range of mergers and acquisitions as well as corporate governance issues. Jonny advises global clients, including private equity funds, family offices and their portfolio companies, as well as public and privately held companies, on complex domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, including: Public and private mergers Acquisitions and dispositions Leveraged buyouts Strategic investments Joint ventures Jonny works across a diverse range of industries and transaction structures, bringing a sophisticated sense of market practice to all his clients.

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 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.

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.

Josef S. Athanas

Partner, Office Managing Partner

Joseph H. Lee is counsel in the Orange County office where his practice focuses on patent litigation. Joseph represents a wide range of technology companies, including those involved in the Internet, semiconductor, networking, telecommunications and software industries. Joseph has managed all phases of patent litigation, including: Case strategy Discovery, including taking and defending depositions Trial Motion practice, including drafting and arguing summary judgment and other motions Claim construction, including drafting, briefing and arguing Markman hearings Prior to becoming an attorney, Joseph acquired broad experience in the science and technology industries, which has included the following: Developed and supported both new internet technology applications and custom database applications Designed, developed and tested communication satellite systems He is licensed to practice in the State of California, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Federal District Court for the Central District of California, the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California, the Federal District Court for the Southern District of California, the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of California, and the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Joseph Zujkowski

Joseph Serino, Jr. is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, with more than 50 bench and jury trials, administrative law trials, and arbitrations tried to verdict or final award. He is also recognized by Chambers USA 2022 in both Litigation: Securities and General Commercial: The Elite. He has a diverse litigation practice, including securities, antitrust, complex commercial, bankruptcy, and arbitration matters on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants. According to Chambers USA, clients regard Joseph as a “great trial lawyer who has command of every aspect of a case,” and whose “presence and composure in court is exceptional.” Joseph was also named a 2018 Law360 MVP for Banking, where he was the only litigator named in the category. AML’s VerdictSearch has twice recognized Joseph for having Top 100 verdicts in the country. Joseph has litigated on behalf of numerous companies, including broker-dealers, investment banks, private equity sponsors, venture capital concerns, and hedge funds, as well as chapter 11 debtors and creditors, in a wide array of matters in courts and tribunals throughout the US and abroad.

Joseph A. Calabrese

Corporate Partner

Joseph A. Simei

Joseph B. Farrell

Joseph C. Hudzik

Joseph Hudzik leverages his extensive government and industry experience to guide healthcare, life sciences, and health technology companies through complex regulatory compliance and enforcement matters, providing strategic advice and counsel to facilitate business objectives while mitigating legal and regulatory risk. Joseph advises healthcare, life sciences, and health technology companies and their boards of directors on high-stakes regulatory compliance matters, including: Development of compliant operations and risk-mitigation strategies and practices Structure and formation of compliant financial arrangements and transactions Regulatory compliance program and quality management program development and implementation, including program effectiveness auditing and monitoring M&A and related regulatory diligence issues Fraud and abuse issues associated with disruptive health technology services and innovative healthcare delivery systems (including VBEs, ACOs and clinically integrated networks) Government subpoenas, audits, inspections, and evaluations Liability under federal and state healthcare laws and regulations, including the federal False Claims Act, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Law, federal program exclusion authorities, the civil monetary penalties law, and state law analogues He also manages and conducts internal investigations and compliance audits, represents clients in enforcement actions and voluntary self-disclosures to government agencies, and negotiates and counsels on compliance with Corporate Integrity Agreement and Non-Prosecution Agreement obligations. Joseph’s extensive government experience includes having served as Senior Counsel in the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG), where he represented HHS in healthcare fraud and abuse cases, negotiated and monitored compliance with Corporate Integrity Agreements, and provided compliance guidance to providers, suppliers, and industry organizations. Joseph also served as Special Trial Attorney in the US Department of Justice Criminal Division, and Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Following this tenure at OIG, Joseph served as the Director of the Division of Technical Payment Policy at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), where he was responsible for Medicare policy and regulations for the Stark Law and various other statutory and regulatory payment rules, as well as overseeing the CMS Voluntary Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol. Immediately prior to joining Latham, Joseph served as chief legal officer to three hospitals in a large not-for-profit healthcare system, including a 900 bed major teaching and research hospital. There, he advised and counseled system and hospital executives on legal and regulatory compliance issues in support of business and strategic objectives.

Joseph M. Kronsnoble

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 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.

Josh Dubofsky is a partner in the M&A and Private Equity Practices and Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defense Practice. Josh advises market-leading companies and private equity firms on strategic transactions and corporate governance matters as well as shareholder engagement and activism and takeover defense. Josh has more than 20 years of experience advising corporate clients and private equity firms in their most complex domestic and cross-border transactions. He regularly advises on significant public company transactions and governance matters, private company mergers and acquisitions, and private equity investments. Josh works closely with boards of directors, management, and shareholders on: Mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic corporate transactions Public and private equity and debt financing Corporate governance, takeover planning, and activism defense General corporate representation of both publicly traded and privately held companies Josh has a demonstrated ability to navigate complex transactions across a range of industries, including: Life sciences Internet and digital media Information technology Retail and consumer products Transportation Financial services

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 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 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 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

Joshua Tinkelman

Joshua Tinkelman, former Global Co-Chair of the Private Equity Finance Practice, advises financial sponsors and borrowers on a wide array of bank financing, capital market, and liability management transactions, including leveraged buyouts. Joshua draws on more than two decades of experience to help the full spectrum of domestic and foreign private equity firms and their portfolio companies negotiate a comprehensive range of financings, including: Senior secured first and second lien facilities Asset-backed loans Unitranche financings Mezzanine financings Liability management transactions, exchange offers, unrestricted subsidiary financings, and other liquidity facilities He leverages extensive market knowledge to tailor creative solutions to clients’ financing needs, helping them secure cutting-edge market terms, and achieve their commercial goals. Joshua partners with clients to foster long-term relationships, understanding, advancing, and protecting their institutional priorities and goals. Joshua seamlessly works across the firm’s platform — particularly with partners in the Mergers & Acquisitions and Restructuring & Special Situations Practices — as a cohesive unit to bring Latham’s broad perspective and resources to each transaction.

Josh Bledsoe advises clients on complex infrastructure and development projects, particularly those decarbonizing the energy and industrial sectors. Josh draws on sophisticated industry knowledge to guide clients on all aspects of energy transition projects, including entitlement, environmental review, and financing. He helps clients navigate projects involving: Carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) Hydrogen Low-carbon fuels, such as renewable natural gas (RNG), renewable diesel, ethanol, and electricity for mobility Federal laws driving or influencing the energy transition, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act State climate change laws, including California’s catalytic statutes and regulations, such as the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and Cap-and-Trade Programs He devises sophisticated strategy for clients to monetize the low-carbon attributes of their products or services under various carbon pricing and regulatory regimes, both in the compliance and voluntary carbon markets. Josh also has experience in the permitting and development of projects across various economic sectors. He has obtained federal, state, and local approvals for such projects, crafting innovative solutions to environmental and resource problems. He also represents buyers, sellers, and lenders in matters involving environmental liabilities related to real estate and business transactions, complicated mergers and acquisitions, and access to capital markets. A recognized leader within and outside the firm, Josh co-steers Latham’s working groups on CCUS, hydrogen, and low-carbon fuels and serves on the Advisory Council for Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy.

Joshua Holian is a leading practitioner in Latham & Watkins’ global antitrust law practice, advising companies at the leading edge of merger control, government investigations, and product distribution strategy issues. Joshua is at the forefront of evolving antitrust law and provides nuanced, pragmatic, and innovative advice that navigates clients through their most complex antitrust law matters. His global practice includes securing regulatory approvals and defending conduct investigations with clients under review by antitrust authorities in the US, EU, UK, China, and other jurisdictions. He has helped high profile clients in extremely scrutinized industries navigate both complex merger filings and conduct investigations. Praised for his ability to seamlessly translate legal advice into practical, strategic guidance, Joshua advises companies and private equity sponsors on the real-world implications of their business strategies across a wide range of industries, including semiconductors, digital economy, life sciences, health care, industrials, and entertainment, among others. Joshua currently chairs the firm's Knowledge Management Committee and sits on the firm’s Ethics Committee. Joshua has published a number of articles on antitrust issues, including a chapter entitled, "Practical Challenges Confronting Merger Reviews of Labor Markets" in the California Lawyers Association's Competition Journal (Fall 2022, Vol 32, No. 2) and a paper, “Three Key Issues for Managing Discovery in Global Merger Investigations: Coordinating Multijurisdictional Antitrust Reviews in Light of New Developments in UK and EU Merger Control Investigations” in the March 2019 Journal of European Competition Law & Practice.

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, 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.

Judge Jonathan Lippman

Litigation & Trial Of Counsel

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 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, 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 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.

Julie Dalke is an experienced intellectual property counsel in the Litigation & Trial Department of Latham & Watkins. She focuses in particular on trademark and copyright prosecution and counseling, including: Trademarks Copyrights Domain Names IP due diligence IP enforcement Managing the worldwide IP portfolios for numerous clients Ms. Dalke joined the firm in 1999 after practicing in Chicago and New York.

Julie M. Marion

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 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 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 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.

Litigation & Trial Of Counsel

Karen Silverman

Karen Silverman is a partner in the San Francisco office of Latham & Watkins and is a member of the Global Antitrust & Competition Practice. She is currently Co-chair of the firm's Information Technology: Systems & Solutions Industry Group and the former Office Managing Partner of the San Francisco office.

Kari K. G. Chandler

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.

Karl Karg's environmental practice includes enforcement defense, litigation, crisis response and management, permitting and compliance counseling, and transactional counseling. He is particularly experienced in the defense of US Department of Justice/EPA and state enforcement actions and citizen suits under the Clean Air Act, CERCLA, the Clean Water Act, RCRA, and a variety of other environmental statutes. Karl's current representations include: The defense of EPA and state Clean Air Act enforcement actions and citizen suits Negotiations to modify past Consent Decrees under the Clean Air Act for new owners and/or repowered or reconfigured facilities Complex contaminated site and sediment cleanups at NPL and non-NPL sites under CERCLA and other environmental authorities Clean Water Act enforcement and permitting, including multi-party and multi-jurisdictional permitting and waste water disputes The defense of EPA and RCRA hazardous waste enforcement actions Advising on environmental/ESG and Environmental Justice issues and risks associated with mergers and acquisitions, financing, public offerings, and the post-transactional resolution of such issues Prior to joining Latham & Watkins in 2001, Karl was an Associate Regional Counsel for the US EPA, Region V (Chicago), where he enforced virtually every major federal environmental law against facilities in the Midwest. While at the EPA, Karl worked extensively on Clean Air Act matters, including enforcement against the chemical, oil and gas, automotive, and manufacturing sectors. Karl is a frequent speaker and writer on environmental topics. He is a member of the Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law Section of the ABA, and the Illinois State Bar Association.

Katharine Moir, Global Chair of the firm’s Tax Department, advises leading private equity firms and companies on tax issues arising in their largest and most complex transactions. Katharine provides comprehensive tax counsel in connection with a range of domestic and international transactions and is widely recognized as a leading private equity tax lawyer. Her work includes advising on tax issues related to complicated US and international transactions, including: Mergers and acquisitions Joint ventures Recapitalizations Structured investments Formation of private equity funds Securities offerings Katharine regularly represents leading private equity firms, as well as top technology and other companies. Her experience spans a number of landmark and high-value deals — including advising Dell in the largest technology deal to date. Prior to joining Latham, Katharine served as a tax partner and head of the West Coast tax practice at a leading international law firm.

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 Walsh is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Ms. Walsh is Vice Chair of the firm's global Corporate Department and former global Co-chair of the firm’s Investment Funds Practice.

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

Kathleen P. Lally

Litigation Counsel

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 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, 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.

Keith Simon guides debtors, secured lenders, and new money investors through their most intricate and highest-stakes restructurings and special situations, including bankruptcy proceedings and out-of-court workouts. Drawing on his extensive experience across the full range of insolvency matters, Keith helps leading companies, private equity firms, and financial institutions navigate the myriad legal and business challenges that arise in a restructuring. A pragmatic and collected dealmaker, Keith anticipates and resolves potential obstacles to achieve clients’ objectives. Keith has a broad range of restructuring experience across a number of industries including energy, retail, airlines, healthcare, manufacturing, and real estate. Keith's vast and varied practice spans domestic and multi-jurisdictional and cross-border representations, with a particular focus on debtor-side restructurings, both in-court and out-of-court. He also represents creditors in bankruptcy cases, comprehensive restructuring transactions, and Article 9 foreclosures. Additionally, Keith regularly advises sellers and buyers on distressed acquisitions. Keith provides pro bono counsel to various nonprofit organizations, including in connection with contracts and other corporate law issues. Keith was named in Turnarounds & Workouts’ list of 2022 Outstanding Restructuring Lawyers. He also serves on Latham & Watkins’ Bankruptcy Advisory and Mentoring Committees.

Keith Halverstam

Corporate Partner

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 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 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.

Kelly D. Thomason Self

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

Kenneth D. Askin

Kenneth G. Schuler

Kenneth Schuler, a member of Latham & Watkins’ Intellectual Property Practice, is a seasoned patent litigator, with a particular emphasis in pharmaceutical patent litigation involving claims arising under the Hatch-Waxman Act. Kenneth joined Latham in 1994 after serving as a judicial clerk to Judge James B. Loken, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Since joining Latham, Kenneth has acquired extensive litigation experience in federal and state courts, as well as in commercial arbitrations. He has extensive trial experience, having been admitted to the Trial Bar of the Northern District of Illinois in 2002. Kenneth has handled a significant number of pharmaceutical and life sciences patent-related cases for clients such as Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer-Ingelheim GmbH, Par Pharmaceuticals, and Alvogen. He also has substantial experience litigating other intellectual property matters, including patent, trade secrets, and trade dress suits, representing Overhead Door, ADA Carbon Solutions, Neuromedical Systems, Inc., and Libbey Glass, Inc., with respect to myriad technologies, including activated carbon, manufacturing, barrier system operators, oxygen barrier plastic containers, ATM networks, mass spectrometers, and diagnostics.

Kenneth M. Simon

Retired Partner

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

Litigation Partner

Finance Partner

Kevin Andrew Chambers

Kevin Andrew Chambers, Global Chair of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice, represents clients in high-stakes white collar, securities, and professional liability matters. Kevin draws on extensive senior government experience to help individuals, public and private companies, and corporate committees navigate: Criminal and civil litigation Internal investigations Government inquiries Most recently, Kevin served for nearly two years at the Department of Justice as Associate Deputy Attorney General. During his federal appointment, Kevin was selected by Attorney General Merrick Garland as the Department’s first Director of COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement. As Associate Deputy Attorney General, he handled the Criminal Division portfolio for the Deputy Attorney General, including serving as co-chair of the Corporate Crime Advisory Group responsible for significant revisions to the Department’s policy for prosecuting corporations, executives, and individuals implicated in corporate criminal and civil misconduct. As Director for COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement, Kevin oversaw the Department’s efforts to identify, investigate, and prosecute pandemic relief-related fraud. He established nationwide strike teams to combat large scale fraud committed by criminal organizations and transnational actors. During his tenure, the Department reported billions in recovered funds and charged actual losses. He joined the firm in 2014 after serving for four years as an Assistant United States Attorney. During his appointment, he prosecuted more than 250 criminal cases in the District Court for the District of Columbia and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and was lead prosecutor in more than 60 bench and jury trials. Kevin's prosecutorial experience includes interstate drug trafficking operations, violent crime, and fraud against government agencies. Before embarking on his legal career, Kevin practiced as a certified public accountant and senior auditor at a top New York public accounting firm. After law school, Kevin served as a law clerk to Judge Harry T. Edwards of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. A recognized leader at the firm, Kevin has previously served as Global Chair of Latham’s Diversity Leadership Committee and as Local Chair of the firm’s Washington, D.C., Litigation & Trial Department. Kevin actively participates in the firm’s diversity efforts, which work to ensure that Latham continues to attract the highest level of talent and promote diversity internally and in the profession generally. He serves on the board of directors for the Council for Court Excellence and regularly speaks on diversity initiatives at firm training academies and law schools.

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.

Kieran C. Dickinson

Kim N. A. Boras

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.

Finance Partner

Litigation & Trial Partner

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 is the Office Managing Partner of Latham's San Francisco office and the Local Department Chair for the firm's San Francisco and Silicon Valley tax practices.

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, 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

Kyle Jefcoat is a litigator who advises clients on all facets of government contracts and grants, particularly relating to bid protests, False Claims Act litigation, mergers and acquisitions, and national security clearances. Kyle combines his business-focused approach and extensive experience to guide clients, including global private equity firms and their portfolio companies, on complex compliance issues relating to: Mergers and acquisitions, including novations Domestic preference requirements, including the Buy American Act; Build America, Buy America; and Trade Agreements Act Foreign Ownership Control and Influence (FOCI) disclosure and mitigation Small business size-status and affiliation Mandatory disclosure and code of business ethics Organizational conflicts of interest (OCI) Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) responses and requests Requirements to provide cost or pricing data The suspension and debarment process False Claims Act liability The intersection of intellectual property and government contracts Subcontracts, subrecipient agreements, teaming agreements, and licensing agreements, with particular attention to contract and grant flow-down requirements In bid protest litigation, Kyle has handled a wide range of protests, from those with a few million dollars at stake to ones with billions of dollars at issue. Kyle has assisted multiple clients with internal investigations into potential issues that raise both False Claims Act and mandatory disclosure concerns, including reviewing sales practices under clients’ GSA Schedule contracts and Price Reduction Clause compliance, as well as compliance with certifications and representations made in the process of contract award. Before joining Latham, Kyle was a Captain in the US Air Force Judge-Advocate General (JAG) Corps from 2000 through 2004. He is also a member, and past global leader, of the firm’s US Military & Veterans Network. Kyle maintains an active pro bono practice, including veteran benefits appeals cases and advising nonprofit organizations on compliance with government grant obligations.

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.

Lars Kjølbye is the Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ Brussels office. His practice focuses on complex cases in all areas of EU competition law, including abuse of dominance, restrictive practices, merger control, State aid, and energy regulation. He has advised clients on a number of landmark matters in recent years. Mr. Kjølbye has extensive experience in a wide range of industries, including electronics and software, energy, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, transport, and consumer products. Prior to private practice, Mr. Kjølbye spent ten years at the European Commission’ s (EC) Competition Directorate General where he held several prominent positions. As head of the Energy and Environment Unit he led the completion of the energy sector inquiry, prosecuted several major abuse of dominance cases, and contributed extensively to the EC proposals for the third gas and electricity liberalization package. He was also involved in drafting Regulation 1/2003, which established a new procedural framework for applying Articles 101 and 102 TFEU, and the accompanying guidelines and notices. Mr. Kjølbye also served as a référendaire at the European Court of Justice. Mr. Kjølbye is widely recognized as a leading antitrust practitioner in Europe. Chambers, GCR’s Who’ s Who Legal, and Best Lawyers in Belgium frequently list him as one of the leading lawyers in his field.

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.

Corporate Partner

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

Lawrence Safran

Lawrence Safran is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Safran is a member of the firm's Finance Department and the Aircraft Finance, Banking, Project Finance and Structured Finance & Securitization 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 Buterman

Lawrence Buterman, a nationally recognized first-chair antitrust lawyer formerly with the Department of Justice, is a go-to litigator for clients facing high-stakes government and private antitrust litigations, as well as federal and state government investigations. Lawrence has been lead trial counsel in some of the most significant antitrust cases over the past 20 years, and is one of the few attorneys in the country to have successfully first chaired antitrust trials both on behalf of the government and against the government. He regularly represents clients across all industries facing all types of civil and criminal antitrust claims, including price-fixing, monopolization, class actions, and merger challenges. He leverages his former government experience and numerous trial victories to fight for his clients and provide them with pragmatic strategies and novel approaches, all to help ensure their business interests are protected, and that they prevail in their matters as early as possible. Lawrence's notable trial wins at the DOJ include a landmark challenge to a price-fixing conspiracy involving e-books, as well as a high-profile challenge to a major acquisition in the digital tax preparation software space. His most recent trial victories in private practice include leading US Sugar’s defense against the DOJ’s attempt to enjoin the acquisition of Imperial Sugar, and defending a major US Sports federation in arbitration before the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. In addition to his federal and state court trial work, Lawrence regularly represents companies in connection with investigations by the Antitrust Division at the DOJ, the Federal Trade Commission, and state attorneys general. He has successfully helped numerous companies obtain antitrust clearance for their most complex transactions, and avoid civil and criminal lawsuits for alleged antitrust violations. With keen insight into the litigation risks of business decisions, Lawrence also provides strategic antitrust advice to multinational companies and business consortia on a wide range of topics, including fintech and ESG, among others. Before joining Latham, Lawrence served several years in the DOJ as a trial attorney in the Networks and Technology Enforcement Section of the Antitrust Division. In that capacity, he analyzed dozens of merger and conduct matters in the high technology and financial services industries and developed a deep understanding of the government’s priorities and practices related to antitrust enforcement. While at the Antitrust Division, Lawrence twice received the Antitrust Division’s Award of Distinction for successfully litigating merger and conduct matters on behalf of the United States. He currently serves as the chair of the Monopolization and Big Tech Committee of the Antitrust Section of the New York State Bar Association. Lawrence clerked for Judge Joel M. Flaum, then chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Lawrence J. Gotts

Litigation Partner

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 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.

Leakhena Mom represents private equity firms, investment banks, and public and private companies in debt financings and related transactions. Leakhena takes a holistic approach to help clients achieve their goals relating to: Corporate finance Securities regulation Liability management transactions General securities and corporate matters She leverages trusted client relationships and collaboration across the Latham’s robust platform to devise solutions involving complex capital structures. Leakhena negotiates debt agreements that ensure clients have the commercial flexibility to operate. Leakhena maintains an active pro bono practice and currently serves as a member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee. Her recent pro bono work includes securing green cards for Honduran siblings through Latham’s relationship with KIND. She formerly served on the Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee, which promotes women in business both inside and outside the firm.

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.

Leif U Schrader

Leif Schrader advises private equity funds and other financial investors on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions and joint ventures. Mr. Schrader counsels clients primarily on private equity transactions, including: M&A transactions Co-investments Management participations Joint ventures Minority investments Capital market transactions (IPOs) Mr. Schrader draws on extensive experience handling transactions in a full spectrum of industries, including aerospace, technology, chemicals, and industrials. He is recognized as a notable dealmaker in IFLR1000 and JUVE. Given his sophisticated sense of what is at market, he develops pragmatic solutions to execute clients’ deals. Complementing his considerable transactional experience, he has served in-house as general counsel for an aerospace company in the Middle East.

Les P. Carnegie

Les Carnegie advises companies, financial institutions, and private equity funds, both in the US and globally, on their outbound and inbound business transactions. He helps clients navigate US export controls, sanctions, and foreign investment reviews by CFIUS. He co-leads Latham’s Economic Sanctions & Export Controls Practice, and the CFIUS & US National Security Practice. Les advises clients on legal, policy, and enforcement issues arising under: US trade and economic sanctions US export controls National security reviews of foreign investments in the US conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) Les draws on strong working relationships with regulators and two decades of legal experience to help clients understand legal restrictions and requirements, secure licensing, make voluntary disclosures and respond to enforcement actions, as well as maintain compliance with various US legal regimes, including: National security reviews before CFIUS US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) US Department of State’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) US Department of Commerce’s Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR), and antiboycott regulations He has developed particular insight on key strategic industries, including: Banking and financial services Energy Life Sciences/Biotechnology Aerospace/Defense Consumer/Retail goods Hospitality/Entertainment Not-for-profit NGOs/Tax-exempt organizations Les frequently writes and speaks on sanctions and CFIUS topics. He is regularly recognized by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US, and was named a Top Advisor by Foreign Investment Watch in 2020, and a Compliance MVP by Law360 in 2021. Clients describe him as “our first choice when tackling complex economic sanctions or export control compliance matters,” and “a tireless, engaging advocate and forward thinker,” whose “knowledge of US sanctions is excellent, as are his relationships with OFAC personnel.” Les organized and edited the first Foreign Direct Investment Regimes app, covering investment from several global jurisdictions. He clerked for Judge Gerald B. Tjoflat of the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Corporate Partner

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.

Linda M. Inscoe, a litigation partner in the San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices of Latham & Watkins, is Co-chair of the firm’s Employment Law Practice. She is a member of the Employment, Benefits & Compensation Practice, and has jury, bench, administrative agency and binding arbitration trial experience.

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 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.

Linzi Thomas advises clients on complex cross-border private equity and M&A transactions. She draws on a decade of experience acting for large private equity houses on their most significant deals. Linzi is ranked as a Next Generation Partner for Private Equity in The Legal 500 UK 2020, 2022 and has been recognized by Legal Week’s 40 Under 40: The Rising Stars in Private Equity 2019, listed in The Lawyer Hot 100 2020, and in Black Women in Asset Management’s 40 Under 40 list of Black Women Shaping the Future of Asset Management.

Lionel Dechmann

Lionel Dechmann is a partner in the Finance Department in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins. He has extensive experience in financing and is particularly involved in acquisition financing, real estate financing, corporate financing, refinancing, and debt restructuring. He advises financial institutions as well as investment funds and large industrial groups.

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 Watts, Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, focuses on the development of the firm’s strategic direction and manages its global presence. In addition, she advises clients on corporate and partnership taxation. Lisa brings more than two decades of experience with complex transactional tax issues to her work advising clients. Lisa regularly serves private equity firms, US-based and foreign public and private companies, REITs and UPREITs, partnerships and limited liability companies, as well as investment banks. Specifically, Lisa helps clients navigate the tax aspects of significant US and cross-border transactions, including: Mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures Joint ventures Recapitalizations Public financings, including initial public offerings Corporate restructurings Lisa handles a broad range of transactional tax matters, with experience advising clients on all matter of M&A transactions, through the dual-track process, offering enhanced flexibility when planning an exit transaction, as well as clients contemplating an up-C structure. Lisa also has considerable experience advising on sophisticated transactions involving special purpose acquisition companies (SPAC). Select private equity clients include: ArcLight Capital Consonance Capital Partners One Equity Partners Onex Partners Platinum Equity Riverstone Holdings Shamrock Capital Advisors Silver Lake Partners The Blackstone Group Select public companies and privately owned corporation clients include: CoreSite Realty Corporation Cotiviti Holdings, Inc. Endeavor Landmark Health Moran Foods, LLC Siemens AG Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. Toys “R” Us, Inc. Accolades Named a Dealmaker of the Year by New York Law Journal 2021 Named to the Notable Women in Law list by Crain’s New York Business 2020 and 2022 Recommended for US Taxes: Non-contentious by The Legal 500 US 2020 Recommended for M&A/Corporate and Commercial – PE Buyouts by The Legal 500 US 2020 Ranked for New York: Tax by Chambers USA 2018-2022 Named a Law360 2019 Tax MVP “One of the most intelligent attorneys with an encyclopedic knowledge of tax law and a unique ability to express complex issues and structure in digestible terms. She is an invaluable resource in working through and suggesting solutions for often complicated, problematic tax and structural issues.” The Legal 500 US 2020 “She advocates well for her clients, she’s commercial in addressing issues and she’s a pleasure to work with.” Chambers USA 2020

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 (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.

Finance 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.

Louis Trotta is counsel in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Trotta is a member of the Corporate Department and the Financial Institutions Industry Group.

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.

Luca Crocco is a partner in the Brussels office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s global Antitrust & Competition Practice. His practice focuses on EU and Italian competition law. Prior to joining Latham, he practiced competition law and corporate law for four years at other leading international law firms in Milan. Mr. Crocco represents international companies, in particular companies in the manufacturing, consumer goods, chemicals, and electronics sectors, before the European Commission and the Italian competition authority in cartel and abuse of dominance proceedings. In addition, he regularly represents clients in merger control proceedings before the European Commission and the Italian authority, and coordinates multijurisdictional merger filings for global transactions. Mr. Crocco also has a strong expertise in EU State aid law and has represented clients, in particular, companies in the energy and aerospace industry in State aid proceedings before the European Commission. Mr. Crocco regularly writes on EU and Italian competition law. In particular, he is co-author of the chapter “State aid law claims in merger control” in the volume The Reform of EC Competition Law – New Challenges, edited by Lianos/Kokkoris and published by Wolters Kluwer, 2010. Mr. Crocco is a founder of antitrustitalia, a networking group for Brussels-based Italian antitrust professionals, including enforcement officers, lawyers, economists, corporate counsel, and scholars. Visit www.antitrustitalia.it for more information.

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 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 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 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 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.

Luke Bergstrom, former Global Vice Chair of the firm's Technology Industry Group and former Global Co-Chair of the Mergers & Acquisitions Practice, regularly advises leading corporate and private equity clients on significant M&A transactions and related sensitive matters. Luke advises companies and private equity firms, drawing on more than two decades of experience handling a full spectrum of transactions. He combines strong negotiation skills, a deep commercial sensibility, and a proven ability to lead teams that leverage the firm’s global resources to help clients achieve their objectives in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.

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.

M. Catherine Ozdogan

Finance Partner

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, 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.

Manasi Bhattacharyya

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 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 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.

Manu Gayatrinath

Manu Gayatrinath, a member of the firm's Executive Committee and former Global Chair of the firm’s Private Equity Finance Practice, advises private equity sponsors and borrowers on a full range of financing transactions. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience, Manu advises private equity sponsors and private and public company borrowers in secured lending and complex cross-border financings involving: Acquisition and carve-out financings Term loan A and B financings Cash-flow and asset-based loans Mezzanine and subordinated debt facilities Private equity bridge loan facilities Bridge capital call facilities, including umbrella facilities for multiple funds, uncommitted and committed lines, feeder fund structures, and NAV and GP facilities Secured notes offerings Debt restructurings and liability management transactions She draws on a broad understanding of syndicated and private capital structures and unlocks the capabilities of the firm’s robust platform, particularly relating to M&A and regulation, to help clients effectively achieve their commercial goals. A recognized leader at Latham, Manu previously served as Global Chair of the firm’s Recruiting Committee and as a member of the Associates, Knowledge Management, and Succession Committees.

Manuel (Manny) A. Abascal

Corporate Partner

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.

Marc Berger, Global Co-Chair of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice, represents companies, boards, financial institutions, asset managers, and senior executives on the full spectrum of regulatory, enforcement, and litigation matters. Marc draws on his extensive government experience with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to advise clients on government and internal investigations, enforcement matters, and high-profile disputes. He also represents clients in regulatory and compliance matters, including those involving cryptocurrency and other digital assets. Marc brings a seasoned and insightful perspective to his clients, leveraging his years in the government to help clients navigate a dynamic regulatory environment. He has advised multinational companies and global financial institutions on a wide range of white collar and securities matters, including: Issuer disclosures and accounting issues Insider trading and other market manipulation Investment advisory issues Broker-dealer misconduct Cybersecurity disclosures Digital assets Foreign bribery Marc’s career includes notable leadership roles at the SEC and the DOJ, including Acting Director and Deputy Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, Director of the SEC’s New York Regional Office (NYRO), and Chief of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force in the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. As Acting Director and Deputy Director of Enforcement at the SEC, Marc oversaw thousands of investigations and hundreds of litigations addressing a broad range of securities matters. While serving as the Director of NYRO at the SEC, he supervised all of New York’s enforcement matters and oversaw all compliance examinations of investment banks, investment advisers, broker-dealers, mutual funds, and hedge funds. Throughout his tenure at the SEC, Marc worked in close partnership with domestic and international regulatory and enforcement agencies, including the DOJ, CFTC, FINRA, New York Attorney General’s Office, local district attorneys’ offices, and numerous foreign securities regulators worldwide. As a federal prosecutor and Chief of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force in the Southern District of New York, Marc tried over a dozen cases in district court and supervised some of the nation’s most significant financial and investment fraud matters, including those related to corporate and accounting fraud, insider trading, market manipulation, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Prior to joining Latham, Marc was a partner at a global law firm, where he led the government and internal investigations practice. Following law school, he served as a Law Clerk to the Hon. Richard M. Berman of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Marc Campopiano

Marc Campopiano has extensive experience in obtaining governmental approvals and ensuring environmental compliance for major energy, infrastructure, and land use matters. Marc has particular expertise with matters involving complex climate change, air quality, and land use issues. He represents real estate developers, energy companies, and utilities on a range of projects, including major residential and commercial development, renewable and traditional power generation, transmission lines, gas storage facilities, and cleantech development. Marc parlays his strong environmental background with legal experience to deliver specialized representation on matters where technical and legal issues can be closely intertwined. He has a Masters of Environmental Science and Management and previously worked as an environmental consultant evaluating power plants, transmission lines, and other major projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Marc has particular experience in matters related to energy, climate change, land use, air quality, health risk assessments, and biological impacts. He frequently advises clients on requirements under the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act. Marc formerly served as Local Chair of the Environment, Land & Resources Department in the Orange County office.

Marc A. Granger

Marc Granger advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on a broad range of M&A transactions across the corporate life cycle. Marc leverages extensive experience representing both private equity and strategic clients, as well as a detail-oriented approach, to guide clients on complex M&A transactions, including: Acquisitions, including going-private transactions Carve-out transactions Divestitures, including with respect to divisions and product lines Joint ventures Consortium arrangements Other strategic investments Corporate governance matters Before joining Latham, Marc was an associate in the Atlanta office of a large international law firm, where he focused on M&A, corporate finance, and general corporate law.

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.

Marcello Bragliani

Marcello Bragliani is a partner in Milan and Regional Chair of the Finance Department in Europe. He advises Italian and international clients on a range of complex banking and corporate finance transactions. Drawing on his broad-based financing experience and sophisticated product knowledge, Mr. Bragliani represents a variety of private equity sponsors, banks, private debt lenders, and public and private companies. He brings particular experience in cross-border financings involving bespoke structures. Mr. Bragliani’s practice encompasses: Acquisition finance Corporate finance Debt capital markets Direct lending Restructuring A solutions-focused and commercially driven advisor, Mr. Bragliani builds long-term relationships with clients to help them navigate their full array of financing transactions.

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.

Linda M. Inscoe, a litigation partner in the San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices of Latham & Watkins, is Co-chair of the firm’s Employment Law Practice. She is a member of the Employment, Benefits & Compensation Practice, and has jury, bench, administrative agency and binding arbitration trial experience.

Marguerite (Maggy) Sullivan

Maggy Sullivan, a nationally recognized trial lawyer, represents multinational clients in complex antitrust litigation and investigations before federal regulators. She ranks among an elite few antitrust trial lawyers who have secured multiple merger litigation victories against the government. Maggy brings strategic foresight and more than two decades of experience to her work managing litigation in all its forms, including: Investigations Complex civil actions Multi-district actions Class actions She regularly develops compelling theories and strategies and excels at persuading parties across the litigation spectrum to adopt her perspective. Maggy has won two of the most complex, high-profile matters in the history of the US Department of Justice (DOJ): the Illumina/GRAIL merger and the Booz Allen Hamilton/EverWatch merger. Her established track record demonstrates excellence in handling sprawling, long-running antitrust matters that run the gamut from investigation, to criminal prosecution, to multi-district litigation, or commercial class actions.

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.

Mario Orsenigo advises Italian and multinational clients on complex restructuring and special situations transactions, as well as related litigation and dispute resolution. Mr. Orsenigo draws on more than a decade’s experience representing institutional investors, banks, distressed credit, and private equity funds in: Complex restructuring and distressed transactions Litigation and pre-litigation matters related to civil, corporate, and insolvency law Before rejoining the firm, Mr. Orsenigo worked with leading international law firms and an Italian law boutique on complex, debt restructuring, insolvency, and litigation matters.

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 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, 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 Proctor advises clients on the establishment of, investment in, and ongoing operation of private investment vehicles, and regularly provides advice to investment managers in connection with strategic transactions. Nationally recognized as a leading practitioner in private equity fund formation, Mark draws on a wealth of experience representing private fund sponsors, asset managers, insurers, and reinsurers as well as institutional investors and family offices. He advises clients in the energy and infrastructure, private credit, private equity, insurance, real estate, and venture capital industries on transactions and fund structures, including: Blind pools Co-investment funds Pledge funds Single funds Secondary market transactions Fund formation Secondaries and other liquidity transactions Internal sponsor economic arrangements Joint ventures Separately managed accounts Strategic transactions Establishment of investment platforms and compensation arrangements Prior to joining Latham, Mark was a partner at another global law firm. Before that, he served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Goldman, Sachs & Co., and advised businesses in Goldman Sachs Asset Management, LP, and the Merchant Banking Division. Additionally, Mark served as law clerk to judge Gary L. Taylor, United States District Court for the Central District of California from 2002–2003. Mark is a frequent speaker and author on key issues concerning the investment funds space, including for leading industry conferences and publications.

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.

Finance Partner

Finance Partner

Mark D. Gerstein

Corporate Partner

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.

Mark Roeder represents life sciences and technology companies at all stages of their life cycle, as well as the institutions that finance them. Mark advises companies on strategic transactions and corporate governance matters. Specifically, he counsels clients on: Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) Secondary and follow-on equity public offerings Strategic buy-side and sell-side mergers and acquisitions Venture capital financings Convertible debt offerings He also provides general company representation, advising executives and boards on topics such as: Corporate governance matters Fiduciary duties Securities law compliance Executive compensation matters Shareholder activism and defense Mark frequently speaks on the IPO process and corporate governance matters.

Dr. Markus Krüger is a partner in the Corporate Department of the Frankfurt office and a core member of the Financial Institutions Industry Group. He joined the firm in November 2006 from another major international law firm. Mr. Krüger specializes in complex mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on private equity transactions and transactions in the financial industry. He also frequently advises clients in corporate restructurings and general corporate law matters and has significant expertise with bank regulatory and restructuring matters.

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.

Martin Davies, Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Litigation & Trial Department, advises clients on a range of complex commercial disputes often centering on novel legal issues, including class actions, corporate and shareholder disputes, banking and financial litigation, and competition litigation. An internationally renowned trial lawyer, he draws on more than three decades of experience advising many of the world’s leading corporations and financial institutions on their most significant and intricate disputes. He represents diverse clients from across industries, including corporations, banks, private equity firms, portfolio companies, and high net-worth individuals. Martin can provide a unique insight into class actions having acted on both the claimant side (for the major shareholders in the seminal RBS Rights Issue litigation, the first securities class action to proceed by way of Group Litigation Order), and on numerous defense side class actions. This unique insight in to the dynamics of claimants in class actions has led to Martin being instructed as settlement counsel to help resolve mass claims and be the interface between the claimant and defendant mindset. His successful track record in entertainment litigation includes breach of contract disputes involving major TV and radio broadcasters, sports clubs and agencies, and film production companies. Martin also advises on public law issues, conducting judicial reviews for both applicants and regulators. He runs sensitive and high-stakes internal investigations on behalf of clients, including appearing before regulators.

Marvin S. Putnam

Marvin Putnam is a trial lawyer who offers clients an exceptional combination of litigation experience with keen insight on the entertainment industry. He is Chair of the firm’s Entertainment, Sports & Media Industry Group and former Chair of the Litigation & Trial Department in Los Angeles. Mr. Putnam has successfully represented clients ranging from individual authors and producers, to leading entertainment companies and investment banks. His accomplishments at trial and appellate courts, both state and federal, as well as internationally, have earned Mr. Putnam a reputation as a market-leading entertainment litigator. He has a demonstrated skill in handling a range of high-profile disputes, including intellectual property and business torts. Complementing his trial work, Mr. Putnam also often advises on complex entertainment and media transactional matters with an eye to limiting clients’ potential litigation or exposure.

Mary Rose Alexander

Environmental, Land & Resources and Litigation Partner

Mateja Maher advises clients on the structuring and establishment of private funds across a variety of asset classes, including buyout, venture capital, infrastructure, real estate, and debt. He also regularly advises clients on secondary transactions (including structured and synthetic secondaries, GP-led restructurings, and fund-level liquidity offerings), spin-outs of private equity groups from larger organizations, debut manager establishments, carried interest arrangements, and UK and European regulatory considerations, including the implications of Brexit. Previously, Mateja was a partner at an international law firm and he also served as General Counsel of Campbell Lutyens, a leading private capital advisory firm. At Campbell Lutyens, he acted across the firm’s primary and secondary mandates, working closely with clients and their chosen fund and transaction counsel to establish and market private investment funds and to develop, structure, market, and close secondary transactions.

Mathias Fischer

Mathias Fischer is counsel in the Frankfurt office and a member of the global Pro Bono Committee. Mr. Fischer practices in the Litigation & Trial Department. He has broad experience in advising and representing major domestic and international financial institutions and corporations in German and international litigation and arbitral proceedings. Mr. Fischer is specialized on securities litigation, particularly on lawsuits under the German Capital Markets Model Case Law (KapMuG). Additionally, he regularly represents businesses with regard to professional liability and in corporate matters. Mr. Fischer is further specialized in appraisal proceedings. Mr. Fischer is a co-founder and board member of Pro Bono Deutschland e.V., an association for the promotion of pro bono legal advice for non-profit and non-governmental organizations and projects in Germany.

Mathilde Saltiel

Mathilde Saltiel advises clients on all aspects of EU and French competition law. Ms. Saltiel leverages extensive experience to represent international and French companies across a broad range of industries in: Merger control proceedings before the European Commission (EC) and the French Competition Authority (FCA) Coordination of merger filings for global transactions Cartel and abuse of dominant position investigations by both EU and French competitions authorities Antitrust litigation Private damages actions A recognized thought leader, Ms. Saltiel frequently speaks at industry conferences on EU and French competition.

Matthew Murchison

Matthew Murchison is a preeminent advisor to market-leading communications companies in a wide array of regulatory, litigation, transactional, and compliance matters. His clients include: Internet service providers Cable operators Satellite operators Providers of voice services Technology companies Broadcasters and other video programmers He routinely appears before the Federal Communications Commission to advocate on a variety of core issues in the communications industry, including net neutrality, major transaction reviews, robocall mitigation, and spectrum policy. In addition, he has represented clients at all levels of the federal court system on communications matters — prevailing at oral argument in the DC Circuit and lower courts and spearheading briefing in cases before the US Supreme Court, US Courts of Appeal, and US District Courts concerning communications law, administrative law, federal preemption, and First Amendment issues. He also provides solutions-oriented counseling to clients on regulatory compliance and related matters. Since 2020, he has served as Editor in Chief of the Technology, Media and Telecommunications Review. In 2019, he was a Delegate to the ITU’s World Radiocomunication Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. He also currently serves as a member of the Law Firm Advisory Committee of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, and as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Homelessness Law Center. Mathew’s publications include the following: Technology, Media and Telecommunications Review, The Law Reviews Editor in Chief, 2020 to present (editions 11-14) Author, United States chapter, 2019 to present (editions 10-14) "Restoring Internet Freedom: FCC Eliminates Common Carrier Regulation of Broadband Providers," Client Alert, Jan. 2018 (co-authored with Matthew A. Brill) "FCC Institutes New Privacy Regime for Broadband Providers and Other Telecommunications Carriers," Client Alert, Nov. 2016 (co-author) "Extradition’s Paradox: Duty, Discretion, and Rights in the World of Non-Inquiry," 43 Stan. J. Int’l L. 295 (2007)

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 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 Root advises clients on a full range of commercial real estate transactions. Matthew draws on significant experience advising on the origination of commercial mortgage and mezzanine loans. He works with a full spectrum of financial institutions and investors active in the real estate sector, including: Private equity funds Institutional investors Investment banks Commercial banks Life insurance companies Loan servicers He also helps clients navigate the origination, acquisition, disposition, and workout and restructuring of asset-level commercial real estate debt. Before joining the firm, Matthew was counsel at another global law firm.

Matthew D. Cohn is a senior M&A/private equity partner and is part of a core group of Kirkland partners who opened the Firm’s Boston office in 2017. Matt represents large and middle-market private equity funds, growth funds, and public and private companies in domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, growth and structured equity financings, sponsor-backed capital markets transactions, and corporate restructurings and workouts. His practice covers a wide array of industries, including software and technology, consumer products and retail, manufacturing, education, and sports, media and entertainment, with substantial experience in regulated industries such as healthcare and life sciences, insurance and financial services. Representative clients include Summit Partners, ABRY Partners, Genstar Capital, TA Associates and Providence Equity, among others.

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 Henegar

Finance Partner

Corporate Partner

Matt Bush represents life sciences and technology companies, ranging from startups to publicly held corporations. He is a sought-after advisor in transactional matters ranging from company formation through maturing growth and exit strategy, which includes day-to-day guidance, venture financings, initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, SEC disclosures, corporate governance, and aftermarket capital raising. Matt is the former Chair of the San Diego office’s Corporate Department. Prior to entering law school, Matt was a manager with Accenture, where he assisted clients with business process reengineering and enterprise software implementation.

Matthew Rawlinson

Matt Rawlinson is a trial lawyer in the Silicon Valley office of Latham & Watkins and former Managing Partner of the office, as well as former Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Securities Litigation Practice. In the last several years, Matt has served as successful trial counsel in more than half a dozen matters, defeating billions of dollars in asserted claims. He has tried cases in federal and state court in California, in Delaware, and before arbitrators throughout the country. Matt is one of a handful of attorneys in the country who have tried federal securities claims to a successful jury verdict. He has represented clients in the biotech, semiconductor, software, and medical device industries, among others. Matt joined Latham in 1997 after completing a judicial clerkship for Judge James B. Loken, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

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 D. Thurlow

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 J. Moore

Matthew Moore, one of the nation’s top patent trial attorneys and former Global Chair of the Intellectual Property Litigation Practice and Technology Industry Group, represents leading companies in existential litigation and other high stakes patent disputes. Recognized as one of the country’s Top 10 Influential Intellectual Property Lawyers, Matthew represents Fortune 100 enterprises and tech-forward companies in their most complex IP litigation matters involving: Patents Trade secrets Antitrust and competition False advertising He combines extensive trial and appellate experience with his sophisticated technical background to distill complex science and law into actionable advice. Matthew has litigated over 200 cases in venues across the US, including the International Trade Commission (ITC). He has also managed many global patent disputes involving cases around the world, including in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Brazil, China, and Japan. Matthew guides clients across a broad range of sectors, including semiconductors, electrical circuits, telecommunications, medical devices, software, optics, automotive technologies, materials, and chemicals. Industry publications often report on Matthew's litigation prowess, including The American Lawyer, which highlighted the five wins he achieved in one single day and Matthew's “knack for invalidating patents.” The Recorder profiled Matthew for his “patent hat trick” after winning three cases at the Federal Circuit in just one week for Capital One, Freddie Mac, and Volvo. The American Lawyer further praised his IP/antitrust litigation work, noting that his “interesting and aggressive” trial strategy could “reset the playing field on patent litigation.” Before joining Latham, Matthew played professional lacrosse for the Philadelphia Wings and won three NCAA Lacrosse Championships at Syracuse University. Matthew is admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court; the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; and the US District Courts for the Eastern District of Texas, the Western District of Wisconsin, and the Eastern District of Michigan.

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.”

Matthew W. Walch

Matthew Walch, a litigation partner in the Chicago office, represents clients in complex commercial and intellectual property litigation. Matthew represents Fortune 500 companies and leading organizations in litigation related to: Complex commercial disputes Intellectual property Unfair competition Advertising Employment He draws on over 25 years of experience litigating matters to successful resolution in federal and state courts and before US and international arbitration panels. He regularly resolves litigation through both interlocutory and dispositive motion practice as well as at trial. Complementing his litigation work, Matthew routinely counsels clients to develop strategies and processes to prevent litigation, especially in the areas of intellectual property, and related restrictive covenant employment issues. In 2020, the World Trademark Review 1000 recognized M atthew as “[e]xperienced throughout all phases of litigation, including trial” and an “anchor” of the firm’s unfair competition practice. Matthew also manages trademark and copyright prosecution and licensing efforts throughout the world and regularly negotiates with owners and collective management organizations regarding copyright and licensing matters. Matthew is admitted to practice in the US Supreme Court, US Court of Appeals for the Second, Third , and Seventh Circuits, and US District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois, Western District of Wisconsin, Eastern District of Michigan, and District of Colorado. Matthew frequently writes and speaks on IP issues. Leadership Matthew is a Past President of the Richard Linn American Inn of Court, an American Inn of Court consisting of over 160 Chicago-area judges, in-house and outside counsel, academics, and students focused on intellectual property law. He received the 2017 Linn Inn Alliance Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions to the American Inns of Court movement. Matthew is also a member of the Intellectual Property section of the American Bar Association and the International Trademark Association. As part of the firm’s commitment to the community, Matthew works with Lawyers for the Creative Arts, the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic of Chicago, and their clients on a pro bono basis. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Prevent Child Abuse America and the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services.

Matthias Rubner

Matthias Rubner is a partner in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins. He primarily advises on employment law. Mr. Rubner provides French and international clients with labor law advice related to corporate reorganizations and downsizing, business outsourcing, mergers and acquisitions, and relationships with unions and employee representatives. He frequently engages in negotiations with unions, work councils, and the labor administration and related litigation. Mr. Rubner has strong expertise in the area of data protection law, employee privacy, codes of business ethics, and whistleblower procedures. He regularly advises US clients on how to conduct investigations in France and how to reconcile export control legislation with EU and on French data protection and employee privacy rules. Mr. Rubner is fluent in French, English, and German. He is a frequently featured speaker at seminars in France, the UK, Germany, and the US.

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 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.

Maximilian Grant

Max Grant is the former Global Chair of the Intellectual Property Litigation Practice. Max has secured high-profile wins for companies established and emerging, including NVIDIA, Schlumberger, Philip Morris International, Adobe, Monsanto, Daikin, Latchable, CrossMatch Technologies, InfoBionic, and InterDigital. He served as lead counsel for C.R. Bard; after a six-week trial in the US District Court of Arizona, the jury found that W.L. Gore willfully infringed Bard’s patent and upheld validity. The court enhanced damages, awarded fees, and imposed a compulsory license. The total award was over US$2.1 billion and the win was featured in a cover article in the November 2009 issue of The American Lawyer. Max joined Latham in 2002, after serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations during Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2005, he was appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to the Patent Public Advisory Committee, a nine-member board that advises the Director of the US Patent and Trademark Office on patent policy. Before attending law school, Max served as an aide to Senator John McCain, a Navy SEAL team leader and a US Marine. He is the co-inventor of two patents.

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.

Meaghan Thomas-Kennedy

Meaghan Thomas-Kennedy advises clients on high-stakes antitrust litigation matters, drawing on her experience both as in-house counsel and representing clients in multiple industries. Meaghan helps clients navigate a range of antitrust matters, including: Government monopolization investigations and litigation Conduct investigations Complex class actions, particularly in relation to information exchange and algorithmic pricing Merger challenges brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Existential business disputes Meaghan returns to Latham with a wealth of experience from her previous role at Apple, where she led the strategy for the company’s North American antitrust litigation docket, was responsible for the company’s highest-risk antitrust cases, and provided strategic counsel on a broad range of complex litigation matters. Meaghan draws on her in-house counsel perspective to advise tech clients on the design and launch of new products, to navigate the intersection of intellectual property and competition law, and to craft docket-wide litigation management strategies. Complementing her commercial work, Meaghan serves on the Board of the First District Appellate Project in Oakland, California and is an active member of the American Bar Association Antitrust Section and the California Lawyers Association.

Melanie Blunschi

Melanie Blunschi, a nationally recognized class action litigator, primarily defends technology clients in business-critical disputes, with a focus on securities litigation as well as privacy and consumer class actions. With a track record of success before state and federal courts across the United States, Melanie aligns case strategies with clients' business priorities to help achieve the best outcome for each client's unique goals. Melanie serves as a Global Vice Chair of Latham’s Retail & Consumer Products Industry Group and Co-Chair of the Bay Area Litigation & Trial Department and previously served as the local leader of Latham's Bay Area Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee. She is also a member of the Advisory Committee for the International Center for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR).

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 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.

Finance Partner

Melissa Arbus Sherry

Melissa Arbus Sherry, a former Assistant to the Solicitor General of the United States and former Deputy Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C. office, focuses primarily on appeals in the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Courts of Appeals, and state appellate courts. Melissa represents a full spectrum of clients in high-stakes appellate litigation across the country. She has argued 12 cases in the United States Supreme Court and multiple cases in the First, Second, Third, Fifth, Seventh, Ninth, and Eleventh Circuits, among other courts. She served five years as an Assistant to the Solicitor General of the United States. In that role, she represented the United States before the Supreme Court, oversaw the government’s litigation in federal appellate courts, and worked with and across federal government agencies and components within the Department of Justice. Melissa represents clients in a wide range of areas, including intellectual property, securities, arbitration, healthcare, tax, communications, white collar, and complex commercial litigation. She excels at distilling and framing complex legal issues through compelling written and oral advocacy. According to a 2018 Law360 article, Melissa is one of the 10 most experienced women advocates before the Supreme Court, based on the number of cases argued over the past 10 Terms. Some of her notable arguments included: POM Wonderful LLC v. The Coca-Cola Co. Bowman v. Monsanto Amgen, Inc. v. Connecticut Retirement Plans & Trust Funds CSX Transportation v. Alabama Department of Revenue Melissa has also drafted more than a hundred briefs before the Supreme Court. She has briefed dozens of cases in federal and state appellate courts. And she has judged hundreds of moot courts for internal and external clients, as well as for organizations such as the US Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Attorneys General. She served as a law clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens, and to Judge Diana Gribbon Motz on the Fourth Circuit. Industry and Community Leadership Melissa is on the Board of Advisors of the Institute of Judicial Administration at NYU School of Law. She is a member of the Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court. And she serves on the US Chamber of Commerce’s Constitutional Law and Federal Courts Amicus Committee and as a Vice Chair of Latham's Associates Committee. She has been featured in media outlets such as the PBS NewsHour, Bloomberg, and the Washingtonian. And she speaks often to industry groups, lawyers, and judges about the Supreme Court and appellate advocacy.

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 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 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 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 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 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 Rackham

Michael Rackham is a partner in the Singapore office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Michael 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, Michael worked for 10 years in the Hong Kong and London offices of two other US law firms.

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 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 Ettannani

Michael M. Ettannani is counsel in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins. His capital markets practice includes advising clients on: High yield and other debt capital markets transactions IPOs Mergers and acquisitions with a capital markets financing element Compliance with US securities laws Prior to joining Latham in 2012, Mr. Ettannani practiced in the capital markets group at the New York office of another international law firm. Mr. Ettannani represents corporate clients and investment banks, as well as private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, with respect to international capital markets matters. He has particular experience in initial public offerings and high yield debt securities offerings.

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.

Litigation Partner

Corporate Counsel

Michael David is a partner in the firm’s International Trade Commission (ITC) Practice and Intellectual Property Litigation Practice, and represents clients in their highest stakes patent infringement and trade secret actions before the International Trade Commission and federal district courts. Mr. David leverages extensive experience representing both complainants and respondents in more than three dozen ITC investigations, including as lead counsel, and participating in more than a dozen ITC trials to craft litigation strategies in matters including: Automobile automatic terrain response technology Digital video receivers and broadband gateways Graphics processing technology Networking devices and related software Lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles LTE wireless cellular devices Thermoplastic encapsulated electric motors Medical devices Biometric scanning technology He also frequently participates in US Customs and Border Protection consultations regarding ITC exclusion order enforcement and Section 177 ruling requests. Mr. David maintains an active pro bono practice and represents clients in litigation involving veterans’ rights, special education law, political asylum applications, and child custody applications. Mr. David earned a Litigator of the Week Runner-Up recognition from The American Lawyer for his pro bono representation of a US Army veteran before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. David is a member of the International Trade Commission Trial Lawyers Association.

Michael Carroll

Michael Carroll is a partner in the Environment, Land & Resources Department and the global Co-chair of Latham's Project Siting & Approvals Practice. His practice focuses on permitting, entitlement and environmental review of complex infrastructure projects, with an emphasis on energy projects.

Michael Lacovara

Litigation & Trial Partner

Environment, Land & Resources Partner

Michael Benjamin

Corporate Partner

Michael Treska is the Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins' Orange County office. He advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and general corporate counseling. Michael serves as primary outside counsel to several public and private companies in various industries, including healthcare, gaming, technology, and real estate. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and capital markets, and he has led the firm’s representation on numerous high profile and complex transactions. Supplementing his client work, Michael has served on the firm's Associates, Finance, and Recruiting Committees. Prior to joining Latham, Michael practiced in the tax department of Deloitte & Touche LLP and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Michael Rubin represents leading technology companies in high-stakes litigation and regulatory matters in the United States and globally. He serves as Global Co-Chair of the Privacy & Cyber Practice, as Global Vice Chair of the Technology Industry Group, and leads the firm’s AI Task Force. Michael draws on more than two decades of experience at the leading edge of legal issues in Silicon Valley. As a seasoned litigator, he has the strategic judgment to minimize exposure in enterprise-threatening disputes; securing the best possible outcomes in court and matters before the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general, and other regulators. As a pioneering technology lawyer, he has the perspective to counsel companies active in the artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies sectors on product design and business model development. And as an accomplished leader, he assembles top-notch cross-practice and cross-jurisdictional teams to respond quickly to crises and help companies at all stages of their life cycle realize their business objectives. Michael regularly provides counsel and representation on: Privacy, cybersecurity, and consumer protection incidents and matters arising under US and global regulations — including FTC Section 5 Artificial intelligence matters ranging from design, to governance, to regulatory compliance and defense, to litigation Emerging technologies and novel business and regulatory issues Michael regularly writes and speaks on technology, AI, privacy, and cybersecurity topics. He is a member of the firm’s LBGTQ+ Lawyers’ Group.

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

Michael A. Pucker

Michael Pucker is a member of the firm's Corporate Department. Michael's practice focuses on: General Corporate Counseling Mergers and Acquisitions Private Equity Venture Capital Capital Markets Company Representation Corporate Governance Counseling boards and senior management in a variety of industries, including hospitality, financial services, manufacturing, retail, life sciences, and technology Counseling families and related closely held enterprises in avoiding, mitigating, and resolving disputes Michael's clients include: Hyatt Hotels Corporation The Pritzker Organization BDT Capital Partners Bass Pro Group Cresset Capital DNS Capital Madison Wells TMS International Lithko KBP Foods GreatPoint Ventures A number of other closely held companies Michael is also involved in a number of community and charitable organizations.

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.

Michael G. Egge

Michael Egge secures regulatory clearances for transformative global transactions and defends clients in high stakes cross-border investigations. Leveraging more than 30 years of experience and a broad international perspective, Michael advises market leaders on a full spectrum of their most complex antitrust challenges, including investigations of: Strategic transactions Alleged cartel conduct Conduct investigations brought by US and European enforcers Michael is widely regarded for his experience in clearing major transactions that require navigating merger control requirements around the world. He has appeared and argued before antitrust authorities in countries across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. A recognized leader at the firm, Michael is Chair of the firm’s Global Antitrust & Competition Practice and has played a pivotal role in building one of the most comprehensive global antitrust practice platforms in the world today. From 2006 to 2015, he led Latham’s Global Antitrust & Competition Practice Group, including three years (2012-2015) resident in the Brussels office, where he helped expand Latham & Watkins’ practice before the European Commission.Michael was Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C. office from 2016 to 2020, and he served on the firm’s Executive Committee from 2020 to 2024. Michael speaks frequently on antitrust issues and has served in a variety of leadership positions within the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Section, including as a member of its governing Council, Co-Chair of the Annual Spring Meeting, Chair of the Merger Process Working Group, and Chair of several of its expert conferences. He maintains an active pro bono practice, including on behalf of the Osteosarcoma Collaborative, a nonprofit organization for which he is a founding member that brings together data, researchers, patients, and families to find new cures for the disease.

Michael J. Nelson

Michael J. Gergen

Finance Partner

Michael J. Brody

Michael J. Faris

Michael R. King

Corporate Partner

Michael Scott Feeley

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 Johnson

Michele Johnson, Global Chair of the Litigation & Trial Department, is consistently recognized as a leading national trial lawyer. Michele represents industry-leading companies, officers and directors, special committees, and financial institutions in connection with: Securities class actions Shareholder derivative litigation Mergers and acquisitions litigation Battles for corporate control Fiduciary duty cases Proxy contests SEC enforcement actions Internal investigations Other complex, high-exposure litigation Michele’s recent representations include securities class action trials, special committee engagements in controlling stockholder transactions, multi-jurisdictional 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 significant trial experience involving securities, contract, product liability, unfair business practices, tax, and insurance bad faith trials. Michele is a former member of Latham’s Executive Committee and the former Managing Partner of the Orange County office. She has served on the firm’s Pro Bono, Associates, and Diversity Committees as well. She serves on the boards of the Georgetown University Law Center, Berkeley Center for Law and Business, and Orange County Bar Foundation’s Project Youth, is a member of the American Bar Association’s Corporate Laws Committee, and is past president of the Orange County chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.

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.

Michelle Kelban

Corporate Partner

Michelle Ontiveros Gross advises clients on a range of intellectual property and privacy and cybersecurity matters, including in connection with strategic alliances, joint ventures, M&A and financing transactions, intellectual property strategy and commercialization, development agreements and other commercial arrangements, product development, and privacy and data initiatives. Michelle helps companies successfully develop and protect their technology assets, drawing on her breadth of experience in the industry. Her practice spans a variety of issues including artificial intelligence and machine learning, intellectual property, and privacy and data security, with a particular focus on complex technology transactions, licensing arrangements, and collaboration agreements, as well as large-scale mergers and acquisitions and capital markets offerings. Her transactional work includes advising on the technology and data privacy aspects of: Mergers and acquisitions Joint ventures Capital markets transactions and financings Integration of business units and product lines in connection with mergers and acquisitions Michelle has deep experience advising on intellectual property strategy and commercialization, including: Copyright, patent, and trademark matters Development and distribution agreements Software licensing and services agreements Open-source counseling Patent licensing Joint development of technology She also regularly advises clients on data privacy and security matters, including: Privacy and data security policies and data processing agreements Cybersecurity and privacy terms in commercial transactions SEC cybersecurity disclosure Privacy and cybersecurity compliance Privacy and data security issues in connection with product development, including the integration of blockchain and AI technologies into new products Data ownership and data rights Privacy and data security regulations, including: The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and other State Privacy Laws NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulation Gramm-Leach Bliley Act (GLBA) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA)

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.

Miles Ruthberg is Chair of the New York Litigation & Trial Department. Mr. Ruthberg has been a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, global Chair of the firm’s Litigation & Trial Department, and Chair of the firm’s Securities Litigation & Professional Liability Practice. He has successfully represented many major companies in their most important litigation, including securities law, class actions and complex commercial disputes with a particular emphasis on accounting issues.

Min Yee Ng has extensive experience representing both issuers and underwriters in a wide range of corporate finance matters, including initial public offerings and private placements of debt, equity, and equity-linked securities.

Miriam L. Fisher

Miriam Fisher is Global Chair of the Tax Controversy Practice of Latham & Watkins, and her practice focuses on federal and state tax controversy and litigation. Miriam has an active tax litigation practice in federal and state trial and appellate courts, where she successfully represents domestic and multi-national businesses, non-profits, and high global wealth individuals in disputes involving a wide variety of sophisticated tax matters. At the examination and appeals stages of tax controversies, Miriam achieves client goals through good communication, strong substantive and procedural knowledge, innovative, resolution-oriented strategies, and litigation-preparedness. She is highly regarded by clients and peers for her ability to lead trial teams in complex tax litigation and to navigate negotiation and resolution of sensitive, high-stakes disputes. Miriam also handles sensitive tax matters involving allegations of fraud and helps clients avoid severe penalties and potential criminal charges. She often leads clients through voluntary disclosure and correction of compliance errors. Miriam frequently speaks and writes on issues involving tax procedure, policy, and ethics. She is admitted to practice before the US Tax Court, various US District Courts, US Court of Federal Claims, and the US Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, Fourth, and Federal Circuits. Miriam is consistently ranked as a leading tax lawyer by Chambers USA. Sources describe her as “professional, responsive, practical, articulate, confident, and mindful of budgets” with “world class” tax controversy and litigation experience (Chambers USA 2017), also noting, “she’s 100% the kind of attorney that both sides want" (Chambers USA 2018). In 2018, The American Bar Association Tax Section Civil and Criminal Tax Penalties Committee honored Miriam with the Jules Ritholz Memorial Merit Award. She was named Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year in Washington, D.C. for Litigation and Controversy – Tax in 2017 and 2019. She is also recognized as one of the elite leading lawyers inducted to The Legal 500's Hall of Fame, which includes fewer than 500 partners across the US “who have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence,” in 2018. She has been recognized as a Tax Controversy Leader by the International Tax Review 2018, an annual guide that identifies leading tax lawyers and advisers based on nominations from hundreds of global tax directors and CFOs.

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

Mitchell Seider

Mitchell A. Seider is a partner in the New York and Houston offices of Latham & Watkins. Mr. Seider is global Co-chair of the firm’s Restructuring, Insolvency & Workouts Practice and a member of the Latin America Practice. Mr. Seider focuses his practice on business reorganizations and financial restructurings.

Mohammed S. Shaheen

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.

Myria Saarinen, former Global Co-Chair of the Technology Industry Group, represents domestic and international clients in all types of civil and commercial complex litigation matters. She also leads the data protection practice in Paris. Ms. Saarinen draws on two decades’ experience as a litigator and her comprehensive understanding of her clients’ business and commercial needs to efficiently resolve a broad range of complex, cross-border disputes across industries. She advises on: French litigation disputes, including corporate litigation Alternative dispute resolution, in mediation or arbitration Cross-border issues, such as conflicts of laws and US discovery requests GDPR compliance programs, particularly for adtech companies Regulatory GDPR inquiries Multijurisdictional cybersecurity event response GDPR claims brought by individuals and class actions She crafts pragmatic, commercially oriented solutions to clients’ business challenges, approaching each matter with the strength of the firm’s global platform. A recognized firm leader, Ms. Saarinen serves on the Ethics and Privacy Committees of the firm. She previously served as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (AML) for the Paris office and on the Pro Bono and IT Committees.

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.

Naiara Rodríguez-Escudero

Naiara Rodríguez-Escudero leads the Benefits, Compensation & Employment Practice in Madrid and also serves as Regional Chair of Latham & Watkins' Tax Department in Europe. She advises global private equity funds and major employers in Spain on a variety of complex employment matters. Ms. Rodríguez-Escudero draws on deep experience and a sophisticated understanding of Spanish and European employment law to counsel and represent major employers in their most sensitive and business-critical matters, including: Compensation plans Employment litigation Industrial disputes Negotiating with trade unions Relocation Senior executive contract negotiations Social security Stock and cash-based incentive programs Downsizing and redundancy plans Mergers and acquisitions Outsourcing Restructurings Whistleblower and internal investigations Ms. Rodríguez-Escudero regularly speaks at employment law seminars and publishes articles in the field.

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’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

Nancy Kowalczyk

Nancy A. Bruington

Natalie H. McFarland

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.

Nathan Ajiashvili

Corporate Partner

Nathan H. Seltzer

Nathan Seltzer, former Global Vice Chair of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice, is a US lawyer based in London who advises individuals and leading corporations on internal and government investigations. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience, he helps clients successfully navigate a range of investigations, with a focus on cross-border matters. A member of the firm’s London office, Nathan is uniquely positioned to advise multinational corporations on investigations with US law implications. Nathan’s work includes internal investigations, civil and criminal government investigations, and complex litigation involving a variety of highly regulated industries, such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, and defense. He brings particular experience in complex accounting and corruption cases, including matters involving the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other regulators worldwide. He also frequently designs practical corporate compliance programs, including Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) compliance programs, and provides real-time compliance counsel. Nathan is the former Co-Chair of the firm’s Washington, D.C. Litigation & Trial Department. Prior to joining Latham, Nathan clerked for Judge Boyce F. Martin, Jr., of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Nathan J. Logan

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.

Neil Ferguson advises European and international clients on complex real estate transactions, with a particular focus on public and private M&A and joint ventures. Drawing on more than two decades of real estate private equity experience and his sophisticated understanding of the private capital landscape, he delivers commercially driven counsel to key market participants, including real estate funds, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and financial institutions. Neil guides clients through every stage of the real estate investment lifecycle, including in matters involving: Joint ventures Single-asset and portfolio M&A transactions Preferred and structured equity Co-investments Financings, refinancings, and disposals Restructuring He helps clients navigate transactions involving a multitude of asset classes, including data centers, student housing, film studios, retail shopping centers, hotels, offices, logistics facilities, and long-term care homes. He brings particular experience in complex joint ventures and platform joint ventures, as well as cross-border transactions across nearly every European jurisdiction. Neil leverages his deep insight into how global real estate funds operate to develop strategic solutions for clients. In addition to his vast experience in private practice, he served on secondment in Morgan Stanley’s London-based real estate division during the take-private of Canary Wharf Group. A recognized leader at the firm, he serves on the Associates Committee. Neil maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising on real estate matters for local nonprofit organizations.

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 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.

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 J. Siciliano

Nicholas Siciliano is a partner in the Chicago office of Latham & Watkins. Nicholas primarily handles securities and professional liability litigation, as well as complex commercial disputes. Nicholas represents public companies, directors, and officers in securities fraud class actions, shareholder derivative litigation, and other high-stakes matters in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels. In addition to his securities and professional liability practice, Nicholas also has prosecuted and defended numerous other complex litigation matters, including patent infringement litigation, trademark infringement litigation, multibillion-dollar contractual disputes, and mergers and acquisitions litigation. He also has been involved in internal investigations of potential criminal conduct and represented clients under investigation by the United States Securities Exchange Commission and/or the Department of Justice. He has extensive experience in all aspects of civil litigation, including large-scale fact and expert discovery, dispositive and non-dispositive motion practice, alternative dispute resolution, trial, and appeal. Nicholas has achieved highly favorable results at the trial court and appellate levels, as well as in settlement. Nicholas is active in the firm’s pro bono program and has worked for numerous clients in cases related to immigration, refugee rights, transgender rights, prisoner rights, special education, human trafficking, and systemic legal reform. Nicholas currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice. He also has served in a number of management roles at the firm, including on the firm’s Associates Committee, Pro Bono Committee, Legal Professional and Paralegal Committee, and Recruiting Committee.

Nicholas J. DeNovio

Nicholas DeNovio, former Global Chair of the International Tax Practice, advises multinational corporations on complex cross-border transactions. Nicholas draws on his deep public and private sector experience to guide multinational corporations on: Mergers and acquisitions Spinoffs Financings Group structuring He helps clients see around deal corners and navigate their most sophisticated transactional tax matters. Nicholas has spent most of his career at Latham and is a member of the Audit Committee and Client Intake Committee. He has served as Chair of the planning committees for the George Washington University/IRS International Tax Program and as Chair of the University of Chicago’s Federal Tax Conference. Nicholas is a well-known thought leader on cross-border M&A and international tax planning. He has written and presented for organizations including the Tax Executives Institute (TEI), Practicing Law Institute (PLI), International Fiscal Association (IFA), and National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC), as well as various bar associations. He also serves on the International Tax Journal’s editorial board. From 2002 - 2005, he served in Government, and in his role as IRS Deputy Chief Counsel, Nicholas supervised 600 lawyers in the IRS National Office.

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.

Nicholas P. Luongo

Nick Luongo, Local Co-Chair of the Washington, D.C. Corporate Department, guides private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on their most sophisticated cross-border transactions. Nick leverages a sophisticated understanding of highly regulated industries and his commercial perspective to advise clients on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, and general corporate matters across a broad range of sectors, including: Energy and infrastructure Chemicals and applied materials Healthcare Aerospace and defense Consumer products He forges trusted relationships with clients and unlocks the firm’s robust platform to devise creative solutions across the corporate life cycle. A recognized leader within the firm, Nick has served on the Income Partner & Counsel Committee and the Recruiting Committee. He also serves on the board of St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. Nick maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising on nonprofit 501(c)(3) formation.

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 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 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.

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, 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.

Nicole A. Liffrig Molife

Nicole Liffrig Molife is counsel in the Washington, D.C. office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Healthcare and Life Sciences Practice. Nicole provides healthcare regulatory advice on transactions to a diverse set of early stage and established healthcare and life sciences clients throughout the industry, including: Pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers Medical device manufacturers Digital health and health IT companies Laboratories Ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care, remote monitoring, and diagnostic imaging centers Dialysis companies Hospices and home health agencies Health management companies Industry trade associations and professional societies on regulatory compliance and business transactions Long-term care and senior living providers Nicole's practice focuses on healthcare transactions and regulatory counseling matters. She advises clients on healthcare regulatory, compliance, and business considerations that clients in the healthcare and life sciences industry face in transactions and contractual arrangements. These matters have included mergers, acquisitions, financings, securities offerings, joint ventures, contractual affiliations and other business agreements, and consulting and service agreements involving a wide variety of healthcare and life sciences companies. She handles a range of healthcare regulatory matters including fraud and abuse counseling, voluntary self-disclosures, and investigations involving the Stark Law, the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the False Claims Act, Medicare and Medicaid regulations, and policies. Thought Leadership Nicole writes and speaks frequently on a variety of healthcare and life sciences topics, including healthcare compliance risks and regulatory structural considerations arising in healthcare transactions, fraud and abuse risks in Health IT agreements, compliance with the Stark Law, contract negotiation and due diligence strategies, and Medicare coverage and reimbursement matters. Recent thought leadership includes: Co-author, “US State Regulatory Spotlight on Healthcare Transactions,” Latham & Watkins Client Alert (October 6, 2023) Co-presenter, “Earnout Considerations in Healthcare Transactions,” Strafford CLE Webinar (July 27, 2023) Co-presenter, “Navigating Regulatory Landmines in Health Care M&A Transaction,” American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) Health Care Transactions Conference (April 18, 2023) Co-presenter, “Trends and Hot Topics in Health Care M&A,” AHLA Health Care Transactions Conference (April 26-27, 2022) Co-presenter, “Evolving Enforcement and Regulatory Trends in Telehealth”, American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) Annual Meeting (June 29, 2021) Presenter, “Evolution of Value Based Contracts Within the Medical Device Industry”, Medical Device Strategic Pricing & Accounts Conference (June 24, 2021) Co-author, “OIG Provides Regulatory Considerations for Gainsharing Agreements in Advisory Opinion 17-09,” Latham & Watkins Client Alert (July 16, 2018) Co-presenter, “Navigating the Regulatory Landscape in an Integrated World,” American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) In-House Panel Program (June 24, 2018) Co-presenter, “Stark Law Master Class: Getting into Thorny Details that Really Matter,” American Bar Association (ABA) Webinar (June 9, 2017) Co-author, “21st Century Cures Act Brings Medicare Reimbursement and Policy Changes in 2017,” Latham & Watkins Client Alert (January 3, 2017) Co-author, “Telehealth – The Newest Age of Health Care Delivery,” AHLA Representing Hospitals and Health Systems Handbook (2016) Co-author, “President Obama Signs the 21st Century Cures Act Into Law,” Latham & Watkins Client Alert (December 13, 2016) Co-author, “CMS Proposed New Medicare Reporting and Payment System,” Latham & Watkins Client Alert (November 9, 2015) Co-author, “The Future of Meaningful Use: CMS’s Stage 3 EHR Incentive Program Proposed Rule,” Bloomberg BNA: Health IT Law & Industry Report (June 29, 2015)

Nikhil J. Kumar

Nikhil Kumar advises private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, and other private and public companies around the world on a broad range of executive compensation, employee benefits, and equity compensation matters. Nikhil draws on extensive transactional experience and an academic background in industrial and labor relations to help clients navigate: Employment, severance, and consulting agreements Equity- and cash-based compensation programs, including stock-option programs and profits-interest programs Employee-related aspects of merger, purchase, and other transaction agreements Due diligence in the context of mergers and acquisitions Non-competition, retention, and deferred compensation arrangements Compensation disclosure (including CD&A) requirements He partners with clients to devise creative solutions to achieve their business objectives and avoid potential transactional risks before they materialize. Nikhil served on the firm’s Associates Committee and Mentoring Committee.

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.

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.

Nomaan Raja serves as Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ Dubai office and the former Local Chair of the Corporate Department. As a market-leading lawyer in the UAE, he maintains a diverse practice helping clients execute corporate transactions throughout the Middle East and Africa. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Raja practiced with a leading law firm in New York. Mr. Raja advises local and international issuers, government entities, and financial institutions on the full suite of corporate transactions, with industry expertise in oil and gas, telecommunications, energy, and infrastructure. Drawing on his unique expertise, his broad international experience, and sophisticated multi-industry knowledge, he regularly advises clients on: Conventional and Islamic debt capital markets IPOs and equity offerings High-yield bonds Debt restructurings Inbound and outbound investments and corporate finance matters Having been involved in many of the most high-profile and leading debt and equity transactions from the region, including Saudi Aramco’s landmark IPO — the largest in history — Nomaan leverages his institutional knowledge of the market to carefully navigate clients through their most complex transactions.

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)

Oliver Felsenstein

Oliver Felsenstein, Global Chair of the Private Equity & Investment Funds Practice and a former member of the firm’s Executive Committee, helps private equity firms navigate every stage of the investment life cycle, from acquisition through exit. Widely recognized among the world’s leading private equity lawyers, Mr. Felsenstein advises private equity firms on many of their largest and most complex transactions involving target companies in Germany and internationally. His several decades of experience span well more than 100 completed transactions exceeding €100 billion in value across a diverse range of industries, including technology, industrials, and healthcare. A strong relationship builder and keen strategist, Mr. Felsenstein serves as a trusted advisor to many of the world’s most prominent private equity clients. He brings a commercial perspective to clients’ most significant business challenges and drives consensus in negotiations. Mr. Felsenstein regularly leads large, international Latham teams and acts as the primary liaison for clients throughout all phases of a transaction. Mr. Felsenstein is a member of the curatorship of the Foundation Deutsche Sporthilfe, an organization supporting the German Olympic team.

Dr. Oliver Seiler, a leading German equity capital markets lawyer, advises issuers and investment banks on initial public offerings and other capital market transactions. Dr. Seiler advises on: IPOs Spin-offs Capital raisings Block trades Equity-linked transactions He delivers strong technical advice with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach. He draws on more than 20 years of experience to work skillfully with all stakeholders on a deal.

Oliver Middleton

Oliver Middleton, Chair of the London Litigation & Trial Department, acts for clients in all manner of commercial disputes, with a particular focus on complex, high-profile commercial litigation including financial, corporate, and shareholder claims. He draws on successful experience with some of the most significant class actions in the UK. Oliver has experience across a wide range of commercial litigation matters and regulatory investigations, including: Financial litigation Complex contractual claims Shareholder actions (including s.90/s.90A FSMA and unfair prejudice claims) Bondholder disputes Trust litigation Economic tort claims Insurance disputes Data privacy Breaches of confidence Defamation claims Intellectual property litigation He represents clients in the banking and financial services, insurance, private equity, media, and technology industries. Oliver is uniquely positioned to understand significant claims from both claimant and defendant perspectives, as he was previously at a well-known claimant litigation firm. He leverages a sophisticated understanding of claimants’ goals, tactics, and issues — such as book building, working with litigation funders, shareholder class action trends, and settlement strategies. In particular, he draws on insights from his work acting in the RBS Rights Issue Litigation, one of the largest cases before the English Courts and the seminal s.90 FSMA case.

Olivia Rauch-Ravise

Olivia Rauch-Ravisé is a partner in the firm's Tax Department and the Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ Paris office. She is a former Co-Chair of the firm’s Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee, whose mission is to promote women through trailblazing initiatives focused on women’s professional development, mentoring, and networking. She has strong experience in domestic and cross-border transactional tax law, notably in private equity and mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Rauch-Ravisé primarily handles the taxation of capital markets transactions (notably high yield), financial instruments, and structured financings. She has developed particular experience in tax issues relating to aircraft, rolling stock, and other asset financings. Ms. Rauch-Ravisé is particularly active in the financial institutions, oil and gas, and hospitality and gaming sectors. She is a member of the International Fiscal Association and of the Institut des Avocats Conseils Fiscaux, and she is Chair of the Tax Committee of the European American Chamber of Commerce.

Olivier du Mottay

Olivier du Mottay is a corporate partner in Latham & Watkins' Paris office and the former Global Vice Chair of the Corporate Department. Mr. du Mottay represents investors and companies at critical stages of their development, with particular emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, and capital markets. He has extensive experience representing bidders, targeted companies, and managers in all types of corporate finance transactions. He is involved in the negotiation and the implementation of strategic alliances and joint ventures, as well as recapitalizations and restructurings. Mr. du Mottay regularly advises companies in a variety of general corporate matters, including corporate governance, executive compensation, shareholders' disputes, and white collar matters. Before joining the firm, he was an associate at a leading French law firm where he was involved in corporate law issues, restructuring, and legal advice on directors' and officers' duties.

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 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.

Ora T. Fisher, one of two Vice Chairs at Latham & Watkins and a member of its Executive Committee, helps to shape the firm’s strategic direction and manage its global platform. In her role, Ms. Fisher focuses on strategic planning, client relations, lateral partner recruitment and integration, partner performance and communications. She has held multiple senior leadership roles on firm wide committees during her tenure at Latham, which began in 1991.

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.

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 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

Pamela Reddy

Pamela C. Kellet

Pandora Strasler

Pandora Strasler is counsel in the New York office of Latham & Watkins.Ms. Strasler is a member of the Finance Department and Banking Practice. Her practice focuses primarily on the representation of commercial and investment banks and borrowers in the structuring of complex secured financing transactions including senior secured lending and restructuring transactions, acquisition and project financings and structured finance with a special emphasis on issues arising under Article 9 (secured transactions) and Article 8 (investment securities) of the Uniform Commercial Code. She is a member of the New York and Ontario bars and a solicitor on the Roll of Solicitors of England and Wales.

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.

Pardis Zomorodi

Patricia Young represents market-leading companies in intellectual property litigation, particularly high-stakes, complex, multi-patent, and multi-jurisdictional cases. Patricia is a first-chair trial lawyer who litigates patent and trade secrets cases for a broad spectrum of companies, both as defendants and plaintiffs. She regularly tries cases across the country, including in state and federal courts, and before the International Trade Commission (ITC). She deftly synthesizes technical, economic, and legal perspectives to develop unique, winning litigation strategies. As an incisive and trusted advisor for patent and trade secret matters, she is also well-positioned to counsel clients on intellectual property issues in corporate matters. Patricia has developed an impressive record of leading and managing complex, multi-product, multi-claim disputes. Her experience spans industries from LiDAR, semiconductors, RF technology, memory, microprocessors, Wi-Fi routers and mesh network devices, file system and storage software and hardware, networking, gaming, e-commerce, telecommunications, UV LEDs, biotech, biologics, protein engineering, sequencing technology, microcoils, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals to consumer products. Patricia was named one of the "Women Worth Watching in STEM" by Diversity Journal in 2021. She is also a collaborator on the Patent Case Management Judicial Guide, the Federal Judicial Center’s definitive patent litigation how-to guide for federal judges, now in its third edition. Her pro bono work addresses Social Security disability, domestic violence, veteran disability benefits, housing, and §1983 civil rights actions. She served on the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and received the California State Bar Wiley M. Manuel Award for pro bono service in 2013.

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 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 A. Pohlen

Corporate Partner

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.

Patrick H. Shannon

Patrick Shannon, former Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Capital Markets and Private Equity Finance Practices, represents clients in their most sophisticated capital markets transactions. Patrick draws on more than two decades of experience advising private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, investment banks, and public and private companies on: Acquisition financing Initial public offerings Equity and debt offerings, including high yield offerings Public company representation and corporate governance Liability management transactions SPAC transactions He leverages deep market knowledge and extensive resources across Latham’s global platform to help clients navigate the full spectrum of capital markets transactions in any market conditions. A recognized leader at the firm, Patrick sits on the Associates, Opinions, and Retirement Committees and previously was a member of the Recruiting Committee.

Corporate Partner

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, 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 Rosen, former Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Treasury for Investment Security, helps clients navigate significant and complex government regulatory, investigations, and enforcement matters, including the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and outbound investment reviews. Leveraging his work as a federal prosecutor and chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security, Paul also represents clients on white collar criminal defense, internal and cross-border investigations, and compliance matters. With nearly 15 years of legal, policy, and management experience across all three branches of government, Paul draws on extensive government and private practice experience to advise corporate and private equity clients on complex cross-border transactions, with a particular emphasis on investment security and regulatory compliance. Combining these diverse and complementary experiences, Paul deftly guides clients on national security and crisis management challenges across industries including: Aerospace, Defense & Government Services Artificial Intelligence Energy & Infrastructure Financial Institutions Technology In May 2022, the US Senate confirmed him with bipartisan support to serve as Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Treasury for Investment Security. Paul oversaw CFIUS, leading day-to-day operations and handling hundreds of transaction filings that amounted to hundreds of billions of dollars and shaped US investment security and national security policy. He was instrumental in spearheading the CFIUS compliance and enforcement function, as well as in drafting and implementing the new outbound investment review and enforcement program. Paul also testified before Congress numerous times on important national security and investment policy issues. Earlier in his career, Paul served in other high-profile roles in the US government, including as Chief of Staff at the US Department of Homeland Security and in several roles at the US Department of Justice, including as counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, and as a federal prosecutor in the Criminal Fraud Section, where he investigated and prosecuted complex financial crimes. Paul also served as Counsel on the Senate Judiciary Committee and clerked for US District Judge Gary Allen Fees (ret.) in the Central District of California. While in government, Paul earned several awards including the Distinguished Service Medal from the DHS — the highest honor bestowed by the secretary to recognize exceptional and transformational public service. Paul also worked as a partner at another international law firm where he led its national security practice.

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 Singarella

Paul Singarella, Chair of the Orange County office Environment, Land & Resources Department, is a nationally recognized water, and oil and gas lawyer. He has received numerous mentions as a Top 100 lawyer in the State of California by the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals, and is repeatedly mentioned in “Best Lawyers in America.” He is an MIT-educated engineer and former National Science Foundation scholar.

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 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 Hunt draws on three decades of experience to advise clients on all phases of development, financing, and sale/acquisition of domestic and international energy and infrastructure projects. Paul regularly advises: Private developers and sponsors Commercial banks and other financial institutions Energy companies Private equity funds Offtakers, governments, and their national utilities He helps clients structure deals, navigate negotiations, and close development, financing, and M&A transactions for all types of energy and infrastructure projects, including: Renewable energy (wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, etc.) Renewable natural gas and other low carbon fuels projects, including sustainable aviation, renewable diesel, biodiesel, ethanol, electricity, and hydrogen Carbon capture and sequestration, IGCC, and gasification Energy storage Conventional power Transmission LNG Petrochemicals and refineries Gas pipelines Water Paul draws on experience with hundreds of projects in dozens of countries, including six Project Finance deals of the year, and innovative projects such as the world’s first blue bond for the World Bank. He also advises clients on governmental stimulus measures in the energy sector, including those advanced through the United States Department of Energy.

Paul F. Sheridan, Jr.

Paul Sheridan represents companies and private equity firms in high-stakes transactions and corporate matters. He serves as Latham’s Global Chair of Private Capital, which encompasses all liquid and illiquid asset classes, including the firm's direct lending, restructuring, private equity, private equity finance, real estate, energy and infrastructure, fund formation, and structured credit practices. He has served multiple terms on the firm’s Executive Committee; as Chair of the Income Partner & Counsel Committee; and as Global Chair of the Private Equity Practice. Paul leverages trusted relationships across the private capital ecosystem and his comprehensive understanding of sophisticated investment strategies to help clients navigate: Leveraged buyouts and other investment transactions Mergers and acquisitions, with extensive experience on complex cross-border transactions Private and public offerings Venture capital financings General company representation Paul maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising the Center for New American Security, a bipartisan national security think tank, for more than a decade. He also serves as a trustee of the Potomac School in McLean, Virginia. Paul served as a law clerk to Judge James C. Cacheris, Chief Judge of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Paul Dudek, a former senior official at the US Securities and Exchange Commission, delivers action-oriented solutions to the most sophisticated US securities law questions that public companies and IPO candidates face. Paul leverages his comprehensive SEC regulatory knowledge and understanding of evolving markets to guide public companies and IPO issuers through: Capital markets transactions, including those involving non-US companies and sovereigns Ongoing public company representation M&A situations As a key member of the firm’s National Office, a central resource for clear, pragmatic securities advice, Paul helps clients accomplish their business objectives without undue legal risk. In his previous role as Chief of the Office of International Corporate Finance in the SEC’s division of Corporate Finance for more than two decades, Paul oversaw efforts to develop and implement rulemaking initiatives and interpretive policies pertaining to US public and private offerings, listings, and other transactions and periodic reporting by foreign private issuers in the US; multinational offerings by foreign and domestic issuers, especially with respect to Regulation S, Rule 144A, Form 20-F, and Securities Act and Exchange Act filings by foreign private issuers; the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System (MJDS); American depositary receipts (ADRs); and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). During his tenure as Office Chief, more than 2,000 foreign private issuers completed their initial registrations with the SEC, including through traditional global or US-only IPOs, privatizations, spin-offs, straight listings, and M&A transactions, and many sovereign issuers completed their initial US registered debt offerings. Similarly in that time, numerous foreign corporate and governmental issuers effected a wide range of follow-on capital markets transactions in SEC registered offerings. Paul led initiatives relating to IFRS and helped implement rulewriting and other projects under the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 and the JOBS Act of 2012, including those relating to cross-border derivatives transactions, the extraterritorial application of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws, and amendments to Rule 144A. Paul also served as the SEC’s representative to the Corporate Governance Committee of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He completed significant work relating to international organizations, including the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and the Financial Stability Board. Before joining the SEC, Paul was in private practice in New York, where he advised companies and financial intermediaries on capital markets transactions. Paul was an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center. He serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Philharmonic.

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 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.

Perry Viscounty

Perry Viscounty is a nationally recognized trial attorney who handles high-stakes cases for companies ranging from Fortune 100 to emerging companies. He handles intellectual property and technology litigation with an emphasis on complex jury trials. Perry is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, a member of the International Trademark Association, and an arbitrator for the World Intellectual Property Organization. He has been a guest lecturer at USC and UCLA, and has taught numerous seminars regarding effective presentations for jury trials and arbitrations.

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.

Finance Partner

Litigation Partner

Peter A. Wald is a partner in the San Francisco office of Latham & Watkins, and a member of the Securities Litigation & Professional Liability Practice. He served as the global Chair of Latham’s Litigation & Trial Department from 2004-2011. In 2015, he was named a “Securities MVP” by Law360 for leading Allergan in its successful fight to block a hostile takeover.

Corporate Partner

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.

Peter J. Gutierrez

Peter M. Todaro

Peter Todaro secures antitrust clearance for high-value mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other transactions for clients in the United States and globally. Leveraging more than 25 years of experience and a sophisticated understanding of the evolving Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) rules, Peter deftly guides clients through all stages of US Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) merger clearance. Peter counsels clients on the full spectrum of antitrust and competition issues that arise during the course of a transaction. A cornerstone of the HSR bar, Peter forges trusted relationships across the antitrust community and actively participates in the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Section. In addition to his work outside the firm, Peter also serves on the firm’s Recruiting Committee. Before joining Latham, he taught antitrust law as an adjunct lecturer at the University of Virginia School of Law and was a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of another international law firm.

Peter N. Handrinos

Corporate Partner

Peter P. Knight

Finance Partner

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

Philip Wolf advises clients on a full range of complex private equity and M&A transactions. Philip leverages his extensive in-house experience and sophisticated understanding of the market to guide private equity sponsors and investment management firms on: Leveraged buyouts Joint ventures Mergers and acquisitions Minority investments Restructurings Strategic investments and dispositions He also helps clients manage complex fund and organizational structures. Before joining the firm, Philip served as the Global Co-Head of Transaction Legal at Partners Group, where he oversaw US legal matters related to the firm’s various asset classes, including its private equity, infrastructure, private credit, and real estate groups.

Philip Clifford KC

A leading international arbitration King’s Counsel, Philip Clifford KC helps clients from around the world to navigate their most complex disputes. Drawing on more than three decades of experience, he helps clients resolve disputes effectively and efficiently. His successful track record representing a broad range of clients (from private and public corporations and shareholders to government-owned entities and states), spans a number of sectors, including oil and gas, construction, energy, and telecommunications. Philip offers clients the dual perspectives of a leading counsel and an arbitrator at the heart of the international arbitration community. He is a long-term Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a UK representative on the ICC Commission on Arbitration, a co-author of a leading book on the LCIA Arbitration Rules, and a Consulting Editor for LexisNexis. He has served as Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins’ International Arbitration Practice, Chair of the London Litigation & Trial Department, London Anti-Money Laundering Reporting Officer, Compliance Officer for Legal Practice, and Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration.

Philip J. Perry

Phil Perry’s career has been unique. He has served in private practice as lead trial court and appellate counsel on matters of national importance, but also as the General Counsel for two federal agencies, and in multiple high-ranking positions in the US Department of Justice. In 2005, Mr. Perry was nominated by the President and confirmed unanimously by the US Senate as General Counsel of the US Department of Homeland Security. In that role, Mr. Perry managed an office of 1,500 lawyers responsible for all components of the department. Prior to his appointment at Homeland, Mr. Perry served as General Counsel of the White House Office of Management and Budget, addressing budgetary, regulatory, and policy issues across the Executive Branch. Mr. Perry also previously served as acting Associate Attorney General for the US Department of Justice (the Department’s third-ranking official), overseeing the Department’s Civil, Civil Rights, Environment and Natural Resources, Tax, and Antitrust Divisions. Earlier in his career, Mr. Perry served as Counsel to the US Senate’s 1997 Special Investigation of Campaign Finance Abuses. Mr. Perry has significant experience in federal regulation of biotechnology and has successfully litigated the leading federal cases in that field. He has also successfully litigated high-profile cases involving the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the US Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Interior, and Justice (including the Drug Enforcement Administration). He also frequently handles complex regulatory matters before those agencies. He has successfully sued to invalidate federal and state regulations and agency actions (including in cases in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024), and has also successfully intervened to defend multiple US agencies in challenges critical to his clients’ businesses. Mr. Perry also advises on federal and state express and implied preemption issues, and has taken a lead role in multiple successful civil litigation matters where such issues were critical. In addition to litigation in federal courts, Mr. Perry has also served as lead counsel in hearings before federal administrative law judges and in federal investigatory matters. Drawing on his prior experience with congressional investigations, Mr. Perry has represented national security clients in multiple congressional hearings and inquiries. Drawing on his experience in government following 9/11, Mr. Perry also handles certain matters of homeland and national security.

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 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.

Pierre-Louis Clero

Pierre-Louis Cléro is a partner of Latham & Watkins and the Local Chair of the Paris Corporate Department. Mr. Cléro’s practice focuses on complex international mergers and acquisitions, representing corporate buyers and sellers in a wide variety of strategic transactions. His corporate law experience encompasses joint ventures, stock exchange-related transactions and general corporate and commercial law advice.Prior to joining the firm in January 2012, Mr. Cléro practiced in the Paris offices of two magic circle firms.

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 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 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.

R. Charles Cassidy III

Charles (Chuck) Cassidy advises some of the firm’s most important corporate and investment banking clients on a wide range of capital markets transactions. Chuck combines extensive experience across capital markets products with a pragmatic approach to deliver commercial advice to issuers, underwriters, and initial purchasers on: Secured and unsecured high yield notes offerings Investment-grade notes offerings Initial public offerings and other equity offerings by public companies Leveraged buyouts Private placements Offerings by foreign private issuer He also represents private equity funds and their portfolio companies in buyout, acquisition, and exit financing transactions and counsels public companies regarding their public reporting obligations and other issues related to public company status. Chuck closely collaborates with colleagues across the firm’s global platform to connect clients with the resources they need to achieve their commercial objectives. Chuck maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising individuals through the Legal Aid walk-in clinic in Washington, D.C.

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.

Rachel Cohen represents leading global technology and life sciences clients in high-stakes intellectual property disputes across the US. Rachel combines creative problem-solving with a keen ability to distill technical jargon into compelling narrative to advise clients on IP litigation in federal courts and strategic IP counseling. She represents clients in patent and IP misappropriation disputes across a range of technologies, including: Multimedia, mobile and web applications, and social networking Medical devices Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology Semiconductor manufacturing Power conversion Automotive parts Crossbows As a rising first chair, she helps clients define their commercial success within the context of trial and appellate matters, leading with pragmatism and efficiency. Rachel maintains an active pro bono practice, including successfully securing survivor benefits for a client following a decade-long dispute that involved review by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. She is a member of the Federal Circuit Bar Association; the Giles S. Rich American Inn of Court; the advisory counsel for the Program on Information Justice & Intellectual Property (PIJIP) at the American University Washington College of Law; ChIPs® Advancing Women in Tech, Law, and Policy; and the American University Hillel Board of Directors. Rachel previously developed and led highly successful recruiting initiatives for Latham’s IP Practice, with a particular focus on achieving diversity and robust training programs for associates. A recognized thought leader, Rachel regularly presents on IP litigation topics, including as a speaker and moderator for the Federal Circuit Symposium. Rachel clerked for Judge Sharon Prost at the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and Judge Freda L. Wolfson at the US District Court for the District of New Jersey. Before that, she served as a judicial intern for Judge Paul L. Friedman of the US District Court for the District of Columbia; a law clerk for the Office of the Public Defender in Montgomery County, Maryland; and a case assistant/intern investigator for the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia. She began her career in media affairs and public relations at The White House’s Office of Public & Media Affairs and has advised Am Law 100 law firms, trade associations, entrepreneurs, and charitable organizations.

Rachel K. Bates

Rachel W. Sheridan

Corporate Partner

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.

Rafal Gawlowski

Corporate Partner

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 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 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.

Raphaël Darmon

Raphaël Darmon is Counsel in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s Corporate Practice. He has developed important experience in major large-cap mergers and acquisitions, as well as general corporate and commercial law matters in a broad range of industries, including energy, gas, food and infrastructure.

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 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.

Corporate Partner

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 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.

Regina Schlatter

Regina Schlatter is counsel in the Corporate Department. Regina represents public corporations and investors in securities laws reporting and compliance and corporate governance, in the context of general company representation, and in connection with corporate transactions and securities offerings. Regina has extensive experience in Proxy Statement preparation, executive compensation disclosure, and related compliance with stockholder advisory group recommendations. She regularly advises US and non-US entities on their disclosure obligations under, and compliance with, Sections 13 and 16 of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the US stock exchange corporate governance requirements, and Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. She is an active participant in the firm’s pro bono programs. Regina frequently works the Election Protection (866OURVOTE) national call-in-center, has successfully represented individuals in guardianship and special immigration juvenile status proceedings, and has assisted at guardianship walk-in-clinics. Regina is a member of the firm's Public Company Representation and Benefits, Compensation & Employment Practices.

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 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 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.

Litigation & Trial Partner

Richard Fleming

Richard Fleming is counsel in the Finance Department of Latham & Watkins Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise. Mr. Fleming's practice focuses on project development and finance transactions, with a background in leveraged and acquisition finance. Mr. Fleming regularly represents both sponsors and lenders in large, complex financings and has extensive experience in power project transactions in the Philippines, Indonesia, and other regions throughout Asia. Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Fleming worked in the Los Angeles office of a large international law firm where he represented commercial and investment banks, private equity sponsors, as well as private and public companies in connection with bank and acquisition finance matters, refinancings, and restructurings. Mr. Fleming is a registered foreign lawyer in Japan as a member of the Dai-Ni Tokyo Bar Association.

Richard A. Levy

Richard P. Bress

Litigation Partner

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.

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.

Rick Frenkel helps clients navigate intellectual property disputes, providing analysis and preventative counseling and advising on the IP aspects of both license agreements and mergers and acquisitions. He draws on his experience as a trial lawyer, engineer, and former in-house counsel, representing clients in all aspects of litigation. Rick advises a full range of clients, from startups to Fortune 50 companies active in a variety of industries, including: Telecommunications Semiconductors and LEDs Information technology – including security, software, and storage Medical devices Internet & digital media Energy Prior to joining Latham, Rick served as the Director of Intellectual Property for Consumer and Emerging Technologies at Cisco Systems. Prior to practicing law, he worked as an aerospace engineer at Allied Signal and GE Aircraft Engines. With more than 30 years of experience at the intersection of engineering and law, he excels at integrating the technical, legal, and business issues clients face, to arrive at practical solutions. Rick’s representative clients include Amazon, Meta, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, Mimecast, Amphenol, Extreme Networks, and Western Digital. Rick serves on the board of the Silicon Valley Law Foundation and was until recently the Vice-Chair of the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s Patent Litigation Committee.

Rifka Singer is counsel in the Tax Department of the New York office of Latham & Watkins, where her practice focuses on executive compensation and employee benefits matters for public and private companies in a variety of industries. Rifka’s experience includes the negotiation and drafting of executive employment, consulting, retention, severance and change in control agreements, the design and implementation of equity and non-equity incentive compensation plans, and the structuring of non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements. In addition, Rifka counsels clients in connection with executive separations, mass layoffs and other reductions in force, assists clients with legal compliance issues in the administration of their benefit plans, and advises clients regarding the employee benefits, executive compensation, and labor and employment issues that arise in the context of mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, financings, and other corporate transactions.

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 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’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 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 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 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 Koenig serves as the firm’s Vice General Counsel, and advises public and private companies as well as financial institutions on corporate transactions, securities laws, and corporate governance issues. He has served as Chair of the Silicon Valley Corporate Department and as Global Co-Chair of the Public Company Representation Practice. Robert advises clients in a broad range of corporate transactions, including: Initial public offerings (IPOs) Private offerings Public equity and debt financings Mergers and acquisitions Resale transactions Special purpose acquisition companies (SPAC) and deSPAC transactions He draws on three decades of experience to provide exceptionally knowledgeable advice on the obligations of issuers, major stockholders, and financial institutions under the federal securities laws, including registration, reporting, disclosure, and resale requirements. He has developed a focus on public companies active in a broad range of industries. These industries include technology, life sciences, retail, and hospitality. He also advises major Wall Street investment banks on the application of federal securities laws to their trading and other transactional activities.

Environment, Land & Resources Partner

Litigation & Trial Partner

Bob Sims is an experienced trial lawyer who has represented businesses and individuals in numerous criminal and civil proceedings around the country and throughout the world.

Robert Malionek

Litigation & Trial Partner

Robert Price advises clients on commercial arbitration, investment treaty arbitration, and complex litigation in the courts of England and Wales and global jurisdictions. He also advises on various aspects of international trade sanctions. Robert advises clients on a full spectrum of dispute resolution, public international law, and international trade issues. He regularly helps clients navigate disputes related to: International commercial arbitration (and particularly in disputes relating to the construction, infrastructure, and energy sectors) Litigation in the English courts including arbitration-related litigation Investment treaty arbitrations under bilateral and multilateral investment treaties including the Energy Charter Treaty Free trade agreements State immunity issues International trade sanctions and export control laws An experienced advocate, particularly in construction-law related disputes, Robert has successfully represented clients in cases under all the major rules of arbitration. He has a specialist M.Sc. in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution from King's College London. Robert regularly speaks at conferences and writes on various topical issues of international arbitration and trade sanctions. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb), a Committee Member of the Ciarb London Branch, a Co-ordinator of the Ciarb London Branch Young Members Group, a member of the City of London Law Society’s specialist Arbitration Committee, and a member of the Society of Construction Law. Robert is also a contributor to the International Bar Association Task Force for review of the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts. He maintains an active pro bono practice, representing vulnerable individuals and groups in need of assistance.

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.

Robert D. Haymer

Robert T. Buday

Finance Partner

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.

Roberto Reyes Gaskin

Roberto L. Reyes Gaskin advises issuers and underwriters in a range of debt and equity capital markets transactions, as well as in public company representation and environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. Dual-qualified in the US and France, Mr. Reyes Gaskin regularly handles complex and precedent-setting transactions both in France and internationally. A former member of the firm’s Milan office, he brings particular experience in capital-raising matters on both sides of the Atlantic involving French, Italian, and other non-US issuers. Mr. Reyes Gaskin represents a diverse mix of issuers, underwriters, family offices, and alternative capital providers involved in key industries, including: Retail and consumer products Energy and infrastructure Media and entertainment His practice includes: Debt capital markets transactions, including high yield and investment grade debt Equity capital markets transactions, including initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, PIPEs and rights issues Liability management, including tender offers, exchange offers, and consent solicitations Direct lending Mergers and acquisitions with a capital markets element Green bonds and sustainable finance Compliance with US and EU securities laws and ESG best practices Mr. Reyes Gaskin frequently tackles clients’ most intricate and business-critical challenges. His work includes a number of first-ever high yield bond offerings in various jurisdictions, as well as an array of matters involving innovative and bespoke securities products. Drawing on his sophisticated transactional and regulatory knowledge, Mr. Reyes Gaskin also serves leading companies in connection with a range of ESG issues, including sustainable finance matters. Additionally, Mr. Reyes Gaskin counsels banks, insurers, debt servicers, and payment institutions on financial regulatory matters, including regulatory and ordinary capital offerings. His work includes a variety of standalone and program capital raisings, and ongoing reporting and regulatory capital matters before the Eurosystem and Single Resolution Board. Mr. Reyes Gaskin is an active participant with the Association for Financial Markets in Europe and the International Capital Markets Association.

Robin L. Struve

Robin M. Hulshizer

Robin Hulshizer is a trial lawyer with more than 25 years of experience litigating complex commercial and environmental matters. She is a member of Latham’s Complex Commercial Litigation and Environmental, Social & Governance Practices, focusing on all areas of environmental litigation, including contaminated properties, toxic torts, greenwashing claims, and environmental justice-based claims. Her experience is multi-disciplinary, including toxic torts, product liability, consumer fraud, business contract, insurance coverage, class actions, and securities litigation. She has represented clients across various sectors such as manufacturing, oil and gas, retail and consumer products, energy, and industrial hygiene. In the environmental arena, Robin’s experience has spanned every major environmental statute (such as CERCLA, RCRA, CWA) and includes not only litigation but contaminated site remediation, permitting and compliance strategies, regulatory work, investigation, and enforcement actions. She also provides ESG, environmental, and litigation counseling in connection with large-scale mergers, acquisitions, and financing transactions. In addition to her representation of clients in litigation arising out of mobile and stationary emissions, toxic tort, and the Superfund/cost recovery arena, her experience includes explosion cases, citizen suits, private cost recovery actions, and claims brought by or against federal and state governments. Robin has also worked on variances and penalty actions for a variety of clients. In the business disputes forum, Robin has extensive trial and court experience, representing various companies in high-stakes commercial litigation, as well as before governmental agencies including the SEC, EPA, and state equivalent agencies. She also has served as counsel in numerous complex, multiparty cases as well as class actions and multi-district litigations, in various federal and state courts around the country, and Canada. She formerly served as Deputy Office Managing Partner of the Chicago office as well as Local Chair of the Environmental, Land & Resources Department. She currently serves as a Vice Chair of the firm's Diversity Leadership Committee.

Robin S. Fredrickson

Roderick O. Branch

Roderick Branch focuses on capital markets transactions and securities regulation, with a particular interest in securities offerings by non-US issuers. Roderick has extensive experience in securities financings in public and private markets, and has represented public- and private-sector companies, investment banks, and sovereign governments in global capital markets transactions. Since 2001, Roderick has practiced in New York, Paris, and Chicago. He is a native of Mexico City, and is fluent in Spanish and French and proficient in Italian.

Dr. Roger Chin is a partner in the San Francisco office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s Litigation & Trial Department. For more than two decades he has focused on litigating life science patent disputes and advising on intellectual property strategy in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. Roger has successfully represented clients in patent cases through preliminary injunction motions, summary judgment, trial, and appeal. He has litigated technology in areas such as chemistry, pharmaceutics, medicine, molecular biology, and genomics. Roger received his JD from Yale Law School, his MD from Yale Medical School, and his AB summa cum laude in Chemistry from Cornell University. He is admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of California, the US Courts of Appeal for the Federal and Ninth Circuits, and various US District Courts. Roger was a member of the Northern District of California Electronic Case Filing (ECF) Taskforce, which implemented one of the first ECF systems in the federal court system in April 2001.

Romain Nairi advises clients doing business in France on all aspects of French employment law. Mr. Nairi helps clients navigate the continuously evolving employment law landscape. In particular, he provides advice in the context of: Transactions Litigation and pre-litigation matters High-stakes employment matters such as reorganizations, social plans, senior executives’ issues, as well as collective agreement implementation Mr. Nairi brings a deep and focused knowledge of French employment law in a commercial context, drawn from his academic background both in France and the UK, and his prior professional experience as an in-house counsel at Total, and subsequently as an attorney in a highly reputed French law firm. Given his broad employment law experience, Mr. Nairi provides global clients with a cross-border sensibility and can advocate effectively before judges and adverse attorneys in a courtroom, works councils and unions, or senior executives, helping to spot, avoid, or mitigate potentially costly situations.

Roman Martinez, former Deputy Office Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C. office, represents clients in their highest-stakes appeals in the Supreme Court of the United States, as well as in federal and state appellate courts around the country. Roman handles civil and criminal matters involving a wide range of constitutional, statutory, and administrative law issues. Roman has argued 14 cases in the Supreme Court, including important cases in the fields of the First Amendment, administrative arbitration, copyright, patent law, criminal law, civil rights, employment, and civil and criminal procedure. In addition, he has argued dozens of appeals in the D.C., First, Second, Third, Fourth, Sixth, Eighth, Ninth, and Federal Circuits, as well as in New York, California, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee appellate courts, among others. Roman also regularly participates in district court litigation raising complex questions of federal law. During the Supreme Court’s 2023 term, Roman secured a significant victory for one set of petitioners in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, in which the Court overruled the Chevron deference doctrine. He regularly represents clients bringing constitutional and Administrative Procedure Act (APA) challenges to unlawful agency action. In the 2022 Supreme Court term, Roman prevailed in Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools, in which the Court expanded legal protections for children with disabilities. His other recent victories in the Supreme Court include ZF Automotive v. Luxshare, in which the Supreme Court clarified that US courts lack authority to grant discovery for use in private commercial arbitrations conducted abroad, and Vega v. Tekoh, in which the Court clarified the scope of civil liability for violations of Miranda v. Arizona. In the 2020 Term, Roman was part of teams that successfully represented Facebook and the Government of Guam in unanimous Supreme Court victories under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and Comprehensive Environmental, Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) statutes. In 2020, he successfully persuaded the Court to invalidate portions of TCPA under the First Amendment. Roman has prevailed in 20 of the last 22 cases he has argued to a decision in the federal courts of appeals. Over the past six years, Roman's appellate victories have included: Thirteen victories in securities fraud cases, in the First, Second, Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth Circuits, including a 6-5 en banc victory upholding a forum-selection clause limiting derivative claims to Delaware court Victory overturning a US$37 million adverse jury verdict based on asbestos-related product liability claims, in the New Jersey Appellate Division Victories overturning a US$31 million adverse jury verdict based on fraud and contract claims, in Tennessee Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Victory overturning a US$23 million adverse jury verdict based on a defamation claim arising from a shareholder proxy fight, in the Fourth Circuit Victory in an antitrust class action alleging extraterritorial violations of the Sherman Act, in the Second Circuit Victory overturning trial court’s rejection of L.A. County pension fund’s plenary authority to control personnel and administration under California Constitution; En banc victory unanimously overturning (11-0) circuit precedent restricting veterans’ rights to challenge unlawful action by the Department of Veterans Affairs, in the Federal Circuit In 2016, Roman rejoined Latham after serving as an Assistant to the Solicitor General at the US Department of Justice. Earlier in his career, he served as a law clerk to Chief Justice John G. Roberts of the Supreme Court of the United States and to then-Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh of the D.C. Circuit. From 2002 to 2005, Roman served as an advisor on the Iraqi political and constitutional process, in various roles at the White House, at the US Embassy and Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq, and at the US Department of Defense. He received the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism and the US Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award for his service in Iraq. Roman serves on the US Chamber of Commerce’s Administrative Law & Government Litigation Advisory Committee, on the Advisory Council of the Federal Circuit, and the Federalist Society’s Administrative Law & Regulation Practice Group. He previously served as a member of the D.C. Circuit’s Advisory Committee on Procedures and the US District Court for the District of Columbia’s Committee on Grievances. Roman's commentary has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and other publications, and he has appeared on PBS NewsHour and other television programs to discuss the Supreme Court.

Litigation Partner

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 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 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 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 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.

Russell Sauer, Jr.

Litigation & Trial Partner

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 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 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.

Ryan deFord advises companies and financial institutions on a range of corporate finance, securities, and other corporate matters. Ryan serves a diverse mix of clients, including US and foreign investment banks, New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ-listed companies, and non-US corporations. He has substantial experience with a broad range of financing transactions, including leveraged buy-outs, recapitalizations, and liability management transactions. Ryan represents underwriters, initial purchasers, issuers, and other parties in public and private, secured and unsecured, investment grade, high-yield, and convertible debt and equity offerings in a broad array of industries, including defense, natural resources, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, manufacturing, energy, media and telecommunications, technology, and retail. He also represents investment banks, companies, private equity sponsors, and investors in all manner of other engagements, including SEC, FINRA, NASDAQ, and NYSE filings and compliance, tender offers, and consent solicitations, the purchase or sale of distressed debt, restructurings (including exchange offers), and bridge lending and loan commitments.

Ryan Owens is a partner in the Litigation & Trial Department and currently serves on the firm's Ethics Committee. He is also a member of the firm's Intellectual Property Litigation and Technology Transactions Practices. Mr. Owens has litigated actions in the: Northern, Central and Southern Districts of California Southern District of New York Western District of Wisconsin Eastern District of Texas Districts of Delaware, Connecticut, Kansas and Massachusetts

Ryan J. Maierson

Corporate Partner

S.Giri Pathmanaban

Giri Pathmanaban is a seasoned intellectual property trial lawyer with a proven track record in high-stakes patent, copyright, trade secret, and IP contractual disputes. Giri's technical background in computer science and engineering provides him with a deep understanding of complex technologies, enabling him to develop and execute winning legal strategies across a range of industries, including: AI and machine learning Semiconductors NAND DRAM Flash memory Computer networking and electronic devices Wireless technology Cybersecurity Internet technologies Cloud storage Medical devices and healthcare Nutritional sciences He has successfully represented clients in federal district courts, the International Trade Commission (ITC), and arbitration proceedings. Giri adeptly simplifies complex issues, communicate effectively with clients and juries, and achieve favorable outcomes.

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.

Sadik Huseny is a partner and represents some of the world's leading companies, Silicon Valley’s technology titans in antitrust litigation and government regulatory investigations. A former "40 Under 40" innovator and "Lawyer on the Fast Track,” he has successfully represented clients in diverse fields such as American Airlines, Dignity Health, Oracle, Live Nation, Ticketmaster, Eaton Electrical, PG&E Corporation, ATMI and The Hearst Corporation.

Salman Al-Sudairi

Salman Al-Sudairi is the Chair of the Saudi Arabia Practice and the Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ Riyadh office. He advises government entities, local and international companies, and private equity funds in complex commercial transactions in a wide range of industries, including: energy, retail, manufacturing, defense, telecommunications, healthcare, and hospitality. He regularly helps clients navigate: Capital markets transactions Inbound and outbound investments Saudi Arabian regulatory and government advisory matters Restructuring and finance matters Qualified in New York and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he provides clients a sophisticated global view on complex cross-border transactions. He has a long track record in Saudi Arabia, advising on nearly every major Saudi IPO since 2011, including the US$25.6 billion Saudi Aramco IPO. Mr. Al-Sudairi has been a key participant in the evolution of the Saudi Arabian market. He has worked on multiple regulatory reform projects and formerly served as Chair of the Capital Market Authority’s advisory committee.

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 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 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.

Samuel B. Isaacson

Sander Ash

Sandhya Chandrasekhar

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 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 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 Ray, Deputy Managing Partner of the Bay Area Offices and immediate past Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Bay Area Litigation & Trial Department, helps clients navigate complex commercial and antitrust litigation matters. Drawing on successful experience at all stages of litigation, she guides clients from the inception and investigation of a dispute working to identify and develop a strategy to win at the earliest possible stage of litigation, or if necessary, at trial. She has developed particular experience in class action litigation and claims of unfair competition. Sarah has significant experience as lead trial counsel in federal and state courts defending corporations against antitrust and unfair competition allegations as well as handling issues at the intersection of competition and complex commercial litigation. Specifically, she navigates cases related to monopolization and attempted monopolization, price-fixing, tying, refusal to deal, fraud, theft of trade secrets, patent misuse, and unfair competition. She has a particular ability to distill complex issues and develop a compelling narrative for presentation at trial. Sarah is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and serves on the board of the Giffords Law Center To Prevent Gun Violence. She clerked for Judge Vaughn R. Walker, Chief Judge of the Northern District of California and Judge Samuel Conti, Senior District Judge of the Northern District of California. Prior to attending law school, Sarah worked in film production and story development in the entertainment industry at Creative Artists Agency, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros. As a current member of the firm’s Diversity Leadership Committee and Co-Chair of Latham’s Women Enriching Business (WEB) Committee from 2014 to March 2019, she was instrumental in developing a local and global committee structure and in creating global programming to promote women through trailblazing initiatives focused on women’s professional development, mentoring, and networking.

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 A. Greenfield

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.

Sarah M. Gragert

Sarah Gragert represents clients in their highest stakes complex commercial litigation and arbitration matters across the United States. Sarah efficiently drives large-scale litigations through skilled project management and leverages cutting-edge technology and resources in commercial and corporate disputes relating to: Sports litigation Sexual abuse and discrimination allegations, as well as other employer liability cases Breach of contract Trade-secret misappropriation and business torts Insurance recovery She draws on a broad diversity of case and investigation experience to devise creative, successful litigation strategies for clients. Leveraging her background as a US Senate deputy press secretary, Sarah understands the importance of a coordinated media strategy to accompany high-profile litigation and works closely with clients to manage the public narrative alongside courtroom messaging. A recognized leader at the firm, Sarah has served on the Training and Career Enhancement Committee, Technology Committee, and Mentoring Committee. She is a founder and President of Washington Area Women Trial Attorneys, an association established to develop a community for, and mentorship of, female trial attorneys in the region. Before law school, Sarah worked as a deputy press secretary in US Senator Debbie Stabenow's office, where she drafted the Senator's speeches, periodical columns, and media advisories. She previously worked as a press assistant and radio producer for Senator Tom Daschle's Democratic Communications Committee.

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 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.

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 Gottdiener

Finance Partner

Corporate 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 Shean serves as primary outside counsel to several public and private companies in various industries, including healthcare, technology, and real estate. He advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and capital markets, and he has led the firm’s representation on numerous high profile and complex transactions. Scott is former Corporate Department Chair of the Orange County office and former Global Co-Chair of Latham’s Healthcare and Life Sciences Practice. He formerly served as the Managing Partner of the Orange County office from 2007 to 2014. Scott has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions, representing both companies and investment banks. He also provides corporate governance advice to several companies for which he serves as primary outside counsel. Scott's representative clients include Allergan (fka Actavis/ Watson), Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Akebia Therapeutics, Idera Pharmaceuticals, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Endologix Corporation, Aratana Therapeutics, CalAmp, Vizio, Newlight Technologies, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs.

Scott C. Herlihy

Scott D. Forchheimer

Scott Forchheimer, a former Local Chair of the Finance Department in Washington, D.C., advises major private equity firms on banking transactions and leveraged financings. Scott combines his depth of experience across complex financing transactions with a streamlined approach to execution to help private equity firms and their portfolio companies in the large-cap and middle markets navigate: Asset-based and cash-flow loans Acquisition financings Subordinated debt facilities He also advises on secured finance and debt compliance issues. He forges long-term client relationships and provides consistently high-quality and efficient service, even on short deadlines. Scott serves on the firm’s Opinion and Auction Intake Committees. He previously served on the Associates, Pro Bono, and Recruiting Committees. He maintains an active pro bono practice, including wills and estates work through Legal Counsel for the Elderly.

Scott W. Hairston

Corporate Partner

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 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 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

Sean M. Berkowitz

Litigation Partner

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

Corporate Partner

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.

Serena Lee, formerly with HM Revenue & Customs — the UK tax authority — advises fund managers, asset managers, lenders, and investors on corporate tax matters, with a particular focus on fund and investment structures. Serena advises on all aspects of corporate tax, including: Domestic and cross-border corporate and finance transactions Financial restructurings Corporate reorganizations Fund and investment structures Oil and gas tax issues Activist shareholder matters Prior to joining Latham, Serena served as a legal adviser at HM Revenue & Customs, advising policy teams on the Finance Bill and corporation tax issues. She helps clients navigate matters with insight into the UK tax authority’s policy and legislative priorities. Previously, Serena also practiced at a global law firm in its London and Beijing offices.

Serrin Turner is a member of the firm’s Privacy & Cyber Practice, Complex Commercial Litigation Practice, and White Collar Defense & Government Investigations Practice. A former federal prosecutor, Serrin is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer who represents and advises clients on a wide range of cybersecurity and privacy-related matters, including: Class-action litigation Regulatory investigations Commercial disputes Incident response Serrin joined Latham following six years as an Assistant US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where he served as the Office’s lead cybercrime prosecutor. In that role, Serrin handled a wide range of cybercrime investigations and prosecutions, including matters involving computer hacking, data breaches, trade-secret theft, black-market websites, trafficking in stolen payment card and personal identity information, and money laundering through digital currencies. While at the US Attorney’s Office, Serrin also handled high-profile litigation involving US electronic surveillance statutes, including Amnesty International v. Clapper, a constitutional challenge to a key foreign-intelligence surveillance statute, as well In re Microsoft Search Warrant, a challenge brought by a leading email provider to a search warrant for data stored overseas. Prior to his service at the US Attorney’s Office, Serrin served in the Civil Division of the US Department of Justice. He is a two-time recipient of the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service, the Justice Department’s second-highest award, and he has also received the John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation, the Justice Department's highest award for trial litigators.

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, 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 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

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.

Sharon Lau is a partner in the Singapore office and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. She is a former Vice Chair of the firm’s Global Corporate Department and a member of the firm’s Capital Markets, M&A, and Private Equity Practices. Ms. Lau advises both issuers and underwriters in global securities offerings, including IPOs, REIT offerings, and high-yield debt offerings. She also regularly advises private equity sponsors, corporates, and financial investors on cross-border M&A transactions as well as on pre-IPO, growth capital, venture capital financings, and joint venture transactions. Ms. Lau is recognized as a leading lawyer for capital markets in Singapore and Indonesia by Chambers Asia-Pacific. She is also noted by Legal 500 for Singapore capital markets and Singapore corporate and M&A.

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.

Shaun D. Hartley

Shaun Hartley is the Co-Chair of the Chicago Corporate Department and the former Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Private Equity Practice. He advises private equity firms and their portfolio companies on mergers and acquisitions, including The Carlyle Group, Onex Partners, Acentra Health, ASM Global, CorroHealth, Newport Academy, Loc Performance, and Two Six Technologies. Shaun works on a variety of M&A transactions, including leveraged acquisitions, divestitures of business divisions, going-private transactions, and other strategic acquisitions and dispositions, in the following industries: manufacturing, consumer products, hospitality, automotive, healthcare, and technology, among others. His practice also includes joint ventures and general company representation matters.

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.

Shayne Kennedy advises clients on capital markets, with a particular emphasis on public and private securities offerings for issuers and underwriters in a range of industries including biotechnology, medical devices and medtech, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, digital health, technology, and consumer products. He also represents various public and private companies in general corporate and securities matters including corporate governance, public company reporting, and stock exchange rules and requirements. Shayne currently serves as chair of Latham & Watkins' Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry Group. He is the former managing partner of the firm’s Orange County office, the former global co-chair of the firm's Capital Markets Practice, and a former vice chair of the firm's Associates Committee. Shayne has been ranked by Chambers USA in Capital Markets: Debt & Equity – California for 14 years and Capital Markets: Debt & Equity – Western United States. He is actively involved in a variety of charitable and church-related activities.

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 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.

Sibylle Münch, a finance partner, advises German and international financial institutions, private equity funds, and companies in a wide range of industries on complex national and cross-border financings. Ms. Münch provides strategic advice to efficiently execute transactions, which are often pioneering and innovative in the market. Specifically, she works with clients on: Leveraged buyouts Strategic acquisitions Public-to-private transactions Unitranche financing (with senior/super senior structures) General corporate lending (including Schuldschein) Financing advise in relation to restructuring scenarios She draws on experience with all types of products and financings to provide a strategic view on the issues and advantages of each type of structure.

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 Lange advises private equity firms and companies in private corporate transactions, with a particular emphasis on leveraged buyouts. Mr. Lange advises leading private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, listed investment firms, venture capital firms, and mid- to large-cap industrial companies. He regularly helps clients navigate complex cross-border transactions with a French nexus, including: Leveraged buyouts (LBOs) Mergers and acquisitions Joint ventures Restructurings Majority/minority investments Mr. Lange brings clients a sophisticated global sense of what is at market, so they can efficiently bring deals to close. He draws on a deep technical knowledge of French law and a complementary understanding of a full spectrum of industries. Given his experience working in New York, he brings a direct and practical approach to dealmaking. Mr. Lange maintains an active pro bono practice, advising global non-profits on fundraising, governance, and restructuring matters.

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 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 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 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

Simon Cooke, a leading private equity lawyer in Asia, specializes in public and private M&A and corporate finance with a focus on pan-Asia private equity transactions. Mr. Cooke regularly advises Asian and international private equity clients, their portfolio companies, and strategics on transactions across the Asia Pacific region, including in India, Korea, Japan, Greater China, and Southeast Asia. Resident in Hong Kong since 2009, he draws on his extensive regional experience to help clients successfully execute a broad range of domestic and cross-border transactions, including: Buyouts Bolt-on acquisitions Infrastructure Growth capital Pre-IPO investments PIPEs Privatizations Other private equity transactions He also advises clients on general private and public company and cross-border M&A and corporate finance transactions. With a commercial sensibility and pragmatic approach, Mr. Cooke leverages an impressive track record of helping clients achieve their strategic objectives.

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.

Sony Ben-Moshe is partner in our Finance Department and Co-Chair of the firm's Hospitality, Gaming & Leisure Industry Group, and former Co-Chair of the Latin America Practice. Sony has significant experience representing clients in financings, acquisitions, and formation of joint ventures in the United States and abroad. His experience includes: Structuring, documentation, and negotiation of banking finance transactions for leveraged and secured financing transactions, including LBOs Representation of issuers and underwriters in connection with 144A offerings and private placements of debt instruments Structuring and negotiation of various transactions involving private equity sponsors Representation of various parties in connection with the formation of joint ventures Development and financing of greenfield construction projects

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.

Sophie Goossens

Sophie Goossens, a market-leading copyright and technology lawyer, advises major technology and media clients on strategic issues at the forefront of innovation. Globally recognized as a leading practitioner in digital content, AI, intermediary platforms, music, devices, and games, she leverages policy insights, a strong academic background, and fluency in EU law, common law, and civil law systems to guide clients through sophisticated and cutting-edge issues. Sophie advises the most innovative online media, content, and tech companies on transactions, litigation, public policy, and regulatory investigations stemming from: Copyright, AI, and data mining issues Internet safe harbor rules and platform liability Article 15 and 17 of the Copyright Directive Multi-territorial music licensing and collecting societies IT and software law Sector-specific regulation, including the EU AI Act, audiovisual regulations including TV retransmission, the EU Data Strategy, and the Digital Services Act Content-based transactions and acquisitions Smart and connected devices A former business affairs executive with highly commercial skills, Sophie also advises on complex matters at the intersection of copyright and competition law, EU constitutional law, and net neutrality. As a thought leader, she served as the chair of the European Commission’s working group that led to the Music Moves Europe program. She is a member of the British Literary & Artistic Copyright Association, spoke about AI at ALAI’s last edition in Paris, and taught a course on European and International copyright law at her alma mater, the Faculté Jean Monnet in Paris.

Sosi Biricik Klijian

Sosi Biricik is counsel and former partner in Latham & Watkins' Project Development & Finance Practice Group, and has represented developers, lenders, and governments in the structuring and financing of domestic and international power projects and in promoting legislative and regulatory reforms in the energy sector. Sosi has also advised clients in a variety of mergers and acquisitions financing transactions both in and outside the energy sector.

Spencer Turnbull

Litigation & Trial Counsel

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 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).

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.

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.

Stefano Sciolla

Stefano Sciolla is the Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins' Milan office. He is a member of the firm's Aerospace, Defense & Government Services Industry Group core team. He primarily handles corporate law matters, and he has considerable experience advising clients on: Mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and private equity deals Divestitures Strategic commercial contracts Corporate governance and public company representation Capital markets transactions He regularly advises Italian and international clients in cross-border corporate transactions. He also has considerable experience in the aerospace and defense business, as well as in the energy sector.

Stelios G. Saffos, Global Vice Chair of Latham’s Capital Markets and Public Company Representation Practices and Global Chair of the Hybrid Capital Practice, advises many of the world’s leading private equity sponsors, asset managers, financial institutions, and companies on investments and financings at all levels of the corporate structure, from initial public offerings and traditional loan and bond structures through complex structured equity and mezzanine financings. Stelios advises clients on investments and accessing capital through: Initial public offerings, direct listings, and deSPAC mergers Secured and unsecured high-yield debt offerings Direct lending and other private capital transactions Bridge lending and loan commitments Preferred, growth, and control equity investments Debt exchange offers and tender offers Workouts and restructuring transactions Mezzanine financings He also serves as a strategic advisor to both domestic and foreign companies with respect to their most sensitive and highest-stakes general corporate, finance, and securities matters. Stelios provides clients a sophisticated understanding of what is at market, drawing on diverse financing experience and deep relationships with global investment banks, private equity funds, venture capital funds, direct lenders and alternative capital providers, and innovative companies, including high-growth and disruptive entities in the technology, consumer, retail, and healthcare sectors. Prior to joining Latham, Stelios served as a Judicial Clerk to United States District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez. He is a former member of the firm’s Strategic Client Committee. Accolades “Knows the market inside and out.” “My first call when approaching complex situations. He brings a depth of experience and judgment to deliver exceptional outcomes.” “An exceptional lawyer. He has both a strong set of technical capabilities and is very commercial in representing his clients.” “An amazing lawyer with terrific knowledge of the market and a commercial approach.” Chambers USA 2024 “The best lawyer with whom I have ever worked.” “Excellent at connecting individuals and institutions across wall street. This is certainly above and beyond what most lawyers do and is additive to any lender’s experience.” The Legal 500 US 2024 “He is highly intelligent and able to handle complex situations well. Importantly, given his leadership in the market, he has a full grasp of the most cutting-edge concepts.” “Stelios is a very bright, savvy and skilled attorney who has an encyclopedic knowledge of his area of expertise.” “He has a wealth of knowledge and a vast network to draw on to get things done.” Chambers USA 2023 “Stelios is my first call when I have a complex deal that needs thoughtfulness, creative structuring, execution and white-glove service.” “He has an exceptional knowledge with a level of client service you don't find everywhere. He is always calm, cool and collected, bringing resolution to difficult situations.” “He has established his market standing as a force in the New York capital markets space, displaying strengths in IPOs and high-yield debt, as part of a wide transactional skill set.” Chambers Global 2023 “Master of craft with market-leading knowledge of capital markets, trends, players, and overall activity.” “Within private credit…the gold standard of buy-side counsel particularly for complex transactions.” The Legal 500 US 2023 Band 1 – Private Credit Chambers USA 2024 Leading Lawyer – Finance: Capital Markets: High Yield Offerings The Legal 500 US 2024 Ranked – Capital Markets: Debt & Equity Chambers USA 2020-2023 “He has an exceptional knowledge with a level of client service you don't find everywhere. He is always calm, cool and collected, bringing resolution to difficult situations.” Chambers USA 2022 “He knows everyone and he has a network of people that provides a lot of insight into how people think.” Chambers Global 2022 USA: Finance: Capital Markets: High-Yield Debt Offerings: Advice to Issuers: “Stelios Saffos has become a big name in the market.” The Legal 500 US 2022 Recommended Lawyer for Capital Markets: High Yield The Legal 500 US 2022 “A force in the New York capital markets space.” Chambers USA 2021 “He has the right combination of encyclopedic knowledge as well as knowing all the right players. He prioritizes us as a client and is excellent in response time. He is also very personable.” Chambers USA 2020 “An increasingly prominent up-and-coming partner.” The Legal 500 US 2020

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 Kuhlen

Stephanie Kuhlen 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. Ms. Kuhlen 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 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.

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 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 Wink is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Financial Regulatory Practice. He advises a wide range of market players including fintech companies, investment banks, private funds, exchanges, and trading platforms (traditional and cryptocurrency), and other financial institutions on matters involving the regulation of markets, as well as related compliance and enforcement matters. Stephen is Co-Chair of Latham’s Fintech Industry Group and Global Digital Assets & Web3 Practice. Stephen is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers’ Professional Advisers FinTech, and is recognized by Chambers USA as one of the country’s leading financial services broker-dealer regulation lawyers. Recently, Stephen received the Innovation Award from the New York Law Journal, which recognizes “creative and inspiring approaches and forward-thinking firms and individuals,” and previously he was named a Law360 MVP for Fintech. Stephen has in-depth knowledge and broad experience advising on the overlapping patchwork of regulations covering the financial markets, including the laws and rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and other self-regulatory organizations. Stephen provides regular commentary on regulatory initiatives and rule-making proposals on behalf of clients and trade associations. He has frequently obtained no-action relief and interpretive guidance on behalf of clients from various regulatory bodies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission and FINRA. Stephen is Chair of the ABA’s subcommittee on Trading and Markets. He is a regular speaker at fintech and securities industry conferences. Stephen spent nine years in-house as executive managing director and general counsel of First Albany Companies Inc., a full-service investment bank, merchant bank, and investment advisor. He began his career at another leading law firm after serving as a law clerk to Judge George E. MacKinnon of the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Thought Leadership “SEC Adopts Amendments to Form 13F” Latham & Watkins Article (July 2022) “Responsible Financial Innovation Act Offers Clarity, Safeguards for Digital Assets — SEC and Securities” Latham & Watkins Article (June 2022) “Decentralized Autonomous Organizations: Piercing the Digital Veil” Latham & Watkins Article (May 2022) “SEC Proposes to Expand Interpretation of “Dealer” and “Government Securities Dealer” Definitions” Latham & Watkins Article (April 2022) “When Are CCOs on the Hook? FINRA Offers Guidance on CCO Liability” Latham & Watkins Article (March 2022) “President Biden Issues Executive Order on Digital Assets” Latham & Watkins Article (March 2022) “Expanded Definition of “Exchange” and SEC Regulation of Crypto Platforms” Latham & Watkins Article (March 2022) “SEC Proposes to Expand the Definition of an “Exchange”” Latham & Watkins Article (February 2022) “2021 Digital Asset Regulatory Lookback (US Edition)” Latham & Watkins Article (January 2022) “SEC Proposes Stricter Requirements for the Rule 10b5-1 Affirmative Defense” Latham & Watkins Article (January 2022) “US Infrastructure Law: Top Impacts on the Digital Asset Industry” Latham & Watkins Article (November 2021) “Crypto-Asset Trading Platforms: Another Regulatory Trip Around the World ” Latham & Watkins Article (November 2021)

Stephen C. Szalkowski

Corporate Associate

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.

Stephen V. Barr

Stephen W. Ranere

Stephen Ranere is a partner in the Boston office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm's Emerging Companies Practice. He represents technology and life sciences companies from startup through IPO.

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 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 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.

Corporate Partner

Steven Bauer has earned a reputation for winning our clients’ most challenging and notable battles. He has tried 42 cases to verdict, covering the full range of civil and criminal issues confronting corporations and executives. He brings 30 years of experience to his sole focus: achieving the best possible result for his client.

Steven Chinowsky

Steven Chinowsky is a partner in the San Diego office and recently served as Global Co-Chair of the Technology Industry Group. Steven's practice focuses primarily on technology and intellectual property transactional matters including advising on complex business carve-out transactions, acquisitions, and dispositions of intellectual property portfolios, technology licensing agreements, research and collaboration agreements, manufacturing, co-promotion and co-commercialization agreements, and technology joint venture agreements. Steven represents both domestic and international companies in a variety of industries including: pharma, biotechnology, diagnostics, medical devices, genetic research, software, and manufacturing. Steven often presents on various life sciences, technology, and intellectual property-related topics, and has been recognized by The Legal 500 in the area of Technology Transactions. He is an active member of the State Bar of California, Connect, the Licensing Executives Society, and Biocom.

Steven P. Croley

Stuart Davis counsels clients on the domestic and cross-border regulatory aspects of cutting-edge fintech initiatives, including technology innovations in legislation, market infrastructure, tokenization, trading, clearing and settlement, lending (including crowdfunding), payments, and regulatory surveillance. Stuart is Co-Chair of the Fintech Industry Group and Co-Chair of the Global Digital Assets & Web3 Practice. He advises financial institutions on the impact of regulatory change on their businesses, including MiCA, MAR and MiFID II, CASS, CSDR, PSD2, AIFMD, and regulatory divergence, as well as strategically advising on their FX remediation projects, market conduct issues, best execution compliance, systems and controls, and governance. Stuart has a wide range of experience advising broker-dealers; investment, retail, and private banks; technology companies; market infrastructure providers; investment managers; hedge funds; and private equity funds on complex regulatory challenges.

Stuart S. Kurlander

Corporate and Litigation 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.

Corporate Partner

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.

Retired Partner

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.

Susanne Decker advises international private equity firms and their portfolio companies on multifaceted, cross-border M&A transactions. Ms. Decker draws on more than two decades of experience at the forefront of high-profile mergers and acquisitions in Germany and Europe to advise clients on both the buy- and sell-sides. She regularly navigates nuanced deal structures in the M&A space, which are optimized from a tax perspective. Ms. Decker is particularly adept at counseling on management incentive programmes in connection with private equity transactions by combining strong negotiating skills and an ability to distill complex structures. She also provides ongoing corporate law advice to companies, including portfolio companies of private equity firms. Additionally, she advises on complicated restructurings of groups of companies.

Suzana Sava-Montanari

Suzana Sava-Montanari is a partner in the Paris and London offices of Latham and Watkins. Ms. Sava-Montanari is a member of the firm’s Financial Institutions Industry Group and Structured Finance and Derivatives Practices. Ms. Sava-Montanari regularly advises investors on a wide variety of structured credit, fund-linked or tax driven structures, including securitizations, capital relief trades, cash and synthetic CLOs, public and private debt, hybrid capital market issues, and OTC derivatives. She has also advised banks, sovereigns, and corporates in relation to structuring and implementing their general or finance-linked hedging strategies (FX, interest rate and commodity) or using equity derivatives in strategic transactions. Ms. Sava-Montanari’s regulatory practice includes advising EU and non-EU financial institutions, asset managers, and corporates with their regulatory compliance requirements under EMIR, including in connection with clearing, margining, and reporting, as well as in their dialogue with the European rule- making bodies. As part of her pro-bono work, Ms. Sava- Montanari assisted through the Financial Services Volunteer Corps in Washington, D.C., the Albanian Financial Services Authority in preparing its new Investment Funds Law. She was also one of the leaders of Latham & Watkins’ Women Enriching Business network.

Suzanne M. Logan

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.

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 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, 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.

Sydney M. Smith

Sydney Smith, a counsel in the Washington, D.C. office, has decades of experience and expertise in pre-merger notification compliance. She counsels clients on the antitrust implications of their business activities. Sydney has significant experience with international and cross-border transactions. She regularly advises clients on clearance strategy and coordinates US and international merger control filings and clearance efforts. She has been deeply involved in pre-merger notification compliance throughout her career and specializes in Hart-Scott-Rodino analysis and filings. Sydney also advises clients on specific terms in contracts related to antitrust issues, due diligence and integration planning issues. She has obtained clearance of numerous mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures from the US Department of Justice / Federal Trade Commission Clearance Agreement. Sydney has worked with a broad range of industries including: oil and gas, private equity, master limited partnerships, engineering, construction products, information systems and networking, retail, groceries, food service distribution, chemicals and educational publishing.

Tad Freese represents technology companies, investment banks, and other public and private companies in their corporate transactions. Tad currently serves as the Managing Partner of the Silicon Valley and San Francisco offices, and previously served as Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins' Global Corporate Department. He helps clients navigate both significant transactions and key strategic legal issues to enable them to grow and succeed. Specifically, he advises on: Initial public offerings (IPOs) Mergers and acquisitions Other public and private debt and equity securities offerings Corporate governance issues Public company disclosure issues Federal and state securities law compliance Tad draws on more than 25 years of experience at Latham, advising technology companies in Silicon Valley through all market conditions. He has also advised all of the major investment banks on IPOs (for example: Angie’s List, Arista Networks, SurveyMonkey, Twilio, and Wageworks) as well as other significant transactions.

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.

Ted Sonnenschein

Ted Sonnenschein is a partner in the New York office of Latham & Watkins. He is a member of the Corporate Department and the Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Practices.

Terra Reynolds, Global Vice Chair of the Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry Group and Global Vice Chair of the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice, represents clients in internal and government investigations and complex litigation matters. Drawing on more than a decade of experience as a former federal prosecutor, Terra regularly advises corporations, boards of directors, and individual executives on their most sensitive matters. A significant focus of Terra’s work is defending against allegations of healthcare fraud and abuse laws, including the False Claims Act (FCA) and the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS). She frequently handles high-profile investigations brought by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Prior to entering private practice, Terra served as an Assistant US Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois, and most recently, as a Deputy Chief. In these roles, she tried more than a dozen federal criminal cases and led numerous investigations. She also briefed and argued matters before the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Since entering private practice, Terra has handled dozens of matters on behalf of some of the world’s leading healthcare and life sciences companies and individual executives. Outside of the firm, Terra serves as an adjunct professor of trial advocacy at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and Legal Aid Chicago. Terra’s clerked for US District Judge Marvin E. Aspen of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Terrence Connolly

Litigation & Trial Partner

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.

Mr. Kearney is a litigation partner in the Silicon Valley office of Latham & Watkins. As a member of the firm's global Intellectual Property Practice, he has more than 25 years of experience as a patent litigator and trial lawyer. Mr. Kearney represents a broad range of companies, from major international corporations to venture-backed startups. He has provided counsel to both defendants and plaintiffs in bench and jury trials and mediations across the United States and internationally. Mr. Kearney has particular expertise in both the life sciences and information technology industries

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.

Thies Deike is a counsel in the firm’s Corporate Department. His practice focuses on information technology, outsourcing, telecommunications, e-commerce and digital media. Mr. Deike's expertise includes: IT, outsourcing and other technology-related projects Commercial transactions, including complex technology-related and general commercial contracts Consumer protection law Distribution systems Intellectual property and licensing Joint ventures and transitional service arrangements in the context of M&A, private equity and other transactions He assists clients with drafting and negotiating related contracts and advises them on commercial, IT and IP matters in the context of M&A, PE and other transactions.

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 Doyen is a counsel in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s Restructuring & Special Situations Practice. He has developed important experience in major French pre-insolvency and insolvency proceedings cases as well as high profile out-of-court and complex cross-border restructuring matters in a broad range of industries, acting on behalf of debtors, sponsors, and hedge funds, especially with respect to distressed leveraged buyout (LBO) cases (including loan-to-own/debt-to-equity swap strategies). He also benefits from extensive experience advising corporate entities or special situations funds on the acquisition or sale of distressed businesses through share deals (distressed M&A) or asset deals under insolvency proceedings (plan de cession) and has been regularly involved in restructuring litigation cases and distressed merger and acquisition situations. Mr. Doyen is a member of the ARE, the French Institute of Insolvency Practitioners (Institut Français des Praticiens des Procédures Collectives, or IFPPC), INSOL Europe, and the Young Restructuring Professionals Association (Association des Jeunes Professionnels du Restructuring, or AJR). He has also recently been involved in a working committee of the main restructuring professional association (Association pour le Retournement des Entreprises, or ARE) working on the transposition in France of the EU Directive on restructuring and insolvency. Mr. Doyen also frequently lectures on restructuring matters at business law schools.

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 Margenet-Baudry

Thomas Margenet-Baudry is a partner in the firm's Corporate Department and the Deputy Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins' Paris office. His practice includes: Capital markets Mergers and acquisitions Public company representation Mr. Margenet-Baudry advises clients on capital markets transactions, in particular high yield debt and equity securities. He has represented issuers and underwriters on a broad range of French, international, and US capital raising transactions, including initial public offerings, high yield financings, rights issues and investment grade debt offerings. He also has broad experience with French public M&A and tender offer regulation, and regularly advises clients on French and EU corporate governance and securities regulation matters. Mr. Margenet-Baudry is also a member of the New York bar.

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 (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 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.

Litigation & Trial Partner

Corporate Partner

Thomas (Ted) E. Keim, Jr.

Thomas G. Brandt

Thomas H. Halpern

Knowledge Management Counsel

Thomas J. Heiden

Litigation Partner

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 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 O’Mara is a partner in the Litigation & Trial Department of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm’s Antitrust & Competition Practice.

Tim Wybitul, a leading data privacy lawyer, advises German and global companies on complex data protection issues. He represents clients in data privacy litigation, internal investigations, and other data-related disputes. Mr. Wybitul advises clients on complex, high-stakes data protection and privacy matters, including: Data protection litigation, e.g. proceedings before courts concerning the application and implementation of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other data protection laws Successful defense against fines for alleged violations of the GDPR and other data protection regulations, including trial defense in the European Court of Justice (CJEU) Respond to cybersecurity incidents, globally or limited to individual jurisdictions or areas Communication and negotiations with data protection authorities, including settlements Helping companies to resolve complex data privacy and cyber issues and to develop practical solutions He serves as Chair of Latham's Data Privacy Committee. Latham’s GDPR civil damages table demonstrates Mr. Wybitul’s creative solutions-oriented approach within a dynamic regulatory environment, for which he has developed an excellent reputation in the market. Mr. Wybitul combines an affinity for information technology with specific training to provide clients with practical, business-oriented strategies. He is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP-E) and a certified specialist lawyer for German employment law. He has provided expert testimonies to the German Parliament (Deutscher Bundestag) regarding the development of German data protection laws. Mr. Wybitul co-edits the German-language Data Privacy Law Journal (Zeitschrift für Datenschutz) published by Verlag C.H. Beck. He regularly publishes articles on data protection topics, both in leading German and English legal publications. His articles are cited by the European Court of Justice, German Federal Supreme Court, Federal Administrational Court, Federal Labor Court, and courts of appeal. He lectures on data protection at the Goethe University in Frankfurt.

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 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 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.

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.

Dr. Tobias Leder is a partner in the Executive Compensation, Employment & Benefits Practice in the Munich office. He focuses his practice on restructurings, reorganizations, as well as on relationships with works councils and trade unions. In addition, he regularly represents companies in litigation before labor and civil courts in Germany. Prior to joining Latham & Watkins, he worked at Bucerius Law School in Hamburg (Lehrstuhl für Arbeits- und Sozialrecht) and at the University of Bonn (Institut für Arbeitsrecht und Recht der Sozialen Sicherheit) for several years. Mr. Leder is a certified employment lawyer (Fachanwalt für Arbeitsrecht) and a member of the German Bar Association (DAV). In addition to his legal practice, he is a regular author of articles on German, European, and international labor and employment law.

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, 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

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.

Torsten Volkholz

Dr. Torsten Volkholz advises German and global sponsors, borrowers, and lenders on domestic and cross-border finance, real estate, and restructuring matters. He maintains long-standing relationships with clients on all sides of real estate transactions, advising on: Real estate finance Acquisition finance Restructuring finance Asset-based and general corporate lending Mr. Volkholz also advises creditors and investors of distressed companies on corporate and real estate portfolio restructurings. Drawing on his legal training in England, the US, and Germany, and his previous work in a commercial bank and as an assistant lecturer at the University of Kiel and at Bucerius Law School, he provides clients with a comprehensive perspective on their matters. Mr. Volkholz also advises clients on a range of matters related to the law pertaining to German foundations.

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 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 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.

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 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.

Veronica Relea is a partner in the Finance Department of the New York office of Latham & Watkins. Her practice focuses on representing commercial and investment banks, sponsors, developers and private equity firms in connection with the development, construction, operation and financing of energy, oil and gas and infrastructure projects (including LNG projects, fuel storage facilities, renewable energy assets and mining assets). She also has extensive experience in leveraged finance transactions, including acquisition financings, asset-based facilities, private equity transactions, mezzanine facilities and cross-border financings. Ms. Relea is also a member of the firm’s Latin America, Banking and Special Situations Practices.

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.

Villiers Terblanche

Villiers Terblanche, Co-Chair of the firm’s Saudi Arabia Practice, specializes in complex infrastructure transactions, and for more than 25 years has been involved in the structuring, negotiation, and financing of a wide variety of high-profile energy, infrastructure, transportation and digital projects, joint ventures, acquisitions, and strategic investments in more than 60 countries in the Middle East, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. He routinely represents project developers, lenders, investors, and host governments on multi-sourced financings. He has advised on dozens of privatizations, has lead regulatory reform projects in anticipation of privatization or public-private partnerships, and has deep experience of special economic zone projects. Mr. Terblanche was based in New York before relocating to the Middle East.

Virginia Tent is counsel in the New York office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm's White Collar Defense & Investigations and Global Antitrust & Competition Practices. She concentrates her practice on government defense and investigations, antitrust and trade regulation matters and complex commercial litigation.

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.

Corporate Partner

Finance Partner

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.

Public Service Counsel, Director of Global Pro Bono

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.

Corporate Partner

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 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 Reckler

William Reckler helps clients navigate white-collar defense and investigations, complex commercial and securities litigation, and corporate governance issues. William advises global enterprises, their senior officers, and their boards of directors in both civil and criminal matters, including: Complex commercial disputes and multidistrict litigation Internal investigations in anticipation of potential government regulatory action or civil litigation State and federal investigations and enforcement actions Securities litigation Derivative actions Consumer class actions He draws on two decades of experience guiding clients through the rigorous demands of white-collar matters, civil litigation, and the intersection of the two. William helps clients define optimal strategic outcomes and devises plans to achieve results as quickly and efficiently as possible. William regularly represents global financial institutions and their employees in connection with high-stakes investigations and regulatory proceedings. His past representations have included those related to alleged manipulation of financial benchmarks, the subprime mortgage market, and other alleged violations of federal securities laws. William is former Co-Chair of the New York Litigation & Trial Department. He currently serves on the firm’s Opinions Committee and EEO Review Board, and he formerly served on the firm’s Associates Committee. Outside of the firm, he is a Fellow of the New York Bar Association. As part of his broad commitment to pro bono work, William has handled a wide range of matters and serves on the board of Legal Services NYC, the country’s largest provider of nonprofit legal services. He has recently focused on matters related to prisoners’ rights, after successfully handling post-conviction proceedings for a client on death row.

William Cernius

William Cernius is a partner in the Corporate Department. His general corporate transactional practice and extensive experience focuses on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and general corporate and complex securities matters across a wide range of industries. He has been a resident lawyer in each of the San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County and London offices.

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 H. Schwab

William Schwab is a partner in the Boston office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the firm's Private Equity and Mergers & Acquisitions Practices.

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.

William M. McGlone

Litigation Partner

William N. Finnegan IV

Corporate Partner

William P. O'Neill

William R. Baker III

William Baker handles a broad range of business regulatory and corporate governance matters, including representing corporations, auditing and other professional firms, investment banks, and other financial institutions in US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other regulatory enforcement proceedings. In addition, Billconducts internal investigations on behalf of management and boards of directors. He regularly counsels clients on SEC reporting, disclosure, compliance, and corporate governance requirements. He is the former Local Co-Chair of the Litigation & Trial Department in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. Prior to joining Latham, Bill was Associate Director of the Division of Enforcement at the SEC, where he worked for 15 years. In that capacity, he was responsible for supervising all types of SEC enforcement activities, including investigations involving issuer accounting fraud and other disclosure violations, insider trading, market manipulation, and broker-dealer misconduct. During his tenure as Associate Director, Bill led numerous high-profile investigations that resulted in several landmark enforcement actions, including the global settlement in 2000 involving the Commission, Department of Treasury, Department of Justice, Internal Revenue Service, National Association of Securities Dealers, and 21 securities firms that resulted in those firms paying a total of US$195 million to resolve claims that the firms charged excessive markups on government securities, and the Commission's action against WorldCom Inc., involving one of the largest financial frauds in history. While at the Commission, he was a recipient of the SEC's Stanley Sporkin Award, awarded by the Chairman of the SEC in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Enforcement program, and of the Commission's Law and Policy Award. Bill is consistently recognized as a leading securities litigation lawyer by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US and is listed as one of the Best Lawyers in Washington by Washingtonian magazine. In the 2020-2025 issues of Benchmark Litigation, he was recognized as a Litigation Star, and in 2017, he was named to BTI Consulting Group’s Client Service All-Star List, which recognizes national leaders in superior client service identified directly by corporate counsel and executives. He is the co-author of "Corporate Internal Investigations after Sarbanes-Oxley" published in Volume II of The Practitioner's Guide to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (American Bar Association 2005) and is a contributor to Securities Law Techniques (Matthew Bender). He was named to the Securities Docket 2013 Enforcement 40 list, which includes the 40 best and brightest securities enforcement defense attorneys in the industry. He is Co-Chair of the Sub-Committee on SEC Enforcement and Civil Litigation of the American Bar Association Business Law Section and serves on the Advisory Council of the SEC Historical Society. From 2001 – 2004, Bill was an adjunct professor at George Washington University Law School, where he taught Securities Regulation. He is a frequent speaker and panelist on securities law issues at programs organized by a wide variety of groups, including the American Bar Association, the District of Columbia Bar Association, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the Securities Industry Association, The Bond Market Association, the Justice Department's National Advocacy Center, the Practicing Law Institute, Georgetown University Law Center, and Stanford Law School. After graduating from law school, Bill clerked for Judge Douglas W. Hillman, United States District Judge for the Western District of Michigan.

William R. Sherman

Winston Stromberg

Environment, Land & Resources Partner

Witold Balaban is recognized by leading global financial institution clients for his knowledge of the equity markets and the various financial products developed over the last couple of decades to enable corporate clients to restructure their balance sheets and to finance, monetize, and/or hedge large concentrated equity positions. Witold's market knowledge and his technical product experience makes him the go-to person for structuring complex and first-of-its-kind equity-linked transactions spanning a number of jurisdictions. Witold advises clients on financing strategies relating to concentrated equity positions and on balance sheet restructuring transactions, including: Convertible and exchangeable bond offerings (both optional and mandatory, including trust-issued mandatory exchangeables) and related call spread overlays Convertible bond exchanges and related call spread unwinds Structured margin loans Various other equity-based financing, hedging, and monetization transactions, such as funded collars, variable prepaid forwards, covered calls, and combinations of the foregoing Fixed and variable share forward sales and related equity offerings, including registered and Rule 144 exempt block sales and at-the-market (ATM) offerings Structured issuer share repurchase transactions Witold has held a number of leadership roles at the firm, including as former Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Financial Institutions Industry Group. He is also the former Global Co-Chair of the firm’s Capital Markets Practice. In this role, Witold focused on building and marketing Latham’s unique global capital markets offering that provides the firm’s global financial institution clients with integrated, top-tier financial regulatory coverage spanning the US, the UK, the EU, and Asia.

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.

Wonsuk (Steve) Kang

Wonsuk Kang, Chair of Latham’s Korea Practice, helps Korean clients successfully navigate complex cross-border transactions. Mr. Kang advises globally market-leading Korean companies on strategic corporate transactions and high-stakes disputes. A native Korean speaker, he draws on experience with capital markets and landmark multibillion dollar mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures in South Korea. Educated in Korea, the US, and the UK, and qualified in the UK and Hong Kong, Mr. Kang brings a global perspective to his work. He pairs a highly analytical, efficient mindset with a complementary passion for assembling global teams of Latham colleagues to best serve Korean clients. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Kang was an award-winning communications and journalism professor at the distinguished Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Xavier Farde is a partner in the Finance Department and is Office Managing Partner of Latham and Watkins' Paris office.Mr. Farde's practice focuses primarily on leveraged finance (senior and mezzanine), banking, and syndicated loans. He also advises on real estate finance.

Xavier Nassoy advises private equity firms and private companies on private corporate transactions across a broad range of industries. Mr. Nassoy leverages a keen business acumen to help private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, venture capital firms, and industrial companies navigate complex cross-border transactions with a French nexus, including: Leveraged buyouts (LBOs) Mergers and acquisitions Venture capital Joint ventures Majority/minority investments He draws on a comprehensive understanding of clients’ objectives and his knowledge of French law to guide them across the transactional life cycle. Mr. Nassoy is involved in Latham’s participation with Club ESSEC Droit, an alumni association focused on ESSEC business school graduates who are lawyers, whether in private practice or in-house. He also maintains an active pro bono practice, including advising Live for Good, a French nonprofit focused on social entrepreneurship and accelerating positive innovation.

Xavier Renard is a partner in the Tax Department in the Paris office. Mr. Renard is active in the field of corporate taxation and provides general tax advice to French and multinational groups of companies, investment funds, and financial institutions. He also specializes in the tax aspects of mergers and acquisitions, financings of groups of companies, tax consolidation regimes, taxation of financial products, and asset financing transactions. Mr. Renard is a member of the International Fiscal Association and the Institut des Avocats Conseils Fiscaux. He is also recognized as a key player in LBO taxation.

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.

Yen Sum, Global Chair of the Private Capital Practice, is a member of the firm’s Direct Lending & Private Credit and Restructuring & Special Situations Practices. She has over 20 years of experience advising on financings, buyouts, reorganizations, and restructurings. Yen has considerable experience advising senior management, private equity sponsors, credit funds, and hedge funds on financial and operational restructurings, special situations, and alternative investments across the capital structure. She also advises on associated M&A and buyouts, acquisition finance, and fund investments. Yen is particularly focused on cross-border structures or those requiring new or innovative thinking and multifaceted solutions across corporate balance sheets as well as managing divergent stakeholder interests. She has led or has been involved in a number of notable and prominent transactions including investments within multi-layered capital structures, public and private securities, schemes of arrangement and restructuring plans, security enforcements, UK administrations and Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs), US chapter 11, and in and out of court proceedings in France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and equivalent processes in other jurisdictions. Yen also spent several years as an investment professional in Barclays Capital’s Leveraged Finance business, where she was involved in numerous buyouts, refinancings, and recapitalizations.

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.

Corporate Counsel

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 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 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.

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 Fallon, a former Senior Special Counsel at the US Securities and Exchange Commission, represents clients navigating the intersection of federal securities laws and innovative financial technologies. Zachary draws on extensive practical legal and regulatory experience to guide companies, investors, intermediaries, and other market participants on: Securities law compliance obligations and strategic considerations Cryptocurrency-related matters Financings, including smaller public offerings (e.g., Regulation A) and private venture capital and angel rounds Securities law defense in SEC and state agency investigations Emerging company issues General corporate matters While at the SEC, Zachary served as Special Advisor to the SEC’s General Counsel, Attorney Advisor in the Office of the General Counsel’s General Litigation and Administrative Practice’s group, Senior Counsel in the Office of Small Business Policy in the Division of Corporation Finance, and later Senior Special Counsel to the Director of the Division of Corporation Finance. He led key SEC-wide internal investigations in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and played an important role in many regulatory policy decisions following the JOBS Act’s adoption in 2012. He was the principal drafter of Regulation A and the SEC’s proposing release on Intrastate and Regional Crowdfunding exemptions, and participated in over a dozen SEC rulemaking efforts impacting securities issuers and intermediaries. A recognized leader of the securities law bar, Zachary routinely works with and advises market participants on the implications of ongoing legislative and regulatory efforts in the financial technology sector. As part of these efforts, he frequently helps formulate policy and engages with policymakers on legislative and regulatory efforts, as well as presents as a thought leader on issues related securities laws and digital assets. Before rejoining Latham, Zachary was co-founder and partner of a financial technology focused law firm, and founder of a crowdfunding marketplace.

Zachary 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.

Zachary Judd focuses on mergers and acquisitions, both in the US and globally, corporate reorganizations and restructurings, and acquisitions and divestitures through the bankruptcy process and other financially distressed situations. Zachary has provided mergers and acquisitions counseling to numerous public and private companies, including Catalyst Capital Group Inc., A.O. Smith Corporation, Antares Capital, Stabilis Energy, Entercom Communications, and Saputo, Inc. His clients also include a broad range of public and private companies in diverse industries, including pharmaceutical/life sciences, manufacturing and retail, consulting services and logistics and transportation. Zachary also represents financial institutions in connection with various restructuring transactions.

Zheng Wang is counsel in the Hong Kong office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the Corporate Department. Ms. Wang represents clients on corporate and securities law matters, including US equity and debt registered offerings, Rule 144A/Regulation S equity and debt offerings, and private placements. She also has experience with convertible bonds, PIPEs, tender offers, and going private transactions. She has worked extensively across the Greater China region, particularly in the biotech, healthcare, technology, education, and real estate sectors. She has experience in advising Chinese issuers and international underwriters in capital markets transactions.

Zulfiqar Bokhari

Finance Partner

Alejandro Ortiz

Alexandra Bigot

Jose Antonio Sánchez-Dafos

José María Alonso

José María Alonso

Veronika Miskovichova

Veronika Miskovichova