Martin Davies > Latham & Watkins > London, England > Lawyer Profile

A first port of call for major financial institutions and banks across various jurisdictions, Latham & Watkins utilises its global network to advise on cross-border matters that often involve elements of foreign law. The team of ‘excellent commercial litigators’ excels in sections 90 and 90a FSMA collective claims and has also noted a recent increase in disputes in the crypto space. ‘Talented, clever and strategic lawyer’ Andrea Monks leads, representing a stellar clientele of banks and financial institutions and playing a key role in disputes from class actions to litigation at the Supreme Court level. Also an expert in collective and class actions, Martin Davies excels in shareholder and other multi-party disputes. Following her promotion to partner in January 2023, Nell Perks has increased her focus on ESG, advising financial institutions on the related litigation risks. Oliver Middleton boasts experience on both the claimant and defendant side and is well-placed to advise on significant financial class actions. Alex Cox is another name to note.

Praised for its ‘excellent all-round advice and representation‘, Latham & Watkins is reputed for its focus on CMA regulatory decisions before the CAT and Court of Appeal. Martin Davies‘ practice capabilities span the full range of complex competition litigation matters. Drawing superlative praise from clients, Simon Pritchard – who joined the firm from Linklaters LLP in September 2023 –  boasts more than 25 years of experience handling disputed agency decisions and merger litigation. Beyond his capabilities in in traditional antitrust matters, David Little is noted for his specialist knowledge of the interface between competition and ESG, data privacy, and consumer protection law.

Latham & Watkins is regularly called on to represent corporations and financial institutions in bet-the-company disputes. The ‘nimble, efficient and highly effective’ team has noted a recent increase in litigation related to data privacy, data breaches and cybersecurity. Three partners head the practice: Martin Davies advises a stellar list of global corporations; Ian Felstead boasts particular expertise in media and technology disputes; and Oliver Middleton’s commercial litigation practice spans financial, corporate and shareholder disputes. Duncan Graves is experienced in boardroom disputes, while Alice Zhou’s clientele ranges from financial institutions to high-net-worth individuals. Hayley Pizzey was made Counsel in January 2021, while Oliver Browne left the firm in March 2024.

Undertaking a blend of commercial deals, event-based work, investment mandates and contentious proceedings, the Latham & Watkins practice is ‘excellent to work with’, frequently representing governing bodies and major tech companies. Patrick Mitchell heads from London, being an expert in media rights and sponsorship arrangements; Edward Barnett assists clients in cross-border M&A; while Martin Davies is a sports litigation expert. Farah O’Brien and Sanjev Warna-kula-suriya bring corporate and finance specialism, and Sam Newhouse focuses on joint ventures.