Latham & Watkins LLP takes instructions from both issuers and bank underwriters in relation to IPOs, also acting for private equity houses looking to dispose of assets via public listings or dual-track exits. The team is well positioned to assist first-time issuers with listings on stock exchanges in Germany and across Europe, as well as on US exchanges. Oliver Seiler, who heads the group, frequently oversees IPOs on German exchanges and is experienced in handling dual-track exits on behalf of sponsors, with David Rath adding further IPO expertise alongside his work handling spinoffs and also US-registered offerings. Also active across the spectrum of equity-based transactions is Camilla Kehler-Weiß, who tackles, inter alia, listings and capital raisings.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Strong deal flow, deep ECM experience, great legal knowledge, fun and easy to work with.’
  • ‘David Rath, Oliver Seiler and Camilla Kehler-Weiss are all great partners for me, who I have worked with across multiple deals. I know I can trust them fully.’

Key clients

  • BNP Paribas
  • Citigroup Global Markets Ltd
  • Goldman Sachs
  • J.P. Morgan
  • Nordic Capital
  • Stifel Europe AG
  • Triton
  • UBS Investment Bank

Work highlights

Advised the syndicate of banks on the planned IPO of Oldenburgische Landesbank, which was abandoned in favor of a trade sale to Credit Mutuel in March 2025.
Advised Nordic Capital and Sunrise Medical on the planned IPO of Sunrise Medical on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Advised the banks on the disposal of a stake in Fresenius Medical Care AG by Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

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Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

Oliver Seiler

Other key lawyers

David Rath; Camilla Kehler-Weiß