‘Allying a broad set of capabilities with deep expertise in each area and a hyper-pragmatic, seasoned approach’, Latham & Watkins advises a diverse array of clients, from start-ups, global financial institutions, and investors, to big tech companies developing cutting-edge financial products. The multidisciplinary team combines regulatory, corporate, and technology expertise, supporting clients from inception to exit. The group handles major M&A, unicorn IPOs, and VC financings, as well as joint ventures, tech partnerships, and outsourcing agreements. As global co-chair of the fintech industry group, Stuart Davis leads regulatory strategy across digital assets, payment services, market infrastructure, and Web3. Described by clients as an ’exceptional lawyer who understands market dynamics‘, he is also co-chair of Global Digital Finance’s UK policy & regulatory working group, and works closely with the Payments Association and UK Finance. Christian McDermott advises on complex technology contracts and collaborations, particularly across the payments and platform space. Gabriel Lakeman, co-chair of the firm’s digital assets task force, advises on regulatory frameworks for cryptoassets, payments, and fintech platforms. Fiona Maclean brings in-depth expertise in cloud computing, AI, and data protection, with a focus on operational resilience in financial services outsourcing. Shing Lo — 'everything you would want in a bet-the-farm adviser' — also comes recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Latham offers a distinctive combination of partners and associates who genuinely understand technology issues and provide actionable, practical advice without unnecessary complexity. The team is exceptionally responsive and capable of managing international projects end-to-end within tight deadlines. They can mobilise extensive high-quality resources and consistently deliver results. Their deep understanding of how BigTech companies operate internally enables them to integrate seamlessly as team members. ’
‘Stuart Davis is an exceptional lawyer who understands market dynamics, anticipates regulatory perspectives and strategies, and consistently provides thoughtful and elegant solutions to complex challenges. He leads a brilliant team of associates who can independently tackle any issue and resolve it efficiently.'
‘Latham & Watkins are experts in the fintech space, providing a full-service practice across whatever corporate, commercial, litigious and regulatory matters we may have. What sets the firm apart is their very strong bench of lawyers, allying a broad set of capabilities with deep expertise in each area and a hyper-pragmatic, seasoned approach to whatever issues arise. They display excellent coordination across team members in providing a comprehensive service offering, including their deep knowledge on fintech and finreg matters. ’
‘We find Latham's team members all to be exceptionally high-caliber, but we would single out Shing Lo, who is an amazing partner. When advising Fintech companies in the corporate space, she shines - as a seasoned practitioner who has seen it all, she is immensely helpful on big ticket deals where there are difficult issues to navigate, whether these relate to equity fundraising issues, M&A and IPO exits or technical Fintech/Finreg requirements. She is everything you would want in a bet-the-farm adviser - very responsive, practical and easy to work with, plus a fierce negotiator who is incredibly strong on the details. She and her team are easily the best lawyers that we work with.’
'Stood out well above any others in terms of their knowledge and expertise in our field.'
Key clients
- Bitwise
- CellPoint
- DigitalCheckout.com
- Digital Moneybox
- eToro
- Fidelity National Information Services (FIS)
- FTMO
- Funding Circle
- Payoneer
- Shift4 Payments
Work highlights
Advising Fidelity National Information Services on its $24.2 billion sale of Worldpay, a UK-based a payment processing company, to Global Payments.
Advising Bitwise Asset Management on its acquisition of the ETC Group, a UK-based crypto ETP issuer.
Advising Moneybox on its £79 million secondary share sale.
Lawyers
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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Calum Docherty
Practice head
Stuart Davis
Other key lawyers
Christian McDermott; Gabriel Lakeman; Fiona Maclean; Shing Lo; Calum Docherty