Latham & Watkins is positioned to handle a range of complex transactions and corporate governance issues. Successful cases include defending Novo Nordisk against a temporary restraining order motion filed by Pfizer, which sought to block Novo Nordisk’s acquisition of the weight-loss drugmaker Metsera. Spearheading the practice are New York-based Blair Connelly, Michele Johnson, who is based in Orange County, and San Diego’s Colleen Smith. Connelly specializes in M&A and corporate governance litigation, Johnson focuses on securities class action and shareholder derivative litigation, and Smith specializes in the pharmaceuticals and life sciences industries. They are joined by Orange County-based Kristin Murphy, who focuses on complex business litigation and Delaware-focused corporate governance matters. Eric Leon, who is based in New York, handles commercial contracts, copyright and trademarks, unfair competition, and bankruptcy litigation.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Excellent team top to bottom. They are exceptional—wonderful substantive knowledge, judgment, and commitment to excellence.'
- 'Blair Connelly has exceptional judgment, focus on what matters, excellent tacticians, and is a wonderful writer and oral advocate.'
- 'Extremely favorable impression.'
Key clients
- Novo Nordisk
- Oracle Executives Larry Ellison and Safra Catz
- Skydance Media
- Telefónica SA
- Endeavor
- The Trade Desk
- Skechers U.S.A.
- Opiant Pharmaceuticals
- Covetrus
- Searchlight Capital L.P.
- Eldridge Industries
- Blackstone and CVC
Work highlights
Defended Novo Nordisk against a motion for temporary restraining order filed by Pfizer during a bidding war for Metsera, allowing Metsera’s board to consider Novo Nordisk’s then-topping bid
Achieved trial win for Oracle Corporation executives Larry Ellison and Safra Catz in the Delaware Court of Chancery, which was affirmed by the Delaware Supreme Court, in a stockholder derivative suit challenging Oracle’s $9.3 billion acquisition of NetSuite
Achieved an appellate win for The Trade Desk in a challenge to a large equity grant to its founder-controller, as well as winning a stockholder lawsuit and a books-and-records trial related to the company’s reincorporation to Nevada
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.
Practice head
Michele Johnson; Blair Connelly; Colleen Smith
Other key lawyers
Kristin Murphy; Eric Leon