The Legal 500 : Latham & Watkins focus
The success of Latham & Watkins’ expansion globally in recent years is backed up by Legal 500 data. Fifty-seven of its practices have achieved top-tier rankings globally across The Legal 500 in 2019/20, compared to 40 in 2014-15. While only one of these 17 new top-tier rankings is in the UK, the firm’s growing dominance in London is still supported by the UK Legal 500 data.
The most recent UK guide includes 44 leading individual rankings for the firm’s London lawyers, including a couple of partners who are ranked in two areas each, such as former Allen & Overy partner Stephen Kensell. Latham’s new London head is listed for both bank lending and acquisition finance work.
In contrast, in 2014-15 the firm had 13 ranked lawyers in London, and in 2010, this figure stood at just three. This increase in ranked individuals highlights the impact of a period of significant lateral recruitment for Latham in the City, with the US firm bringing in well-known partners from firms such as Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Clifford Chance. The largest group (18) of the firm’s ranked lawyers in London sit within its strong finance practice, however, the firm also now has ten listed individuals within corporate, which includes private equity, and seven in dispute resolution. Latham’s closest US rival in London, Kirkland & Ellis, now has 24 leading individual rankings in the UK guide.
❶ Corporate and commercial: Equity capital markets – mid-high cap
❶ Finance: Acquisition finance
❶ Finance: High yield
❶ Projects, energy and natural resources: Oil and gas
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