Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins. Founded in 1934 in Los Angeles by Dana Latham and Paul Watkins, the firm has grown from a local Southern California practice into one of the world's largest and most influential law firms. It is consistently ranked among the top firms globally for its corporate, litigation, and regulatory work, representing a premier roster of Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, and governments. The firm is known for its collaborative culture and its strategic expansion into key financial and political centers worldwide.

History

The firm's origins trace to 1934 when Dana Latham, a former Internal Revenue Service official, and Paul Watkins established a practice focusing on tax law in Los Angeles. Its early growth was fueled by the post-World War II economic boom in Southern California, serving emerging industries in the region. A pivotal moment came in the 1960s under managing partner Jackson W. "Jack" Walker, who championed a single, unified partnership structure, rejecting the siloed department model common at other firms. This "one-firm" philosophy fostered cross-disciplinary collaboration and facilitated aggressive geographic expansion, beginning with an office in Washington, D.C. in 1988 and later entering the New York City and London markets in the 1990s. The firm's growth accelerated in the 21st century, merging with Swidler Berlin in 2005 and expanding across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, including openings in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Practice areas

The firm maintains a comprehensive, full-service practice, with particular global renown in several key areas. Its market-leading Mergers and acquisitions group regularly advises on some of the world's largest and most complex transactions, such as the landmark acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft. The Capital markets practice is a top advisor on initial public offerings, high-yield debt offerings, and special purpose acquisition company deals. In Litigation, the firm handles high-stakes matters including securities litigation, antitrust defense, and intellectual property disputes, often before the Supreme Court of the United States. Other core strengths include a premier Private equity practice, a sophisticated Restructuring and bankruptcy group, and deep regulatory capabilities in areas like environmental law, financial services, and national security.

Global presence

With over 3,000 attorneys, the firm operates from 31 offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Its largest offices are in its founding city of Los Angeles and in major financial hubs like New York City, London, and Washington, D.C.. In Europe, it maintains a strong network with offices in cities including Paris, Frankfurt, Brussels, and Milan. Its Middle East practice is anchored by offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh, advising on regional infrastructure and energy projects. The Asia-Pacific footprint includes key markets such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Seoul, and Tokyo, serving clients on cross-border Mergers and acquisitions and dispute resolution across the region.

Notable lawyers and alumni

The firm has been home to numerous distinguished attorneys who have shaped legal and public policy. Former partner Sandra L. Lynch served on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, while Kathleen M. Sullivan, a former head of the firm's Supreme Court practice, is a renowned constitutional scholar. Notable alumni in government include former United States Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and former White House Counsel Gregory B. Craig. In the corporate sphere, alumni hold top legal positions at major companies like Apple Inc., Goldman Sachs, and The Walt Disney Company. The firm's former chairman, Robert M. Dell, is credited with much of its global expansion and financial success in the 2000s.

Recognition and rankings

The firm perennially occupies the highest tiers of industry rankings and legal directories. It is consistently ranked within the top five of the Am Law 100 by gross revenue, regularly exceeding five billion dollars annually. In the Chambers and Partners global guides, the firm earns top "Band 1" rankings across dozens of practice areas, including Capital Markets, Project Finance, and Private Equity. It is similarly highly regarded by The Legal 500 and has been named "Law Firm of the Year" multiple times by publications like The American Lawyer. The firm's pro bono program is also consistently recognized, having received the Pro Bono Institute's "Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge" award for its extensive work on civil rights, immigration, and veterans' affairs.

Category:Law firms of the United States Category:Law firms established in 1934 Category:Companies based in Los Angeles