Latham & Watkins Promotes 19 Lawyers to Global Partnership

News Summary

Latham & Watkins has promoted 19 lawyers to its global partnership, effective March 1, 2025, as part of a strategic effort to enhance its leadership amidst a competitive legal landscape. This follows the promotion of 24 associates to partner status in January. The firm aims to strengthen its market presence, especially in London, and replenish its talent pool following significant departures in 2024. The newly promoted lawyers bring diverse expertise that enhances the firm’s capabilities across various legal sectors.

Major Promotions at Latham & Watkins Amidst Competitive Legal Landscape

In a bold move to enhance its leadership and talent strategy, Latham & Watkins has declared the promotion of 19 counsel to its global partnership effective March 1, 2025. This announcement comes soon after the firm elevated 24 associates to partner status, effective January 1, 2025, signaling a *strategic surge* in its personnel amidst ongoing challenges in the legal market.

Strengthening the Ranks in London

Among the latest additions, the firm is welcoming five new partners in its London office, underscoring its commitment to bolstering its market presence in one of the world’s legal epicenters. This latest round of promotions follows a stark year for Latham’s partnership, where the firm faced substantial departures. In 2024 alone, Latham & Watkins lost an astonishing 13 partners to competing firms, particularly within the finance sector. This attrition rate is a staggering double of the firm’s average rate over the previous four years, indicating a *shifting landscape* in top-tier legal talent, especially in London.

Commitment to Excellence and Client Service

Rich Trobman, the firm’s Chair and Managing Partner, highlighted the firm’s ongoing dedication to excellence and client service, emphasizing that the newly promoted partners’ collective experience, industry expertise, and legal acumen resonate with the core values of the firm.

Expanding Expertise Across Multiple Sectors

The promoted counsel cover a *diverse array* of specializations that highlight the firm’s comprehensive service offerings. Notably, Rachael Astin, based in London, specializes in digital media and content distribution within the Entertainment, Sports & Media Practice, while Santiago Bejarano from New York focuses on international commercial and investor-state arbitrations.

Additionally, Robert Brown from Houston/Austin brings expertise in data privacy and security laws in the firm’s Privacy & Cyber Practice. The promotions further include Alexander Buckeridge-Hocking, who brings a wealth of knowledge on cross-border energy and infrastructure transactions, and Caitlin Dahl from Chicago, who adeptly handles various litigation matters.

Furthermore, Andrew Galdes, based in Washington, D.C., focuses on U.S. economic and trade sanctions, while Michael Green in London advises on environmental, health, and safety matters, crucial in today’s climate-sensitive legal environment.

Other notable areas of expertise include Luda Le Grand in London, who specializes in UK and EU competition laws, Omar Maayeh in Dubai working on complex M&A transactions, and Amit Makker in the Bay Area, who deals with high-technology sector intellectual property disputes.

Strategic Moves for the Future

This latest set of promotions also reflects Latham’s *strategic efforts* to replenish its talent pool in light of the significant setbacks experienced in 2024. The intense competition for talent among top U.S. law firms, particularly in London, underscores the critical need for powerful, skilled partners who can navigate today’s legal challenges. Each newly promoted counsel enhances the firm’s capabilities across transactional, litigation, and regulatory matters, promising to bolster Latham’s notable standing in the legal community.

A Broader Vision for the Firm’s Impact

Furthermore, Latham & Watkins is recognized as a global leader in providing pro bono services and endorsing diversity and environmental sustainability initiatives, serving not only clients but also the greater community. Operating as a limited liability partnership under Delaware law, the firm is strategically positioned with affiliated offices worldwide, including key regions in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Through innovative solutions to complex legal and business challenges, Latham & Watkins aims to set a standard for excellence in the legal profession moving forward.