Capital Markets: Debt - UK
What the team is known for
Latham & Watkins has a pre-eminent high-yield practice that regularly acts on market-leading transactions. The firm offers the largest team in Europe and is a first port of call for both sponsors and issuers. In addition, it has a standout equity offering that is able to draw upon international resources to advise on transactions throughout Europe, the USA and emerging markets.
Strengths
"Latham & Watkins are well equipped to handle complex matters. They have a very high level of expertise internally and can proactively connect colleagues from teams adjacent to the capital markets teams when needed."
"Latham & Watkins' ability to handle complex matters in the capital markets field is undoubted. Their team is recommended by all the investment banks our company works with."
"Latham & Watkins is the absolute go-to firm for anything that is complex and requires fast turnaround times. They are number one."
Work highlights
Latham & Watkins advised the initial purchasers in connection with the offering of EUR465 million senior notes by CeramTec.
Notable practitioners
Mark Austin is widely recognised as a leading capital markets lawyer. He is equally at home advising issuers and underwriters, and regularly works on some of the largest transactions in the market. "Mark is outstanding. He is currently the top person in his field, helping set the agenda to improve the listing environment for further investment in UK." "Mark makes sure that clients get the best results and is an outstanding expert for corporate matters." "He's an insightful, experienced and influential corporate lawyer."
Christopher Horton brings a wealth of experience to his advice and representation on ECM matters. He regularly represents financial institutions and companies on IPOs and secondary listings. "Christopher is calm and collected, he delivers sensible advice and he can work well with the other side." "He is phenomenally user-friendly and experienced." "Christopher is very hands-on, pragmatic and excellent with clients."
David Stewart is noted for his emerging markets practice. He is experienced at advising sovereign issuance work, especially in the CIS region. "David has consistently impressed with his ability to strike a balance between professionalism and approachability, which makes the legal process more comfortable and accessible." "He understands exactly what a bank needs to think through and to get comfortable with in a deal."
James Inness serves as co-leader of Latham's English law ECM practice. He is best known for his work advising underwriters on equity offerings. "James is an excellent, trusted adviser." "James is highly practical and commercial, he doesn't only think of black letter law."