Private Equity: Buyouts - UK
What the team is known for
Latham & Watkins maintains a market-leading buyouts practice that is routinely seen handling high-end, cross-border transactions for a host of well-known private equity houses. It offers significant expertise in complementary practice areas, with top-tier strength in financing and high-yield bonds. The department counts upon an extensive international network to provide an integrated practice in global M&A. It also boasts further private equity expertise in technology venture capital investments.
Strengths
"Latham has a strong team across all functions. Its associates are good and the partners are exceptional."
"In bet-the-company transactions the Latham team are not only deeply skilled, with outstanding and practical commercial knowledge, but also incredibly friendly, approachable and easy to get along with."
"Latham & Watkins is as full service as it gets."
Work highlights
Latham & Watkins advised a private equity consortium led by Astorg and Epiris on the GBP1.6 billion UK Takeover Code offer and break-up bid for Euromoney.
Latham & Watkins' venture capital group advised Elwood on its GBP70 million Series A+ investment round led by Dawn Capital and Goldman Sachs.
Notable practitioners
David Walker is widely regarded as a luminary in this space, garnering acclaim for his leading knowledge of high-stakes private equity deals. His stable of clients includes significant sponsors. "David is a highly experienced and sophisticated lawyer with a high degree of commercial acumen." "David is a seasoned professional and highly capable lawyer. It is a pleasure working with him."
Kem Ihenacho possesses deep experience in handling high-level transactions on behalf of a client base of prestigious private equity houses. He sits as global co-chair of the firm's private equity group. "Kem is a real global superstar."
Paul Dolman is highly regarded for the quality of his representation in private equity transactions. He acts for a stable of well-known private equity houses on deals across a spectrum of industries. "Paul is extremely impressive, he is technically extremely strong and composed and he provides some of the best client management I have seen. He is able to achieve a real air of composure without trying." "Paul Dolman is a serious operator."
Tom Evans has an impressive track record of representing private equity houses and their portfolio companies in cross-border deals. He is sought after to advise on M&A and financing arrangements, among other matters. "Tom is very practical and focused on the point. He is a good negotiator." "Tom is very precise."