Latham Continues Growth of M&A Practice In New York

Latham & Watkins is continuing its private equity and M&A hiring spree, adding David Beller to its New York office, the firm announced Jan. 7.

David Beller of Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins

“David’s arrival is another exciting milestone in our ambitions to build the premier public M&A and private equity practice in the world, and to serve as trusted advisors to our clients on their most high-stakes matters,” Marc Jaffe, Global Chair of Latham’s Corporate Department, said in a statement.

Beller, who previously worked at Paul, Weiss, joins recent hire Alexander Johnson, who joined Latham at the beginning of the year from Hogan Lovells. Both will work in the firm’s private equity and M&A practices in New York.

“We’re particularly focused on expanding our New York private equity and M&A practice because you can’t have a premier global practice without it,” Jaffe told Bloomberg Law.

Beller’s clients have included Apollo Global Management, Searchlight Capital Partners, Gamut Capital, Starr Investment Holdings, and Sandler Capital Management.

“David’s reputation in the market is one of exceptional client service and the highest quality legal work, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the New York office,” Michèle Penzer, Latham’s office managing partner in New York, said.

“His experience further bolsters our strong footprint in New York,” Penzer added.

Over the past decade or so, Latham has risen to the No. 2 highest-grossing law firm on the AmLaw rankings with more than $3 billion in revenue last year.

Latham focuses on corporate transactions, finance and litigation, and has some 2,400 lawyers in offices worldwide.

—With assistance from Elizabeth Olson