Latham Loses UK Partners as US Competitors Rush Into London

Latham & Watkins for years has been viewed as arguably the most successful US law firm operating in London. Now, it’s taking its licks.

The firm has lost 11 UK partners to competitors this year, more than double the attrition it averaged the previous four years, according to data from legal recruiter Edwards Gibson. The defections include lawyers who formerly headed the London office and its intellectual property and litigation groups. They’ve come at the hands of other large, profitable US firms, including Sidley Austin, Skadden, Paul Hastings, and Milbank LLP.

“Latham made the right bets and it was very ...