Latham & Watkins Snags White Collar Trial Lawyer From Akin Gump

Latham & Watkins brought aboard seasoned trial lawyer Robert H. Hotz Jr., whose experience includes securities and commodities fraud, and insider trading cases.

He will be a partner in New York in the firm’s litigation and trial department, and a member of its white collar defense and investigations practice.

Hotz’s experience includes working as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. His switch to Latham means he will be rejoining some of his former colleagues, including Richard Owens, Chris Clark and Ben Naftalis.

In a statement, Hotz said that he was excited to join Latham’s litigation and trial department.

“I have been continually impressed with the fantastic white-collar practice they’ve built at Latham over the years. The firm provides an ideal platform for me to collaborate with colleagues across practices and offices who combine the best-in-class lawyering with client service.”

Hotz joined Akin Gump in 2004, and his private practice includes advising clients in complex investigations and enforcement matters involving the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission and other regulators.

He has also represented clients in civil litigation involving the same matters. He has experience in representing clients in the financial services industry as well as hedge funds and private equity funds in government investigations and enforcement actions. He also represented clients involved in cross-border investigations of actions relating to setting benchmark rates, including the Libor.

Kathryn Ruemmler, global chair of Latham & Watkins’ white-collar defense and investigations practice, said in a statement that Hotz “has a well-earned reputation for zealously defending clients in the most sensitive and important matters, and he will be a tremendous addition to the Latham team.”