Latham Wins Several 2021 New York Legal Awards

Latham & Watkins has earned recognitions across several categories in the 2021 New York Legal Awards, annually presented by American Lawyer Media’s New York Law Journal to “honor the best and brightest in New York’s legal community.”

The awards include:

• Dealmakers of the Year: Marc Jaffe, Managing Partner of Latham’s New York office and former Global Chair of the firm’s Corporate Department and Co-Chair of the Capital Markets Practice; Lisa Watts, Vice Chair of Latham and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and Tax Practice; Justin Hamill, member of the Mergers & Acquisitions Practice and 2020 American Lawyer Dealmaker of the Year; and Ian Schuman, Global Chair of the firm’s Capital Markets Practice, were recognized among the regions “talented and hardworking transactional lawyers” for steering cutting-edge special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) transactions — an alternative to the traditional initial public offering that has exploded in popularity. Latham leveraged the firm’s elite capital markets, M&A, public company representation, and tax practices to advise companies on more SPAC M&A transactions than any other law firm in 2020 and through the first half of 2021 (SPACInsider). 
• Innovation Award – Firm: Latham was recognized for “pushing the envelope during unprecedented times” with the firm’s creative approach to providing lawyers and staff real-world, hands-on virtual training with the new Observation Deck platform. The platform, launched during the pandemic, provides a curated list of hearings, trials, and other proceedings that can be viewed online as they occur. Observation Deck also allows for “debrief” sessions with Latham’s Litigation & Trial Department lawyers following the proceeding, in which associates can ask the participating lawyers questions and hear backstories. The platform has proven to be an unprecedented opportunity for our lawyers to continue their training in a virtual environment. 
• Litigation Department of the Year – Professional Liability: For the third consecutive year, Latham’s historic work advising clients in complex securities matters earned recognition in the Professional Liability specialty practice category. The firm’s Securities Litigation & Professional Liability Practice has achieved outstanding results in high-profile cases ranging from federal and state class, individual, and derivative actions to US Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 2(e) and other regulatory proceedings. Among the many cases that stand out, Latham recently won a plaintiff-side bench trial and secured a billion dollar judgment for client UBS. Other recent significant victories include a dismissal motion in a diversity-related suit for Facebook and the dismissal of billions in claimed damages for General Electric in two securities lawsuits. 
• Rising Star: Nicole Fanjul, Co-Deputy Office Managing Partner of the New York office, was recognized as one of the region’s most promising lawyers for her professional achievements, pro bono and civic work, and leadership within the legal community. Fanjul represents lenders and corporate borrowers in complex financing transactions, with a focus on syndicated leveraged finance and direct lending. She has advised on the some of the largest acquisition financings in recent years, including representing the lenders in connection with Takeda’s US$46 billion acquisition of Shire, the largest-ever overseas takeover by a Japanese company. Fanjul previously served as the Local Leader of the New York office’s Black Lawyers Affinity Group, and as a member of the Women Enriching Business Committee, Associates Committee, and Recruiting Committee. She also frequently advises on immigration-related pro bono matters.