Financial Institutions

Latham supports financial institutions across cutting-edge transactions, sensitive regulatory and legislative matters, and high-stakes disputes and litigation — in all major jurisdictions across the globe.

We bring together globally integrated capabilities with deep experience and familiarity with the financial services industry to help financial institutions thrive amidst rapid regulatory change and technological disruption.

We keep a finger on the pulse of the key government and industry bodies that govern financial products and services worldwide, so our clients can remain ahead of the regulatory curve. Our top-ranked practitioners cover the full range of financial institutions activities, drawing insights from colleagues who have served as high-ranking officials with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and various US Attorneys’ Offices. Our industry team routinely represents financial institutions before government regulators in the US, UK, EU, the Middle East, and Asia, and provides comprehensive counseling that combines a global, cross-border perspective with local expertise  relating to banking, securities, derivatives, stock exchange matters, and other financial products and transactions.

We advise financial institutions on matters including:

  • Acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures
  • Bank, broker-dealer, investment adviser, and market regulation
  • Derivatives, structured products, equity-linked products, commodities, futures, and swaps
  • Investment and asset management
  • Litigation, enforcement, and compliance
  • Strategic, policy and technical advice on matters relating to regulation and conduct
  • Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)
  • Digital assets and blockchain technology

Our experience with the full lifecycle of specialized financial products allows us to skillfully advise on new product assessment and development, transaction execution, on-going legal risk management (including dealing with defaults), regulatory developments, and litigation. We provide this comprehensive legal advice from virtually all the financial centers in the world to leading global and local investment banks, commercial banks, hedge funds, insurance companies, private equity firms, and exchanges. The group’s wide range of experience provides clients with a unique, full-service practice that is essential to navigate in today’s demanding and complex environment.

Latham & Watkins supports financial institutions, advising them on cutting-edge transactions, sensitive regulatory issues, major legislative changes and litigation matters.
Close-up of blue, green, and white bokeh lights.
August 14, 2026 Recognition

Latham Named Finalist for Multiple 2026 New York Legal Awards

Two wins and seven finalist honors in the NYLJ’s annual awards program — including for Large Law Firm of the Year — reflect the firm’s litigation, transactional, and regulatory prowess, innovative office and practice leadership, and clear market leadership in New York.