Latham Named Finalist for Multiple 2023 Industry Awards by The American Lawyer

Latham & Watkins has been named a finalist in several categories of The American Lawyer Industry Awards 2023, which recognize the “best of the best… to honor historic tenets of the profession along with its promise of continued evolution for the better.”

The selections are highlighted by the firm being named a finalist for General Litigation Department of the Year, a biannual program that recognizes the premier law firms advising on recent high-profile disputes. Latham’s Litigation & Trial Practice draws from a constellation of litigation stars to match the right skill and experience to high-stakes disputes, representing major companies, institutions, and individuals in virtually every industry, 

Michele Johnson, Global Chair of Latham’s Litigation & Trial Department, commented, “Our unmatched breadth is our differentiator. Rather than excelling with a few strong subject matters or top trial stars, our department features practices and teams that, across the board, could be elite law firms in their own right. I’m particularly proud that, in collaboration with Latham’s stellar corporate and transactional practices, we are uniquely able to deliver unmatched legal solutions for clients. It’s tremendously satisfying to know these attributes shine through to the discerning editors at Am Law.”

Latham was also named a finalist in the following categories that reflect the firm’s commitments to innovation, employee well-being, and diversity:

• Best Provider Collaboration. Latham partnered with client Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) on developing a set of “Can’t Be Evil NFT Licenses” to be used for non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, associated with some kind of media. The licenses transparently codify the rights of NFT creators, buyers, and sellers so that every party has a common understanding of the IP rights associated with owning media-related NFTs. This category honors providers coming together to apply their particular capabilities and jointly solve a problem or create better value through their collective offerings.

• Best Business Team. In this category honoring groups within law firms driving organizational successes, Latham’s Well-Being & Benefits team has been recognized as a dynamic and impactful business partner to the firm and an advocate for Latham’s most important asset — its lawyers and staff. The team has strategically built strong collaborations with medical centers of excellence and experts in particular fields, allowing them to create bespoke offerings that make it easier for colleagues and their families to access high-quality care — particularly mental health resources that earned further recognition from The American Lawyer in the following category.

• Corporate Purpose Award. LiveWell Latham, a program supporting the firm’s lawyers and staff with comprehensive resources, world-class benefits, and a multi-tiered mental health strategy, has been recognized in this category that honors an initiative or overall mission that supports the well-being and welfare of law firm employees or other stakeholders. Led by the firm’s Well-Being & Benefits team, Latham’s holistic approach to mental health combines tailored resources, counselors, custom-built trainings, and a decade-plus of experience into a strategy focused on building empathy, fostering mutual support, reducing stigma, and encouraging self-care.

• Best Diversity Initiative. Latham and Yale Law School identified that rising law school application costs and other barriers limiting access to the legal profession have made a law degree out of reach for some students, leading to the development of The Yale Law School Launchpad Scholars Program, powered by Latham & Watkins. Open to all current college students and graduates planning to apply to law school in the fall of 2024, the program helps members of underrepresented and underserved communities navigate the law school application and admission process from start to finish. The innovative program aims to ensure that excellent applicants from all backgrounds can maximize their potential as law students and legal professionals, empowering them to become leaders in their future careers.

The American Lawyer Industry Awards will be presented at a ceremony in New York City on November 15.