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Press Release

Latham & Watkins Continues Expanding M&A and Private Equity Practices

April 30, 2020
Kate Withers advises on complex corporate transactions that involve innovative technology and high value intellectual property assets.

Latham & Watkins LLP1 is pleased to announce that Kate Withers has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Corporate Department and as a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions Practice and Private Equity Practice. She advises clients of all sizes in connection with private equity and strategic corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, technology-focused joint ventures, carve-outs, structured investments, and complex licensing transactions. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Kate to our premier global Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Practices,” said Marc Jaffe, Global Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Corporate Department. “Kate’s experience advising on sophisticated corporate transactions, combined with her highly technical background and deep understanding of data, software, and technology businesses, will be of tremendous benefit to our clients. Latham is deeply committed to growing in line with our clients’ needs and to serving them as a one-stop legal advisor on their most sophisticated matters. The addition of Kate to our continuously expanding Corporate Department underscores that priority.”   

Withers represents private equity sponsors and public and private companies in connection with M&A, joint venture, carve-out, and structured investment transactions involving the acquisition, licensing, and sale of innovative technologies and high value intellectual property assets, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, blockchain technology, data, gaming and esports platforms, software, and media assets. Her industry experience spans financial services, life sciences, internet, social media, gaming, software, and media.

Paul Sheridan, Global Chair of the Private Equity Practice at Latham & Watkins, added: “Kate has an excellent reputation for her work on extremely sophisticated and complex deals, and she is a tremendous addition to our M&A and Private Equity Practices. She brings a strong commercial sense, deal savvy, and a collegial approach, which aligns perfectly with our approach to serving clients across the firm’s global platform.” 

“Latham is known for its deep industry expertise, collaborative culture, and international reputation as a premier legal advisor on the world’s most sophisticated transactions. I am looking forward to joining the team and providing my clients with the many benefits of the firm’s integrated global platform,” said Withers.   

Withers joins Latham from Kirkland & Ellis. She is the latest addition to an extensive group of prominent partners who have joined Latham’s Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Practices since 2019, including Neal Reenan and Ian Bushner, who joined the firm in March. 

Withers received her LL.M. from New York University School of Law, her JD, cum laude, from Georgetown Law School, and her M.Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science, where she was a Fulbright Scholar.  

About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins delivers innovative solutions to complex legal and business challenges around the world. From a global platform, our lawyers advise clients on market shaping transactions, high-stakes litigation and trials, and sophisticated regulatory matters. Latham is one of the world’s largest providers of pro bono services, steadfastly supports initiatives designed to advance diversity within the firm and the legal profession, and is committed to exploring and promoting environmental sustainability.

Notes to Editors

Latham & Watkins operates worldwide as a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (USA) with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and as an affiliated partnership conducting the practice in Japan. Latham & Watkins operates in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office. Latham & Watkins works in cooperation with the Law Firm of Salman M. Al-Sudairi, a limited liability company, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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