Howard Sobel retired from the partnership in June 2023. Howard was Of Counsel in the New York office of Latham & Watkins following his retirement from the partnership. He advised both US and international private equity firms in leveraged acquisitions of privately held and public companies.
A nationally renowned private equity practitioner, Howard handled a diverse range of matters, including auctions, going-private transactions, co-investment opportunities, and acquisitions and reorganizations in bankruptcy proceedings. He has represented many of the world’s leading private equity firms, such as Leonard Green & Partners, Odyssey Investment Partners, Cinven Partners, CVC Capital Partners, Centerbridge Partners, Irving Place Capital, and Vestar Capital Partners. Howard offered particular experience in transactions involving the healthcare, business services, and retail and consumer sectors.
He previously served as Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Private Equity Practice.
Prior to entering private practice, Howard was a law clerk to Judge Edwin D. Steel, Jr., of the US District Court of Delaware from 1978-1979.
Accolades
Howard has received broad industry recognition for his distinctive transactional work. His honors include being:
- Ranked a Senior Statesman in 2022–2023 by Chambers and Band 1 in Private Equity: Buyouts - New York in 2020–2021
- Named a Leading Lawyer in Private Equity Buyouts by The Legal 500 US 2012–2022
- Named to The Legal 500 US 2018–2023 Hall of Fame
- Named among the Top Private Equity Lawyers in North America by MergerLinks 2020
- Named a Private Equity MVP by Law360 2011
Numerous legal publications have highlighted his unique approach to client service. Chambers USA 2023 describes him as “accomplished in managing large acquisitions, dispositions and investments on behalf of private equity sponsors.” The Legal 500 US 2023 comments, “Howard is extremely well-regarded in the market and a trusted advisor to clients.”
At the time of his retirement, Howard co-taught a class focused on Mergers & Acquisitions at The Yale School in 2023.