
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel
Global Guide 2026 : USA
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Latham & Watkins LLP represented American Airlines in its offering of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 8.5% senior secured notes.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Latham has developed into my go-to law firm. The team is incredibly knowledgeable, easy to get a hold of and communicative.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalLatham is a tremendous team with the depth to handle the most complex and sophisticated situations.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalThe team is experienced, have seen just about everything and have all the answers.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalLatham & Watkins does a phenomenal job handling cutting-edge topics.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalLatham is a highly commercial, solutions-oriented firm that constantly challenges tried-and-tested approaches in pursuit of the best outcome for the client.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Star Individuals 
Star Individuals 
Marc D Jaffe
Marc Jaffe stands out for his talent in handling debt transactions on behalf of issuers and underwriters and he is also particularly adept at representing global clients in major IPOs. Marc is one of the greats who loves getting down into the details.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalHe is very talented, very commercial and very knowledgeable.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalHe is a leader in this space.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 1 
Band 1 
Ian Schuman
Ian Schuman acts for issuers and underwriters in a wide range of transactions, with notable experience in debt matters, including high-yield debt offerings. He also maintains a busy equity practice and he is regularly chosen to counsel clients on IPOs. He is always attentive and has deep knowledge across a range of topics.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalHe is one of the best capital market lawyers out there.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 1 
Band 1 
J Michael Chambers
Michael Chambers is widely respected for his capital markets practice, offering market-leading expertise in high-yield and investment-grade debt issuances. Band 1 
Band 1 
Richard A Kline
Richard Kline's capital markets practice covers both issuer and underwriter-side transactions, displaying particular strengths in handling IPOs by technology companies. Deals go smoothly when we work with him.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 1 
Band 1 
Ryan Maierson
Ryan Maierson's broad capital markets practice runs the full gamut of debt and equity securities offerings. He often represents issuers, underwriters and private equity sponsors in transactions in the oil and gas industry. Ryan is an expert and someone who we always enjoy working with.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 1 
Band 1 
Tad Freese
Tad Freese is especially active in the technology market, advising banks and companies on their debt and equity transactions. Tad is one of the best partners to have on a transaction, he understands complex situations and ensures excellent execution for the transaction as a whole.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalTad is responsive and solution-oriented.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalHe is a commercial and collaborative guy to work with.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalTad is exceptional, he is my gold standard in terms of responsiveness and providing pragmatic advice.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 2 
Band 2 
David Miller
David Miller advises on a broad range of capital markets transactions ranging from IPOs to high-yield debt offerings. David is extremely responsive, always available and sincerely interested in our business.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalDavid is an experienced, practical and solution-oriented partner for us.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalDavid is knowledgeable, personable and always timely in his responses. It’s a pleasure working with him.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 2 
Band 2 
Greg Rodgers
Greg Rodgers displays strengths across a broad range of debt and equity offerings, gaining market attention for his specialist knowledge of direct listings and convertible debt. He is an expert in what he does and he's super strategic.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalGreg offers outstanding, highly sophisticated client service.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 2 
Band 2 
Mollie Duckworth
Mollie Duckworth is a popular choice for clients in the energy industry seeking guidance on a range of debt and equity offerings, including IPOs and follow-on offerings.
Mollie is a high quality resource for us and always employs a solution-oriented approach to every workstream.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalMollie has been excellent to work with, and is responsive and knowledgeable.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 2 
Band 2 
Shayne Kennedy
Shayne Kennedy impresses clients with his ability to handle complex debt and equity securities offerings. He is particularly experienced at advising on IPOs in the life sciences and technology industries. Shayne has a sense of the practical, what works and how to manage expectations.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalShayne is always accessible, attentive and a good partner in trying to resolve the obstacles we run into in the course of transactions.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 2 
Band 2 
Stelios Saffos
Stelios Saffos has established his market standing as a force in the New York capital markets space, displaying strengths in IPOs and high-yield debt, as part of a wide transactional skill set. He is deeply networked and extremely knowledgeable.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalStelios is a highly engaging and skillful lawyer. He is highly commercial and goes above and beyond to deliver the very best outcome for his clients.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalStelios is outstanding, he is always our first call. He is the one who comes up with innovative ideas by being incredibly commercial and is always striving to broker the most commercial outcome.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 2 
Band 2 
Steven B Stokdyk
Steven Stokdyk is a distinguished figure in the California legal market. He focuses his practice on the representation of issuers and underwriters in transactional securities matters, such as IPOs and debt offerings. I can always count on Steven to be there on short notice when novel issues or questions arise.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalSteven is the best in the business. He is almost always my number one phone call.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalHe is thoughtful, careful in his work and delivers excellent counsel.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 3 
Band 3 
Cheston Larson
Cheston Larson maintains a robust practice, which sees him advising issuing companies, and their underwriters, on diverse capital markets transactions. He is notably adept at providing counsel to organizations in the pharmaceutical sector. Cheston is a fantastic attorney and a great business partner.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalCheston is someone to run something by, not just for a legal but also a business perspective.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 3 
Band 3 
John Greer
John Greer has experience in debt and equity transactions across a range of industries, with a particular strength in the energy sector. John is an exceptional attorney who provides excellent advice and advocacy.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 3 
Band 3 
Michael Benjamin
Michael Benjamin has a great reputation for his work on capital markets transactions, representing companies and investment banks in varied debt and equity offerings. He is always attentive and has deep knowledge across a range of topics.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalMichael has a highly differentiated blend of commercial aptitude and legal proficiency. He knows what works and is always on the lookout for how to best serve his clients
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalMichael is fantastic, he's got tons of experience. He helps us to be commercial but does so in a smart way.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalMichael is a rare breed of lawyer who is able to deliver sophisticated legal advice in pithy rhetorical packages.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalHe is a commercial lawyer who is able to find common ground.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 3 
Band 3 
Nathan Ajiashvili
Nathan Ajiashvili comes particularly recommended for debt and equity transactions in the biotech and healthcare sectors. He is so business-minded, practical and helpful. He tries to get to a resolution on difficult issues in a very collaborative way.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalHe is an energetic lawyer and a good problem solver.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalHe is a very commercial guy who knows how to read the room.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalNathan is a truly outstanding capital markets lawyer.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 3 
Band 3 
Sarah Axtell
Sarah Axtell handles the full range of capital markets transactions, with clients including companies in the technology market and major investment banks. Sarah is a tireless worker and a thoughtful lawyer.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalSarah is a rising star and one of my favorite partners to collaborate with on a transaction.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 4 
Band 4 
Bill Nelson
Bill Nelson adeptly supports a variety of clients, particularly SPACs and major investment banks. Bill was instrumental in helping with a SPAC transaction.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 4 
Band 4 
Erika Weinberg
Erika Weinberg is a respected capital markets attorney with a comprehensive securities practice. She was great and very pragmatic when she came across issues.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalShe is one of the few lawyers on the street that can be on the bank side or issuer side.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalErika is a go-to partner for high yield. She's very responsive and commercial - it is a great partnership all around.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalErika is a pleasure to work with.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 4 
Band 4 
Lewis Kneib
Cochair of the LA and Century City corporate department, Lewis Kneib has considerable strength in the capital markets space. He is adept at handling transactions in the hospitality and real estate sectors. Lewis is one of the most practical and business friendly lawyers you could meet.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalLewis is one of our go-to capital markets people, he's an expert in the space.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 4 
Band 4 
Nick Dhesi
Nick Dhesi has extensive experience advising clients on a range of capital markets transactions including IPOs, high-yield debt offerings and preferred financings. Nick is a smart lawyer.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 4 
Band 4 
Peter N Handrinos
Peter Handrinos draws widespread praise for his extensive experience advising on IPOs and other high-value capital markets transactions. He counts global financial institutions and pharmaceutical companies among his clients. He is able to gain the confidence of clients very easily. People feel safe when they work with Peter.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 4 
Band 4 
Senet S. Bischoff
Senet Bischoff has a broad capital markets practice, acting for issuers, underwriters and private equity sponsors on diverse securities transactions. He is well respected and a very strong lawyer.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalHe is a really excellent lawyer.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalHe is really deeply into the law and interacting with regulators.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 5 
Band 5 
Alison Haggerty
Alison Haggerty is known for her work in equity capital markets, regularly advising issuers and underwriters on IPOs.
Alison is a very adept and astute partner and extremely well versed in the capital markets.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalShe routinely brings exceptional commercial awareness and legal expertise to meetings.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalHer customer service approach has consistently provided our team access at all hours of the day.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalShe is great, always collaborative, wants to get the deal done and is an excellent lawyer.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalShe always provides a level headed perspective, working to help us provide the best positioning through complex matters.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 5 
Band 5 
Benjamin J Cohen
Benjamin Cohen advises on both debt and equity transactions, including complex IPOs and direct listings. Benjamin is always attentive and has deep knowledge on a range of topics.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobalBenjamin is absolutely fantastic, he is always available and he always gives right, business-minded advice.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
Band 5 
Band 5 
Patrick Shannon
Patrick Shannon leads a variety of capital market transactions for a strong portfolio of private and public clients from Latham's Washington, DC office. His experience includes advising clients on IPOs and equity and debt offerings. He was excellent on all fronts.
Capital Markets: Investment Grade Debt: Manager Counsel respondentGlobal
USA, expertise based abroad in UK 
USA, expertise based abroad in UK 
Brett Cassidy
Brett Cassidy is a leading high-yield practitioner who regularly advises a mixture of corporates and financial institutions across a spectrum of transactions. His practice is market-leading and he routinely works on the largest deals in the space. USA, expertise based abroad in Italy 
USA, expertise based abroad in Italy 
Jeffrey H Lawlis
US-qualified partner Jeffrey Lawlis offers expertise in sustainable, PIK and high yield bonds. He mainly acts for financial entities such as bank consortiums.
Ranked Individuals at Latham & Watkins LLP (28)
Latham & Watkins LLP has rankings in the following guides
Band 1 USA 2026
Practice area: Capital Markets: Debt & Equity
Location: Texas
View department profile for USA 2026Band 1 USA 2026
Practice area: Capital Markets: Debt & Equity
Location: Illinois
View department profile for USA 2026Band 1 USA 2026
Practice area: Capital Markets: Debt & Equity
Location: California
View department profile for USA 2026
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