Contact number
213 485 1234Chambers Review
Latham & Watkins LLP offers a well-regarded transactional team with a notable focus on OTC derivatives and equity-linked products. The firm is also able to offer guidance on regulatory and enforcement issues, including the Volcker Rule. The attorneys in the derivatives practice are able to draw on the firm's significant international presence when acting for clients in transactions, both on the buy- and sell-side.
Work Highlights
- Latham & Watkins LLP represented Changpeng Zhao, the Binance founder and CEO, in connection with enforcement actions against Binance by the CFTC and the SEC.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Latham & Watkins has a grasp of current trends as well as providing advice on how to mitigate potential risk."
"Latham has extensive regulatory and market knowledge and they explain complex commercial issues."
"The partners do a great job in considering our business goals in their advice."
"The Latham team is thorough, attentive, and highly knowledgeable on the law and industry."
"Latham & Watkins has a grasp of current trends as well as providing advice on how to mitigate potential risk."
"Latham has extensive regulatory and market knowledge and they explain complex commercial issues."
"The partners do a great job in considering our business goals in their advice."
"The Latham team is thorough, attentive, and highly knowledgeable on the law and industry."
Notable Practitioners
With in-depth knowledge of the CFTC, Douglas Yatter is well respected for his enforcement practice, which sees him assist with investigations into market practices, including market spoofing.
"Douglas is exceptional."
Witold Balaban is known for his expert counsel on complex equity derivatives, including transactions requiring bespoke structuring.
"Witold is a leader in this space. He is intelligent and thoughtful."
"He has a great track record of employing creativity to solve complex situations."
"Witold is responsive, knowledgeable and an amazing partner."
Yvette Valdez has an impressive and diverse derivatives practice. She is particularly sought after by clients for her expertise navigating the regulations surrounding cryptocurrency.
"Yvette provides invaluable counsel that makes the difference in our ability to accomplish a business objective."
"Yvette is a quick study and provides very practical advice."
Rafal Gawlowski has a broad derivatives practice, which regularly sees him advise issuer-side clients in transactions.
"He is commercially-savvy and executes complicated trades with ease."
Catherine Lee has experience advising financial institutions, including syndicates of banks, on equity-linked transactions.
"Catherine handles a wide variety of derivative matters with ease."
"She is a go-to call for any question."
"Catherine knows the issues that are important to us and is great to work with."
Reza Mojtabaee-Zamani maintains a busy equity derivatives practice and he also demonstrates strength in equity-related transactions, such as margin loans.
"Reza is extremely smart and knowledgeable."
"He is tremendously capable and very experienced across the products."
"Reza is proactive, creative and has a surgical approach."
Eric Rice has a developing reputation in the derivatives market, with notable deal experience in equity-based transactions.
"Eric is tremendously capable."
"He gives great legal advice and is super user-friendly."