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Latham & Watkins LLP

Restructuring/Insolvency

Europe Guide 2026 : UK

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Latham & Watkins LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

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Restructuring/Insolvency - UK

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Latham & Watkins has a global practice with broad restructuring and insolvency capabilities. Its lawyers are strong on both the creditor and debtor sides, with particular proficiency advising on schemes of arrangement. The team is increasingly relied on by alternative lenders for special situations work. It frequently represents clients in complex international matters, with noted expertise advising on European restructurings and US Chapter 11 cases. The firm's clients include sponsors, secured and unsecured lenders, coordinating committees, debtors, shareholders and insolvency practitioners. It is able to handle matters on behalf of incumbent agents and security trustees.
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Work Highlights

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  • Latham & Watkins represented the majority bondholders' committee regarding the complete reconstitution of Intrum's capital structure.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Latham are deep, broad and top tier.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

  • Latham are technical and offer practical know-how and speedy responses. They are also exceptionally good at managing large stakeholder groups and complex processes.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

  • Latham & Watkins have global reach and depth of services.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

  • The individuals distinguish this firm, as they are incredibly commercial and know how to engage with their clients to ensure commercial needs are understood and met, and interests are aligned.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

  • I would rank the team at Latham as one of the best across Europe for breadth and depth of coverage. Their responsiveness is excellent, and they are extremely efficient.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Bruce Bell
    Bruce Bell

    Bruce Bell

    Bruce Bell has considerable expertise spanning the gamut of restructuring and insolvency matters, with particular experience handling high-profile recapitalisations. He is particularly adept at acting for debtor companies but is also a capable adviser to creditors.

    • Bruce helped us get the best outcome that we could have hoped for. He has a very good reputation, and deservedly so. He has a cool, calm, experienced and connected presence.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

    • Bruce is smart, commercial and client-focused.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

    • Bruce is very strong and a highly regarded lawyer. He is a pleasure to work with and highly responsive.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

    • Bruce is an excellent restructuring lawyer and extremely user-friendly.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope
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  • Yen Sum
    Yen Sum

    Yen Sum

    Yen Sum is noted for her skill in handling matters spanning restructuring, special situations and distressed M&A. She acts for all manner of clients, including both debtors and creditors, with notable experience assisting lenders and bondholders.

    • Yen is an incredibly commercial lawyer who knows when there needs to be a court fight and when there needs to be a deal. We trust her in all circumstances, and she remains our go-to.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

    • Yen is exceptional at managing stakeholder groups in complex scenarios and pinpointing the critical points for consideration.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

    • Yen is one of the most hard-working and accomplished lawyers in the market, in my opinion. Her prior work in bank/buy side makes her one of the most commercial partners in the insolvency market.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

    • Yen is a thought leader and knows the deal and players inside out. She understands the vision and how to get there, and is always available.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

    • Yen is the most commercial, knowledgeable, hard-working restructuring lawyer in the industry. She gets the big picture, is a tremendous team builder and nurtures real client relationships.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope
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  • Jennifer Brennan
    Jennifer Brennan

    Jennifer Brennan

    Jennifer Brennan advises bondholders, alternative capital providers and banks on restructurings, as well as assisting with distressed acquisitions. She is particularly noted for her expertise in special situations and cross-border mandates.

    • Jen is a class act. She's an exceptional practitioner.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

    • Jennifer is able to help us on all our things from the outset, and if things get shaky she's adept at taking care of that. She is our go-to.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

    • Having Jennifer, we feel like we have the best person in the market advocating on our behalf.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope
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  • David Wallace
    David Wallace

    David Wallace

    David Wallace advises in connection with high-value restructuring mandates across domestic, European and US markets. He regularly acts for creditor-side clients, including banks and private equity houses.

    • David excellently executes deals. He is clear, balanced and always available.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

    • David will frame the issues but also outline numerous solutions and options. He is responsive, diligent in identifying issues and brings an excellent commercial and constructive approach to issues.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope
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  • Jessica Walker
    Jessica Walker

    Jessica Walker

    Jessica Walker advises corporate borrowers, lenders and investors on restructurings, insolvencies and special situations.

    • Jessica makes technical work look logical and easy to navigate.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

    • Jessica is an absolute star. She provides incredibly commercial, pragmatic advice and judgement, but also is technically very, very strong on insolvency. She can walk into a room and win them over.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope

    • Jessica is great on really complex, technical aspects. She is able to navigate very complex shareholders and stakeholders and get us to the right result.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentEurope
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Ranked Individuals at Latham & Watkins LLP (5)

UK

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