Thomas Lee Joins Latham & Watkins as New M&A Partner in New York Office

Thomas Lee Joins Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins LLP has recently welcomed Thomas Lee as a partner in its New York office, focusing on mergers and acquisitions in asset management. Lee is renowned for his expertise in navigating complex transactions such as control transactions, minority general partner (GP) stakes, and structured equity solutions. This strategic addition aims to bolster the firm’s capabilities in the rapidly evolving asset management sector.

Background on Thomas Lee

Before joining Latham, Lee built a solid reputation at Fried Frank, where he honed his skills in asset management transactions and GP liquidity solutions. His educational background includes a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania.

Expert Commentary

Marc Jaffe, the Office Managing Partner for Latham & Watkins in New York, expressed his excitement about Lee's arrival, stating, "Tom is among a select group of top-tier lawyers practicing in the niche asset management M&A and GP liquidity solutions space, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Latham."

He further emphasized Lee's technical skills and commercial approach, which are expected to complement Latham's already outstanding M&A, private equity, asset management, and investment funds teams both locally in New York and globally.

A Growing Demand for Expertise

The asset management industry is currently experiencing significant consolidation, with an uptick in private capital available for investments in asset managers. Lee emphasized the importance of Latham's expansive global platform and integrated approach as essential tools for navigating the complexities of today's asset management landscape. He remarked, "As the asset management industry continues to consolidate, and private capital raised and deployed for investments in asset managers increases, there is no firm better poised than Latham to handle these highly complex, sophisticated transactions."

Collaboration and Synergy

In his new role, Lee is eager to collaborate with fellow attorneys at Latham to enhance existing synergies and deliver tailored solutions to clients. His arrival is expected to strengthen Latham’s position as a leader in the asset management sector, especially in relation to sophisticated M&A activities that are occurring with increasing frequency. Alex Kelly, Global Co-Chair of Latham's M&A and Private Equity practice, stated, "His addition underscores our commitment to remaining at the forefront of asset management M&A and GP liquidity solutions transactions."

Conclusion

With Thomas Lee on board, Latham & Watkins is set to boost its capabilities in a domain that is ever-increasing in complexity and demand. Lee’s expertise is seen as a significant asset, promising innovative strategies and solutions for clients navigating this challenging and evolving space. As Latham continues to expand its roster of exceptional legal talent, the firm is not only enhancing its service offerings but is also affirming its commitment to navigating the most intricate challenges faced by its clients today.