Latham & Watkins has added Samantha McGonigle as a partner in its London M&A and Private Equity practices, strengthening the firm’s sponsor-side capabilities across complex leveraged buyouts and other investment transactions.
McGonigle advises private equity firms and other investors on leveraged buyouts, mergers and acquisitions, minority investments, joint ventures, strategic investments and divestitures.
Her practice has a particular focus on technology-driven and software-related investments.
McGonigle joins Latham from European and transatlantic technology investor Hg, where she served as Partner and General Counsel.
At Hg, she oversaw private equity transactions and strategic initiatives across the firm’s small-cap, middle-market and large-cap investment strategies. Her responsibilities also included legal, regulatory, compliance and governance matters across the platform.
McGonigle previously held senior positions in private practice and the investment industry.
She was also a co-founder of Farview Equity Partners, a European growth equity firm focused on enterprise technology and financial technology investments, where she held operational and investment responsibilities.
Latham said McGonigle’s experience working as both outside counsel and an in-house private equity executive gives her insight into sponsor decision-making, transaction execution, governance and risk allocation.
The firm also expects her experience advising on technology investments to support clients as artificial intelligence adoption increasingly influences investment strategies, due diligence and transaction structures.
McGonigle has worked with Latham teams on numerous transactions during her time at Hg, giving her established relationships across the firm’s international platform.
Latham ranked first globally for M&A deal count during the first half of 2026, according to Bloomberg.
McGonigle received a master’s degree from Mansfield College at the University of Oxford and completed her Legal Practice Course diploma at the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice.
KEY QUOTES:
“Sam is a widely respected, dynamic dealmaker with deep experience on the sophisticated large- and mid-cap deals that drive our London and global practice. Her arrival further bolsters our already strong sponsor-side capabilities and gives our clients an even deeper bench on their most complex, high-value transactions.”
Ed Barnett, Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ London Office
“Sam’s unique experience as both in-house counsel and partner in private practice gives her a distinctive commercial perspective on sponsor-side decision-making, governance, risk allocation and transaction execution that will be invaluable to our clients and our team.”
Alex Kelly, Global Co-Chair of Latham & Watkins’ M&A and Private Equity Practice Group
“Having worked closely with external counsel from the client side, I know how important it is to have advisers who understand the broader context and commercial objectives of today’s transactions. It is also key to frame that against the evolving backdrop of AI adoption.”
Samantha McGonigle, Partner at Latham & Watkins
