Global law firm Latham & Watkins has announced that three highly regarded restructuring and special situations partners, Ryan Preston Dahl, Benjamin M. Rhode, and Natasha Hwangpo, will join the firm’s Restructuring & Special Situations and Liability Management practices in New York and Chicago. The additions follow earlier high-profile hires of partners such as Ray C. Schrock, Andrew Parlen, Candace Arthur, Alexander Welch and John Sobolewski earlier this year.
The firm said the new hires bring deep experience advising public and private companies, financial institutions, private equity funds, portfolio companies, investors, and creditors in out-of-court restructurings, distressed acquisitions, and in-court Chapter 11 processes, as well as in sophisticated liability management transactions. Their expertise spans sectors including healthcare, technology, automotive, logistics, retail, media, gaming, manufacturing, professional services, and financial services.
The arrivals will strengthen Latham’s presence in key financial hubs and enhance its capacity to advise clients on high-stakes insolvency, restructuring and liability-management matters. The partners will join across the New York and Chicago offices, reflecting the firm’s strategy to build its footprint in leading US markets.
KEY QUOTES:
“Ryan, Ben, and Natasha are incredible lawyers, and their arrival further demonstrates our commitment to seeking out difference makers who embrace our foundational values and commitment to excellence. We are delighted to welcome them to the firm, as we continue to build the absolute best restructuring team in the world. The group’s tremendous experience and personal drive seamlessly align with our unique capabilities to advise clients on their most sophisticated restructuring and liability management matters, and will accelerate our growth in this space.”
Rich Trobman, Chair & Managing Partner, Latham & Watkins
“Ryan is widely recognized as one of the foremost practitioners in the field and has built a venerable restructuring practice that is highly competitive. Ben and Natasha likewise have earned stellar reputations for their significant experience, market profile, and client relationships. Our preeminent practice continues to grow and is sought after for consequential debtor- and creditor-side matters across industries, and the arrival of Ryan, Ben, and Natasha underscores our commitment to building the world’s number one restructuring and liability management practice, now and for years to come.”
Ray C. Schrock, Global Chair, Restructuring & Special Situations Practice, Latham & Watkins
“Ryan, Ben, and Natasha are outstanding additions to our team, and their mix of expertise is a perfect fit for our restructuring and liability management practices. These talented restructuring partners share our commitment to client service and fierce determination to succeed.”
Andrew Parlen, US Chair, Restructuring & Special Situations Practice, Latham & Watkins
“I’m thrilled to welcome Ryan, Ben, and Natasha to the firm. They bring extensive relationships with major public and private companies, sponsors, investors, and creditors, and they are well known for their commercial savvy, technical mastery, and formidable track record. We are particularly excited about the synergy between their experience and our market-leading private equity, private credit, hybrid capital, and liability management capabilities, as well as our broad public company practice.”
Marc Jaffe, Managing Partner, New York Office, Latham & Watkins
“These three partners are incredibly experienced in high-stakes matters and advise on the issues top of mind for boards and executives. We are the only firm with true breadth and depth across products and markets to handle today’s most cutting-edge restructuring matters. Ryan, Ben, and Natasha bring additional firepower to our platform in Chicago, New York, and globally, and I’m pleased to welcome them to the firm.”
Mary Rose Alexander, Managing Partner, Chicago Office, Latham & Watkins
