Latham & Watkins announced that prominent capital markets partner Byron Rooney will join the firm, along with partner Dan Gibbons, who has already joined. Rooney will serve as Global Vice Chair of the firm’s Capital Markets Practice.
Rooney and Gibbons are joining Latham from Davis Polk & Wardwell. Their addition is expected to strengthen Latham’s capital markets platform in the U.S. and globally, particularly across fintech, digital assets, aerospace and defense, financial services, technology, and other innovation-driven sectors.
The partners advise late-stage private companies, public companies, investment banks, and other market participants on a wide range of general corporate and securities matters. Their work includes capital-raising transactions, public company disclosure, corporate governance, IPOs, direct listings, private placements, and other equity offerings.
Rooney and Gibbons also advise on investment-grade, high-yield, and convertible debt offerings. Their experience adds further depth to Latham’s Capital Strategies offering, which spans banking and finance, capital markets, hybrid capital, liability management, private credit, and restructuring.
Latham said the hires reflect its continued strategy of adding elite talent in New York and globally for clients’ most sophisticated matters. The firm emphasized the partners’ boardroom experience, sector knowledge, and record advising on marquee capital markets transactions.
Rooney received his LLM from Boston University School of Law, his BCom from Bond University, and his LLB from Bond University Faculty of Law in Australia. Gibbons received his JD from New York University School of Law and his BS from George Washington University.
Latham’s Capital Markets Practice is widely recognized for advising issuers, private equity investors, and investment banks across major global financial centers. The firm said it helps clients raise billions of dollars each year through a broad range of securities products.
In 2025, Latham ranked as the #1 U.S. IPO combined issuer and underwriter legal advisor by deal value and deal count. The firm was also the #1 advisor for U.S. IPOs across major industries, including technology, energy, financial services, retail, and insurance.
Latham said it continued to lead the market as the #1 U.S. IPO advisor by deal count through the first half of 2026, based on Deal Point Data for traditional IPOs exceeding $75 million in gross proceeds.
The firm also highlighted its leadership in fintech and digital assets. Latham said more than 1,000 lawyers were engaged in fintech matters in 2025, supporting clients across transactions, disputes, product development, and regulatory issues shaping global finance.
Latham is ranked Band 1 for Fintech Legal in the U.S., U.K., Germany, and UAE by Chambers Fintech 2026. The firm is also ranked Tier 1 for Fintech in the U.S., U.K., and Hong Kong by Legal 500 2026.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are delighted to welcome Byron and Dan to our firm. They are among a small group of leading practitioners operating at the top of the market. Adding partners with their cutting-edge expertise and standout market profile marks another significant and exciting milestone for our singular platform. Their boardroom experience and track record of excellent client service will greatly enhance our already dominant position as the premier capital markets firm, while expanding our leadership in advising clients navigating increasingly complex and technology-driven markets.”
Rich Trobman, Chair and Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins
“We are deeply committed to being the destination firm in New York and globally for clients’ most sophisticated matters. We’ve been adding tremendous talent to our practice, and Byron and Dan are another powerful testament to the success of our strategy. Their track record of advising on marquee capital markets transactions, combined with their deep sector knowledge spanning financial services, technology and digital assets, creates a uniquely powerful offering for clients and will be highly accretive to our firm.”
Marc Jaffe, Managing Partner of Latham’s New York Office
“The addition of Byron and Dan further cements our clear market leadership as the only firm with a fully integrated offering spanning the entire capital spectrum and the strategic advisor for the most sophisticated market participants. This combination of scale and excellence – with elite talent across every segment of the capital structure, an unrivaled regulatory platform, and the deepest relationships with both corporates and capital providers – cannot be replicated, and the addition of partners of this caliber further solidifies our status as the premier destination for both the market’s top talent and clients.”
Stelios Saffos, Global Co-Chair of Latham’s Capital Markets and Public Company Representation Practices, Global Chair of the Hybrid Capital Practice, and Leader of the Capital Strategies Group
“As our market leadership continues to expand across our platform generally, we fully expect to continue to attract the very best talent looking to achieve a similar level of strategic partnership with clients. This is a deliberate focus for Latham, and the addition of Byron and Dan is another important step as we continue to press our significant competitive advantage across the capital landscape.”
Ian Schuman, Global Co-Chair of Latham’s Capital Markets and Public Company Representation Practices and Leader of the Capital Strategies Group
