Latham & Watkins has expanded its global real estate practice and interdisciplinary data center team with the addition of Kaila Sergent as a partner in its Los Angeles office.
Sergent joins from DLA Piper and brings extensive experience advising on high-value commercial real estate transactions, with a particular focus on data center leasing, development, acquisitions, and dispositions. Her work spans a wide range of asset classes, including industrial, life sciences, healthcare, office, multifamily, hospitality, retail, student housing, and senior housing.
Her data center expertise includes large-scale campus developments, powered shell and build-to-suit projects, as well as multi-jurisdictional portfolio transactions. The hire reflects Latham’s continued investment in data centers as a key growth area within real estate, as demand for digital infrastructure continues to accelerate globally.
Sergent’s arrival follows the addition of another data center-focused partner, Michael Rechtin, who joined the firm in 2025, further strengthening the firm’s capabilities in complex real asset transactions.
She earned her JD from the University of California, Davis School of Law and her BA from the University of California, Berkeley.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are delighted to welcome Kaila to our Los Angeles office, where she joins an outstanding team. Her track record advising on a range of high-value commercial real estate transactions, combined with her deep expertise in data center leasing and development, will be of tremendous value to clients both in California, nationally, and globally. Kaila’s practice and collaborative approach to client service perfectly complements the high-end, sophisticated transactional work happening here in California.”
Jeff Bjork, Managing Partner of Latham’s Los Angeles Office
“Kaila brings to Latham one of the most important skill sets in today’s real estate market, a deep understanding of data center leasing and development. As data centers continue to represent a significant market opportunity for the foreseeable future, Kaila’s arrival reinforces our ability to deliver comprehensive solutions to clients navigating this rapidly evolving asset class. Her addition underscores Latham’s status as the premier firm for data center and other complex real assets transactions.”
Hilary Strong, Global Vice Chair of Latham’s Real Estate Practice
“Latham’s global platform and market position in data center transactions represents an extraordinary opportunity to serve clients at the highest level. The firm’s comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to data center transactions creates an ideal environment to grow my practice. I am excited to join Latham’s exceptional team and contribute to the continued development of the firm’s leading data center group while helping to grow the firm’s Real Estate Practice on the West Coast.”
Kaila Sergent, Partner at Latham & Watkins
