Latham & Watkins has hired Frank Monaco as a partner in its New York office, adding an insurance-focused transactional and regulatory lawyer to the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Practice. Monaco advises insurers and reinsurers on complex deals and regulatory issues, with a particular emphasis on reinsurance transactions involving the transfer of large blocks of business.
Latham said Monaco’s arrival bolsters its ability to counsel insurance-sector clients as regulatory considerations play a growing role in insurance company acquisitions, restructurings, and de novo formations. Marc Jaffe, managing partner of Latham’s New York office, said Monaco brings “sophisticated insights” that strengthen Latham’s ability to deliver integrated advice across the insurance business life cycle.
Monaco’s practice spans insurance and reinsurance M&A, block and flow reinsurance transactions, pension risk transfer transactions, and reserve financings. His work also includes advising on collateral structures and navigating insurance regulatory regimes, including considerations under the Insurance Holding Company Act and licensing issues. In addition to representing carriers, Monaco counsels private equity and private credit funds and asset managers on establishing or capitalizing reinsurance vehicles—an area that has become increasingly active as alternative capital continues to target insurance balance sheets and annuity-related strategies.
For his part, Monaco said Latham’s corporate insurance team offers the “scale and sophistication” to match client ambitions, pointing to the firm’s integrated capabilities across private equity, insurance, capital markets, and large-ticket insurance M&A.
The move is the latest in a series of New York corporate partner additions for Latham this month. Monaco is the third partner announced in January as joining the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Practice in New York, following the previously announced arrivals of sports M&A and private equity partners Matthew Eisler and Russell Hedman.
Monaco joins Latham from Clifford Chance. He earned his JD from Fordham University School of Law and his BA from Trinity College.
KEY QUOTES:
“Frank is a terrific addition to Latham’s premier corporate insurance team, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the New York office. He brings sophisticated insights that meaningfully enhance Latham’s ability to offer fully integrated advice to clients across the life cycle of insurance businesses.”
Marc Jaffe, Office Managing Partner, Latham & Watkins (New York)
“Frank’s experience structuring, negotiating, and navigating reinsurance arrangements perfectly complements Latham’s existing top-tier insurance M&A capabilities within our #1-ranked global M&A and private equity practice. His arrival strengthens our ability to advise corporate, private equity, and financial institution clients on their most significant matters with unparalleled expertise.”
Alex Kelly, Global Co-Chair, Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Practice, Latham & Watkins
“Latham’s world-class corporate insurance team offers the scale and sophistication to match clients’ ambitions. The firm’s integrated practice, with incredible strength spanning private equity, insurance, capital markets, and large-ticket insurance M&A transactions, and so much more, offers a tremendous and unique opportunity in the market.”
Frank Monaco, Partner, Latham & Watkins
