Latham & Watkins (London) LLP

‘Allying a broad set of capabilities with deep expertise in each area and a hyper-pragmatic, seasoned approach’, Latham & Watkins (London) LLP advises a diverse array of clients, from start-ups, global financial institutions, and investors, to big tech companies developing cutting-edge financial products. The multidisciplinary team combines regulatory, corporate, and technology expertise, supporting clients from inception to exit. The group handles major M&A, unicorn IPOs, and VC financings, as well as joint ventures, tech partnerships, and outsourcing agreements. As global co-chair of the fintech industry group, Stuart Davis leads regulatory strategy across digital assets, payment services, market infrastructure, and Web3. Described by clients as an ’exceptional lawyer who understands market dynamics‘, he is also co-chair of Global Digital Finance’s UK policy & regulatory working group, and works closely with the Payments Association and UK Finance. Christian McDermott advises on complex technology contracts and collaborations, particularly across the payments and platform space. Gabriel Lakeman, co-chair of the firm’s digital assets task force, advises on regulatory frameworks for cryptoassets, payments, and fintech platforms. Fiona Maclean brings in-depth expertise in cloud computing, AI, and data protection, with a focus on operational resilience in financial services outsourcing. Shing Lo — ’everything you would want in a bet-the-farm adviser’ — also comes recommended.