Latham & Watkins Bolsters London Banking Practice with Private Credit Partner Appointments

Latham & Watkins Bolsters London Banking Practice with Private Credit Partner Appointments

Latham & Watkins has strengthened its London banking practice by acquiring two private credit partners from Akin Gump.

Fergus Wheeler and Paul Yin have joined Latham & Watkins after each having a tenure of less than a year at Akin Gump. Before joining Akin Gump, they served as partners in the debt finance team at White & Case. Their practice involves providing counsel to international private credit funds, direct lenders, banks, private equity sponsors, and corporate borrowers on complex debt financing issues, with a specific emphasis on private credit transactions.

Stephen Kensell, the managing partner of Latham's London office, expressed delight in welcoming Fergus and Paul to the firm.

“Their knowledge and experience of private credit is complementary to our existing capabilities in London, and their arrival will add depth to our practice,” Kensell said.

With extensive experience covering large-cap and mid-market transactions, Fergus Wheeler and Paul Yin are recognised as prominent Holdco financing lawyers in London. Their expertise extends to advising on a comprehensive range of financing matters, including acquisition financing, rescue financing, restructurings, liability management solutions, and cross-border special situations lending.

Additionally, they possess in-depth knowledge of junior capital investment, including private high-yield and preferred equity financings.

Joining Latham's London banking practice, Wheeler and Yin will be part of a team of over 35 partners, including renowned practitioners such as Kensall, Dominic Newcomb, and Jayanthi Sadanandan. This team consistently advises debt funds on complex transactions within the European leveraged finance market. Chambers and Partners has recognised their expertise, commending their ability to provide insightful counsel on a margin loan financings, tailored finance solutions such as PIK loans, term loan B facilities, and hybrid investments.

“Private credit funds are playing an increasingly important role in Europe. Over the years we have invested significantly in building a preeminent practice and few firms can match Latham’s breadth of expertise across leveraged finance, private credit and private equity. Their experience in the private credit and debt finance arena will bring added strength to our team in London and globally,” Dan Seale, global chair of Latham’s banking practice said.