Latham & Watkins Bounce Back In 2010; Open Houston Office

After major layoffs in 2009, Latham and Watkins are reportedly expanding their operation to Houston. Bloomberg is reporting that lawyers recruited from Akin Gump and Baker Botts will head Latham’s new Houston outfit.

Coming from Akin Gump is Michael Dillard, who headed Akin’s energy and global transactions practice, and Sean Wheeler, who focused on representing investors and banks in energy-related equity and debt offerings.

The firm’s 2009 financial troubles took them from Vault’s 7^th most prestigious law firm in 2009 to the 17^th most prestigious law firm in 2010.

Latham and Watkins LLP is one of the largest law firms in the world, with a staff of around 2,000 attorneys, it has offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. While they were founded in Los Angeles in 1934, their largest office is currently located in New York City.