Freshfields' 'standout' M&A partner Sam Newhouse quits for Latham

Described by Ed Barnett, global vice chair of Latham’s M&A practice, as “one of the standout M&A lawyers of his generation in the City”, Newhouse had been with Freshfields for more than 16 years.

Newhouse regularly advises multinational companies, financial investors and financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, export credit agencies, and public sector bodies on a range of public and private M&A, joint ventures, divestments, refinancings, and reorganisations.  

He specialises in advising clients on big-ticket, cross-border transactions across the UK and US, and in emerging markets such as Africa and India. He also has significant experience advising company boards on a range of high-stakes activism, governance, and regulatory matters.

“Sam has a stellar track-record advising on market-shaping deals across a number of our core industries,” said Jay Sadanandan, office managing partner of Latham & Watkins in London. “His talents play to the firm’s global strengths, and his arrival represents another step-forward for our thriving London practice.”

Barnett added: “Sam’s experience, network and first-rate market reputation will significantly advance our ambitions in London and beyond. We are extremely excited to welcome him to our growing team.”

David Walker, global vice chair of Latham’s corporate department, said: “We have successfully grown our share of premium M&A work in New York, London, Europe, and Asia in recent years and are well positioned to support clients looking for an outstanding global platform and deal execution in multiple markets. Sam’s arrival marks another significant milestone in the continued growth and success of our practice.”

Meanwhile, Marc Jaffe, global chair of the firm’s corporate department, said: “Sam’s deep expertise, knowledge, and commercial instincts will be of tremendous value to our blue chip clients around the globe. His arrival will help us to further leverage the firm’s leading finance, capital markets, regulatory and M&A capabilities for enterprise-critical mandates in the world’s major markets.” 

Newhouse graduated from Oxford University and completed his LPC at BPP Law School, achieving a Distinction. He qualified as a solicitor of England & Wales in 2005.

Latham & Watkins global revenue totaled $3.4 billion in 2018.