Leading Corporate Partner To Join Latham & Watkins in London

Latham & Watkins¹ is pleased to announce that Mark Austin will join the firm’s London office as a partner in the Capital Markets and Public Company Representation Practices. A recognized leader in his field, Austin has more than two decades’ experience advising prominent companies and investment banks on a variety of complex equity capital markets, M&A, and regulatory matters.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark to the firm,” said Stephen Kensell, Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins in London. “He brings a stellar reputation advising on some on the market’s most significant IPOs, and he will be a terrific fit for our strong and growing capital markets practice in London.”

Austin’s experience spans all types of public and private securities offerings, and he regularly counsels boards on a variety of general corporate governance and regulatory matters. He also works alongside company executives and industry leaders as an advisor on UK policy and regulatory issues.

This includes serving as the current Chair of the FCA’s Listing Authority Advisory Panel and as a member of the FCA’s Markets Practitioner Panel. He is also a member of the Capital Markets Industry Taskforce and of the London Stock Exchange’s Primary Markets Group. Austin previously advised Lord Hill on the UK Listing Review and in 2021 was appointed by the UK Government’s Chancellor of the Exchequer as the independent Chair of the UK Secondary Capital Raising Review, which reported to the Chancellor in July 2022.

“Mark’s formidable transactional expertise and sophisticated knowledge of UK policy and regulation will be of tremendous value to our global clients,” adds Charles Ruck, Global Chair of Latham’s Corporate Department. “His immense experience and deep connections to the City distinguish him as one of the UK’s foremost corporate partners, and his arrival will add significant additional firepower to our London and European practice.”

“Latham has established a pre-eminent global reputation advising issuers and underwriters on landmark IPOs and securities offerings in the US, Europe, and around the world,” said Ian Schuman, Global Chair of Latham’s Capital Markets and Public Company Representation Practices. “Mark’s unique expertise and in-depth knowledge of the UK market further enhances our transactional capabilities in London and globally. We are excited to welcome him to our market-leading global team.”

“We’ve worked with Mark on numerous high-profile deals over the years and he will be a great addition to our team,” added James Inness, a London-based partner and member of the Capital Markets and Public Company Representation Practices. “His expertise complements our existing capabilities perfectly and he will play a key role in the continued growth and success of our practice in the City.”

About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins delivers innovative solutions to complex legal and business challenges around the world. From a global platform, our lawyers advise clients on market-shaping transactions, high-stakes litigation and trials, and sophisticated regulatory matters. Latham is one of the world’s largest providers of pro bono services, steadfastly supports initiatives designed to advance diversity within the firm and the legal profession, and is committed to exploring and promoting environmental sustainability.

Notes to Editors

¹Latham & Watkins operates worldwide as a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (USA) with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and as an affiliated partnership conducting the practice in Japan. Latham & Watkins operates in Israel through a limited liability company, in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office, and in Saudi Arabia through a limited liability company.