Brad Kotler serves as Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins and a member of its Executive Committee. Prior to his election as Vice Chair, Brad was a finance partner in the Chicago office, where his practice focused on advising clients on complex credit financings. He regularly counseled both creditors — including major investment banks — and borrowers.

Brad’s practice consisted of structuring, negotiating, and documenting financings for acquisitions and working capital purposes, including:

  • Secured and unsecured term and revolving credit facilities
  • Tender-offer and second-step merger financings
  • Debtor-in-possession facilities
  • Large-cap and middle-market cash flow and asset-based loans (ABLs)
  • Islamic financings

Drawing on more than a quarter century of experience with innovative financings, Brad has consistently earned recognition from clients for his banking and finance work. Chambers USA quotes clients describing Brad as a “very knowledgeable, reasonable and good negotiator,” as well as someone who “responds quickly, provides good advice and understands and can separate legal versus business issues.” Chambers USA identifies him as an Eminent Practitioner: Banking and Finance.

Leadership

Brad has held multiple leadership positions with the firm. He previously served as the Managing Partner of the Chicago office, as Global Vice Chair of Latham’s Finance Department, as Local Department Chair for the Finance Department in Chicago, and as the Chicago office representative on the firm’s Pro Bono Committee, Recruiting Committee, and Women Enriching Business Committee. Brad previously served as the Co-Chair of the Board of Keshet, a not-for-profit organization providing educational, recreational, and residential services to special needs adults and children in Chicago.

Brad has significant experience in multi-jurisdictional and multi-currency finance transactions throughout the world. 

His banking clients include: 

  • Goldman Sachs
  • Deutsche Bank 
  • Bank of America, N.A. 

His representative work for borrowers includes advising:

  • Bass Pro Group, LLC 
  • Hyatt Hotels Corporation 
  • Koch Industries, Inc

Bar Qualification

  • Illinois
  • New York

Education

  • JD, Georgetown University Law Center, 1995
  • BBA, Emory University, 1992