William Hackett advises clients on private and public securities offerings, general company representation, and public reporting obligations.

William counsels a full spectrum of clients, from founders and newly public companies to global market leaders and their investors. He advises clients on their public reporting obligations, with a particular focus on beneficial ownership disclosure, as well as auditor independence and corporate governance matters in connection with: 

  • Initial public offerings
  • Follow-on offerings
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Day-to-day public company operations

He draws on extensive experience collaborating with deal teams to craft effective disclosure strategies. William regularly interacts with US Securities and Exchange Commission regulators, including the Office of the Chief Accountant. Consistent with Latham culture, William serves as an accessible and valuable resource to clients, providing guidance and insight to deal teams and colleagues across the firm.

William’s experience includes advising:

  • Airbnb on its US$3.83 billion IPO
  • BRE Properties on its US$16.2 billion merger with Essex Property Trust
  • Digital Realty Trust on multiple acquisition financings and securities offerings
  • Endeavor Group Holdings on its US$587 million IPO
  • General corporate governance clients
  • Global Infrastructure Management in connection with Enlink Midstream’s acquisition of a 78% stake in EnLink Midstream Partners
  • Life sciences clients in multiple at-the-market offerings 
  • OpenTable on its US$2.6 billion acquisition by The Priceline Group
  • Reddit in its US$748 million initial public offering
  • Vertex on its US$400 million IPO
  • Virgin Galactic and VIECO 10 on a business combination between Virgin Galactic and Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings, a special purpose acquisition company
  • Vroom on its US$535 million IPO

Bar Qualification

  • California
  • District of Columbia

Education

  • JD, Columbia University School of Law, 2012
    James Kent Scholar
  • BA, Middlebury College, 2009
    summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa