Latham boosts PE bench with dealmaker from White & Case

Latham & Watkins has hired private equity M&A partner Ross Allardice in London, extending a recent run of high-profile lateral hires by the US firm.

Allardice joins from White & Case, where he had been a partner since 2021. His career includes nearly a decade at Kirkland, followed by a first stint at White & Case, and then Dechert. He has extensive experience acting for European PE firm Nordic Capital, according to his White & Case profile.

Latham already boasts one of London’s top private equity practices. Notable mandates this year include advising long-time client TA Associates on its £570 million take-private of UK-listed FD Technologies, and acting for CVC on its investment in Dream Games, the mobile gaming company reportedly valued at almost $5 billion.

The move adds further momentum to Latham’s recent lateral activity in the City, following a period of exits from its leveraged finance team to Sidley.

In June, the firm added an 11-lawyer structured finance group from A&O Shearman, led by partners Franz Ranero and James Smallwood. Other recent additions include leveraged finance partner Hugh O’Sullivan, tax specialist Serena Lee and tech partner Sophie Goossens.

What they said

"Ross is an outstanding addition to our market-leading private equity M&A practice in London", said London managing partner Ed Barnett. "We’ve built one of the best private equity teams in the City and have fantastic momentum in the market."

Private equity partner Kem Ihenacho said: "Ross is an excellent fit for our practice both in London and globally. His track record in advising on large-cap LBO transactions strategically complements our leading capabilities, and his arrival marks another major milestone in the continued growth of our practice."