Latham recruits Hg general counsel to bolster London private equity team

Latham & Watkins has hired Hg general counsel Samantha McGonigle as a partner in London, continuing the US firm's recent run of technology-focused hires into its M&A and private equity practice.

McGonigle joined buyout firm Hg, known for its focus on software deals, as general counsel in 2024 after a year as a partner at Paul Hastings. Before that, she spent nearly 12 years at Weil, where she made partner in 2013 before leaving six years later to co-found a growth equity firm focused on technology companies.

She advises private equity sponsors on leveraged buyouts, M&A, minority investments and strategic transactions, with a particular focus on technology and software businesses.

Tech push

The move deepens Latham's relationship with longstanding client Hg while adding a lawyer with experience on both the sponsor and private practice sides of the market.

It also extends a run of technology-focused hires for the firm in London.

In May, Latham recruited Morrison Foerster's former London managing partner Andrew Boyd alongside technology M&A partners Gary Brown and Luke Rowland. Brown previously served as co-head of MoFo's European M&A practice.

The firm followed that up in June with the hire of Travers Smith technology and IP partner Richard Offord.

London managing partner Ed Barnett said McGonigle's arrival would further strengthen the firm's sponsor-side capabilities in London, describing her as a "widely respected, dynamic dealmaker" with experience across large and mid-market private equity transactions.

McGonigle said that having worked in-house she understood the importance of advisers who appreciate clients' wider commercial objectives.

"Having worked closely with external counsel from the client side, I know how important it is to have advisers who understand the broader context and commercial objectives of today's transactions," she said.

“Latham's global M&A and private equity platform is second to none, and I'm excited to join the team and help clients achieve their strategic goals."