Latham makes up second litigator in London

Latham & Watkins has promoted seven new lawyers to the partnership, including one in London.

New London partner John Colahan, who previously held counsel status at the firm, focuses on competition and regulatory law, representing clients before the European Commission and national authorities and conducting litigation in national and the European courts.

He is the second City litigator to be promoted after former associate Omar Shah was promoted on 1 January along with corporate associate Luke Grubb (The Lawyer, 22 November 2007).

The seven counsel promoted to the partnership plus the 29 associates promoted to the partnership on 1 January mean the firm has made up 36 lawyers this year.

Latham chairman and managing partner Robert Dell said: "These attorneys' industry expertise and client-service skills further strengthen our capability. Of equal importance, they share Latham's commitment to maintaining the collaborative culture of our firm."

The 36 partnership promotions mark a significant increase on last year's total of 30 made up, though this was itself a significant decline on the 37 promotions the year before.

However the firm would not disclose which partners were full equity.

The seven new partners are effective from 1 April, and number four in corporate, two in litigation and one in environment.

Also promoted in litigation is Finn Zeidler in Frankfurt, who specialises in capital markets work.

In the corporate team in the USA, the firm's Orange County office saw the promotion of David Allen, who focuses on general corporate and securities, while Silicon Valley saw the promotion of Nicholas O'Keefe, who specializes in representing emerging growth companies.

Elsewhere in corporate, Christopher Allen, who focuses on transactional work, was promoted in Moscow, while Eugene Lee, who focuses on corporate and securities, was promoted in Hong Kong.

Lastly in Orange County again, Christopher Norton was made a partner in the environment, land & resources team.