Trobman, Richard M.

Richard M. Trobman

Chair and Managing Partner

Richard Trobman, Chair and Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins, sets the firm’s global strategy and promotes a culture committed to success and exceptional client service.

Recognized by the Financial Times as one of the Most Innovative Leaders, Rich has been instrumental in Latham’s strategic growth as a leading global law firm. He has championed an ethos of partnership and set a clear strategic direction to be the destination firm for the world’s most sophisticated clients. Rich’s vision for disciplined growth is built on teamwork, competitive drive, entrepreneurial spirit, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Rich’s distinguished career at Latham, based in the New York and London offices, spans more than three decades. Widely recognized for his stand-out capital markets and M&A practice, Rich has advised prominent clients in complex, innovative transactions. He has also played a pivotal role in expanding the firm's global presence, while building a market-leading transactional practice.

Rich has served in several key leadership positions, joining the Executive Committee in 2014 and serving as the firm’s elected Chair and Managing Partner since 2018.

Leading industry publications including IFLR, The Legal 500 UK, and Chambers UK have consistently recognized Rich as one of the foremost capital markets lawyers. Private Equity International has described Rich as “the godfather of European high yield,” while Chambers has praised him as “an absolutely excellent lawyer.”

Rich draws on decades of experience advising investment banks, private equity firms and private capital providers, as well as companies through hundreds of billions of dollars worth of transactions, including: 

  • Public and private offerings of securities
  • Financings
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Restructurings

 

Rich has represented a range of sophisticated clients, including:

  • Advent
  • Bank of America
  • Barclays
  • BC Partners
  • BNP Paribas
  • Cinven
  • Citigroup
  • CVC Capital Partners
  • Deutsche Bank
  • EQT Partners
  • Goldman Sachs
  • GSO Capital Partners
  • JP Morgan
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Nordic Capital
  • Odyssey Partners
  • PAI Partners
  • Permira Advisers
  • The Carlyle Group  

Bar Qualification

  • California
  • England and Wales (Registered Foreign Lawyer)
  • New York

Education

  • JD, Northwestern University School of Law, 1991
  • BA, Bucknell University, 1988