Latham & Watkins is pleased to announce that Nick Benson will be joining the firm’s London office as a partner in the private equity group. Benson joins Latham & Watkins from the private funds group at Weil Gotshal & Manges, where he advised sponsors and investors on all aspects of the establishment and operation of private equity, infrastructure and real estate funds.

Nick Cline, Latham & Watkins’ London Office Managing Partner, said: “We are delighted that Nick is joining us as we look to continue the growth of our office in 2014. Adding a private funds lawyer of Nick’s calibre is a natural extension for our market leading private equity practice and will also be a significant addition to our global funds team. Our private equity group now includes top-ranked lawyers in the transactional, funds, bank and bond practices as we continue to respond to clients’ demands for a truly full service, global, multi-disciplinary practice”.

“Latham is one of the world’s preeminent law firms. I am looking forward to leveraging its fantastic global platform to help grow the private funds practice at what is a really exciting time for the business,” said Benson.

“We are one of a select group of firms to offer market-leading private equity and finance teams in all major jurisdictions. Nick’s arrival further strengthens our credentials in London, a key market for our global private equity practice,” added Daniel Lennon, Global Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Corporate Department.

Benson is the fifth partner hire announced by Latham’s London office since May last year, following the appointments of Tom Evans, private equity partner at Clifford Chance; David Walker, former global head of private equity at Clifford Chance; Dean Naumowicz, former head of derivatives at Norton Rose Fulbright; and Simon Bushell, former co-chair of corporate fraud at Herbert Smith Freehills. The office now has 250 fee earners including 60 partners.

Nick received his LLB with French from the University of Birmingham in 1992 before completing his Law Society Finals at the College of Law in Chester a year later. He joined Weil Gotshal & Manges in 2011 having spent nearly a decade at Clifford Chance.