Key Takeaways
- • Latham & Watkins hired Patrick Hennessy as a partner in its London real estate practice, recruiting him from Gibson Dunn after eight years at the firm, including more than four years as partner.
- • Hennessy specializes in advising private equity firms and investment funds on corporate real estate and real estate private equity transactions across the UK, Europe, and Asia.
- • The hire strengthens Latham's real estate private equity platform and represents the firm's second recent partner addition to its London real estate office, following two partner arrivals from A&O Shearman earlier in 2026.
- • This lateral move reflects competitive talent dynamics in the London legal market, where major firms continue to build specialized practices in high-demand practice areas like private equity real estate advisory.
Summary
Latham & Watkins has recruited Patrick Hennessy as a partner in its London real estate practice, marking a significant lateral hire from Gibson Dunn. Hennessy, who spent eight years at Gibson Dunn with more than four years in partner status, brings substantial expertise in advising private equity firms and investment funds on real estate transactions and corporate real estate matters.
Hennessy's practice encompasses transactions across the UK, Europe, and Asia, positioning him as a key addition to Latham's expanding real estate capability. According to multiple sources, the hire is described as further strengthening Latham's real estate private equity platform as the firm continues to build what it characterizes as a premier real estate practice in London.
The Hennessy recruitment follows Latham's addition of two real estate partners from A&O Shearman earlier in 2026, indicating a sustained investment in the London real estate practice. These successive hires underscore the competitive market for specialized real estate partners in the London legal sector, particularly those with deep private equity transaction experience. The concentration of partner hires within a six-month window suggests Latham is executing a deliberate strategy to consolidate market position in real estate advisory services targeting alternative asset managers and investment funds.
Hennessy's practice encompasses transactions across the UK, Europe, and Asia, positioning him as a key addition to Latham's expanding real estate capability. According to multiple sources, the hire is described as further strengthening Latham's real estate private equity platform as the firm continues to build what it characterizes as a premier real estate practice in London.
The Hennessy recruitment follows Latham's addition of two real estate partners from A&O Shearman earlier in 2026, indicating a sustained investment in the London real estate practice. These successive hires underscore the competitive market for specialized real estate partners in the London legal sector, particularly those with deep private equity transaction experience. The concentration of partner hires within a six-month window suggests Latham is executing a deliberate strategy to consolidate market position in real estate advisory services targeting alternative asset managers and investment funds.
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