About the Firm
Built to Pursue Justice
Latham and Watkins partners with government agencies, prosecutors, and enforcement bodies to investigate fraud, build airtight cases, and hold wrongdoers accountable — at every level of the legal system.
1934
Founded
30+
Offices
14
Countries
3,000+
Attorneys
Our History
Decades of Enforcement Excellence
Latham and Watkins was founded on the conviction that the law's most important function is accountability. From our earliest days, the firm built deep relationships with federal and state enforcement agencies, developing a practice centered on fraud investigation, regulatory enforcement, and criminal prosecution support.
Over the decades, our attorneys have worked alongside the Department of Justice, the SEC, the FBI, and a broad range of regulatory bodies — contributing legal strategy, evidentiary analysis, and courtroom advocacy to some of the country's most consequential enforcement actions. Our Washington, D.C. office has long served as the firm's hub for government-facing work.
Today, the firm operates across more than 30 offices in 14 countries, bringing the same enforcement-first philosophy to cross-border fraud, financial crime, and regulatory matters worldwide. Whether the matter begins with a government referral or a private client's need for defense, our team is built to handle it at the highest level.
Our Values
What We Stand For
Government Partnership
We work alongside federal and state agencies — not against them. Our attorneys understand how enforcement bodies operate, what they need, and how to build cases that hold up in court.
Fraud Prosecution Expertise
From financial fraud and securities violations to healthcare fraud and public corruption, our team has the investigative depth and prosecutorial experience to pursue complex fraud matters to resolution.
Integrity in Every Engagement
Our reputation is built on candor and rigor. We tell clients and agency partners what they need to hear, and we stand behind every position we take — in court and out of it.
Global Reach, Local Judgment
Cross-border fraud demands cross-border capability. Our international network gives enforcement partners and clients access to attorneys who understand the laws, regulators, and enforcement cultures of every major jurisdiction.
Recognition
Recognized by the Institutions That Matter
Chambers Global
2024
"Consistently ranked among the elite global law firms for white-collar crime, government investigations, and regulatory enforcement."
Financial Times
2024
"Named to the FT Innovative Lawyers list for the sixth consecutive year, recognized for transformative work in enforcement and compliance."
The American Lawyer
2024
"Ranked in the Am Law 100 for over three decades, with particular recognition for the depth of its government investigations practice."
IFLR1000
2024
"Top-tier rankings across fraud enforcement, financial crime, and regulatory practices in every major jurisdiction."
Ready to work together?
Whether you are a government agency building a fraud case, a regulator pursuing enforcement action, or an organization navigating a complex investigation, our team is ready to help.