Thomas Nolan, Josh Hamilton Join Latham & Watkins

Photo of Tom Nolan by Hugh Williams.

February 22, 2017 - Latham & Watkins LLP is further expanding its litigation team in southern California, welcoming Thomas Nolan and Joshua Hamilton to the firm as partners in the Litigation & Trial Department of the Los Angeles and Century City offices. Nolan, a veteran litigator who is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading trial lawyers, and Hamilton, a highly skilled and recognized securities litigator and trial lawyer, are both well known for their impressive work in litigation and high-stakes trials.

Nolan, a former federal prosecutor and a distinguished leader of the bar, has developed a market-leading, national commercial litigation practice building on more than three decades of litigation work in California. A fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, he has been involved in many significant commercial trials in Los Angeles and New York for a generation. His diverse practice includes the full range of complex civil litigation matters. Nolan has also successfully represented clients in complex criminal and US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement matters.

Hamilton is an accomplished litigator of securities and complex disputes. He has served as a lead trial lawyer in a range of high-stakes disputes, representing public and private companies and their senior executives at trial and in securities class actions and shareholder derivative actions. Hamilton has also successfully led significant matters for financial institutions and investment funds in both the private equity and hedge fund industries. Hamilton frequently counsels clients on  litigation and regulatory proceedings initiated by the SEC and other government agencies. As part of his broad securities regulation experience, he represents special committees of boards of directors in internal investigations.

“We’re extremely pleased to welcome both a seasoned trial lawyer and one of the sharpest young litigators in the state,” said Jeffrey Greenberg, Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ Los Angeles and Century City offices. “Tom and Josh are both dynamic and experienced trial litigators who represent the determined and insightful counsel our litigation team offers clients.”

Jamie Wine, global Chair of the firm’s Litigation & Trial Department, said: “The arrival of these two top-notch trial lawyers — which follows Marvin Putnam joining the firm’s Century City office — marks another milestone in the continuing growth of our practice. Tom and Josh will complement our team well, offering keen commercial instincts, tested courtroom tenacity, impeccable judgment and sound negotiation skills.”

Marvin Putnam, local Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation & Trial Department, added: “We’re building a litigation force to be reckoned with in Southern California to add to our elite US practice. Tom and Josh add further depth and dynamism to the firm’s trial-ready team at a time of rapid market change. We have the wind at our back and are excited by the opportunities to build the unequalled, market-leading practice in Southern California and nationally.”

Nolan said: “I am delighted to be joining Latham & Watkins’ exceptional team of litigators who consistently demonstrate the highest level of client service and who are fierce and accomplished advocates for their clients. With a dynamic and growing local litigation presence, the firm provides an ideal platform for me to continue to collaborate with talented colleagues across practices and offices who combine best-in-class legal acumen and business savvy.”

Hamilton said: “I am excited to be joining Latham’s phenomenal trial litigation team. I was particularly attracted to the firm’s collaborative culture and look forward to further building my practice in step with the securities and complex commercial litigation teams in California and nationally.”

Nolan joins Latham & Watkins from Skadden in Los Angeles. He received his undergraduate degree and his JD from Loyola University.

Hamilton joins Latham & Watkins from Paul Hastings in Los Angeles. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his law degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law.