“We are thrilled to welcome such accomplished capital markets practitioners to Latham,” said Marc Jaffe, Global Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Corporate Department. “Rick and Sarah’s arrival further demonstrates our commitment to growing our Bay Area practice, and their robust experience advising companies throughout their entire life cycle will be of tremendous value to our clients.”
Kline and Axtell bring formidable experience in the tech sector, representing a full range of corporate clients on a wide variety of matters, including company formations, venture financings, M&A transactions, capital markets deals, and corporate governance matters, as well as significant experience advising boards of directors. They have also represented a number of banks in securities transactions.
Tad Freese, Office Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins’ Silicon Valley office, added: “Rick and Sarah are highly regarded corporate lawyers with deep ties to the tech community in the Bay Area and beyond. I’ve had the pleasure of working across the table from them for many years, and I know our clients will be well served by their astute and commercially-minded counsel. We are laser focused on tech and life sciences as two engines driving the global economy, with the Bay Area as the epicenter of that innovation and growth. Adding partners with Rick and Sarah’s sophisticated range of experience, phenomenal sector knowledge, and entrepreneurial mindset will help advance our market leadership.”
“We are delighted to add Rick and Sarah to our exceptional capital markets bench around the globe,” said Ian Schuman, Global Chair of Latham’s Capital Markets Practice. “Rick and Sarah have an impressive track record advising on high-profile tech company IPOs and direct listings, as well as other complex securities offerings and corporate matters. They will be an asset to our company clients at every stage, from formation through IPO and life as a public company, as well as to the venture capital and investment banks that finance them.”
Kline said: “Latham’s vast resources across disciplines and industries, as well as the firm’s global platform, provide an exciting opportunity to scale with clients. I’m excited to join Latham’s premier capital markets and public company representation practices that are well-known for steering cutting-edge transactions and navigating the most complex legal and business challenges.”
Axtell added: “Latham’s capabilities and the strength of the firm’s team-oriented approach to client service will greatly benefit clients. I’m thrilled to join Latham’s leading capital markets practice and continue our shared focus on tech and innovation in the Bay Area and around the world.”
Kline received his JD from the University of Michigan Law School, BS from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and BA from the University of Pennsylvania. Axtell received her JD from the University of California, Berkeley and BS from Emory University.
