Latham & Watkins Added Partner to Litigation Practice
The firm expanded its Washington complex commercial litigation team with a veteran legal expert.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in People
Latham & Watkins has added Greg Van Houten as a partner in its Washington office. He joins the firm to bolster its complex commercial litigation practice.
Why it matters
The hire reflects a strategic focus by large law firms on securing specialized legal talent to manage high-stakes commercial disputes. Such moves often shift the competitive landscape for businesses seeking counsel in complex litigation matters.
Latham & Watkins has added one partner to its Washington complex commercial litigation practice. This follows Van Houten’s prior tenure at Haynes Boone.
The players
Greg Van Houten
A legal partner specializing in complex commercial litigation with experience at Haynes Boone.
Latham & Watkins
A global law firm known for its large-scale corporate and commercial litigation practice.
The details
Greg Van Houten joins the firm as a partner specifically within the Washington office. His role focuses on complex commercial litigation, a practice area that involves managing high-stakes legal disputes and regulatory filings for corporate clients. This transition involves moving from his previous position at Haynes Boone to his current leadership role within the litigation practice.
Timeline
September 21, 2026: Latham & Watkins announced the hiring of Van Houten.
Market Landscape
This move follows the documented industry trend of major law firms aggressively recruiting lateral partners to strengthen specialized practice areas. It reflects a shift toward concentrating high-level legal talent in competitive regional hubs like Washington.
Operators currently engaged in complex commercial disputes should evaluate whether their legal representation remains aligned with their firm's evolving litigation needs. Keep a close watch on your counsel's capacity to handle specialized matters as top-tier firms shuffle their senior rosters.
The takeaway
Large firm partner shifts are a signal of where legal expertise is being concentrated. Monitor your external counsel's firm roster for similar movements that might affect the depth of the team assigned to your active litigation cases.
Further reading
For more on talent moves and leadership changes, visit the People section.
