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Latham & Watkins LLP is the world’s largest law firm by revenue. Latham currently employs approximately 2,000 attorneys in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.〔(ILRG Listing of the 250 largest law firms )〕 The firm was started in Los Angeles in 1934 and has extensive Californian roots, but Latham's largest office is now in New York City. The firm claims It is the only fully integrated global law firm with no one headquarters.〔lw.com ().〕 But other firms assert a similar status. For example, rival Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is "()rganized and operated as a single, integrated global partnership (rather than a U.S. firm with a network of overseas offices)."〔(CGSH )〕 Latham has historically been one of the most profitable law firms. In 2007, Latham & Watkins became the first American law firm to attain more than $2 billion in yearly revenue.〔Ashby Jones, ("Latham & Watkins Breaks $2 Billion Revenue Barrier" ), ''Wall Street Journal'', February 11, 2008.〕 In 2015, the firm surpassed the likes of DLA Piper, Baker & McKenzie and Skadden to become the largest law firm in the world by revenue for the first time. == History== Dana Latham and Paul Watkins founded Latham & Watkins in January 1934 in Los Angeles, California. Latham's practice focused on US state and federal tax law and he eventually served as Commissioner of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under President Dwight Eisenhower. Watkins' practise focused primarily on labor. Although Latham & Watkins began with a focus on labor and tax law, the firm has grown into an international, full-service law practice with highly regarded practices in transactional, disputes and regulatory areas.〔(Latham.com ), Retrieved May 19, 2010.〕 When Latham & Watkins was founded, the firm consisted of three attorneys. The firm grew slowly, and, in 1960, there were 19 attorneys. The firm grew significantly in the 1960s, increasing the attorney headcount to 46 in 1970.〔 In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Latham & Watkins utilized a system of internal committees to run the firm and allowed associates to participate in the majority of these committees. The Associates Committee was founded in 1971 and governs the career development of the firm's associates. The Associates Committee includes both associates and partners. Through this committee, Latham & Watkins includes associates in the promotion process. Associates are also involved in the Diversity Committee, Recruiting Committee, Pro Bono Committee and TACE (Training and Career Enhancement) Committee.〔 Jack Walker became the firm's managing partner in 1988 and set out to grow the firm. Latham & Watkins expanded into San Francisco, London, Moscow, Hong Kong and New Jersey. Bob Dell took over as managing partner in 1994 and remains in that position presently. Dell's tenure has been marked by the firm's international growth.〔 Dell will be retiring at the end of 2014, and will be succeeded by Bill Voge, a long time project finance partner at the firm. The firm's focus on corporate transaction and its dependency on financial services clients resulted in difficult trading conditions in 2008. In that year, profits declined and in early 2009, the firm laid off 190 lawyers and 250 staff members〔(Abovethelaw.com )〕〔(Typepad.com )〕〔(Typepad.com )〕 in the largest layoff up to that time by an American law firm.〔(WSJ.com blogs )〕 Such was the severity of the cuts that the term "Lathamed," which by its most polite definition means to be laid off, was coined.〔(How Did Latham Become the Poster Child for Layoffs? « Above the Law: A Legal Web Site – News, Commentary, and Opinions on Law Firms, Lawyers, Law Schools, Law Suits, Judges and Courts + Career Resources ). Abovethelaw.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-15.〕 By 2010 revenues and profits were roughly equivalent to the figures in 2008. The firm has returned to growth mode, opening new offices in Houston and Boston in 2010 and 2011, respectively. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Latham & Watkins」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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