Latham & Watkins has expanded its investment funds practice in Houston, hiring new corporate partner Ivana Rouse from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.

Rouse is the third Big Law partner Latham has hired in Houston this year. She follows oil and gas finance partner Trevor Wommack, who came from Vinson & Elkins, and M&A partner Jonathan Castelan, who made the move from Kirkland & Ellis.

Rouse does work for a range of private funds, including private equity funds focused on energy, credit and midmarket companies, as well as cryptocurrency funds and hedge funds. She focuses much of her practice on advising fund sponsors with regard to fundraising and internal operations, but has worked on a number of special funds, including funds that monetize pharmaceutical royalties.

Rouse said she moved five years ago from Akin Gump's Dallas office to start a funds practice in Houston.

Kathleen Walsh, global vice chairwoman of Latham's corporate department, wrote in a press release that the number of Houston-based private equity funds has increased in the last few years, and Rouse's experience in the market benefits the firm's client base while also boosting its national and international investment funds capabilities.

Tim Fenn, managing partner of the Houston office, said Rouse's track record in investment funds provides an “incredible anchor” for the team in Houston. “Her sophisticated experience and legal skills will help clients take advantage of the high-growth opportunities in the energy sector,” Fenn said in a statement.

Rouse, who joined Latham on Tuesday, said she was attracted to the firm's global network of offices, which will provide her with opportunities to grow and diversify her practice. She declined to identify her clients.

“The Houston team here is incredibly talented and has a great reputation locally. If I'm going to be working in Houston and building a private equity practice in the energy space, Latham was the firm I needed to go to,” she said.

A spokesman for Akin Gump, when asked for a comment on Rouse's departure, said in a statement: “We wish Ivana all the best in her future endeavors.”

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Further Reading:

Latham Adds Houston Oil & Gas Finance Partner from V&E