Spencer B. Ricks

Enko, the crop health company, has announced a US$70 million Series C funding round, bringing the company's overall capital raised to date to US$140 million. Global agrochemical company Nufarm led the round as part of an expanded partnership to bring innovative products to their core markets. Latham & Watkins LLP represents Enko in the financing with a Boston-based corporate team led by partners Kristen Grannis and Spencer Ricks, with associate Andrew Rondeau.~~

Jul 28

1 min

Divert Inc., a leading impact technology company on a mission to Protect the Value of Food™, has announced a US$1 billion infrastructure development agreement with Enbridge Inc. (NYSE: ENB) (Enbridge), solidifying the company’s leadership in solving the wasted food crisis and delivering on its mission to decarbonize the food value chain and combat climate change. The transformative $1 billion infrastructure agreement will support the development of wasted food to renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities across North America. In addition, Divert secured US$80 million in growth equity from Enbridge along with US$20 million from current investor Ara Partners. Latham & Watkins LLP advised Divert on both transactions. The deal team was led by Washington, D.C. partner Paul Hunt, Boston partner Spencer Ricks, and Houston partners Justin Stolte and Jim Cole, with San Diego counsel Achraf Farraj, Boston associates Erik Thompson, Claire Bradford Di Caro and Jake Hummer, New York associate Annelise Karreman, Houston associate Andrea Herman, and Washington, D.C. associate James Lim.~~

Mar 3

1 min

Invetx, Inc., a pioneer in protein-based therapeutics for animal health, has announced that it has agreed to be acquired by Dechra Pharmaceuticals Limited (Dechra), an international veterinary pharmaceuticals business, for up to US$520 million in total consideration on a cash-free and debt-free basis. The acquisition remains subject to antitrust approval and other customary closing conditions. Latham & Watkins LLP represents Invetx in the transaction with a corporate deal team led by Boston/New York partner Kristen Grannis, Boston partner Spencer Ricks, and Boston counsel Gloria Ring, with associates Andrew Rondeau and Christine Kalpin. Advice was also provided on benefits and compensation matters by Boston partner Josh Friedman, with associate Tessa Young; on tax matters by Bay Area partner Grace Lee, with associate Dennis Poehland; on antitrust matters by Bay Area partner Josh Holian and Washington, D.C. partners Ian Conner and Patrick English, with associate Ehson Kashfipour; on intellectual property matters by Boston partner Sarah Gagan and New York counsel Eliot Choy, with associate Arun Mohan; on data privacy matters by Bay Area partner Heather Deixler, with associate Mitch Bennett; on FDA regulatory matters by Washington, D.C. partner Elizabeth Richards, with associate Meryl Bartlett; and on EU regulatory matters by Brussels/Paris partner Eveline Van Keymeulen, with associate Jeanne Fabre.~~

Jul 19

1 min

The Political Asylum/Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project recognized Latham with its 2024 Pro Bono Asylum Award for the firm’s dedication to providing pro bono legal services to asylum seekers. Our lawyers have partnered with PAIR to provide counsel to asylum seekers and immigrants since 2001. We have also played an active role in PAIR’s Afghan Refugee Project, which was created to provide rapid assistance to Afghan asylum seekers following the fall of Kabul in 2021. “The work PAIR undertakes truly makes a profound, life-changing difference for asylum seekers and immigrants,” said partner Spencer Ricks, a member of the Boston office’s Pro Bono Committee. “We are honored to receive this award, and are proud of our enduring partnership with PAIR.” “PAIR has been an outstanding partner to work with and has allowed us to offer novel opportunities to our lawyers,” said associate Kiara Vaughn, who acts as a liaison between PAIR and the Boston office. “PAIR’s mentorship and guidance has expanded the pro bono opportunities available to myself and other corporate lawyers, making this meaningful work an important part of our practice.”~~

Jun 11

1 min

Artificial intelligence and machine learning-based technology company, Topsort, has announced that it has completed a Series A funding round. The round is led by Upload Ventures and returning seed round investors, Quiet Capital and Pear Ventures and values the company at US$150 million. Latham & Watkins LLP represents Topsort in the transaction with a corporate deal team led by Boston partner Spencer Ricks, with associates Naomi Smith and Mike Bevilacqua.~~

Mar 6

1 min