Latham & Watkins, the US law firm, has recruited Bill Baker from the US Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) as a partner in its global securities litigation and professional liability practice.

Baker will join Latham & Watkins' securities litigation practice in Washington, DC, on February 18. He is the latest addition to the team, which was expanded last year through the hires of David Brodsky, a former general counsel for the Americas at Credit Suisse First Boston, with Laurie Smilan and Michele Rose as partners.