Matthew Monteith and Latonia Williams Named New Leaders in the Law

Matthew J. Monteith and Latonia C. Williams have been named New Leaders in the Law by the Connecticut Law Tribune, which honors attorneys under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to the legal profession.

Matthew Monteith is a partner in the firm's Business and Finance Practice Group, where he has a broad transactional practice. He represents venture capital and private equity firms in connection with portfolio company investments, acquisitions and dispositions and other debt and equity financings. Mr. Monteith regularly helps to form, finance and advise high-growth companies in the software, mobile application, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, cybersecurity, consumer products and financial services industries through all stages of their growth. In addition, he represents commercial banks, mezzanine lenders, other senior and junior lending institutions, as well as corporate borrowers, in connection with complex commercial finance transactions including term and revolving credit facilities, asset-based financings, acquisition and equipment financings and mezzanine debt transactions. Prior to joining Shipman & Goodwin, Mr. Monteith spent a year at Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, the State of Connecticut's venture capital fund focused on technology investing and innovation, where he assisted in structuring, negotiating and closing portfolio company investments. From 2013 to 2018, Mr. Monteith was listed by Connecticut Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in the area of Business/Corporate Law. In addition to his practice, he serves on the Hartford Chapter Board of Directors of Crossroads Venture Group, and frequently presents on entity formation, convertible debt, preferred equity and commercial lending issues. Mr. Monteith also actively serves on the Board of Directors of Vista Life Innovations, an organization supporting individuals with special needs, and tutors students at Fred D. Wish Museum School.

Latonia Williams is a partner and commercial litigator with a focus on bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, and has achieved success in numerous high-profile matters. She represents secured and unsecured lenders, insurance companies, equipment lessors, health care businesses and franchisors. She represents creditors in all aspects of bankruptcy proceedings throughout the United States, including defending against avoidance actions brought by debtors and trustees. In addition, Ms. Williams advises clients on a variety of debtor-creditor disputes outside of bankruptcy in Connecticut federal and state courts. She also counsels clients on breach of contract actions, commercial mortgage foreclosures and landlord-tenant actions. From 2013 to 2018, Ms. Williams has been listed by Connecticut Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in the areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights. She has regularly attended the Corporate Counsel Conference of the National Bar Association’s Commercial Law Section, and served as Chief of Staff to the Chair of the 27th Annual Conference. She previously served as Secretary of the Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court; as a member of the Board of Directors of the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association from 2011 through 2014, including service as Vice President in 2013-2014; and mentored numerous law students through the Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity Mentor Program. Ms. Williams was selected as a James W. Cooper Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation in 2018. She has served as a member of the Board of the Hartford County Bar Association since 2017 as well as its C.A.R.E. Committee . She has also served on the Board of the Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut since 2015, and has been an active volunteer through that organization’s Pro Bono Security Deposit Clinic and Pro Bono Family Law Clinic.