The Legal 500

Within Equity capital markets: UK capability, tier 6

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld retains a depth of expertise in the energy sector, and is active in emerging markets, particularly Russia. Sebastian Rice recently advised Max Petroleum on a $75m cash placing.

Within M&A: lower mid-market, £50m-£250m, tier 4

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld’s emerging markets capabilities earned it a place on some of the most significant transactions of 2010, including VimpelCom’s combination with Weather Investments. Headed by Steve Blakeley, the team also advised on a 50:50 joint venture between Bridas Energy and CNOOC on its acquisition of a 60% stake in Pan American Energy worth $7.1bn.

Within M&A: US law capability, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a third tier firm,

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld is praised for its ‘commercial and flexible approach’, with Doug Glass and Dan Walsh both recommended. It has an ever-strengthening reputation for acting on some of the largest deals coming out of Russia, and acted for VimpelCom on its combination with Weather Investments.

Within Private equity: transactions , tier 7

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld was recently bolstered by the arrival of Greg Hammond from White & Case LLP.

Within Commercial litigation Commercial litigation

Within International arbitration, tier 6

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld’s London group was established in 2009 when the firm hired Linklaters LLP’s energy disputes head Justin Williams to head the new practice. In 2010 the practice recruited partner Michael Stepek and counsel Matthew Parish from Hogan Lovells International LLP. The team represented VimpelCom in defending ad hoc proceedings in London commenced by its shareholder Telenor, which claims pre-emption rights in relation to shares to be issued by VimpelCom under a $20bn M&A transaction. Williams ‘gives honest advice about how to win an arbitration’.

Within Overview,

US firms, which generally fare better in the international arbitration ranking than in the litigation tables, are intent upon growing their London dispute resolution practices. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld launched its London team in September 2009 when it recruited Linklaters LLP’s energy disputes head Justin Williams; and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP hired Olswang’s litigation head Martin Davies and Alex Gerbi, as well as Robert Hickmott from CMS Cameron McKenna LLP. Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP recently took on DLA Piper UK LLP’s Julian Stait and Tom Canning.

Within Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans , tier 5

Fred Heller at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has a ‘very commercial and practical’ approach, and advises a strong corporate client base including leading Russian telecoms operator OJSC Vimpel Communications.

Within Debt capital markets, tier 6

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld’s Robert Aulsebrook and Fred Heller count Lukoil Finance among their issuer clients. The ‘professional and hardworking’ Alexander Lemke advises Alfa Bank.

Within Investment funds, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a second tier firm,

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld is a powerful transatlantic presence, with the London office handling fund formation and reorganisations for major private equity and hedge fund clients including Carlyle, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc and Polygon. The team is ‘generally excellent across sectors – the real strength is the practicality of advice’. David Billings, a US-qualified attorney, heads the practice and is highly recommended. Simon Thomas displays ‘excellent all-round knowledge, with a practical point of view’.

Within Oil and gas, tier 4

At Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Douglas Glass heads a team that has ‘rich and in-depth knowledge of the industry’, with Gregory Hammond noted for his ‘invaluable market knowledge’. The firm advised Bridas Corporation on its $7.1bn acquisition of a 60% interest in Pan American Energy from BP.