Akin > Irvine, United States > Firm Profile

Akin > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 1

Akin‘s financial restructuring practice, operating out of New York, Washington, D.C., and Texas, is well known for representing companies, ad hoc groups, creditors’ committees, and investors in relation to high-profile, multi-billion-dollar restructurings. Practice co-head Ira Dizengoff has an excellent reputation for advising creditors’ and bondholder committees in major corporate restructurings, and also has considerable experience representing debtors in possession, post-petition lenders, and acquirers of distressed assets. Practice co-head Philip Dublin has worked on deals involving nearly $27 billion in liabilities in the past year, and has led teams representing debtors, secured term lenders, first and second lien lenders, bondholder groups, creditors’ committees, and DIP lenders. Michael Stamer has considerable experience representing creditors, lenders, and companies in both in- and out-of-court reorganizations, and has recently led teams representing bondholders, senior unsecured noteholders, and unsecured noteholders. Abid Qureshi focuses on litigation in corporate reorganizations, while Arik Preis has been at the forefront of the major opioid manufacturer restructurings. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Government > Government relations

Akin houses one of the largest government relations practices in the market, with deep bench of lawyers and non-lawyers advisors who have extensive experience in the political process. Especially active in representing clients in high-profile interactions with congressional committees, the executive branch and federal agencies, key areas of strength of the bipartisan group include tax, trade, healthcare, financial services, energy and environment. The group is also noted for its congressional investigations offering, having recently assisted various corporates and senior executives with high-profile inquiries into the January 6th riot and the Covid-19 crisis. Specialized in international trade and intellectual property matters, Brian Pomper is a leading international trade lobbyist. He oversees the public law policy group alongside Hunter Bates, who covers matters in the tax, healthcare, transportation, technology and financial services segments. Raphael Prober and Karen Christian jointly leads the congressional investigations team and have significant experience in both the public and private sectors. Arshi Siddiqui is noted for her political and private sector experience, serving as senior policy advisor to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and representing corporate clients before Congress and the executive branch.

International Trade > Customs, export controls and economic sanctions Tier 1

Demonstrating a ‘vast array of knowledge and experience’, Akin fields a destination international trade practice, which houses top-tier offerings in customs and import controls, and export controls and economic sanctions. In terms of the former, its ability to leverage the wider firm’s legislative and trade policy expertise is a significant differentiator in regards to advising on customs regulation and World Trade Organization (WTO) customs affairs. Lars-Erik Hjelm is a go-to customs expert and co-heads the customs group together with next-generation partner Suzanne Kane. On the export controls and economic sanctions front, the team routinely advises on high-stakes International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) investigations and compliance matters—notably, it has handled almost every single consent agreement issued by the Department of State for ITAR. Key names on the export controls side include high-profile specialist Kevin Wolf, who is a  former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, Los Angeles-based Shiva Aminian , and international trade co-heads Thomas J McCarthy and Jonathan Poling. The team’s growth was recently reflected in a flurry of partner promotions, including Kimberly Myers, and Alexis Guinan—both handle customs, export controls and economic sanctions. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

International Trade > Trade remedies and trade policy Tier 1

International trade powerhouse Akin fields one of the most comprehensive practices in the market. Equally adept at representing companies, industries, and foreign governments, the Washington DC-based group combines strong skill sets in trade policy and trade remedies with an extensive global footprint that takes in platforms in key trade centers in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The group is commended for possessing ‘the manpower to tackle larger cases’, recently evidenced by Matthew Nicely‘s representation of HMTX Industries, and more than 100 additional plaintiffs, in a major challenge to the US government’s Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods—among the largest group of related cases ever brought before the US Court of International Trade (CIT). Stephen Kho fronts the trade policy team and is advising the Consumer Technology Association on trade policy issues impacting the consumer electronics industry, including Section 301 tariffs in multiple jurisdictions and laws affecting supply chain management. The deep bench also draws on Bernd Janzen, who acts for US and foreign clients across a range of trade litigation matters, up-and-coming trade litigator Yujin Kim McNamara, and Hal Shapiro a former Senior Advisor for International Economic Policy at the National Economic Council.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Akin‘s team stands out for advising financial institutions and professionals from the financial sector in matters pertaining to issues such as insider trading and market manipulation. Under the leadership of James Benjamin and Michael Asaro in New York as well as Washington DC-based Charles Connolly, the practice has extensive experience defending corporates and individuals alike before governmental bodies and enforcement agencies. Cross-border work and FCPA-related cases are further areas of expertise for the team, which counts first director of the Division of Enforcement for the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Claudius Modesti, active in the firm’s DC office, among its key members.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 2

Akin handles domestic and cross-border transactions in the oil and gas, petrochemicals, liquefied natural gas, coal, utilities, renewable energy sectors, with a strong track record in high-end M&A and divestiture transactions. The team’s expertise extends to purchase and sale agreements, lease acquisition agreements, joint exploration and development agreements, mineral title issues, in addition to day-to-day operations. In the firm’s New York office, Zachary Wittenberg jointly leads the practice alongside Dallas-based Wesley Williams, who specializes in structuring transactions in the upstream and midstream oil & gas sectors. In Houston, John Goodgame assists clients in navigating M&A and joint ventures arising out of the energy sector. Dallas-based Jessica Hammons, who is an expert in securities M&A transactions in the upstream and midstream energy sectors, is another key contact in the group. David Sweeney left the firm in June 2023.

Industry focus > Education Tier 2

Led by Michael Vernick, based in Washington DC, the education practice at Akin regularly handles highly sensitive and complex matters involving policy issues, high-stakes internal investigations and litigation, as well as concerns related to sponsored research, education policy, Title IX obligations, and Title IV issues. The group is also active in cyber security and data issues, while Vernick has a strong reputation for handling clinical trials and foreign influence matters. Litigation specialist Anthony Pierce focuses his practice on large class actions, high-level employment law matters and investigations in the athletics sector. In New York, Estela Diaz handles investigations in relation to misconduct and is a credited Title IX investigator. Working closely with Vernick, DC-based counsel Marta Thompson has extensive experience representing institutes of higher education and academic medical centers in the regulatory and litigation space, including representing research institutions in False Claims Act investigations.

Industry focus > Native American law Tier 2

Based in Washington DC, Akin acts for Indian tribes across a myriad of issues with tribal sovereignty and self-sufficiency at its core. Practice head Donald R Pongrace has vast experience representing tribal clients in complex private and governmental negotiations and, most recently, acted as principal negotiator in addressing the Colorado River drought crisis on a Basin-wide basis. Drawing on previous experience working within tribal governments, Congress and the relevant federal agencies such as the Interior Department and National Indian Gaming Commission, the team is adept in advising tribal governments on sovereignty issues, economic development, and land and water rights settlements. Allison Binney, who previously served as chief counsel to the U.S Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is the key contact for land, tax, and gaming matters and routinely defends tribal government before tribal courts and federal agencies. Jason Hauter’s practice focuses on economic development and business entity formation and governance- prior to joining the firm, he served as in-house counsel for the Gila River Indian Community.

Investment fund formation and management > Alternative/hedge funds Tier 2

Start-up hedge funds frequently look to the investment funds department at Akin for the range of issues related to establishing themselves in the space. The firm also has a base of well-known funds and in 2022 saw increased work relating to co-investment opportunities. Leadership of the practice recently transferred to Barbara Niederkofler, whose broad investment funds practice includes notable expertise on the regulatory side, with an international perspective. William Wetmore rejoined the firm’s San Francisco office from an in-house hedge fund role in August 2022, and is again a lead contact for clients on transactional matters. Brian Daly is noted for compliance advice to quantitative and systematic firms and hedge funds, and John Hamilton advises sophisticated private fund managers on the formation and operation of hedge funds, private equity funds and credit funds. JP Bruynes is a strong choice of counsel for domestic and offshore hedge funds and hedge funds managers across structuring and formation, as well as transactional work. Unless otherwise noted, above named lawyers are based in New York. Stephen Vine has retired.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 2

San Francisco-based Natasha Kohne and Dallas-stationed Michelle Reed, co-heads of Akin’s data privacy team, advise clients from a range of industries, including retailers, data brokers, healthcare services, energy companies and private equity firms, on the full range of cyber law and data privacy mandates.  The pair have expertise in dealing with class action litigations, regulatory actions, law enforcement enquiries and incident response preparations. Kohne is also a key contact for global mandates, working on high profile cybersecurity projects in the Middle East. Jo-Ellyn Sakowitz Klein, in Washington DC, is the firm’s specialist on healthcare and life sciences data-related matters involving HIPAA and HITECH regulations. The team frequently provides federal policy advice to large defense contracts and global companies for the development of privacy issues. A cross-disciplinary approach with the litigation, white-collar, international trade and public law and policy teams is a key feature of the team.

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: transactional Tier 2

Akin is a key destination for financial institutions, mezzanine investors and private equity firms that wish to invest in film, television, music and videogames. The Los Angeles-based team is helmed by Chris Spicer ; he focuses his practice on financing and recently advised HPS Investment Partners on a complex FILO loan for a music rights catalogue purchase. Marissa Román Griffith ‘s diverse transactional experience encompasses negative pickups and slate co-financing agreements- in a recent highlight she represented Media Rights Capital in a suite of transactions including a high-value refinancing and distribution agreements. Alissa Miller frequently assists major production companies and financial institutions with high-level production arrangements, financings, and M&A, while Vanessa Roman specializes in entertainment financings and single project loans in particular; she is additionally well placed to advise on matters pertaining to streaming and virtual reality.

Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal)

Akin‘s practice routinely appears before federal and state appellate courts across the US. Highly regarded for its strength in IP, administrative law, health and labor law cases, the group also stands out at Supreme Court level for its expertise in headline-grabbing pro bono matters, particularly cases concerning human rights, Native Americans, LGBTQ+ issues and immigrant communities. Department head Pratik Shah is a former assistant to the Solicitor General and recently represented Antonio Arteaga-Martinez before the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) in a case concerning the rights of non-citizens in immigration detention. James E. Tysse‘s broad experience spans labor and employment, administrative, constitutional, energy and class action law; he recently scored a victory for the NFL before the 5th Circuit in a case concerning NFL players’ medical care. Other key names include Julius Chen, who has an emphasis on bankruptcy, IP and administrative law-related matters, and San Francisco-based Aileen McGrath, who was recently promoted to partner and possesses significant government-side experience following a former stint as co-chief of appellate litigation in the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 3

Akin is known for its expertise in representing leading financial institutions and public companies, including private investment funds, broker dealers, and public accounting firms in private litigation arising under the federal securities and commodities laws, as well as regulatory investigations. Practice head Stephen M. Baldini in New York and key partner Neal Marder in LA achieved a landmark victory for Eastman Kodak Company by securing a motion to dismiss a purported direct stockholder class action. Marder also represented Armistice Capital in a high-stakes securities fraud class action involving biotech firm Vaxart, which is working on oral vaccine technology, including an oral COVID-19 vaccine. New York-based Douglas Rappaport is acting for Inclusive Capital Partners Spring Master Fund in a case alleging that is aided and abetted in breach of fiduciary duty by officers and directors of Nikola Corporation who failed to prevent, intervene or ameliorate various allegedly false or misleading statements made by its former CEO. Scott Barnard and Michelle Reed in Dallas also play key roles in the practice. They both acted for former directors of FTS International and Chesapeake Energy in a securities class action arising from Chesapeake’s IPO.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 3

Akin ’s corporate: project finance & development team offers experience in the development, financing, acquisition and sale of renewable energy projects. The practice is co-lead by Houston-based Matt Kapinos, and New York’s Zachary Wittenberg and transactional lawyer Ikenna Emehelu, who joined the firm in January 2022 from Norton Rose Fulbright. Kapinos is recommended for his capability to handle all phases of drafting and negotiating energy project agreements, while Shariff N. Barakat in Washington D.C. is particularly well-versed in tax equity financing. Los Angeles-based Jeff Cohen, who was promoted to partner in January 2022, is equipped to handle the whole range of finance and investment matters.    

Government > Government contracts Tier 3

Frequently representing small and large contractors in the tech, aerospace and national security spaces, Akin covers procurement matters at local, state, federal and international levels. Recently, the group has handled a varied workload, spanning security clearance issues, False Claims Act investigation and litigation, M&A and intellectual property-related government contract matters and bid protests. Leading the team is Michael Vernick, who has significant experience in researching funding, investigations and compliance issues, with a focus on the education and life sciences sectors. Scott Heimberg is specialized in transactions involving security clearance and foreign ownership, control and influence issues. Infrastructure and transportation are the areas of expertise of Susan Lent, while Angela Styles is prominent in grants, cost and pricing issues and commercial item contracting.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 3

Akin has a longstanding practice in private equity funds, where it is particularly well-known in the area of emerging market funds. As well as benefitting from a global network of offices that has expanded over recent years to give on-the-ground assistance in various jurisdictions, Prakash Mehta advises a notable selection of clients based in India. The practice has diverse experience acting for clients in other markets too, from buyout funds and credit funds, to secondaries and institutional investors. Stephen Vine retired from practice in December 2022.

Labor and employment > Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions) Tier 3

Labor and employment > Workplace and employment counseling Tier 3

M&A/corporate and commercial > Corporate governance Tier 3

The workload at Akin‘s diverse practice comprises advice on best practice governance structures, ESG programs, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Kerry E Berchem in New York heads up the team, with John Goodgame in Houston also a key player: The former co-chairs the firm’s ESG group; while the latter is notable for his advice to boards of directors, board committees, and controlling stockholders regarding corporate governance and Securities and Exchange Commission compliance. The team continues to expand, with a number of corporate governance-focused hires made during 2022.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Shareholder activism Tier 3

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 4

The team at Akin has long-standing experience in merger litigation, representing clients in a number of high-stakes contested mergers before the DOJ and FTC, as well as having a successful record in shepherding strategic M&A through the clearance process. The firm has notable strength in the retail and manufacturing industries, and regularly handles complex processes such as divestment orders and issues relating to intellectual property in mergers. Corey Roush leads the team, having litigated against both the DOJ and FTC, with Gorav Jindal also a highly experienced antitrust litigator. Former FTC official Haidee Schwartz is an expert in domestic and international merger review processes, and offers experience on both sides of merger investigations, while counsel Brian Rafkin specializes in litigated merger challenges. All lawyers are based in Washington DC.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 4

Akin is experienced in handling disputes related to investment funds, hedge funds, and financial restructuring. The firm serves a diverse client base, which includes national corporations and offers support from multiple offices. Stephen M. Baldini in New York is recognized for his work with private equity and hedge funds, while Charles Connolly is well versed in financial fraud cases. M. Scott Barnard , based in Dallas, specializes in handling business torts, fraud cases, and commercial contract disputes. Neal Ross Marder in Los Angeles is well known for his proficiency in consumer class action lawsuits. Other notable individuals at the firm include Anthony Pierce in Washington DC and Seamus Duffy in Philadelphia.

Energy > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 4

Akin covers a broad range of financial services including development, financing, acquisition and sale of energy and infrastructure projects. The firm has a focus on renewable energy projects, representing sponsors and developers, and other financial institutions. Matthew Kapinos is a partner in the Houston office and is responsible for helping energy clients through the drafting and negotiating agreements for the purchase, sale, development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects. Over in New York, Ikenna Emehelu advises on renewables projects, and has represented lenders in the acquisition financing of a portfolio of solar projects. Elsewhere, a key name at the Washington DC office is Shariff Barakat who focuses on domestic infrastructure and renewable projects, with clients including developers and tax-equity investors.

Environment > Environment: transactional Tier 4

The environment and natural resources team at Akin is led out of Washington DC by David Quigley and acts for both lenders and investors on evaluating the environmental risks of transactions. It is well versed in restructurings, investing in environmentally distressed assets, the redevelopment of real estate assets, and M&A. Quigley is recommended for commercial, real estate and industrial transactions and is also experienced in the environmental due diligence of foreclosures.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

Akin is best known for energy company debt issuances, through its offices in Houston and Dallas. The firm is also recognised for its expertise in restructuring-related debt offerings. It is primary issuer focused and is broadening its practice through the New York office, where Rosa Testani has a strong profile in high-yield debt offerings, and is further recognized for liability management transactions, corporate restructurings and issuances as companies emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Houston’s John Goodgame and Dallas partner Garrett DeVries are noted for energy sector offerings, including those by master limited partnerships (MLPs). Christine LaFollette has retired from the partnership.

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings Tier 4

Akin has an established record in high-yield debt offerings, most notably in energy and infrastructure, but also in other areas such as the entertainment sector. Much of its high-yield debt talent sits in Dallas, Houston and New York. Its client base features a range of energy companies, financial sponsors and entertainment businesses; it recently advised FTAI Infrastructure on a $450m Rule 144A private offering of senior secured notes. Garrett DeVries and Alan Laves are experienced high-yield debt experts in Dallas, along with Rosa Testani in New York. Houston partner Christopher Centrich is noted for high-yield debt offerings in the oil and gas sector.

Industry focus > Sport Tier 4

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (International Trade Commission) Tier 4

Akin represents domestic and international leading tech and life science companies in prominent patent cases before the ITC, routinely providing section 337 related advice to international trade clients. A standout case in 2022 was the team’s representation of Greentank in complex proceedings relating to oil vaporization products. Based in Philadelphia, Steve Maslowski co-heads the team, with a focus on life sciences litigation. Cono Carrano, based in the firm’s Washington DC office, also leads the team, with litigation experience focused on semiconductors, electronics, software, wireless, and optics. Other key figures in the team include David Vondle and Ryan Stronczer, both based in Washington.

International Trade > CFIUS Tier 4

Noted for its ‘superior knowledge of the CFIUS process’, Akin represents US and foreign investors on highly sensitive transactions. As an increasingly important segment in a dominant international trade offering, the CFIUS practice additionally stands out for its ability to plug into complementary practices with the wider firm, including government relations, defense, infrastructure and energy. Christian Davis spearheads the group and has significant expertise in transactions within the technology, energy, aerospace, defense and investment sectors. The Washington DC-based team also includes counsel Katherine Padgett and senior counsel Laura Black, who recently joined the team from the Department of the Treasury, where she served as Director of Policy and International Relations for CFIUS.

Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory Tier 4

Akin represents a mixture of clients that includes both major operators within the telecoms space and investors seeking to enter the market, focussing particularly on the cutting-edge of the field where the firm advises on mandates across space and satellite, unmanned vehicles, 5G and wireless, and equipment utilising new tech. Jennifer Richter leads the practice based in Washington DC, providing regulatory and policy advice on a wide range of issues arising from new tech, spectrum use, and industry-specific agreements. She works with Douglas Brandon, who has a history representing tech companies before the FCC, the Department of Justice, and Congress, and Matthew Berry, who brings experience as Chief of Staff and General Counsel at the FCC to the practice.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 5

Akin frequently advises clients in a variety of industries including food and beverages, financial services and chemical manufacturing in civil litigation and class actions pertaining to claims of anticompetitive behavior such as price-fixing and no poach agreements. Head of team Corey Roush has significant experience in antitrust class action litigation and often counsels clients in several industries to assist with regulatory compliance, while Gorav Jindal also leads on many matters offering his expertise in transactional antitrust matters as well as antitrust litigation. All mentioned attorneys are based in Washington DC.

Finance > Commercial lending Tier 5

Akin features a debt finance practice dedicated to working with leading investors primarily on the borrower side, placing a particular focus on private credit and private equity financing and restructuring matters in a cross-border context. Primarily active in the private equity sphere, the firm advises on major leveraged buyouts, senior secured loans, bridge financings, and asset-based facilities, with Zachary Wittenberg leading the team from New York. In August 2022, Fred Lee departed the firm, which later welcomed Ranesh Ramanathan from Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Andrew Sagor from Baker McKenzie LLP in October 2022.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 5

Akin offers a team of attorneys with extensive experience in all aspects of intellectual property-related litigation, and are highly active in cases in federal district courts. Clients of the team include Fortune 500 companies, multinational corporations, research foundations, and government agencies. The breadth of the team’s capabilities are evident through its work for Boston Scientific against Nevro Corp, spanning multiple patent infringement claims, petitions before the Patent Trial and Appeals Board, and appeals to the Federal Circuit. Based in Philadelphia, Steven Maslowski is the head of the team, acting as first chair for many of the team’s most prominent clients. Cono Carrano leads the Washington DC IP group, with vast experience in semiconductors, electronics, software, and wireless tech. Also based in DC, Julius Chen, Rachel Elsby, Andrew Holtman, and Brandon Rash are key figures.

Real estate Tier 5

Known for its work in data center development, Akin advises many prominent investment funds as well as REITs on design, construction, financing, and leasing of data centers and co-location facilities. Fort Worth’s Marc Epstein and Dallas’ John Bain co-head the group and represent investors, owners, developers, landlords and tenants in the hospitality, retail, assisted living, office and transportation sectors.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 5

With New York-based partners Patrick Fenn and Stuart Leblang at the helm, Akin has an established reputation in financial products matters, especially in the hedge and private equity fund space. The group in New York, which also includes Joshua Williams and Olivier De Moor, provides further advice on M&A and capital markets deals, international restructurings, and financings. Elsewhere, Houston-based Alison Chen anchors the firm’s MLP offering, with a particular focus on the energy sector – where seasoned corporate tax lawyer Julia Pashin is a key name, working from Dallas.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 6

Singled out for its credentials in conventional and renewable energy M&A, Akin handles domestic and multijurisdictional transactions for a diversity of clients, including public and private companies, private equity funds, family offices, SPACs, and hedge funds. Infrastructure, TMT, retail and consumer products are other sectors of focus for the department, which is led by the New York-based Zachary N. Wittenberg, a key contact for public and private M&A deals, distressed transactions and corporate governance matters. Wesley Williams in Dallas focuses on complex transactions in the oil and gas spaces, where he acts for private equity sponsors, and public and privately held companies.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization