Garrett DeVries > Akin > Dallas, United States > Lawyer Profile

Akin’s capital markets offering is especially active on issuer-side mandates in the energy, mining, financial services, asset management, and entertainment spaces, among others. Jesse Brush in New York is noted for his experience advising credit investors and distressed companies on recapitalization transactions as well as issuers, investors, and underwriters on public offerings and private placements. He leads the team alongside Dallas-based John Clayton, who regularly represents issuers and private equity sponsors. Ryan Cox and Garrett DeVries, both in Dallas, play key roles in the team; Cox’s varied practice covers convertible securities and 144A offerings, while DeVries is highly experienced in the energy, retail, restaurant, infrastructure, and aviation sectors, among others. John Goodgame in Houston is also a key contact for work in the energy space.

Akin is particularly active in the energy sector, advising domestic and international corporations on management changes, shareholder proposals, disclosure obligations, and activism matters. Led by Kerry E Berchem in New York, the practice is also equipped to advise on ESG work, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, board reviews, and internal investigations. Berchem is hailed as an ‘exceptional leader’ and regularly advises private and public companies on the full spectrum of governance matters. Alongside her, Dan Fisher focuses on issues that will arise after a company goes through restructuring under Chapter 11. Garrett DeVries in Dallas works on IPOs, mergers, and stock acquisitions, leveraging his corporate finance background into his governance work whilst Houston’s John Goodgame focuses on SEC compliance for clients predominantly in the oil & gas sector.

Spearheaded by Jesse Brush in New York and John Clayton in Dallas, Akin has a strong track record in advising companies and investors on convertible debt offerings, IPOs, and liquidity management transactions. Specialising in debt restructurings and private placements, the practice is especially active in the oil and gas industries. Clayton concentrates on  follow-on and secondary offerings, high-yield debt offerings and PIPE financings, Garrett DeVries leads public offerings and private placements of debt and equity securities, and Houston’s John Goodgame is also highlighted as a key individual.