Akin > London, England > Firm Profile

Akin > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 1

Displaying ‘a very collaborative approach’ which draws from the expertise of complementary practice groups, as well as international offices, Akin provides ‘strategic guidance’ on complex cross-border matters and is ‘very strong at managing creditor group dynamics’. Although the firm continues to pick up some debtor mandates, including several involving complex Russian sanctions-related issues, the team remains best-known for its bondholder work, both in the context of primary and secondary credit investors. ‘Class act’ Emma Simmonds offers ‘sensible and commercial advice’ to bondholders, including pension funds, CLOs and hedge funds, on both stressed and distressed situations and excel in maximising returns for stakeholders in challenging circumstances. James Terry is ‘very strategic in his approach to delivering client solutions’ and is noted for his expertise in the oil and gas/offshore market. Jacquie Ingram ‘is very technical and always on top of the detail’, and her arrival in January 2024 from Milbank further enhances the firm’s creditor-side credentials, in light of her strong traction among par and secondary investors and her expertise at delivering solutions in complex cross-border mandates. Tom Bannister and Sam Brodie are also key members of the team, handling work for institutional and distressed investors. The vastly experienced Barry Russell co-heads the team alongside Terry.

Investment fund formation and management > Hedge funds Tier 2

Akin's funds team advises hedge fund managers on the structuring and launch of their investment vehicles, working across the firm's network to provide support to clients operating across the globe. The practice is also well positioned to assist clients as they navigate a variety of regulatory regimes, including those in the US, UK and UAE. Jointly heading the team are Ian Meade, whose practice revolves around the structuring and launch of funds, and Tim Pearce, who assists hedge and credit managers, including startups, on fund launches and investment negotiations. Both are also able to provide regulatory advice. Hamish Annandale assists with the day-to-day issues affecting hedge and other alternative investment funds in addition to providing advice on fund launches and restructurings.

Corporate and commercial > EU and competition: trade, WTO anti-dumping and customs Tier 3

Akin‘s international trade practice is often engaged on the negotiation of transactions affected by sanctions, as well as issues relating to compliance, investigations and enforcement matters. Practice co-chair Jasper Helder – ‘an absolute authority in his domain” – is a key contact for UK, EU and US trade compliance matters involving enforcement actions and other regulatory scrutiny. Fellow practice co-chair Chiara Klaui – regarded by one client as ‘truly outstanding‘ – regularly advises EU, UK and Swiss clients on trade compliance. In September 2024, the team was strengthened by the arrival of Ross Denton, highly experienced in international trade compliance.

Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £500m) Tier 3

Praised as ‘a great team‘ which ‘really knows the market‘, Akin works with a wide range of UK and multinational sponsors and management teams. Practice head Shaun Lascelles regularly handles cross-border transactions, and is noted for his expertise in energy sector deals and capabilities in emerging markets such as Africa and Eastern Europe. Co-head Sebastian Rice draws on more than 20 years of experience advising on deals concerning various foreign markets, while the ‘excellent’ David Sewell, who is praised for his ‘amazing ability to deal with complex issues and structures quickly and efficiently’, is a key contact in the team for secondaries and fund structuring matters. Simon Rootsey is well-regarded for his sector-specific expertise, which is chiefly concentrated in the energy, infrastructure and life sciences sectors. Jing Ng and Chris Beardmore support clients on domestic and cross-border transactions. Stephen Rosen joined from Cooley (UK) LLP in September 2024, while Gavin Weir left the practice to join Ashurst in January 2024.

Finance > Debt capital markets Tier 3

Akin has one of the foremost cross-border debt private placement practices in London. The team is led by the vastly experienced Barry Russell, who recently advised the largest lessor of regional aircraft in the world on its $6bn debt restructuring. The firm also has a strong  issuer-side practice, led by Robert Aulsebrook, who oversees a group of US- and English-qualified lawyers. The experienced Mark Mansell also plays a key role in the team.

Investment fund formation and management > Private funds Tier 3

As a result of its leading secondaries practice, Akin has been active in some of the market’s most significant fund restructurings. The firm’s robust client roster reflects its strong position in the buy-side arena. Daniel Quinn is a preeminent secondaries lawyer, having acted on some of the most innovative transactions in the space. Simon Ellis leads on high-value fundraisings, receiving key instructions from buy-side and sell-side clients on secondary transactions. Chris Jeanes and Qasam Mahmood are further key members of the practice. John Daghlian recently retired from the firm.

Projects, energy and natural resources > Infrastructure: Project finance and development Tier 3

Projects, energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 3

Akin has a robust track record in handling international oil and gas mandates, spanning the breadth of corporate transactions, litigation, disputes and arbitration, encompassing traditional oil and gas work, as well as LNG and energy transition mandates. The group is jointly led by Shaun Lascelles, a specialist in international corporate deals, private equity transactions and joint ventures, Alex Harrison, who is recommended for his execution of high-stakes, cross-border oil and gas deals, and Justin Williams, who expertly handles natural resources arbitration.

Projects, energy and natural resources > Renewables Tier 3

Akin‘s projects and energy transition practice is led by Alex Harrison, ‘a knowledgeable and practical adviser‘ noted for his expertise in renewable energy and energy transition. The team is well-equipped to advise a broad range of investors, sponsors, developers, and governments on the gamut of transactions across the renewable and alternative energy sector. The group routinely handles project finance and project development matters, major corporate transactions, M&A and joint ventures across solar, wind, battery energy and green hydrogen.

Corporate and commercial > Financial services: contentious Tier 4

The ‘nimble and astute’ team at Akin works on its own and often alongside its US-based colleagues to provide ‘sensible, commercial solutions’ to banks and funds across a range of purely domestic and cross-border contentious financial services matters. ‘Hardworking’ team head Helen Marshall provides ‘user-friendly advice’ and is noted, in particular, for her robust defence of asset management clients facing regulatory scrutiny. Counsel Joe Hewton has a ‘particular flair for intricate regulatory applications’ and is the key contact within the practice in relation to UK and US matters.

Corporate and commercial > M&A: Lower Mid-Market Deals, £100m-£750m Tier 4

With extensive experience handling cross-border M&A transactions, the corporate practice at Akin is highly adept to assist international businesses on both public and private multijurisdictional mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, investments, and buy-outs. Co-leading the group are Sebastian Rice and Shaun Lascelles – Rice concentrates on M&A, joint ventures, disposals, and restructuring deals for private equity firms, asset managers, energy companies, and corporates, while Lascelles has expertise leading on high-value cross-border M&A, private equity, and international joint ventures. He is predominantly instructed by private equity firms, infrastructure investors, and corporates. Another notable name in the team is Simon Rootsey who focuses on cross-border M&A, private equity, and investment transactions in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. He has deep knowledge of a range of industry sectors including infrastructure, healthcare, and technology. Stephen Rosen, Justin Stock and David Bresnick joined the team from Cooley in July 2024.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium Tier 4

Drawing on its global litigation practice, Akin is active in multijurisdictional disputes and ‘very strong in big ticket cross-border commercial litigation.’ The team specialises in energy disputes, as well as demonstrating prowess in the technology space and the financial sector, handling international investment disputes. Practice head Richard Hornshaw focuses on the financial sector, from finance and securities disputes to restructuring and insolvency cases. Kambiz Larizadeh excels in civil fraud disputes, while Justin Williams focuses his international practice on the energy sector. Conor McStravick represents both companies and high-net-worth individuals in relation to fraud allegations in the energy space.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4

A ‘definite choice‘ for major international arbitration, Akin‘s London office leverages the firm’s sector expertise in energy, technology and infrastructure. Worldwide international arbitration practice head Justin Williams is an energy disputes specialist, while Kambiz Larizadeh is ‘a great arbitration practitioner’. The department further includes Jenny Arlington, whose international disputes work focuses on Russia, CIS, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and the Middle East, and Conor Mc Stravick, who handles multi-jurisdictional commercial arbitrations under a range of governing laws and arbitral rules.

Corporate and commercial > EU and competition Tier 5

The ‘highly dynamic’ team at Akin is reputed for its deep expertise in multi-jurisdictional merger control, behavioural investigations and state aid. Boasting a client base that includes large multinationals, investment funds and top financial institutions, the team also excels in complex litigation matters. Practice head Davina Garrod advises on M&A, joint ventures, strategic alliances, restructuring, and various equity and debt investments, and earns praise for her ‘excellent technical knowledge and commercial acumen.’ Scott Pettifor, hailed as an ‘excellent, talented lawyer‘, offers guidance on merger control and behavioural issues across the  telecoms, pharma, food, retail, media, and insurance sectors.

Corporate and commercial > Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory Tier 5

Praised for its ‘excellent expertise and responsiveness’, Akin acts for leading investment managers on a broad range of mandates concerning MiFID II, AIFMD, the Market Abuse Regulation and EMIR, in addition to SFDR and the Taxonomy Regulation. ‘An expert in the field’, Ezra Zahabi leads the team and advises on regulatory compliance, fund structuring, market abuse and market conduct matters. Suley Siddiqui is another key contact in the group.

Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: civil Tier 5

Dispute resolution > Banking litigation: investment and retail Tier 5

With a diverse clientele of banks, investment funds, creditors, and private equity investors, Akin focuses on investment disputes. The team has a proven track record representing hedge funds and investment funds, with particular expertise in distressed debt and sovereign and quasi-sovereign debt disputes. Practice head Richard Hornshaw focuses his cross-border litigation practice on finance and securities disputes, and contentious insolvency and restructuring proceedings. Mouna Moussaoui, an active member of the team and ‘litigation star’, was promoted to counsel in January 2024.

Finance > Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans Tier 5

Akin has significant traction among funds providing private capital financing solutions to distressed corporates, often working alongside the firm’s market-leading restructuring offering. Amy Kennedy is one of the main contacts for this special situations work (as is the ‘commercial-minded and responsive’ Mark Mansell) and she also has experience of advising on cutting-edge green and sustainability-linked financial products in the public and private debt markets. Other areas of note include Robert Aulsebrook‘s emerging markets prowess.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 6

Akin is particularly active in tax issues relating to the financial services sector, with coverage of funds and restructurings. Stephen Brown leads, and is particularly active in tax matters in the private equity sector. Serena Lee has key strength in financial restructurings, but covers a broad range of corporate tax matters. Matthew Durward-Thomas is experienced in international restructuring mandates.

Switzerland > WTO

The international trade practice group at Akin in Switzerland stands out for its international regulatory expertise. It has decades of experience representing government clients in WTO litigation, and stands out for its work in the energy and trading industries. Notably, key individual Alan Yanovich often advises foreign governments and multinational corporations on policy issues, legislation, regulation and interagency policy formation. Jasper Helder‘s work involves advising on simultaneous UK, EU, and US trade compliance, and exposure to potential enforcement actions or other regulatory scrutiny. Chiara Klaui specialises in export controls, sanctions, customs, and anti-money laundering matters.

United Arab Emirates > Commercial, corporate and M&A

Chiefly recognised for its work for some of the Gulf’s foremost asset managements and sovereign wealth funds, Akin has a formidable M&A and private equity offering and demonstrates proficiency across multiple sectors – particularly tech. Spearheading the practice is Wael Jabsheh, who draws on a broad skill set to advise domestic and international financial sponsors and Abu Dhabi-backed entities on inbound and outbound transactions. Simon Rootsey is another key name for sovereign wealth funds, investment arms, and major government-related clients. Mazen Baddar‘s far-reaching practice includes private equity, M&A, capital markets, financial services. Syed Muhammad Rizvi provides further public M&A and venture capital capabilities.  

Latin America: International firms > Capital markets

Akin specialises in representing insurance companies and other institutional investors in cross-border debt private placements and other debt financings. The practice covers the vast majority of Latin American jurisdictions, especially the larger economies. Much of the practice has recently centred on private placements by Mexican issuers, including Mexican subsidiaries of global businesses. London-based Thomas O’Connor has extensive experience in advising institutional investors in private placements, as does Washington DC's Margaret Parker-Yavuz; both also cover debt financing and direct lending. New York partner Sergio Urias provides further expertise in debt restructuring, including the restructuring of secured notes.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A

Akin has a burgeoning Latin America practice, built on the firm’s expertise and experience in representing asset managers, which includes key Latin America-focused New York partner Sergio Urias. With strong activity across the region, the firm has advised private equity and financial sponsor clients on a multitude of Brazil investments, including in the food, agribusiness, sports and entertainment sectors; Urias led the team that advised Mubadala Capital on its its acquisition of IMM Holdin, the operator of the Brazilian Rio Open. The practice also has a solid history in energy transactions, particularly in Mexico, and has a fine reputation for corporate reorganisations and distressed investments. London partner Daniel Walsh also has a lengthy track record in Latin America M&A transactions, especially energy deals, as do senior counsel Cesar Gimenez Villamil (in New York), and Houston-based counsel, Eduardo Canales.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy

Akin is a major player in energy transactions and projects, particularly oil and gas. Through its office in Houston, New York, Washington DC and London, it continues to advise on large-scale matters, including the purchase and sale of offshore oil-and-gas assets, the acquisition of lithium mining rights, and financings for large energy companies. The firm is particularly known for upstream oil-and-gas transactions in Mexico. London partner Daniel Walsh has a substantial focus on Latin America, including energy and mining transactions. Matthew Kapinos is co-head of the firm’s projects and energy transition practice and has a background in Latin America matters; while counsel Eduardo Canales is also a key member of the team, particularly in relation to Mexico oil and gas transactions. Named individuals are based in Houston unless stated otherwise.