Mr Simon Rootsey > Akin > London, England > Lawyer Profile

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.

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.

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.