Akin is 'proactive in approach, giving clear concise advice but with an eye on commercialism', particularly in the niche area of US private placements. Tom O’Connor leads the London finance group and is 'one of the top lawyers in this sector', frequently advising institutional investors on the acquisition of privately placed debt and equity securities. He recently assisted institutional debt investors MetLife and PGIM with the purchase of €200m of senior unsecured notes in the debut private placement by Tritax Eurobox plc. Robert Aulsebrook leads the issuer practice and focuses predominantly on emerging markets debt. Barry Russell focuses on financial restructuring and Mark Mansell frequently represents insurance companies and other financial institutions in cross-border private placements. Michael Gustafson handles debt finance work for non-bank lender clients, which included acting for PGIM Private Capital on the £350m debut private placement issuance by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Superbly knowledgeable in our market niche, proactive in approach giving clear concise advice but with an eye on commercialism.'
'Proactive in approach (and quick to respond even if to say they are investigating and will answer in detail later), reaching out directly to discuss specific situations, good at supporting divided groups towards a consensus. Regular interaction with Tom O'Connor, one of the top lawyers I work with in this sector.'
'Very smart lawyers, very responsive, overall excellent experiences with multiple partners on many different matters.'
'Tom O'Connor, Mike Gustafson, Barry Russell in London. All excellent lawyers.'

Work highlights

Represented institutional debt investors MetLife and PGIM on their purchase of €200m senior unsecured notes in the debut private placement by Tritax Eurobox plc.
Advised a UK institutional investor on its provision of delayed-draw private placement financing to real estate management company Cadogan Estates.
Advised PGIM Private Capital as the sole provider of financing on a £350m debut private placement issuance by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc, supporting plans to invest in its electricity transmission infrastructure, clearing the way to deliver cleaner, UK-generated energy.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Robert Aulsebrook

Akin

Robert Aulsebrook’s practice focuses on international debt finance, project finance, capital markets and derivatives. Robert has particular experience providing advice on financing and investment in Russia and elsewhere in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). He advises corporate borrowers, lenders, investment funds, investment fund managers, corporate investors, high-net-worth individuals and other market parties on a wide variety of finance and derivatives issues in the London market. For borrowers and lenders, Robert provides advice on terms of primary market loans, loan participations and secondary market trading of debt. He also provides advice to issuers and purchasers of equity and debt instruments, depository receipts, Eurobonds, convertible debt securities and commercial paper. To learn more about Mr. Aulsebrook, please visit his full profile: https://www.akingump.com/en/lawyers-advisors/robert-w-aulsebrook.html

Barry Russell

Hall of fameAkin

Barry Russell is a partner in Akin’s financial restructuring group. Representing noteholders, bondholders and other creditor groups, Barry is a leading force in the cross-border financial restructuring and institutional private placement market. For more than 25 years, he has advised on many of the most significant cross-border workouts and financial restructurings—some involving complex political and economic issues—of European companies. Insurance companies, pension funds, investment funds and other institutional investors rely upon Barry’s highly commercial, pragmatic approach and his ability to reach beneficial and successful outcomes for his clients. Barry focuses his practice on complex workouts and financial restructurings, as well as cross-border institutional private placement issuance. To learn more about Mr. Russell, please visit his full profile: https://www.akingump.com/en/lawyers-advisors/barry-g-russell.html

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Thomas (Tom) O’Connor

Other key lawyers

Robert Aulsebrook, Barry Russell, Michael Gustafson, Mark Mansell

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