Akin is a dominant force for secondary transactions, housing a top-tier buyside secondaries practice. Fundraising, fund formation and fund restructuring mandates are other common features of the team’s workload. Practice head Daniel Quinn is recognised for his prowess in GP-led secondary transactions and is a go-to for leading fund managers. Simon Ellis has a broad practice, handling on the one hand, fundraisings and coinvestment arrangements and on the other, complex LP portfolio sales. Qasam Mahmood is also singled out for his experience on secondaries transactions across asset classes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They are simply the smartest team in town. If it's difficult, clever or bespoke, this is the team for you.’
‘Simon Ellis is an outstanding young partner; never any drama, gets it done whatever the circumstances; thorough and tireless. Daniel Quinn is the fastest thinking lawyer in town and the smoothest and most articulate of negotiators.’
‘Simon Ellis and Daniel Quinn - both really hard-working, creative at solving problems, team players and good fun to work on a transaction with.’
‘Simon Ellis: strong client focus, short turn-around times, willing to go the extra mile to keep the client happy, easy to work with and provides good advice.’
‘Versatile team able to handle fund formation, co-investment, LP work and secondaries. An integrated practice capable of running an entire complex GP led / continuation vehicle transaction without the need to involve an additional M&A practice.’
‘Highly approachable, good sector knowledge and current market expertise through the blend of GP and LP side work, especially secondaries buyside and institutional LPs.’
Key clients
- Adelis Equity Partners
- Aliph Capital
- Aliter Capital
- Apollo Global Management
- Ares Management Company
- Clipway
- Coller Capital
- Echo VC Partners
- Everstone
- Expedition Growth Capital
- Glendower Capital
- Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC)
Work highlights
Acted for Adelis Equity Partners in the short and oversubscribed fundraise for Adelis Equity Partners Fund IV, a EUR 1.6 billion fund.
Advised CVC Secondary Partners and Pantheon Ventures as the co-lead investors in a GP-led secondary transaction raising €1.4bn, initiated by Astorg, a leading pan-European private equity firm.
Advised Phoenix Equity Partners on the formation of a £200 million continuation fund through which Phoenix extended its partnership with large-scale trade exhibitions company, Nineteen Group, and private pay dental group, Envisage Dental.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Simon Ellis
Practice head
Daniel Quinn
Other key lawyers
Simon Ellis; Qasam Mahmood