Akin is a mainstay for a wide range of banks, creditors, and public companies and boards in sophisticated commercial fights. New York-based spearhead Joseph Sorkin focuses on disputes for investment funds and financial institutions, including restructuring litigation. Also in New York, Douglas Rappaport drives the firm’s investment funds litigation practice and co-heads the shareholder activism group, while Stephen Baldini brings similar strength in investment funds litigation and related bankruptcy and securities disputes. In Texas, Scott Barnard co-heads the nationwide complex commercial litigation department and leads business-critical disputes, while Washington DC’s Chuck Connolly co-leads the white-collar defense and global investigations practice. In March 2025, the Los Angeles team added Laura Smolowe, whose forte is trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, and employment disputes, including trial and arbitration matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Key clients
- AT&T Inc.
- Southern Methodist University (SMU)
- Armistice Capital, LLC
- Hudson Bay Capital Management
- Zachary Bruch and Joshua Kaufman
- Nez Balelo and Shohei Ohtani
- Howden US Services LLC
- Scopia Capital Management LP
- Pharmakon Advisors, LP
- HBK Master Fund L.P.
- NATF Noteholder Group
- White Pine Renewable Energy Holdings, LLC
Work highlights
Achieved a significant constitutional win on behalf of AT&T in the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which vacated a $57m forfeiture order imposed against AT&T by the FCC.
Scored a significant victory on behalf of Armistice Capital Master Fund Ltd. in a jury trial in the District of Colorado. Plaintiffs, two stockholders of Aytu BioPharma, sued Armistice under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, seeking disgorgement of alleged “short-swing profits” calculated by matching Armistice’s October 2019 acquisitions of Aytu securities with its March 2020 sales of Aytu common stock.
Achieved a significant victory on behalf of the co-founders and minority shareholders of Switchboard - one of the largest data providers on the blockchain - in a Section 220 books and records action filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Joseph Sorkin
Other key lawyers
Stephen Baldini; Scott Barnard; Chuck Connolly; Anthony Pierce; Douglas Rappaport; Uri Itkin; Stephanie Lindemuth; Brennan Meier; Kate Shapiro; Jacqueline Yecies; Laura Smolowe