The ‘professional, responsive and business orientated’ team at Akin has a client roster that features global corporates and financial institutions. Known for its presence in emerging markets, the team is well-versed in advising on investment portfolio matters for fund clients including complex and high-value multi-jurisdictional transactions. Leading the team are a trio of lawyers including Sebastian Rice, whose practice involves M&A, equity capital markets and private equity, the ’very commercial’ Shaun Lascelles, also co-head of the firm’s project and energy transition practice, and the ‘excellent’ Gavin Weir, who has ’deep knowledge of the market’ particularly in relation to financial services, technology and life sciences M&A. Focusing on both private equity and M&A transactions is Simon Rootsey, particularly across the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, while public and private M&A practitioner Harry Keegan, who is an expert in takeovers, is highly knowledgeable about corporate transactions from a financial advisor’s perspective. Weyinmi Popo left the firm in March 2023 to join ASAFO & Co.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Very professional, responsive and business orientated.'
  • 'Gavin Weir is an excellent professional, with deep knowledge of the market, very responsive and with business sense.'
  • 'I have worked with Akin Gump on M&A transactions for many years and find their work of very high quality. The M&A teams are always very well staffed with a combination of partners and associates.'
  • ' Shaun Lascelles is very commercial in his approach and always looks for solutions rather than highlighting legal issues. His team of associates at Akin Gump is very capable and pragmatic. Jing Ng, who is counsel, is exceptional.'

Key clients

  • Vitol/VIP Blue
  • Alpha Bank
  • Piraeus Bank
  • Olin Corporation
  • Oaktree
  • TPH
  • Online Payments Group
  • Southbridge Advisers
  • Mediobanca
  • Polus Capital Management

Work highlights

  • Advised VIP II Blue B.V, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vitol Investment Partnership II Ltd (VIP II), in its $2.3 billion takeover of Vivo Energy Plc.
  • Advised Olin Corporation on its global strategic alliance with Mitsui & Co., Ltd known as the Blue Water Alliance with a deal enterprise value of over $1 billion.
  • Advised Piraeus Bank on the first of its kind sale of its Merchant Acquiring Unit to the global payments specialist Euronet Worldwide and the formation of a long-term strategic partnership between Piraeus Bank and Euronet Worldwide.

Lawyers

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

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Sebastian Rice, Shaun Lascelles, Gavin Weir

Other key lawyers

Simon Rootsey, Harry Keegan, Jing Ng