Simon Thomas has extensive experience in providing advice to fund managers, banks and brokers in relation to financial services and investment management regulation, onshore and offshore funds and private equity. Mr. Thomas’ practice is centered on the establishment, sale and operation of hedge funds and their managers. He has been advising hedge funds in relation to their relationships with prime brokers since 1997, and has significant experience in dealing with FSA regulated entities.
In addition, Mr. Thomas advises on the establishment and listing of permanent capital vehicles on the London Stock Exchange, Euronext and the Specialist Fund Market. He has advised on structuring in numerous jurisdictions, including offshore financial centers, various states of the European Union and the United States.
Mr. Thomas also has extensive experience advising U.S. promoters seeking to establish a presence in Europe and European promoters looking to access the U.S. market.
In November 2002, Mr. Thomas joined Akin Gump to help establish the London unit of the investment funds practice. He graduated from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1992 and the College of Law in 1993. He has published and spoken widely on the hedge fund and alternative investment industries. He is mentioned in the “Legal 500 – Who’s Who in the Law” and is a recommended individual in the Practical Law Company’s “Investment Funds: The Law and Leading Lawyers Worldwide.”