Akin’s London Lawyers and Practices Recognized in Legal 500 UK 2026

The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2026 has recognized 42 of Akin’s practices and lawyers in the firm’s London office as leaders in their respective fields. 

For the 12th consecutive year, Akin’s financial restructuring practice received top rankings in the Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency category. 

In addition, Akin saw three partners named to the Hall of Fame list: Barry Russell (Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency and Debt Capital Markets) for the eighth consecutive year, Helen Marshall (Financial Services: Contentious) for the fifth year, as well as Stephen Rosen (Private Equity: Transactions – mid-market deals). 

The following Akin partners were named a “leading partner”: 

• Robert Aulsebrook 

• Davina Garrod 

• Jasper Helder 

• Chiara Klaui 

• Shaun Lascelles 

• Ian Meade 

• Tim Pearce 

• Daniel Quinn 

• Emma Simmonds 

• James Terry  

• Justin Williams 

The Legal 500 UK’s “next generation partners” includes seven from Akin’s London office: Hamish Annandale (Hedge Funds), Jenny Arlington (International Arbitration), Rob Butler (Oil and Gas), Simon Ellis (Private Funds), Scott Pettifor (EU and Competition), Oliver Spratt (Employers) and Ezra Zahabi (Financial Services: non-contentious/regulatory). 

In total, 19 of the firm’s practices were ranked with 26 lawyer rankings: 

Corporate and Commercial – Corporate Tax 

Corporate and Commercial – EU and Competition 

• Davina Garrod 

• Scott Pettifor 

Corporate and Commercial – EU and Competition: trade, WTO anti-dumping and customs 

• Jasper Helder 

• Chiara Klaui 

Corporate and Commercial – Financial Services: contentious 

• Helen Marshall 

• Joe Hewton 

Corporate and Commercial – Financial Services: non-contentious/regulatory 

• Ezra Zahabi 

Corporate and Commercial – M&A: lower mid-market deals (£100m-750m)  

Corporate and Commercial – Private Equity: transactions – mid-market deals (up to £500m) 

• Stephen Rosen 

• Shaun Lascelles 

Crime, Fraud & Licensing – Fraud: civil 

Dispute Resolution – Commercial Litigation: premium 

Dispute Resolution – International Arbitration 

• Justin Williams 

• Jenny Arlington 

Employment – Employee Share Schemes 

Employment – Employers 

• Oliver Spratt 

Finance – Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency 

• Barry Russell 

• Emma Simmonds 

• James Terry 

Finance – Debt Capital Markets 

• Barry Russell 

• Robert Aulsebrook 

Investment Fund Formation and Management – Hedge Funds 

• Hamish Annandale 

• Ian Meade 

• Tim Pearce 

Investment Fund Formation and Management – Private Funds 

• Daniel Quinn 

• Simon Ellis 

Projects, Energy and Natural Resources – Project Finance and Development 

Projects, Energy and Natural Resources – Oil and Gas 

• Shaun Lascelles 

• Justin Williams 

• Rob Butler 

For further details on the firm’s rankings and commentary, please see here. 

The Legal 500 UK is an annual, independent guide that ranks law firm practices, recommends lawyers and provides editorial analysis of law firms operating in the United Kingdom.