Bloomberg Selects Corporate Partner Ryan Kim for “They’ve Got Next” Series

Akin Gump corporate partner Ryan Kim has been featured in Bloomberg Law’s “They’ve Got Next” series, which spotlights young lawyers who are “raising the bar” in various practice groups. The latest installment focuses on banking and finance lawyers.

Bloomberg notes that Kim distinguishes himself from his peers by leading the firm’s direct-lending transactional efforts through the representation of non-traditional lenders and by playing key roles in high-profile restructuring deals for distressed and bankrupt energy companies, including SunEdison, Foresight Energy and PG&E.

Speaking on his involvement in these matters, Kim said that these cases “really [shaped] the way I think about restructuring transactions and generally financing transactions overall. People don’t really pay as much attention to what’s in the contract unless there’s an issue.”

Akin Gump finance and special situations partner Jaisohn Im spoke to Bloomberg about Kim’s “smart, even keeled” approach to client work, adding “we all view him as a rising star here.”

The profile also highlights Kim’s leading role in the firm’s highly complex representation of Vista Credit Partners in its $175 million global recapitalization for Meltwater. (To learn more, click here.) While Kim notes that this was among the most arduous matters he has worked on, direct lending transactions have become a targeted focus of his practice, as they require creative solutions to navigate conflicting interest. He added, “It’s making sure people like the deal that they’re entering into.”

Kim observed that his experience on team sports has helped shape his approach to his practice, saying, “Knowing when to lead and knowing when not to lead; being a good teammate and knowing your role on a team—that’s all very appropriate in a law firm setting.”

To read the article in full, please click here.