Akin Strengthens London Private Equity Practice with Arrival of Partner Dan Oates

(London) – Akin announced today that Dan Oates has joined the firm as a private equity partner in London, further accelerating the growth of Akin’s sponsor-side private equity and M&A practice.

“Private equity is one of the firm’s fastest-growing areas globally, and London is a critical hub in that strategy. Dan’s reputation, market insight and longstanding client relationships will further strengthen our ability to deliver seamless, commercial advice to sponsors across key jurisdictions,” said Akin’s London-based co-chair, Daniel Walsh.

“Dan’s arrival represents a major step forward in Akin’s continued investment in our London and global private equity practice,” added David Sewell, co-head of the corporate practice at Akin. “Client demand for our sponsor-side offering has grown rapidly, and this expansion adds further senior depth and cross-border execution strength to a team already acting on some of the market’s most sophisticated transactions.”

Oates brings more than 20 years of experience advising leading private equity sponsors and portfolio companies on complex, cross-border transactions, including acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, public-to-private deals, minority and co-investments and strategic disposals.

“Akin’s momentum in private equity is compelling,” said Dan Oates. “The firm’s collaborative global platform—combined with top-tier finance, tax and antitrust support—creates an excellent base to serve active sponsors on their most important transactions.”

Oates’ arrival follows a period of sustained growth for Akin’s London private equity practice, which has seen increasing instructions from leading sponsors and sponsor-backed corporates on complex, high-value mandates across the UK and Europe. Oates will work closely with Akin’s global private equity, M&A, finance, tax and antitrust teams to support clients from initial investment through portfolio management and exits.

About Akin’s Private Equity Practice

Akin’s private equity practice brings together a global M&A team focused on clients across the funds space with one of the world’s leading investment management and tax practices. With more than 40 years of experience advising private equity funds, the firm has helped some of the industry’s pioneers form funds and deploy capital worldwide since the earliest days of the modern funds industry. Clients include traditional leveraged buyout and growth funds, as well as private credit, energy, infrastructure, activist, and other sector-specific investors.

Akin is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.