Neil Devaney

Partner

Areas of Focus

Neil Devaney

Partner

neil.devaney@akingump.com

Areas of Focus

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Biography
  • Co-head of Akin’s global financial restructuring practice.
  • Advises clients on restructurings, capital solutions and special situations across global markets.

Neil serves as head of Akin’s financial restructuring practice in Europe and co-head of the firm’s global restructuring practice.

His practice is focused on advising credit funds on complex, high-value debt restructurings and alternative investments. Neil is also frequently called upon by investors, corporates and private equity sponsors to advise on stressed, distressed and special situations, including associated M&A.

Neil is recognised as a market leading restructuring lawyer by all major legal directories, including Chambers UK and Legal 500 UK. Clients have described Neil as “the ideal combination of technical knowledge, diligence and commerciality” and as a lawyer who “is able to look through complexity to come up with pragmatic and innovative solutions and is willing to fight for his clients' interests in difficult circumstances.” Clients have further commented that, “from a technical perspective, Neil is excellent - a 360-degree lawyer.”

Representative Work
  • Maxeda DIY Group: Counsel to the ad hoc group of noteholders on the comprehensive, fully-consensual recapitalisation of the leading DIY retailer in the Benelux region.
  • Petrofac: Counsel to the ad hoc group of bondholders on the financial restructuring of the UK-based engineering, construction and energy transition company.
  • Selecta: Counsel to the ad hoc group of lenders in relation to the Group’s financial restructuring, implemented through a distressed disposal in the Netherlands.
  • Intrum: Counsel to the ad hoc group of bondholders of the Swedish debt collection company in relation to its financial restructuring, implemented pursuant to chapter 11 and Swedish reorganisation proceedings.
  • Vialto Partners: Counsel to the CD&R portfolio company, on its recapitalisation and refinancing of its debt facilities.
  • TalkTalk: Counsel to Ares on the refinancing and recapitalisation of the UK telecommunications group.
  • IGM Resins: Counsel to the Astorg portfolio company, on its recapitalisation and refinancing of its debt facilities in the raw material solutions business.
  • McDermott: Counsel to the ad hoc group of lenders in relation to the global financial restructuring of the oil and gas EPC business, implemented pursuant to a parallel UK restructuring plan and Dutch WHOA.
  • Ideal Standard: Counsel to the ad hoc group of bondholders of the leading bathroom brand, in relation to its distressed exchange offer and consent solicitation.
  • Frigoglass Group: Counsel to the ad hoc group of bondholders in relation to the recapitalisation and financial restructuring of the Greek-listed glass and refrigeration business.
  • Nordic Aviation Capital: Counsel to the ad hoc group of lenders to the world’s largest regional aircraft lessor in relation to its restructuring by way of chapter 11 proceedings.
  • Seadrill: Counsel to the ad hoc group of lenders to the UK-based deepwater drilling contractor in relation to the Group’s financial restructuring implemented pursuant to chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Obrascón Huarte Lain: Counsel to the ad hoc group of bondholders of the Spanish-based construction and civil engineering company in relation to the Group’s debt-for-equity swap, implemented through a scheme of arrangement in the UK.
  • Ferroglobe: Counsel to the ad hoc group of bondholders on the financial restructuring of the UK-based specialty metals producer group.
  • Odeon: Counsel to Europe’s largest cinema operator (part of the AMC Entertainment Group), in relation to the Group’s financial difficulties and the refinancing of its European business.
  • KCA Deutag: Counsel to the ad hoc group of creditors of the UK-based drilling and engineering contractor in relation to the Group’s debt-for-equity swap, implemented through a scheme of arrangement in the UK.
  • Digicel: Counsel to the ad hoc group of bondholders of the Caribbean mobile phone operator in relation to the Group’s balance sheet restructuring, implemented through a series of exchange offers, coupled with a scheme of arrangement and provisional liquidation in Bermuda.
  • Atalian SAS: Counsel to the ad hoc group of bondholders of the French-headquartered services business in connection with its restructuring transactions.
  • Tullow Oil Plc: Counsel to the ad hoc group of bondholders of the UK-headquartered oil exploration company in connection with its consensual A&E transaction.

List may include matters worked on prior to joining Akin.

Education
  • LL.M., University College, London, 2009

  • D.L., Nottingham Law School, England, 2001

  • LL.B., University of Exeter School of Law, England, 1999

Bar Admissions
  • Solicitor, England and Wales

Recognitions
  • Chambers UK, Restructuring and Insolvency.
  • The Legal 500, Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency.
  • IFLR 1000, Restructuring and Insolvency.
Affiliations and Public Service
  • R3: Association of Business Recovery Professionals.
  • Insolvency Lawyers Association.

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