Corporate tax lawyer with particular experience in investment funds and financial restructurings.
Previously with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the U.K. tax authority.

Serena Lee advises on all aspects of corporate tax, including domestic and international corporate and finance transactions, financial restructurings and corporate reorganizations. She also advises on a broad range of funds and investment structures, oil and gas tax issues and handles activist shareholder matters.

Prior to joining Akin Gump, Serena was a legal adviser at HM Revenue & Customs, advising policy teams on the Finance Bill and corporation tax issues. This experience has given her insight into the priorities and drivers of the U.K. tax authority, as well as how policy and legislation is developed.

Previously Serena also practiced at a Magic Circle law firm in London and Beijing.

Representative Work

Representing fund managers on fund formation and separately managed account arrangements, fee and carry structures, incentive compensation planning, secondary transactions and investment structures.
Advised BrightSphere Investment Group PLC, a NYSE listed global asset management company, on the acquisition of certain investment assets and a related corporate reorganization.
Advised the noteholders of Premier Oil, an independent British U.K. oil company with worldwide oil and gas interests, in the restructuring of its $2.7 billion debt and its merger with Chrysaor Holdings Limited.
Advised the ad hoc committee of noteholders in relation to the financial restructuring of Valaris plc, an offshore drilling contractor, and its outstanding debt liabilities.
Advised the ad hoc group of guaranteed bondholders in relation to the financial restructuring of Noble Corporation plc, a U.K. offshore drilling contractor.

Advised the syndicate of lenders to Endeavour International Corporation, an independent oil and gas company, on the restructuring of its debt liabilities.
Advised the liquidators of ARM Asset Backed Securities S.A. on the transfer of investor money held in Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) in the context of a liquidation distribution. Liaised with the Financial Conduct Authority, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and HMRC to ensure that investors could preserve the ISA treatment of any investments they were able to recover.

"She is a force of nature in terms of making things happen and goes above and beyond what you expect in client relationships."

Chambers Global, 2022

Education
L.P.C., The College of Law, London, 2010
B.A., University of Oxford, 2009

Bar Admissions
Solicitor, England and Wales

Recognitions

Chambers Global, Up and Coming, Tax, 2022 to 2023.
Chambers UK, Tax, 2021 to 2024.
The Legal 500 UK, Next Generation Partner: Corporate Tax, 2023-2024, Rising Star: Corporate Tax, 2020-2022.
Euromoney Expert Guides: Rising Stars, Tax, 2020 to 2022.
Euromoney Europe Rising Stars Awards, Tax, 2019.
Euromoney Europe Women in Business Law Awards, Rising Star, Tax, 2019.