Akin Gump Announces 2021 Partnership Promotions

(New York) – Akin Gump today announced the election of five new partners, effective January 1, 2021. The lawyers who have been promoted (along with their respective office locations) are Steven Franklin (Hong Kong), Jaelyn Edwards Judelson (Los Angeles), Ryan Kim (New York), Yujin Kim McNamara (Washington, D.C.) and Thomas C. Moyer (Washington, D.C.).

“This exceptional group of lawyers, which represents the diversity of our firm, fully underscores our commitment to the future,” said Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith. “In a year filled with uncertainties and challenges, these talented individuals have, through their hard work and leadership, consistently shown a strong dedication to our clients and our firm. We look to them as Akin Gump’s leaders of tomorrow, and I could not be more excited to welcome them to the partnership.”

Mr. Franklin’s practice is focused on public and private cross-border transactions. He has significant experience providing investor-side advice on complex corporate transactions and investment opportunities across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, merger arbitrage opportunities and private equity investments. He also has particular experience advising on high-profile shareholder activism situations across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Franklin received his L.P.C. from Nottingham Law School and his LL.B. from the University of London, SOAS.

Ms. Judelson advises clients on various aspects of international trade regulatory compliance, with a particular focus on how U.S. export controls and economic sanctions regulations affect software and technology companies. She also assists clients with global internal investigations and navigating the evolving global trade policy and regulatory environment. Ms. Judelson received her J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center and her A.B., with honors, from the University of Chicago.

Mr. Kim’s practice concentrates on a wide variety of domestic and international debt financings and complex restructurings. He represents private equity sponsors, hedge funds, portfolio companies, alternative capital sources and other financial investors in matters pertaining to leveraged buyouts, loan originations, distressed investments and other corporate finance transactions. He also represents debtors and creditors, including ad hoc creditor groups, in connection with restructurings, workouts, debtor-in-possession financings and exit financings. Mr. Kim received his J.D., with honors, from Columbia Law School and his B.A., with honors, from Johns Hopkins University.

Ms. McNamara counsels clients on U.S. law and policy affecting international trade and business, including dispute settlement under the World Trade Organization, antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings before the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission, and trade remedy litigation under the U.S. Court of International Trade. Ms. McNamara received her J.D., cum laude, from American University, Washington College of Law. She received both an M.A. and her B.A. from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, South Korea.

Mr. Moyer represents clients facing complex and politically sensitive government investigations and related criminal, civil and regulatory proceedings. He routinely advises corporations, institutions and individuals in navigating all aspects of congressional investigations and parallel inquiries and in executing related internal reviews and investigations. Mr. Moyer received his J.D., cum laude, from William & Mary Law School and his B.A., magna cum laude, from the College of William & Mary.

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

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