North America - United States • M&A/corporate and commercial
Akin
The ‘top notch’ team at Akin is regularly engaged by public and private companies on a host of corporate governance matters spanning ESG programs, shareholder activism and board evaluations. The cross-departmental team often works alongside the firm’s corporate, litigation and cybersecurity practices, augmenting its client work with the production of articles and newsletters. ’Terrific’ co-chair Kerry E Berchem, based in New York, has a strong track record working with boards and C-suites on a broad range of matters, ranging from the establishment and compliance with corporate governance policies to fiduciary duty obligation. A mix of public and private companies and private equity funds turn to Houston-based co-head John Goodgame for his expertise in the MLP industry.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Akin Gump is very strong in activist defense and corporate/commercial litigation. Akin routinely represents both companies and capital providers, including PE firms and hedge funds.'
'Akin lawyers have unique perspectives regarding how counter-parties view transactions and disputes and gives their clients inside knowledge regarding a counter-party's perspective that is very useful in resolving conflicts and transactions. Akin's litigation team is top notch in both commercial and corporate disputes.’
‘Jim Wetwiska is a terrific trial lawyer and litigator. He positions the best arguments for success rather than throwing every argument at a dispute to make something stick. He knows how to sell judges and juries, and, as defense lawyer, he really knows the plaintiffs' bar. This gives him a unique ability to navigate through bet-the-company litigation.'
'Steve Baldini is a terrific, New York-based trial lawyer and litigator, who really understands the capital markets and how to position a company's arguments regarding corporate litigation for a successful resolution.'
'Kerry Berchem is a terrific activist defense lawyer, who represents both companies and shareholders. She provides sage and thoughtful counsel to management and the board. You will not be disappointed having her present to your board.’
- 'We hold Kerry Berchem in the highest regard for her experience, expertise, partnership and counsel. She has helped us navigate through some difficult situations in a positive and thoughtful manner which we greatly appreciated as a public company.'
- 'Stephanie Bollheimer provides us outstanding counsel, experience and technical input on our compensation related matters which are highly beneficial to us.'
Key clients
- Alliance Data Systems Corporation
- Cimarex Energy Co.
- Conflicts Committee of Summit Midstream Partners, LP (SMLP)
- Diamondback Energy, Inc.
- Enterprise Products Partners LP
- EOG Resources, Inc.
- EP Energy LLC
- Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd.
- Vital Energy (formerly Laredo Petroleum, Inc.)
- Mammoth Energy Services, Inc.
- Rattler Midstream LP
- Sorenson Communications, Inc.
- Viper Energy Partners LP
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Kerry Berchem, John Goodgame