26 May 2026
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld Strengthens Creditor-Side Restructuring in London with Return of Market-Leading Team
"Akin Gump welcomes Neil Devaney, Lois Deasey and Matt Benson as partners in London to bolster its creditor-side restructuring practice."
The team, who previously practiced at Akin and most recently served as partners in the Restructuring team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, have worked together for over a decade advising sophisticated credit investors on complex cross-border restructurings and capital solutions. Their arrival reinforces Akin Gump’s Band 1-ranked London restructuring practice and the firm’s position as the only creditor-side firm with a Band 1 restructuring practice in both New York and London.
Neil Devaney will lead Akin Gump’s restructuring practice in London. He is described as one of the most highly regarded creditor-side restructuring lawyers in the London market, advising ad hoc creditor groups, credit funds and institutional investors on complex pan‑European restructurings, alternative investments and distressed and special situations. He joins Akin Gump as a partner, having been a partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges where he co‑headed the London restructuring practice.
Lois Deasey joins Akin Gump as a partner. She advises fund clients, private placement investors and creditor groups, and has led clients through complex European restructurings and distressed situations, earning widespread market recognition and multiple industry accolades. She was previously a partner in the Restructuring team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges.
Matt Benson joins Akin Gump as a partner. He advises creditor groups and fund clients on multijurisdictional restructurings, distressed financings, private credit workouts and creditor‑driven enforcement strategies, and has led on high‑profile market matters. He was previously a partner in the Restructuring team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges.