Akin Continues London Restructuring Momentum with Addition of Partner Jonny Woods

Akin Gump announced today that partner Jonny Woods is returning to the firm's London office, completing a senior restructuring team consolidation that began with the recent arrivals of Neil Devaney, Lois Deasey, and Matt Benson. Woods, who departs Weil, Gotshal & Manges, has more than a decade of prior collaboration with the three colleagues now leading Akin's Band 1 ranked London restructuring practice. The hire reflects the firm's sustained momentum in establishing what leadership describes as "the strongest creditor-oriented platform of any global firm."

Barry Russell, senior partner of Akin's London office, characterized Woods's appointment as pivotal to the firm's creditor-side market positioning. "Jonny's return to Akin builds on our momentum in establishing the strongest creditor-oriented platform of any global firm," Russell said. "His cross-sector experience further strengthens our integrated, transatlantic offering and deepens our ability to advise clients across the full-spectrum of creditor-side opportunities." Russell emphasized that Woods's familiarity with Akin's systems and culture would enable immediate value delivery to clients.

Neil Devaney, head of London financial restructuring, underscored the strategic value of reuniting the team. "As we build on the strength of Akin's Band 1 ranked London restructuring practice, Jonny's return is significant for both our practice and clients who will continue to benefit from our truly integrated team," Devaney noted. "His experience advising on some of the market's most high-profile restructurings further deepens the bench of our platform and reinforces Akin's position at the forefront of the market."

Woods brings extensive expertise advising sophisticated credit investors on complex cross-border restructurings and capital solutions. The addition completes a coordinated recruitment effort targeting institutional investors, distressed credit funds, and lenders seeking sophisticated counsel on restructuring mandates, liability management transactions, and special situations across developed markets. Akin's financial restructuring practice positions itself as a leading creditor-side platform, serving institutional clients across the U.S., European, and Asian markets.