Last updated:
Akin
A US firm with particular strengths in financial restructuring, investment funds and shareholder activism, recruiting a small London trainee cohort.
About Akin
Akin, also known by its full name Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, was founded in Dallas in 1945 by Richard Gump and Robert Strauss. It now operates across the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. London serves as a hub for its international practice, combining financial restructuring, investment management, corporate transactions, finance, disputes and regulatory advice. Its work has a strong connection with investment funds, institutional investors and the movement of capital across borders, including investments in financially distressed businesses. Alongside this transactional work, London lawyers advise on international trade, sanctions, competition and tax. For prospective trainees, the firm offers a small intake within an international practice, with exposure to both the commercial objectives behind investments and the legal challenges that arise when transactions or businesses encounter difficulties
Akin’s London training programme comprises four six-month seats. Its recruitment brochure describes a combination of transactional and contentious experience, with practices including financial restructuring, corporate/M&A, finance, investment management, litigation, international trade, competition and tax. According to Chambers Student, trainees initially indicate a preference for transactional, advisory or contentious work, then submit three ranked preferences for subsequent seats. International and client secondments depend on business needs; its latest review identifies Hong Kong and The Carlyle Group as examples, rather than guaranteed destinations.
Development combines supervision, practical work and formal training, with two reviews during each seat. Future trainees study together at the University of Law’s London Moorgate campus for the SQE programme, with non-law graduates completing the PGDL first. The firm provides postgraduate sponsorship and maintenance support. Its Akin Anchor programme pairs future trainees with a newly qualified solicitor during their SQE studies, providing an additional source of guidance before joining. Trainees can also develop presentation skills through the firm’s Trainee Education and Development talks.
Practice areas & rankings
Akin has eight ranked departments in Chambers UK 2026. These include Band 1 rankings for Restructuring/Insolvency in London and Shareholder Activism: Activist Representation UK-wide. It holds UK-wide Band 2 rankings for Investment Funds: Hedge Funds, Investment Funds: Private Equity: Secondaries and Sanctions. Its remaining rankings cover Investment Funds: Private Equity, Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas, and Tax.
The firm was shortlisted for Restructuring Team of the Year at the 2025 Legal Business Awards.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Ranked Band 1 in London in Chambers UK 2026, Akin is particularly recognised for creditor-side restructuring work. It advises lenders, bondholders and investment funds on complex corporate debt and structured finance arrangements, often across several jurisdictions. Chambers highlights its representation of an ad hoc group of Adler Group’s 2029 noteholders in challenging the company’s restructuring plan. This practice combines negotiation, financial analysis and contentious work concerning how competing stakeholders recover value from distressed businesses.
Akin holds a Band 1 UK-wide ranking in Chambers UK 2026. It advises activist investors on investments involving London-listed companies, supported by expertise in corporate governance, competition and tax. Chambers identifies Elliott as a significant client and highlights advice on its investment in BP. The work concerns how shareholders use their investment and legal rights to influence a company’s strategy, management or capital allocation.
Ranked Band 2 UK-wide in Chambers UK 2026, the practice advises on fund formation, regulation and related transactions. Its clients include established alternative asset managers and emerging businesses, with experience across credit, infrastructure and real estate strategies. Chambers highlights the team’s understanding of US and European regulation, tax and complex restructurings, reflecting the cross-border legal requirements involved in establishing and operating investment funds.
Akin holds a Band 2 UK-wide ranking in Chambers UK 2026 for this specialist funds category. Its broader private funds practice advises on formation, regulation and investor representation. Secondaries work concerns transactions involving existing fund investments, making the relationship between managers, investors and the underlying assets particularly relevant. This sits alongside the firm’s wider private equity funds practice, which is separately ranked Band 3 UK-wide.
Ranked Band 2 UK-wide in Chambers UK 2026, Akin’s sanctions practice forms part of its international trade group. The team advises on matters involving UK, EU, US and Swiss sanctions regimes, with particular recognition for energy-sector work. These matters can require businesses to assess whether proposed transactions, counterparties or activities are permitted across several regulatory systems.
Awards
Restructuring Team of the YearBritish Legal Awards 2024
Won for acting for the successful appellants in the Adler restructuring plan challenge, the first UK court-approved restructuring to be overturned.
Best Onshore Law Firm for Client ServiceWith Intelligence Hedge Fund Services Awards Europe 2026
Awarded to the London hedge funds team, the third consecutive year it has taken the category.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Candidates submit an online form covering their academic record, achievements and motivation. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Akin recruits London trainees through its vacation scheme, so this application begins the route to the September 2029 programme.
The form should explain why Akin’s work and training suit the applicant. A useful approach is to select one or two relevant aspects of the firm and connect them to a personal experience or considered interest. For example, an interest in restructuring could be supported by an explanation of why negotiations between creditors and distressed businesses appeal. Simply naming a prominent practice gives the recruiter less insight into the applicant’s motivation.
For experience-based answers, explain the situation, personal contribution and outcome, then reflect on what was learnt. Examples from employment, volunteering or university activities can demonstrate judgement and responsibility. Keep the emphasis on specific actions: how a problem was analysed, how priorities were managed or how a team reached a decision.
Akin: quick answers
How much does Akin pay trainees?
Akin pays first-year trainees £60,000, rising to £65,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Akin earn £180,000.
When is the Akin vacation scheme deadline?
Akin's vacation scheme applications close on 13 Dec for the 2026/27 cycle. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Akin take on?
Akin takes on around 8 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Akin use in its applications?
All eligible applicants receive Akin’s bespoke, untimed strengths-based online assessment. It presents trainee-related scenarios and explores strengths and preferences. Candidates must meet its benchmark before their written application is reviewed. Preparation should focus on understanding the work of a trainee and reflecting honestly on preferred ways of working. Consider how you approach unfamiliar problems, collaborate with others and respond when priorities change. Read each scenario carefully and answer consistently. As the assessment is untimed, take the opportunity to understand the information before responding.
What grades do you need to apply to Akin?
To apply to Akin you will generally need a 2:1+ degree. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
Get the tools and support you need to succeed.