Akin becomes latest US firm to upgrade London HQ

Akin has moved into a new London office at 155 Bishopsgate, becoming the latest major law firm to upgrade its City headquarters.

The US firm will initially occupy around 77,000 sq ft across four floors, and is understood to have plans to add another half floor of roughly 14,000 sq ft in early 2027.

Akin relocates from 10 Bishops Square in Spitalfields, where it was based next to A&O Shearman’s longstanding headquarters. A&O is itself due to move to 2 Broadgate, near Liverpool Street station, this year.

Akin has around 180 lawyers in London, including 56 partners.

“London is a cornerstone of Akin’s global platform,” co-chair Dan Walsh said, adding that the move followed “a period of significant investment in London”.

Big Law moves house

Akin joins a growing list of major law firms upgrading their London offices as firms compete for talent and expand their footprint.

Linklaters moved into its new global headquarters at 20 Ropemaker earlier this year, while Latham & Watkins recently relocated to One Leadenhall, where it occupies around 300,000 sq ft across 20 floors.

Other US firms are also expanding. Gibson Dunn has unveiled plans to move into a significantly larger headquarters at One Exchange Square, King & Spalding has taken additional space at 8 Bishopsgate and fast-growing Sullivan & Cromwell is looking for larger premises.

Akin has also been investing in its London lawyer ranks. This year it added a four-partner restructuring team from Weil led by European financial restructuring head Neil Devaney, alongside Lois Deasey, Matt Benson and Jonny Woods.

The firm has also expanded its capital solutions practice with the addition of partner Jono Hamill as part of a four-partner transatlantic private equity team from Sidley.

London partner-in-charge Ezra Zahabi said the additional space at 155 Bishopsgate was a “significant investment in our future” and would provide a “premium environment” for staff and clients.