William Flenley KC

Mr. Kandel has extensive experience leading leveraged, special situations and acquisition finance and restructuring matters under English and U.S. law, and is considered one of the leading acquisition finance lawyers in London.Significantly, he brings to bear an unusually broad depth of experience beyond his core focus area, having had experience over the years in high-yield and debt capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, securitization, derivatives, margin loans, fund finance, investment...

Robert Spano is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Human Rights Law and Public International Law. Robert, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sarah Blakelock is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Sarah, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sarah is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Simon Airey focuses his practice on global, cross-border and internal investigations, financial and regulatory crime, bribery and corruption, money laundering, tax and fraud inquiries, data breaches, dawn raids, asset tracing, international enforcement and corporate compliance issues. He has conducted a wide range of investigations and corporate defence assignments in different sectors, including construction, defence, financial services, gambling, oil and gas, logistics, pharmaceuticals and ...

Clive Wells is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Clive, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Clive is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Al Gourley is a Partner at the firm’s London office. He is a globally-recognised resource lawyer, having led many UK and Canadian initial public offerings, secondary and alternative finance transactions, as well as mergers and acquisitions, in the resource sector, particularly cross-border transactions involving Europe, Africa, Australia and Canada. Al is also the Chairman of the World Initiative of Mining Lawyers based in Europe. Al is known for his knowledge of “pure” mini...

Michael Kazakevich is a partner in Ropes & Gray’s finance group in London, co-head of the firm’s global practice, and co-chair of the firm’s investment banking industry group. Michael’s practice focuses on corporate finance transactions. He has advised issuers and underwriters in connection with high yield debt issues, secured leveraged loans, initial and follow-on public equity offerings, tender offers and acquisition financing commitments.

Richard Obank is a partner and the practice group leader of the Firm's Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring Practice Group in the U.K. Richard practices in the area of corporate restructuring with particular experience acting for boards of directors in financially distressed situations. He advises regularly on distressed M&A transactions, debt and capital restructuring and work out situations, often involving significant cross-border issues, where the objective is to ensure the best o...

Robert Haak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of High Yield Products. Robert, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Prior to joining Skadden, Mr. Gal led the strategic development of the Middle Eastern litigation practice of another major U.S. law firm. Over the course of the last 20 years, he has represented some of the world’s leading companies in sectors such as telecommunications, banking and finance, infrastructure, energy, construction and technology under a variety of different rules including ICC, ICSID, LCIA, UNCITRAL, AAA and ad hoc arbitrations. He served, until recently, as one of Austral...