Law Firm Continues Its Strategic Growth Programme

Leading national law firm Irwin Mitchell has appointed Akhil Sharma as a partner in its rapidly growing Banking & Finance team. He joins Irwin Mitchell’s London office as part of the firm’s continued investment in its Business Legal Services division.

Sharma was previously a Legal Director at Wragge Lawrence Graham, having joined from Reed Smith in 2010. Prior to that he practised for over five years at Weil Gotshal & Manges.

Sharma acts for major UK and international banks and financial institutions on a wide range of syndicated secured financing transactions. He has particular expertise in leveraged finance for domestic and cross-border corporate acquisitions and mezzanine financing for projects in the renewable energy, mining and natural resource sectors. His work also covers large corporate loans to major international conglomerates headquartered in India.

He commented: “Irwin Mitchell has rapidly established a reputable Banking & Finance offering that also includes key specialist areas that are important to the loan market such as receivables finance, asset based lending and real estate finance. With its strong foundations, the Irwin Mitchell team has an impressive client base in London as well as nationally, and has the ambition and commitment to grow further. I am delighted to be joining Irwin Mitchell's existing team and to have the opportunity to continue to build my practice in such an entrepreneurial environment.”

In December 2015, Irwin Mitchell merged with Thomas Eggar. The deal created a £250m nationwide legal services business, a top-five private wealth legal team and the platform from which Irwin Mitchell will significantly grow its business legal services operation across the UK.

Irwin Mitchell’s Banking & Finance practice now boasts eight partners providing national coverage, with further strategic appointments in this sector due to be announced imminently.