Akin Strengthens Disputes Practice with Hire of Leading Energy and Arbitration Lawyer Mark Clarke

(LONDON) – Akin announced today that partner Mark Clarke has joined the firm’s London office, in a return to private practice. Clarke joins from global energy firm, Proman AG, where he was an Executive Director and Group General Counsel. Previously, he served as Head of Commercial Disputes and Co-Head of the Global Energy Practice at White & Case.

Clarke will join as Akin’s head of international arbitration. His addition expands the firm’s global litigation and arbitration practice and significantly bolsters its international energy disputes offering.

Clarke is a recognized leader in the field of energy disputes, and has acted on some of the largest and highest-value arbitrations in the world. His broad client base includes governments, state-owned entities and multinational corporations, which he has represented in numerous complex cross-border disputes throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas and in Asia Pacific.

“As the number and complexity of energy disputes continues to increase globally, Mark, a renowned and respected arbitration and litigation lawyer, brings a wealth of knowledge and breadth of experience to Akin,” said chairperson Kim Koopersmith. “Mark aligns with our long-term strategy and his skillset meets current and future client needs. I’m thrilled to welcome him to the firm.”

Partner in charge of London Sebastian Rice added, “Strengthening our energy-focused disputes offering is a key priority for Akin’s international arbitration and litigation practice. The synergy of Mark’s practice with the firm’s wider corporate transactional team, particularly our energy team, strengthens the firm’s offering across all those areas and responds to client demands for seamless expertise.”

Clarke follows the recent announcement of Daniel Wayte’s arrival to London’s corporate practice. In addition, energy partner Rob Butler was added to London’s corporate practice in July, and the technology transactions team of Justin Stock, Stephen Rosen and David Bresnick was hired in September.

“Akin is the ideal fit for my practice, with its sophisticated international arbitration offering and a market-leading energy practice. I’m excited to return to private practice at such a collaborative and dynamic firm,” said Mark on his move.

About Akin’s Disputes & Investigations Practice

Our global disputes & investigations practice brings together a team with a proven track record of leading high-stakes matters. We are the first call for clients because we consistently implement innovative strategies, handle complex cases and secure significant trial victories for our clients in jurisdictions worldwide. Our highly skilled lawyers regularly handle the most complex commercial international arbitration and litigation, white collar defense and government investigations, internal investigations, criminal and regulatory proceedings, class actions, parallel civil and administrative proceedings, multidistrict litigation, arbitrations and matters involving complex procedural and discovery issues.

About Akin’s Energy Practice

Akin is a leading advisor to companies and capital providers across the energy value chain. Our global, interdisciplinary team has market-leading experience across upstream, midstream, downstream, energy services and the spectrum of energy transition projects, including wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, bioenergy, carbon capture, renewable natural gas, landfill gas, hydrogen, ammonia and sustainable aviation fuel. With more than 250 energy lawyers and advisors, we serve as trusted counsel to public and private energy companies, private equity, credit, infrastructure and other investors, and management teams worldwide. We help clients develop, finance, construct, operate, buy and sell energy and infrastructure projects and companies throughout the world.

Akin is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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