Focuses on advising creditors on complex cross-border restructurings and insolvencies.
Recognized for restructuring and insolvency by Chambers UK, The Legal 500 UK and IFLR 1000.
Member of the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council and chair of the London office’s Inclusion Council.

Emma has advised creditors on numerous high-profile restructurings of distressed bonds, private placement notes and loans in Europe. She has more than 15 years of experience working with a broad range of financial institutions on complex cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters across various industries and jurisdictions. Emma is ranked for Restructuring/Insolvency in Chambers UK, where clients describe her as “responsive, knowledgeable and able to bring in the right people for the right stuff.” She is also noted as “excellent” and for being “on top of the details, very clear and good at problem solving." Emma is also recommended by The Legal 500 UK, where clients note that she “is extremely knowledgeable and adept at bridging the gap between the legal and commercial worlds” and for being “a constant source of creative ideas.”

Representative Work

VEON: Counsel in relation to a scheme of arrangement to extend the maturity of certain USD bonds and other related matters.
Nordic Aviation Capital: Counsel to the private placement noteholders in relation to a waiver and deferral arrangement implemented through an Irish scheme of arrangement, and on the restructuring of more than $6 billion of the group’s debt through a chapter 11 plan.
intu Metrocentre: Counsel to the ad hoc committee of holders on the restructuring of £485 million in notes issued by intu Metrocentre Finance plc against the intu Metrocentre shopping centre and adjacent retail park in the United Kingdom.
Polarcus: Counsel to the largest secured bondholder of Polarcus Limited, a marine seismic exploration business, on the liquidation of Polarcus Limited and the transfer of secured assets to a company owned by the bondholders.
Dolphin Drilling: Counsel to the largest lender on the financial restructuring of Dolphin Drilling ASA (fka Fred. Olsen Energy ASA), an offshore drilling rig company headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland.

Digicel: Counsel to an ad hoc committee of holders on exchange offers made in respect of bonds issued by Digicel Group Limited.
syncreon: Counsel on the restructuring of the syncreon group to use an English scheme of arrangement rather than chapter 11 proceedings to restructure its financial indebtedness.
Expro: Counsel to the mezzanine lenders on the $2.5-billion debt restructuring of Expro Holdings, an oil and gas well services provider.
Sea Trucks: Counsel on the successful financial restructuring of the Sea Trucks Group, a provider of offshore installation, accommodation and marine support services to the oil & gas industry.
Royal Imtech: Counsel on the restructuring and subsequent insolvency of Royal Imtech NV, a Dutch technical services provider.

"Emma is a real technician who is able to resolve complex legal problems. She's also super responsive and always available."

Chambers UK, 2023

Education
L.P.C., Oxford Institute of Legal Practice, 2001
P.G.D.L., The College of Law, Guildford, 2000
M.A. (Cantab), University of Cambridge, 1999

Bar Admissions
Solicitor, England and Wales

Recognitions

Chambers UK, Restructuring/Insolvency, 2020-2025.
The Legal 500 UK, Leading Partner: Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency.
Euromoney, Expert Guide: World's Leading Women in Business Law, Restructuring and Insolvency, 2022.
Diversity Journal, Women Worth Watching in Leadership, 2022.
IFLR1000 UK, Women Leaders, 2022.
Euromoney, European Women in Business Law Awards, Insolvency & Restructuring – Lawyer of the Year, 2021.
The American Lawyer, Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) UK Awards, Outstanding Winner for Collaborative Leadership, 2021.
IFLR1000, Notable Practitioner, Financial Restructuring and Insolvency.
Euromoney, Expert Guide: Women in Business Law, Leading Practitioner: Restructuring & Insolvency, UK, 2021.
Turnarounds and Workouts, Outstanding Restructuring Lawyer, 2020.

Affiliations and Public Service

Member, 100 Women in Finance.
Member, Insolvency Lawyers’ Association.
Member, International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Federation.
Member, Association of Business Recovery Professionals.
Member, American College of Investment Counsel.

Speeches and Publications

“The Restructuring Plan – Update on Themes and Market Trends,” ELFA and Akin Webinar, November 2021.
“COVID-19 – Financial Restructuring Update and Key Issues for Investors,” ELFA and Akin Webinar, May 2020.
“UK Financial Restructuring During COVID-19,” Podcast, London, May 2020.
“An Anatomy of a Bond Restructuring,” Akin Client Seminar, March 2016.