3 of the 10 new partners at Akin Gump are tax lawyers. Bios detailed below.

Akin Gump today announced the election of 10 new partners, effective January 1, 2017. 3 of the 10 are tax lawyers: Olivier De Moor (New York), Sophie Donnithorne-Tait (London) and Alexander Specht (New York)  

“The lawyers promoted to partner this year are a very talented and diverse group of individuals,” said Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith. “I know they will continue to work tirelessly every day on behalf of our clients, and I am thrilled to welcome them to the partnership.”

Olivier De Moor is part of Akin Gump’s US tax practice, concentrating on the U.S. federal tax and tax treaty aspects of corporate and financial transactions involving hedge and private equity funds, the structuring and restructuring of investments in the United States, and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. In addition, he regularly advises on the U.S. and international tax aspects of foreign investments by U.S. investors, advises on a broad range of U.S. withholding issues and has extensive experience handling Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act issues. Mr. De Moor received his International Tax LL.M. from the University of Michigan Law School. He has an LL.B., cum laude, from Ghent University, a P.G.D.L., magna cum laude, from the Solvay Business School in Brussels and a P.G.D.L., magna cum laude, from the Brussels Tax College.

Sophie Donnithorne-Tait advises on all aspects of U.K. corporate tax, with a focus on financial restructurings, group reorganizations, structured finance arrangements and value added tax. She has particular experience in the tax implications of restructuring U.K. oil and gas companies. She also works closely with her counterparts in the firm’s U.S. offices and frequently advises U.S. funds on the tax-efficient structuring of their investments into Europe.

Ms. Donnithorne-Tait received her L.P.C. from BPP Law School, London, and a First Class degree in Law from the University of Cambridge.

Alexander Specht is based in New York and focuses his work on the U.S. federal tax aspects of domestic and cross-border financial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and partnerships.  Mr. Specht regularly advises private equity and hedge funds on matters related to the structuring of investments and operations within and outside of the United States.

He received his J.D., cum laude, from American University, Washington College of Law and his B.A. from Columbia University.