His experience includes advising on IPOs, rights issues, placings and open offers, accelerated bookbuilt offerings and other private placements as well as compliance by non-US companies with US securities laws and regulations.
He is recognised as one of Legal 500’s Hall of Fame Capital Markets lawyers, and is ranked as a leading Capital Markets lawyer by Chambers and IFLR.
Adam is based in our London office, having previously practiced in New York. He is a member of the Bar of the State of New York.
Adam is the Global Co-Head of US Capital Markets & Global ECM. He advises companies, sponsors and investment banks on a wide range of complex and innovative international capital markets transactions, with a focus on equity capital markets.
Expertise
Experience
Representative matters
On over 50 IPOs in his career, including IPOs by ADNOC Logistics & Services, Empower, Abraaj Energy Services, Borouge, TECOM, Azelis, Noventiq, Ebusco, SPEAR Investments, Disruptive Capital Acquisition Company, Moonpig, ESG Core Investments, Allegro, JDE Peets, Marel, DWF, Quilter, DP Eurasia (Domino's Pizza Turkey), Allied Irish Bank, Emaar Development, Balta, VolkerWessels, Neinor Homes, Alfen, Árima, McCarthy & Stone, CMC Markets, Ibstock, Softcat, The Gym Group, Hastings, Spire Healthcare, Emaar Malls, Refresco Gerber, Lucas Bols, NN Group, Intertrust and bpost.
Llisted companies and banks across the globe on strategic equity-related transactions and other significant change events. This includes capital raising, M&A, demergers, and reorganisations.
Rights issues or placings and open offers by Euronext, Marks & Spencer, Energias de Portgal (EDP), Marks & Spencer, Piraeus Bank, Hellenic Bank, Cobham, Capitec, KPN, REN, Wereldhave and Circassia Pharmaceuticals.
Accelerated bookbuild offerings relating to Azelis, Moonpig, Allied Irish Banks, Astrazeneca, Network International, Informa, Hiscox, The Gym Group, Vodacom, Neinor Homes, Spar, Capitec, PSG, bpost, McCarthy & Stone, Spire Healthcare and NN Insurance.
Companies, shareholders and underwriting banks on SEC reporting matters. This includes assisting clients, particularly non-US companies with compliance with US securities regulation.
Published Work
- European IPOs. Back on track or the end of a good run? PLC Magazine, March 2015
- The European IPO market: signs of life, PLC Magazine, December 2012
- US private offerings: Solicitation and advertising on the cards, PLC Magazine, October 2012
- Pre-marketing in the EU and the US, convergence ahead? PLC Magazine, September 2010
Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations
- New York Bar, 1998
- US District Court for the Nothern District of New York, 1999
Recognition
“Adam Wells – very strong US securities partner, always available and very focused on finding solutions.”
Legal 500 UK (ECM)
“He can turn his hand to any deal with a U.S. component. He understands what the banks need.”
Chambers UK (ECM)
Qualifications
Admissions
Admitted to the Bar, State of New York, 1998
Registered foreign lawyer, England and Wales, 2012
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.