Kirkland & Ellis houses a standout bench of market-leading sponsor-side specialists who are able to provide conflict-free advice on the full gamut of European and US financing products. The team is active across the full spectrum of mid-market to large-cap deals, acting on behalf of both domestic and international private equity and investment fund clients. It is identified for its deft handling of bank and bond-financed LBOs and refinancings and ably assists clients with distressed matters spanning portfolio acquisitions and rescue financings.

"Kirkland & Ellis is an industry leader in the space; they have a very strong bench and depth at the partner level."

"They give excellent detailed attention to every point you care about and provide commercial advice to fight for points that make a difference."

"Kirkland are one of the best in the market. They set and drive new terms, and are very innovative."

Kirkland & Ellis advised Bain Capital on the EUR1.7 billion financing for the acquisition of ITP Aero.

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Co-head of debt finance Stephen Lucas maintains an excellent reputation for his expert representation of sponsors in structured and leveraged finance matters. He is regarded as a go-to for major private equity houses to advise on complex and cross-border matters. "Stephen is a technically very good lawyer." "He has a fantastic practice with a big roster of clients."

Neel Sachdev co-heads the debt finance practice and remains a leading authority in the finance market, noted for his stellar representation of sponsor-side clients. He is regularly called upon to advise on multi-jurisdictional debt finance matters, in particular acquisition financings and take-privates. "He is one of one of the key sponsor partners in the city." "Neel gets the job done and is fantastic to work with - he is top of the market." "He is widely known as one of the dominant financing lawyers in London."

Christopher Shield is held in high regard for his leveraged finance expertise. He regularly acts for an impressive list of private equity clients on large-cap mandates such as public-to-privates and acquisition financings. "Chris is a very good practitioner who does very good work in the market."

Kirsteen Nicol is a go-to practitioner in the London finance market and is noted in particular for her strength in large-cap financings. Her clients include a number of leading sponsors. "Kirsteen is absolutely tremendous - she is very sharp, a good negotiator and her practice is very multinational in scope."

Michael Steele has significant experience on a range of debt finance matters. He regularly acts for financial investors and private equity funds on complex cross-border mandates.