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Kirkland & Ellis
Department profile | Kirkland & Ellis
Banking & Finance: Sponsors

About

Provided by Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland has the largest sponsor-focused debt finance practice in Europe, advising on TLB, second lien, PIK, bank/bond and unitranche structures across large cap and middle market deals. The team has been at the forefront of some of the most innovative financing structures and acts regularly on the most complex global and pan-European transactions. This has included advising on the largest sponsor-backed financings for public to private transactions across Europe.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance: Sponsors - London (Firms)

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Kirkland & Ellis houses a standout bench of market-leading sponsor-side specialists who are able to provide advice on the full gamut of European and US financing products. The team is active across the spectrum of mid-market to large-cap deals, acting on behalf of both domestic and international private equity 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. Its recent standout matters include cross-border P2P financings as well as preferred-equity structures. The law firm additionally offers a strong fund finance practice catering to investment fund clients.

Work Highlights

  • Kirkland & Ellis advised Apollo on the £506 million financing of its take private of The Restaurant Group.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

They're extremely strong, across all levels with very good bench strength.

Banking & Finance: Sponsors respondent
UK

The Kirkland team provide a strong steer on market positions and clear advice on the more nuanced areas of the financing to allow us a clear view on where we should push in our negotiations.

Banking & Finance: Sponsors respondent
UK

The Kirkland team remains consistently confident and unwavering no matter how complex the matter before them may be. They are knowledgeable and professional through every step of the process.

Banking & Finance: Sponsors respondent
UK

On sophistication they are second to none. The whole team, regardless of jurisdiction, are good.

Banking & Finance: Sponsors respondent
UK

The Kirkland team are very technical, whilst remaining commercial throughout. Emails are always acknowledged immediately and answered quickly.

Banking & Finance: Sponsors respondent
UK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Stephen Lucas
E
Stephen Lucas
E
Eminent Practitioners
Stephen Lucas acts as a member of Kirkland's executive committee. He 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 matters.

Stephen is amazing. He continues to be one if not the best legal professional out there doing leveraged finance.

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1
Ian Barratt
1
Band 1
Ian Barratt continues to be regarded as one of the premier choices for sponsor-side representation. He is frequently instructed by leading private equity clients to advise on leveraged acquisition finance matters and is well versed in cross-border transactions.

He's unbelievably talented, I believe he is the best lawyer in Europe.

He is just a phenomenal lawyer; he's just the best lawyer we've ever had.

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Susannah Amini
1
Susannah Amini
1
Band 1
Susannah Amini advises on the full range of fund finance transactions and comes recommended for her representation of sponsor-side clients.

Susannah is a leader in the field.

She has good client relationships and strong technical knowledge.

I find Susannah very easy to work with; she's always positive and always strives to find the best solution.

Susannah has provided key support and guidance for us when looking at new and existing transactions.

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Christopher Shield
2
Christopher Shield
2
Band 2
Christopher Shield is held in high regard for his leveraged finance expertise and regularly acts for an impressive list of private equity clients on large-cap mandates such as public-to-privates and acquisition financings.

He's got incredible deal focus, commercial instincts and market awareness.

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Kirsteen Nicol
5
Kirsteen Nicol
5
Band 5
Kirsteen Nicol is a go-to practitioner in the London finance market and is noted in particular for her strength in large-cap cross-border financings. Her clients include a number of leading sponsors.

She is on the ball 24-7. She knows the market from the legal side inside out. That helps her to be very thoughtful in her responses whenever we throw a curveball at her.

She has a good read of what is in the market, what is really achievable at the time and she always delivers a good quality of work.

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6
Daniel Borg
6
Band 6

Daniel Borg is a debt finance expert who advises leading private equity sponsors on financing transactions.

Dan is a fantastic lawyer, we trust him with our bigger transactions - I can't say enough good things.

Dan is truly outstanding.

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6
Vanessa Xu
6
Band 6

Vanessa Xu has a leveraged finance focused practice that sees her advising private equity sponsors on their acquisitions.

She's a very strong lawyer, I truly enjoy working with Vanessa.

She's a great lawyer who is very commercial and gets the right outcome for clients.

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Evgeny Zborovsky
U
Evgeny Zborovsky
U
Up and Coming
Evgeny Zborovsky regularly acts for well-known mid-cap as well as big-ticket sponsors, including on transactions with sophisticated structures and across jurisdictions.

Evgeny is very well-respected in the market, he has an incredible work ethic and is very collaborative and creative. We have come to expect a high standard from him, and he never disappoints.

He's an exceptional debt-focused lawyer.

We trust him to handle our matters with special care and consistently deliver great terms and a smooth process. His passion for the work really shines through, making it a pleasure to work with him.

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Ranked Lawyers at
Kirkland & Ellis

Provided by Chambers
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London (Firms)

Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
Stephen Lucas
E
Stephen Lucas
E
Eminent Practitioners
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1
Ian Barratt
1
Band 1
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Christopher Shield
2
Christopher Shield
2
Band 2
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Kirsteen Nicol
5
Kirsteen Nicol
5
Band 5
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6
Daniel Borg
6
Band 6
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6
Vanessa Xu
6
Band 6
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Evgeny Zborovsky
U
Evgeny Zborovsky
U
Up and Coming
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Banking & Finance: Fund Finance
Susannah Amini
1
Susannah Amini
1
Band 1
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