Department profile
Kirkland & Ellis

Banking & Finance

USA Guide 2026 : New York


Kirkland & Ellis

Rankings

About

Provided by Kirkland & Ellis

For more information about Kirkland & Ellis’ practices, please visit kirkland.com/services.


Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - New York

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Kirkland & Ellis has a uniquely positioned New York banking and finance group that is able to draw on nationwide and global strength in fund-related financings. It acts on both single-lender and syndicated transactions for both private equity sponsors and lenders. The team is well-known for its offerings on high yield, mezzanine and bridge financing transactions. It is capable of middle-market work in addition to its large-cap and investment grade work.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Kirkland & Ellis advised 3G Capital and its portfolio companies on the $7.2 billion acquisition financing of Skechers.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The debt finance and capital markets teams at Kirkland are sharp, user-friendly and organized. I find working with them to be exceptionally easy and we get best-in-class outcomes in every situation.

    Banking & Finance respondentUSA
  • Kirkland has truly 24 hours a day responsiveness and very short response times too. The firm is highly commercial knowledgeable, and has the ability to see around corners and provide real, valuable counsel during negotiations.

    Banking & Finance respondentUSA
  • They have strong junior partners and associates, that have been well trained and can operate as extensions of very senior and knowledgeable partners.

    Banking & Finance respondentUSA
  • Kirkland has bright lawyers with strong expertise across sectors and practices. Given the size of the firm and the experience of their partners, they have seen every type of transaction and can advise clients based on their breadth of expertise.

    Banking & Finance respondentUSA
  • Commercial awareness is probably their greatest strength. Knowledge of the law is table stakes, but understanding how that applies in practice - the different moves others can or would make, and what options that would present to us - is critically important.

    Banking & Finance respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Jay M Ptashek
    Band 1Jay M Ptashek

    Jay M Ptashek

    Jay Ptashek regularly handles large leveraged and syndicated financings. He has an enviable client roster of leading private equity funds.
  • Band 2Jason Kanner
    Band 2Jason Kanner

    Jason Kanner

    Jason Kanner attracts recognition for his expertise in borrower-side debt finance, including secured lending.
    • He has amazing experience, is very commercial and knows how to get deals done.

      Banking & Finance respondentUSA
    • His multiple decades of experience provide a differentiated view.

      Banking & Finance respondentUSA
    • He is an absolute master of his work.

      Banking & Finance respondentUSA
    • Jason understands what is important.

      Banking & Finance respondentUSA
  • Band 2Melissa Hutson
    Band 2Melissa Hutson

    Melissa Hutson

    Melissa Hutson is particularly well known for her work with private equity funds investing in the energy sector.

    • She has a great demeanor, is calm under pressure and helps everyone stay calm.

      Banking & Finance respondentUSA
    • She is outstanding.

      Banking & Finance respondentUSA
    • Melissa is an exceptional lawyer. I love working with her and find her to be incredibly thoughtful.

      Banking & Finance respondentUSA
  • Band 3Ashley Gregory
    Band 3Ashley Gregory

    Ashley Gregory

    Ashley Gregory is sought after by clients for her strong buyout finance practice, boasting significant experience within debt finance.
    • She is amazing.

      Banking & Finance respondentUSA
  • Band 4Adam Shapiro
    Band 4Adam Shapiro

    Adam Shapiro

    Adam Shapiro regularly represents private equity firms in debt financing transactions. He has notable experience in the healthcare, technology and entertainment sectors.

  • Band 4Judson Oswald
    Band 4Judson Oswald

    Judson Oswald

    Judson Oswald is noted for his expert representation of private equity funds and their portfolio companies. He is most frequently consulted by buyout funds seeking financing for company acquisitions.
    • Jud is an exceptional partner.

      Banking & Finance respondentUSA
    • He has a strong ability to handle highly complicated matters in a very commercial manner.

      Banking & Finance respondentUSA
    • Jud remains deeply involved in the details of every transaction, regardless of its size and maintains a consistently commercial mindset. He is excellent at identifying and understanding what really matters and driving deals forward efficiently by focusing his efforts to deliver the best results.

      Banking & Finance respondentUSA
    • He is both tough and gentle and reads the room effectively.

      Banking & Finance respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Kirkland & Ellis (6)

New York

Members

Provided by Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis has rankings in the following guides

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