Department profile
Kirkland & Ellis

Private Equity: Buyouts

Global Guide 2026 : UK

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Kirkland & Ellis

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Equity: Buyouts - UK

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Kirkland & Ellis is recognised for its outstanding, international sponsor-side practice, which handles complex, high-end private equity transactions. It continues to act for a range of high-profile investors in the industry, with its client base spanning a broad spectrum of leading UK, US and European investors. The department's extensive expertise covers issues such as LBOs, going-private deals, restructurings and recapitalisations.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Kirkland & Ellis advised Blackstone on the GBP1.8 billion acquisition of Hipgnosis Songs Fund.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team provide an unprecedented level of commitment. They are not only strong from a technical standpoint, but have an ability to sense the bigger picture.

    Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

  • Kirkland & Ellis have a strong ability to manage complex processes, even in tight timelines. The team are very solutions-focused.

    Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

  • The Kirkland & Ellis team have been true thought partners, helping us navigate complexity to achieve the right outcomes commercially and to position us for success.

    Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

  • The firm's ability to offer a fully integrated range of expertise means they can seamlessly execute transactions. The quality of the lawyers is top notch, with a lot of experience.

    Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • David Higgins
    David Higgins

    David Higgins

    David Higgins is widely acclaimed as a foremost talent in the UK private equity market. His leading practice is routinely engaged to advise in connection with major cross-border transactions. Higgins also sits on Kirkland & Ellis's executive committee.

    • David is their oracle; he's the person I would think about going to for real questions of judgement. David has such a deep and broad set of experience in his career that he's a great sounding board.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • He has seen it all and always gives good advice.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • David is brilliant. He is very calm, has a huge amount of experience and is excellent in any scenario.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
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  • Adrian Maguire
    Adrian Maguire

    Adrian Maguire

    Adrian Maguire is the subject of acclaim from across the market owing to the superlative standard of his private equity practice. He represents clients in a range of sophisticated deals, often involving European and US sponsors.

    • Adrian is very practical and tenacious.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • Adrian is stellar.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • Adrian is an exceptional lawyer. He is a great credit to Kirkland & Ellis.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
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  • Alvaro Membrillera
    Alvaro Membrillera

    Alvaro Membrillera

    Alvaro Membrillera is widely respected for his close relationships with some of the foremost US-based sponsors in the market. Membrillera's matters have included acquisitions, disposals, minority investments and carve-outs in a variety of European jurisdictions.

    • He is always available and very smart in negotiations. I would bet on Alvaro.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • Alvaro is very smart and capable.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • Alvaro's deep subject matter expertise, creativity, work ethic and commitment to clients is invaluable and unique.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
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  • Matthew Elliott
    Matthew Elliott

    Matthew Elliott

    Matthew Elliott maintains an excellent practice concentrated on the representation of private equity funds in a host of transactions. His reputation is particularly emphasised in the real estate space.

    • Matthew has a strong network within the private equity industry. He is able to execute complex, multi-jurisdiction transactions.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • Matthew is an excellent lawyer. In particular, he has strong commercial instincts and is able to positively impact transactions through a combination of knowledge, experience, gravitas and approach.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • Matt is one of the best equity lawyers in London.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • Matthew is a fantastic practitioner.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
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  • Stuart Boyd
    Stuart Boyd

    Stuart Boyd

    Stuart Boyd displays strength in representing private equity and other investor clients in a broad range of transactions. He is particularly known for his ability for take-privates, carve-outs and acquisitions.

    • Stuart is my go-to lawyer for any significant or complex transaction, not only for his commercial instincts but also for his ability to calibrate risks and see around corners.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • Stuart is excellent. He is very sharp, so he quickly understands complex issues and the nuances that they often entail.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • Stuart is always highly sophisticated in dealing with complex transactions and he has a high level of commercial awareness.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
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  • Will Aitken-Davies
    Will Aitken-Davies

    Will Aitken-Davies

    Will Aitken-Davies is a regular adviser to a number of major private equity houses. He is active on a range of transactions, including LBOs, M&A and restructurings.

    • Will is very thoughtful and easy to work with.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • Will is easy to work with, commercial and sensible.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • Will anticipates potential issues and addresses them before they escalate, ensuring seamless transaction progress. He provides clear explanations of legal complexities and minimises uncertainty.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
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  • Keir MacLennan
    Keir MacLennan

    Keir MacLennan

    Keir MacLennan is a well-respected partner in the private equity space. He is particularly adept at advising private equity clients on M&A, take-privates and carve-outs.

    • Keir is a doer; he's actually on the deals, not just overseeing them.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • Keir is an excellent lawyer. He understands complex structures and can distil them down into readily digestible pieces for teams to understand and solve.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • Keir does a great job on private equity transactions.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal

    • Keir is extremely commercial, hard-working and pragmatic.

      Private Equity: Buyouts respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Kirkland & Ellis (7)

UK

Kirkland & Ellis has rankings in the following guides

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