Department profile
Kirkland & Ellis

Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)

Greater China Region Guide 2026 : China

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Kirkland & Ellis

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About

Provided by Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland’s acclaimed private equity practice has unparalleled breadth of scope and depth of experience and is consistently ranked as one of the most active legal advisers for private equity transactions across all market segments. Kirkland attorneys have handled mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, going-private transactions, growth equity transactions, recapitalizations and exit transactions on behalf of approximately 850 private equity firms of every size in every major market around the world.

In Asia, we have lawyers and legal professionals in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai focused on private equity transactions in Asia. Our team has advised private equity investors on numerous LBOs, minority investments, joint ventures, US take-privates, HK take-privates and PIPE transactions across the region. Our clients and experience cut across every major industries and geographies.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms) - China

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

The standout private equity team of Kirkland & Ellis has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai and advises on the full range of private equity deals, from fund formation to exits. It is particularly active in LBOs and going-private transactions. The firm remains a trusted adviser to leading US private equity houses, with a growing base of Asian clients, including regional funds. The practice is notably experienced in Hong Kong public takeover deals.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Kirkland & Ellis acted for CPP Investments on its AUD24 billion acquisition of AirTrunk, alongside Blackstone, from Macquarie Asset Management and other investors.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • What differentiates them is that they are extremely good at grasping complex deal structures. Their significant experience working in PE in this region allows them to help us understand precedents.

    Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

  • They have a lot of industry expertise and the M&A team in particular stands out. I am confident to ask questions and get sophisticated, commercial and practical advice.

    Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

  • Kirkland is one of the very few firms in the market that can handle complex transactions of various nature, such as LBOs, co-investing and take-privates.

    Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Jesse Sheley
    Jesse Sheley

    Jesse Sheley

    Jesse Sheley is co-head of the firm's private equity practice in Hong Kong and is a highly respected private equity lawyer who counts a number of prominent global PE firms among his clientele.

    • His creativity and ability to come up with different structures on the spot are amazing.

      Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

    • Jesse has a good personality in negotiations. He always stays calm and can handle even intense situations well. He is very knowledgeable and his technical skills are very good.

      Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region

    • He is very commercial. He can step in and offer creative solutions that work from a deal point of view but also still protect us.

      Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
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  • Pierre-Luc Arsenault
    Pierre-Luc Arsenault

    Pierre-Luc Arsenault

    Pierre-Luc Arsenault is recognised for advising prominent international private equity firms on their cross-border deals in the region. He handles a wide range of private equity investments, including restructures, minority, control and co-investments.

    • When dealing with tricky situations, his ability to find unique solutions that are a win-win for all sides helps a lot. He has that whole balance between the legal and commercial.

      Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms) respondentGreater China Region
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Ranked Individuals at Kirkland & Ellis (2)

China

  • Profile image of Jesse Sheley

    Jesse Sheley

    Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Pierre-Luc Arsenault

    Pierre-Luc Arsenault

    Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)

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Members

Provided by Kirkland & Ellis

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