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

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

1
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.

Work Highlights

  • 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) respondent
Greater 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) respondent
Greater 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) respondent
Greater China Region

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Peng Yu
2
Peng Yu
2
Band 2
Yu Peng maintains an active practice assisting international investors with their inbound and outbound exits and investments in primarily Asia-based target companies and assets.

He is an outstanding PE lawyer and has a very good reputation in the market. He has strong technical skills and is very attentive, but also provides ‘big picture’ views on important commercial issues.

Peng stands out for being a commercial solutions-oriented guy. He goes above and beyond what a lawyer typically does. Peng thinks proactively about how to satisfy commercial intent.

He reads the human side of things. So he’s not only good at the technical but can blend his business acumen with his understanding of people. He gives us interesting angles to think about.

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Jesse Sheley
3
Jesse Sheley
3
Band 3

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.

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.

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.

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Pierre-Luc Arsenault
4
Pierre-Luc Arsenault
4
Band 4

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.

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Ranked Lawyers at
Kirkland & Ellis

Provided by Chambers
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China

Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)
Peng Yu
2
Peng Yu
2
Band 2
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Jesse Sheley
3
Jesse Sheley
3
Band 3
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Pierre-Luc Arsenault
4
Pierre-Luc Arsenault
4
Band 4
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Members

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