Department profile
Kirkland & Ellis

Private Equity: Fund Formation

Global Guide 2026 : USA

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Kirkland & Ellis

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Equity: Fund Formation - USA

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Kirkland & Ellis boasts an impressively deep group of private funds specialists noted for its handling of a large volume of fundraisings for prominent high end and mid-market sponsors. A global footprint ensures that it is well equipped to take on sophisticated matters involving buyout funds and real estate funds. Additional expertise in handling significant secondary transactions. Noted for its experience of working with a wide array of investors as part of a global platform.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Kirkland & Ellis represented Summit Partners on the closing of Summit Partners Growth Equity Fund XII, a flagship growth equity fund with a total of USD9.5 billion in capital commitments.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Their lawyers have a keen sense of what is market and hold an enormous amount of data, which they use effectively. They are able to translate that data into high impact advice.

    Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal

  • The entire team has impeccable client service.

    Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal

  • They are extremely plugged into the market, creative and constructive. They give top-quality advice and support that goes way beyond the legal aspects.

    Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal

  • Kirkland can pull in deep expertise across the spectrum for complex situations. They are very plugged into the current state of the market and have the relationships to dig deeper on requested topics.

    Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • John R O'Neil
    John R O'Neil

    John R O'Neil

    John O'Neil is admired for his command of fund formation, including substantial buyout and real estate funds.

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  • Andrew Wright
    Andrew Wright

    Andrew Wright

    Andrew Wright regularly works with major sponsors on forming growth equity and buyout funds. He has particular experience related to funds focused on the energy and healthcare sectors.

    • He's very talented and smart.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal

    • Andrew is a premier practitioner.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal
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  • Erica Berthou
    Erica Berthou

    Erica Berthou

    Erica Berthou represents significant asset management firms on large fund raises, including real estate, energy and credit funds.

    • I cannot overstate Erica's importance to the industry.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal

    • Erica is as agile and diverse as a Swiss Army knife. Her commercial nous and creativity motivates others. Erica is what every leader should aspire to be.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal

    • Erica is an excellent lawyer. She is extremely creative, wonderful with clients and presents complex issues and analyses in a really straightforward way.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal
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  • Daniel Lavon-Krein
    Daniel Lavon-Krein

    Daniel Lavon-Krein

    Daniel Lavon-Krein is commended for his strong practice encompassing fund formation and sales of minority stakes in fund managers.

    • Daniel has very strong business judgment.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal

    • Everything about Daniel as a practitioner is very strong.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal

    • Daniel is a major champion of our firm. I can't say enough positive things about him.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal
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  • Kelly Ryan
    Kelly Ryan

    Kelly Ryan

    Kelly Ryan specializes in advising sponsors on real estate and infrastructure fund launches.

    • Kelly is the premier practitioner for real estate private equity work.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal
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  • Sean J Hill
    Sean J Hill

    Sean J Hill

    Sean Hill has notable strength in forming funds including credit funds and other private equity vehicles. He has further experience of advising sponsor-side clients on secondary transactions in their funds.

    • Sean is the ultimate business-minded lawyer who helps clients focus on the important matters in the long-term. He's smart and talented.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal

    • He's a collaborative lawyer.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal
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  • Chris P Kallos
    Chris P Kallos

    Chris P Kallos

    Chris Kallos handles the establishment of significant buyout and venture capital funds.
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  • Jordan C Murray
    Jordan C Murray

    Jordan C Murray

    Jordan Murray is recognized for his work establishing private equity funds and handling minority stake transactions. He is routinely called upon by significant sponsors to provide counsel.

    • Jordan is an elite practitioner in this space.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal
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  • Matthew Howard
    Matthew Howard

    Matthew Howard

    Matthew Howard has notable experience of advising sponsor-side clients on significant fund launches.

    • Matt is very knowledgeable and is commercial in his advice. He communicates complicated legal issues in a simple manner and in a way that our business can understand.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal
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  • Robert Blaustein
    Robert Blaustein

    Robert Blaustein

    Robert Blaustein is based in New York and has a widely respected practice advising asset managers on the formation of private equity funds. He has further experience of providing counsel on strategic investments and transactions.

    • He is extraordinarily talented.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal

    • Robert is a fantastic lawyer.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal
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  • Jeffrey Kaplan
    Jeffrey Kaplan

    Jeffrey Kaplan

    Jeffrey Kaplan regularly advises emerging managers on raising buyout and growth equity funds.

    • Jeffrey is fantastic.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal
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  • Justin Solomon
    Justin Solomon

    Justin Solomon

    Justin Solomon is highly adept at providing counsel on the formation of funds to high-profile private equity firms.

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  • Nicole Washington
    Nicole Washington

    Nicole Washington

    Nicole Washington is praised for her strong practice advising on fund formation matters, including early-stage fundraises.

    • Nicole gives very good practical advice.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal
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  • David Sherman
    David Sherman

    David Sherman

    David Sherman is routinely engaged in fund formation, management and operation of private equity funds.

    • David is a fantastic lawyer and an expert in the finer details.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal

    • He is practical with a good sense of substance.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentGlobal
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  • Katrina Rowe
    Katrina Rowe

    Katrina Rowe

    Katrina Rowe has a burgeoning practice in this space. She has significant experience of providing counsel on the formation of a range of funds, including debt and infrastructure funds.
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Ranked Individuals at Kirkland & Ellis (15)

USA

Kirkland & Ellis has rankings in the following guides

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