Department profile
Kirkland & Ellis

Private Equity: Fund Formation

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide

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Kirkland & Ellis

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Provided by Kirkland & Ellis

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


Chambers Review

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Private Equity: Fund Formation - USA - Nationwide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Kirkland & Ellis boasts an impressively deep group of private funds specialists noted for their 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, with additional expertise in handling significant secondary transactions. It is noted for its experience of working with a wide array of investors as part of a global platform.

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Work Highlights

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  • Kirkland & Ellis represented Berkshire Partners on the closing of Berkshire Fund X, a private equity fund with a total of $7.8 billion in capital commitments.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Kirkland & Ellis has a great client base – very knowledgeable and commercial.

    Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA

  • Their knowledge of the market is unparalleled.

    Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA

  • They're deeply experienced, very pragmatic and smart.

    Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA

  • Kirkland helps us come up with creative ideas early on and keep our finger on the market pulse.

    Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA

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.

    • Andrew is knowledgeable, commercial and good at representing clients.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA

    • Andrew has a tremendous book of business.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA
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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.

    • She is smart, informed, responsive and practical.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA

    • Erica is super creative, dynamic and excellent at managing tough situations.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA
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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 a unique combination of technicals, commercial judgment, encyclopedic knowledge of precedents, bedside manner and responsiveness.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA
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  • Jonathan Lipnick
    Jonathan Lipnick

    Jonathan Lipnick

    Jonathan Lipnick is commended for his work with venture capital and growth equity funds. He is called upon to advise on fundraising, fund formation and structuring.

    • Jon is so plugged into the industry.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA
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  • Kelly Ryan
    Kelly Ryan

    Kelly Ryan

    Kelly Ryan specializes in advising sponsors on real estate and infrastructure fund launches.
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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 very good – a very commercial lawyer.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA
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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.

    • Chris is a good guy and bright lawyer.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA
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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.
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  • Matthew Howard
    Matthew Howard

    Matthew Howard

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

    • Robert is incredibly smart and knows the market very well. He is very creative in addressing issues.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA
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  • David Sherman
    David Sherman

    David Sherman

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

    • David's strategic thinking and proactive, balanced approach help us achieve favorable outcomes.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA
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  • Jeffrey Kaplan
    Jeffrey Kaplan

    Jeffrey Kaplan

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

    • Katrina can handle anything we throw at her.

      Private Equity: Fund Formation respondentUSA
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Ranked Individuals at Kirkland & Ellis (16)

USA - Nationwide

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