Department profile
Kirkland & Ellis

Restructuring/Insolvency

Global Guide 2026 : UK

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Kirkland & Ellis

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About

Provided by Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis' Restructuring Group utilizes its offices in the United States, Europe and Asia to provide integrated services to clients worldwide. Kirkland's Restructuring lawyers have advised on some of the most complex, multijurisdictional restructurings in recent history and have a broad range of business advisory and crisis management skills to navigate clients through situations involving financially troubled companies. Our lawyers have handled matters across multiple industries, including media, entertainment, transportation, manufacturing, energy, retail, and real estate.

With more than 100 lawyers in our U.S., London, Munich, and Hong Kong offices, the Restructuring Group has earned a distinguished international reputation by achieving positive results for a wide range of global clients. Furthermore, we regularly draw upon and benefit from the experience of Kirkland's internationally recognized lawyers in securities, corporate, tax, real estate, litigation and intellectual property to provide the full-service capabilities our clients need for the various legal matters they retain Kirkland to handle.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Restructuring/Insolvency - UK

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Kirkland & Ellis has an outstanding reputation in the restructuring market for handling high-value cross-border cases. The firm has expertise in European restructurings and US Chapter 11 cases. The team is able to draw on firm-wide experts in private equity, finance and high-yield bonds when advising on complex multidisciplinary matters. Its lawyers advise clients on the company and creditor sides, with an impressive following of blue-chip investors. Kirkland & Ellis continues to advise on some of the most prominent restructuring and insolvency matters, including notable recent work in the retail sector.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Kirkland & Ellis advised Cineworld on its UK restructuring following its USD5.1 billion US Chapter 11 restructuring.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Kirkland are one of the best in the industry and have some outstanding associates and broad experience. They are excellent, responsive, and on the most complex matters their service is unmatched.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

  • At Kirkland you have access to market-leading practitioners who are pragmatic thought leaders across all leading restructuring technology. They are unparalleled in the market.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

  • Kirkland have great technical knowledge and commerciality and always put their client first. They work relentlessly to deliver and have unmatched capability and bench depth. Just the best.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

  • Kirkland is the market-leading restructuring practice, in my opinion. The pool of high-quality legal advisers with outstanding work ethics sets them apart from the competition.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

  • Kirkland provide good customer focus, great stakeholder management and great understanding of the issues and how to solve them. The team are very supportive and always there for the customer.

    Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Sean Lacey
    Sean Lacey

    Sean Lacey

    Sean Lacey is a distinguished practitioner known for his advice on complex and cross-border restructurings and special situations. His client base consists of sponsors and borrowers.

    • Sean is fantastic. Genuinely the best restructuring lawyer in the market at the moment.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Sean is one of the most effective restructuring lawyers in the market.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Sean is on top of his game in terms of restructuring. He would be my go-to person and is one of the best restructuring lawyers. He really works hard and is determined to get the right outcome.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Sean is extremely detailed and a thorough technician.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Sean's reputation precedes him. Whenever he is in your corner, you expect results and he delivers every time.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal
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  • Hannah Crawford
    Hannah Crawford

    Hannah Crawford

    Hannah Crawford has an active restructuring and insolvency practice that sees her act for creditors and debtors on a range of domestic and international restructurings.

    • Hannah is excellent. She is a star on the rise.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Hannah is a brilliant individual.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Hannah is great. A real up-and-coming star.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Hannah was very impressive. She is truly a delight to work with.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal
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  • Theon Chalklen
    Theon Chalklen

    Theon Chalklen

    Theon Chalklen is sought after for his advice regarding complex restructurings and financings for clients in sectors ranging from utilities to retail.

    • Theon is very technical, calm under pressure and focused on delivering the right outcome for the client. He is very good.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal
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  • Thomas Jemmett
    Thomas Jemmett

    Thomas Jemmett

    Thomas Jemmett is highly sought after for his expertise regarding financial restructurings, refinancings and distressed M&A transactions. Adding to this expertise is his global practice, where he offers up his advice to clients dealing with national and international issues.

    • Thomas has great breadth of knowledge and sophistication on deals and is a pleasure to work with.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Thomas is the best at his level and seems lightyears ahead of others of his generation.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal

    • Thomas is a visionary when it comes to designing and implementing sophisticated structures, with an extraordinary work ethic and depth of understanding of the market.

      Restructuring/Insolvency respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Kirkland & Ellis (4)

UK

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