Carolyn Vardi

Practice Areas

Carolyn Vardi is a corporate partner in the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Carolyn was named “Private Equity Dealmaker of the Year” in 2021 for the middle market by The Deal. She represents international private equity sponsors and corporate clients in a wide range of transactions, including leveraged buyouts, going-private deals, mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments and dispositions. She has extensive experience representing buyers and sellers in public and private mergers and acquisitions, including joint ventures and equity co-investments. She has also advised on strategic M&A and bankruptcy related matters, and regularly counsels clients on general corporate matters and corporate governance. Carolyn has advised on large acquisitions across many industries and verticals, including financial services, software, health care, industrials, and consumer and retail.

Carolyn has been consistently recognized by Chambers USA and Chambers Global as a leading lawyer in Private Equity. Clients remark that she is “a smart lawyer and has an amazing deal sense and ability to deal with people.” A top private equity attorney, Crain’s New York recognized Carolyn in its 2019 Notable Women in Law report, which highlighted her “strong track record in the resolution of complex transactions for both corporate clients and private equity funds.” Euromoney’s Women in Business Law awards also recently honored Carolyn as among the “Best in Private Equity” in the United States.

Carolyn promotes and supports the development of young women professionals in the private equity and finance industries. She also co-wrote a widely respected report focused on trends that could drive private equity firms to improve gender balance within their ranks and promote more women to senior positions in the field.

Personal

Yale University (BA, cum laude, 1998); Columbia University School of Law (JD, 2001).