John R O'Neil

Practice Areas

John O’Neil, a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, is widely regarded as a global leader in private equity. John was the architect and longtime leader of the Firm’s Investment Funds Group, the leading-edge global platform that provides innovative and bespoke legal strategies to sponsors and funds of all kinds. In addition, during his tenure on Kirkland’s Executive Committee, John was an integral contributor to the Firm’s overall global strategy.

John has been recognized by Chamber’s Global, Chambers USA, IFLR 1000, Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal where he was described as a “‘phenomenal lawyer,’ acknowledged for his strong track record representing large sponsors” and being “extremely smart and creative.” Founders look to John as a valued business partner and a global thought leader on identifying market trends, creating and executing plans across AUM, product line and geographical expansion.

As the advisor of choice of some of the world’s most sophisticated and dynamic investment funds, John has guided clients for over two decades through a myriad of operational issues as well as extraordinary events involving investment funds and their sponsors. His breadth of experience includes helping clients successfully navigate “key person” events, investor defaults, spin-outs, GP liquidity solutions and other significant transactions. John is a founding member of the Firm’s Investment Funds Crisis Management Group, which guides investment fund sponsors, advisory boards, and other market participants through some of their most challenging situations.

Personal

John received his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law and is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is admitted in New York, Massachusetts and Illinois. Among his philanthropic efforts, John serves on the board of the Constellation Fund.