Kirkland & Ellis LLP - The Who's Who Legal 100 2012

What is the Who's Who Legal 100?

The private funds practice is a “hallmark” of the firm and receives international acclaim. The practice group is made up of nearly 100 lawyers advising on private equity, real estate and hedge funds. The success of the practice is reflected in the fact that the firm has represented nearly 300 private fund sponsors in raising $375 billion of new capital for more than 560 funds since 1995. A “standout lawyer”, Mark Mifsud is one of the most highly regarded individuals in the research. Mifsud is based in the London office and advises fund managers in relation to the structuring and establishment of a variety of private investment funds. Alongside him, Richard Watkins advises on private equity fund structuring and private equity transactions and is “first rate”. Based in Hong Kong, the “impressive” Justin Dolling advises on the structuring and establishment of private equity investment funds and his clients include Apax Partners and Silver Lake. In Chicago, head of the private funds group Bruce Ettelson PC is “highly praised” for his premier work for clients such as Bear Stearns and Vestar Capital Partners. Andrew Wright, located in New York, has represented both domestic and international sponsors of investment funds ranging from private equity to leveraged buyout funds and real estate and infrastructure funds. Wright also is “highly experienced” in advising on emerging market funds.

The firm garner five listings in the corporate tax chapter. Its tax practice is “highly regarded”, advising in connection with domestic and foreign transactions and financings and on contested matters by state tax authorities. Recent notable matters include advising on the tax implications of General Motors’ sale of a 51 per cent interest in General Motors Acceptance Corporation to an investor group led by Cerberus Capital Management for approximately $14 billion. The Chicago office emerges as a hub of talent for this sector with four of the five nominees based in this office. Jack Levin is a “great technical lawyer” with extensive experience in advising clients on the tax aspects of complex business transactions. Todd Maynes PC specialises in debt restructuring, bankruptcy and tax litigation and is “excellent” according to our sources. The “highly capable” Donald Rocap focuses on the tax and structuring aspects of acquisitions, dispositions and reorganisations and private equity fund formations. In New York, Patrick Gallagher receives “international acclaim” for his handling of domestic and cross-border transactions for private equity clients.

Four listings in the M&A chapter and a further four listings in the corporate governance chapter reflect Kirkland & Ellis’ undeniable strength in the corporate field. Stephen Fraidin features in both chapters and is a “big name” in New York. Scott Falk in Chicago also features in both chapters and is praised for his “vast knowledge” of corporate law. Kirk Radke appears in the corporate governance and private funds chapters and is a “leading light” while David Fox in the M&A chapter is “very well regarded”. Hong Kong-based Nicholas Norris appears in the M&A chapter and has experience representing private equity firms, investment banks and major corporations: his recent work includes advising Citigroup in China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation and ENN Energy Holdings’ US$2.14 billion unsolicited preconditional joint voluntary cash offer for China Gas Holdings.

The competition section showcases five of the firm’s lawyers. In Washington, DC, of counsel Timothy Muris has a “long-standing reputation” in the field of antitrust enforcement and is a former chairman of the Federal Trade Commission. His significant representations include Northwest Airlines in its merger with Delta Air Lines. Tefft Smith is a “leading name” in the field and has handled competition matters in the US and before the European Competition Commission. James Mutchnik has handled matters ranging from alleged price fixing to merger control, and counsels companies on pricing, marketing, distribution and dealer termination issues.

The firm also performs well in the patents chapter with five lawyers listed, the majority of whom are based in the firm’s Chicago headquarters. Kenneth Adamo – a recent addition to the firm – specialises in all areas of IP and his extensive trial experience sees him “highly sought after” by clients. William Streff has a broad IP practice covering litigation, transactions and counselling and is “outstanding”. Head of the firm’s pharmaceutical and biotech patent litigation practice Mark Pals is an “excellent” practitioner with a “wealth of expertise” in life sciences and chemical patent litigation.

Our research reflects the firm’s “exceptional” talent and distinguishes it as a “premier” global firm.