Bankruptcy & Debt
Kirkland & Ellis's Restructuring Group offers comprehensive business advisory and crisis management services to guide clients through complex financial challenges. With over 200 attorneys across offices in the U.S., London, Munich, and Hong Kong, the group specializes in intricate domestic and cross-border restructuring and insolvency cases. Their experience spans multiple industries, including automotive, media, telecommunications, healthcare, energy, retail, and real estate. The team represents debtors, distressed investors, and creditors in various restructuring efforts, both within and outside of Chapter 11 proceedings. Kirkland & Ellis has been recognized as the #1 firm in the world in restructuring for eight consecutive years by Global Restructuring Review's GRR 30 Rankings (2017-2024) and was named Bankruptcy Law Firm of the Year at the Chambers USA Awards in 2024.
Business
Kirkland & Ellis LLP's Business practice offers comprehensive legal services in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and complex corporate transactions. The firm's attorneys represent both public and private companies, as well as private equity investors, in negotiating and closing sophisticated deals. Their expertise spans a broad range of complex engagements, ensuring tailored solutions that align with clients' strategic objectives.
Banking & Finance
Kirkland & Ellis' Banking & Financial Institutions Practice Group provides comprehensive counsel to financial institutions, banks, investment banks, and investors on capital formation transactions, mergers and acquisitions, complex financings, and the development of capital-qualified debt and equity securities. Leveraging extensive experience with private equity firms and public companies, the firm advises on regulatory compliance, enforcement actions, insolvency matters, and governmental investigations. The practice seamlessly integrates with Kirkland's private equity, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, financing, and fund formation groups to handle complex and first-of-their-kind transactions.
Civil & Human Rights
Kirkland & Ellis LLP demonstrates a strong commitment to civil and human rights through extensive pro bono work. The firm has dedicated nearly 150,000 hours to pro bono matters, addressing issues such as climate change, human rights, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Notably, Kirkland & Ellis represented alumni and supporters of Maryland's historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in a 15-year legal battle against the State of Maryland, resulting in a $577 million settlement to address systemic underfunding. The firm donated its $12.5 million portion of the legal fees to organizations benefiting HBCUs and promoting civil rights. Additionally, Kirkland & Ellis partnered with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to achieve a landmark civil rights ruling, further exemplifying their dedication to advancing civil and human rights.
Employment & Labor
Kirkland & Ellis provides comprehensive employment and labor law services, representing clients in litigation before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, and offering counsel on the growing array of federal and state statutes and regulations affecting employment relationships. The firm's practice encompasses labor management relations, employment termination, policy development, employment contracts, immigration compliance, occupational safety, legislative matters, and wage and hour standards. Kirkland's employment law practice also integrates with other key areas such as mergers and acquisitions, health and safety, government contracts, employee benefits (ERISA), and restructuring, ensuring a holistic approach to client needs.
Insurance
Kirkland & Ellis's Insurance Transactions & Regulatory Practice Group advises clients on complex and high-profile transactions and regulatory matters involving the insurance industry. The team brings together deep knowledge of the insurance industry with market-leading capabilities in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and capital markets to provide the highest-quality service to clients operating or transacting in the insurance industry. The integrated regulatory team provides practical, bespoke advice that is business-minded and commercial, fully aligned with clients' broader business and transactional goals. The practice regularly works with insurers, reinsurers, private equity firms, hedge funds, brokers and intermediaries, third-party administrators, managing general agents, InsurTech firms, investment banks, and other participants in the insurance industry.
Intellectual Property
Professional legal services in Intellectual Property.
Lawsuits & Disputes
Kirkland & Ellis International Law Firm's Litigation Practice is renowned for handling complex, high-stakes disputes across various industries. With a team of over 650 attorneys worldwide, they represent clients in trial and appellate courts at both federal and state levels, as well as in arbitrations and administrative proceedings. Their trial-ready approach emphasizes early identification of critical issues, leading to more cost-efficient and favorable outcomes. The firm's expertise spans areas such as antitrust, securities, intellectual property, and product liability litigation. Notably, Kirkland has been ranked #1 in The Lawyer's "Global Litigation Top 50" for seven consecutive years, reflecting their leadership in the field.
Real Estate
Kirkland & Ellis's Real Estate Practice Group comprises seasoned, multidisciplinary attorneys who provide comprehensive legal services across a broad spectrum of complex real estate transactions. The team represents a diverse clientele, including private equity sponsors, publicly traded REITs, sovereign wealth funds, pension organizations, and other institutional investors, assisting them from fundraising and structuring to capital deployment and final disposition. Their expertise encompasses various asset classes such as logistics, office, retail, multifamily housing, student housing, medical offices, life sciences, data centers, manufactured housing, single-family rentals, hospitality, gaming, leisure, and infrastructure. Additionally, the group advises both lenders and borrowers on a wide array of real estate financing transactions, including corporate term loans, revolving credit facilities, bond issuances, CMBS financings, and mezzanine loans. This comprehensive approach ensures tailored solutions that address the unique needs of each client.
Media, Technology and Telecoms
Kirkland & Ellis's Media, Technology, and Telecoms practice offers comprehensive legal services tailored to the dynamic needs of clients in these sectors. The firm excels in structuring and negotiating complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and licensing agreements, with a particular focus on technology and intellectual property assets. Their attorneys possess deep industry knowledge, enabling them to navigate the intricate regulatory and commercial landscapes of media, technology, and telecommunications. By integrating expertise from various practice areas, Kirkland & Ellis provides strategic counsel that aligns with clients' business objectives, ensuring effective management of legal risks and the successful execution of transactions.
Corporate & Commercial
Kirkland & Ellis LLP's Corporate & Commercial practice delivers comprehensive legal services in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and other complex corporate transactions. The firm represents a diverse clientele, including public and private companies and private equity investors, across a broad spectrum of sophisticated engagements. Their transactional lawyers are integral to Kirkland's premier, global private equity platform, particularly excelling in middle-market transactions. The firm's commitment to excellence is reflected in its consistent recognition in leading legal rankings, such as Chambers USA, where it has been honored among "The Elite" for Corporate/M&A.
Energy, Environment & ESG
Kirkland & Ellis provides comprehensive counsel in Energy, Environment, and ESG matters, assisting clients in navigating complex regulatory landscapes, managing environmental liabilities, and integrating sustainability into their business strategies. The firm's multidisciplinary team offers expertise in environmental due diligence, compliance, and risk mitigation, particularly within the energy and infrastructure sectors. They advise on sustainable finance, ESG-related disclosures, and impact investing, tailoring strategies to each client's unique objectives. Kirkland's attorneys also represent clients in environmental litigation and enforcement actions, ensuring robust defense and resolution of disputes. By combining legal acumen with industry insights, Kirkland & Ellis supports clients in achieving their environmental and sustainability goals while safeguarding their investments.
