James Morgan > Kirkland & Ellis International LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Based in Cheltenham, Harrison Clark Rickerbys fields ‘a great team of sector experts’, standing out for its strength advising clients across the independent education sector. Safeguarding matters make up one aspect of the practice, with strikes, complaints, transactions and investments being other areas of expertise. ‘Superb lawyer’ Kristine Scott leads the team, and employment specialist Rachel Parkin is praised for her ‘consistent, clear, and practical advice’ on school performance management issues, disciplinaries and tribunal cases. Oliver Daniels also specialises in employment work and has been recently active advising on teachers’ pension schemes and industrial actions. Emma Swann handles academy conversions and expansions in addition to governance matters. Also noted are senior associates Paul Watkins and James Morgan.

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP is noted for its strength advising investment funds and private equity firms, covering the full range of tax matters. The group demonstrates expertise acting both within the UK and internationally. Key names include Mavnick Nerwal, whose specialism is M&A and restructuring work, Alexander Cox, who is a leading name for the structuring of investment funds, and private equity expert Peter Abbott. Ceinwen Rees, who joined the group in January 2024 from Macfarlanes LLP, is ‘a real talent’, with strength in investment funds tax. James Morgan, whose practice covers corporate transactions and financings, also joined in 2024, shifting from Linklaters LLP. Frixos Hatjantonas covers tax matters relating to M&A, debt financing, and private fund formation, among other issues.