Kirkland & Ellis International LLP

Client Satisfaction

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP frequently advises on cross-border financial restructuring, including debt-equity swaps, debt-hybrid-swaps and the use of foreign insolvency proceedings to restructure German debtors. Other core areas are the restructuring of bonds, the advice on distressed debt funds, D&O liability in crisis situations, insolvency disputes, distressed M&A and rescue financing. The practice offers longstanding experience in financial restructuring in the real estate sector and acts on behalf of both creditors and debtors. Sacha Lürken and Leo Plank regularly act in large cross-border restructurings. Other key contacts are Bernd Meyer-Löwy (international restructuring, insolvency law), Marlene Ruf (cross-border restructuring, distressed M&A) and Cristina Weidner (financial restructuring , Distressed M&A), who joined from Clifford Chance in May 2023. In January 2023, Josef Parzinger (cross-border financial restructuring) left the team and moved to A&O Shearman. Associate Michael Berger is also frequently active in cross-border restructurings.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Extremely high level of expertise in individual specialist areas as well as across jurisdictions, which can be called upon if necessary. This ensures holistic advice; very good relationships with all renowned financial investors; very creative team that develops solutions together with clients.'
'Bernd Meyer-Löwy: Excellent professional, always keeps an eye on the economic goal and is extremely creative.'
'Leo Plank and Marlene Ruf are excellent.'
'Leo Plank: Super experienced and very competent advice.'
'Marlene Ruf: Very responsive and technically very strong.'
'Very commercial and responsive.'

Key clients

K&E Treuhand GmbH
Galapagos Holding S.A., Galapagos BidCo S.à r.l.
Gläubigerausschuss der Rickmers Reederei
BMC
SLV Lighting Group GmbH

Work highlights

Advising an ad hoc group of creditors of the €350 million high yield bond of Safari Holding Verwaltungs GmbH (Löwen Play) on the successful financial restructuring of the debtor through the first scheme of arrangement via a foreign company since Brexit.
Advising a consortium of RCF banks on the financial restructuring of LEONI AG as part of a StaRUG procedure.
Advising the Galapagos Group on the financial restructuring of liabilities through a Luxembourg share lien enforcement and the subsequent multinational litigation (including before the Federal Court of Justice and the European Court of Justice).

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