England - London • Dispute resolution

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP

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Kirkland & Ellis International LLP has one of the ‘very top commercial litigation practices on both side of the Atlantic’, consisting of ’experienced partners, and enthusiastic and diligent associates’. Of these, Rajinder Bassi leads the team, and is commended by one client for bringing ‘a clear head to provide practical solutions’. Noted practitioners include ’bright and creative lawyer’ Noah Stewart-Ornstein, ‘committed litigator’ Jonathan Newman, and ’commercial litigation superstar’ Richard Boynton.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘‘Kirkland is one of the very top commercial litigation practices on both sides of the Atlantic. Their ability to co-ordinate the very largest cases across the world is enormously valued by big clients.’

  • 'Experienced partners, and enthusiastic and diligent associates.’

  • ‘Rajinder Bassi is vastly experienced and brings a clear head to provide practical solutions.'

  • 'Noah Stewart-Ornstein is bright, immensely hard-working, highly articulate, and very able.’

  • 'Jon Newman is a committed litigator with a deep knowledge of the detail in any case.’

  • ‘K&E’s litigation team is becoming a major player in the London litigation market, and they are now picking up some of the largest cases. They have a small, but exceptionally able, team.’

  • ‘Richard Boynton is a commercial litigation superstar. Having worked with him on many cases, I can safely say he would be my first port of call for any major piece of commercial litigation. He’s massively brainy; he’s a first rate lawyer, with a very fine breadth of legal expertise; he’s brilliant at organising and running a massive case, and a large team; he’s immensely hard-working; he produces terrifyingly good documents; he’s a fearsome opponent; he’s a delightful team-leader and team-player; and he’s an excellent tactician. He’s monstrously good!

  • 'Rajinder Bassi is excellent. She, rightfully, has a massive practice. She has a wonderful manner with clients, and with every member of the team that she leads so adeptly; she’s an extremely thoughtful and able lawyer, and tactician; and she radiates both deep commercial experience and great confidence. Absolutely top quality.'

Key clients

  • Appian Capital Advisory
  • Silver Point Capital
  • Varde Partners, Inc.
  • AQR Capital Management
  • Ad Hoc Group of holders of GKN’s bonds
  • Capstone Investment Advisors
  • Galapagos Bidco SARL
  • DRW Trading Group
  • Flow Traders
  • LivePerson Netherlands BV.
  • Winton Capital Management
  • Winton Capital Management

Work highlights

  • Representing two funds sponsored by Appian (a London-based private equity fund focused on investments in mines and mining-related businesses) in high-value litigation stemming from the termination of a USD1.2 billion sale of two Brazilian mines by Appian to Sibanye Stillwater Limited, a major South African mining concern and the world’s largest producer of platinum.
  • Representing a group of bondholders in a dispute relating to an alleged event of default arising out of an intended to demerger by Melrose PLC of two parts of the business of its subsidiary GKN, which the bondholders claim results in the repayment of the bonds at par plus accrued interest.
  • Representing the Galapagos entities (a group ultimately held by funds sponsored by European private equity fund Triton Partners) in litigation across four jurisdictions which stems from but is wholly separate to a complex USD800 million restructuring.

Lawyers

Leading individuals

Rajinder Bassi

Rajinder Bassi

Hall of fameKirkland & Ellis LLP

Rajinder Bassi is head of the international litigation and arbitration group in the London office and is the Assistant General Counsel for Europe. She has represented multi-national corporations, government entities, and high profile individuals in high stakes international arbitrations and litigations around the world. These cases have involved a wide range of complex subject matters, applicable laws, and venues and have covered many industry sectors including telecoms, energy, pharmaceutical and financial services. Rajinder also serves as an arbitrator. In addition, Rajinder has conducted white collar crime investigations on a global basis.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Rajinder Bassi

Other key lawyers

Noah Stewart-Ornstein, Jonathan Newman, Richard Boynton