Kirkland & Ellis International LLP has risen to a prominent position in the fund financing space, underpinned by its international network and market-leading fund formation practice. The team’s breadth of knowledge and expertise is evidenced by the diversity of transactions it handles, involving a range of sponsors and asset classes at any stage of the fund lifecycle. The group is a recognised authority on sponsor-side fund financing work, a speciality of the practice. Among private equity sponsors, Susannah Amini is a known name for intricate NAV financings and the use of alternative debt capital for investment funds. George Dyesmith assists with a number of products, including subscription lines, co-investment facilities, hybrids, and NAVs. Jack Bodkin joined the practice from Macfarlanes LLP in January 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The fund finance team at Kirkland & Ellis have a great depth of personnel and knowledge. They were able to quickly gain an excellent understanding of what we required and show very strong negotiation skills to ensure we achieved the best terms possible. I feel like no stone is left unturned and their engagement in helping me understand the key terms was very important.’

  • ‘George Dyesmith needs a mention here and he stands out for his ability to help me through the agreements and clearly understand the terms, narrowing down on where we should focus our attention in negotiations.’

  • ‘This practice stands out due to its exceptional dedication to client service, deep legal expertise, and innovative approach to problem solving.' 

  • ‘The individuals I worked with are distinguished by their exceptional legal knowledge, proactive approach, and unwavering commitment to client success. They stand out from competitors due to their ability to anticipate potential challenges and devise effective strategies accordingly.'

  • 'Sandipan De deserves special mention for his strategic insights and meticulous case management.’ 

Key clients

  • 17Capital
  • Apax
  • Basalt Infrastructure
  • BC Partners
  • Capvest
  • GHO Capital
  • HgCapital
  • IK Partners
  • Investindustrial
  • Lion Capital
  • L Catterton
  • Montagu
  • Nordic Capital
  • One Equity Partners
  • PAI Partners
  • Partners Group
  • Starwood
  • Vitruvian

Work highlights

  • Advised PAI Partners on its NAV financing for Fund VII, valued at €1.2bn.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Susannah Amini

Other key lawyers

George Dyesmith, Jack Bodkin, Sandipan De