Kirkland & Ellis International LLP

Client Satisfaction

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP continues to solidify its leading position in the London infrastructure market by bolstering its already deep and experienced bench of advisers. In late 2023, the firm brought across the Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP duo Sinead O’Shea and Jia Meng, as well as Simmons & Simmons partner Serra Tar - all of whom are noted for their M&A and financing expertise. A popular choice for multiple infrastructure funds and institutional investors, the firm handles blockbuster M&A and acquisition finance mandates - often with a cross-border element - across traditional, social and digital infrastructure, renewables, and energy transition assets. Sara Pickersgill, James Boswell, and Toby Parkinson co-lead the practice, frequently collaborating on the firm’s most consequential transactions. Pickersgill and Parkinson are recognised for their expertise in M&A, while Boswell is renowned for his extensive skills in debt financing. Celyn Evans has recently advised on M&A and joint ventures in the digital infrastructure space, while James McGivern is another key debt finance practitioner whose recent workload includes significant company takeovers in the transport and renewables sectors. Emma Shelston and Tina Xu provide further M&A and debt finance capabilities, respectively.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Their strength is the breadth of their international knowledge and experience in multiple jurisdictions.’
‘There is no question that this is one of the strongest and best teams in the UK and EU. Exceptional depth and breadth of practice and experience. Unquestionably deep industry knowledge. Very practical and commercial. They are particularly strong in mergers.’
‘The team is made of highly qualified and experienced lawyers all having trained in top tier UK and international law firms. Collectively they have a wide range of expertise and skills which when put together is highly valuable for clients. Equally, personalities fit well one with each others.’
‘James Boswell is one of the best partners on market currently.'
‘The team here are very experienced in the sector. They have excellent sub-sector knowledge and relationships with key market participants. They are very user friendly and the various team members we have worked with have all been consistently strong. They are a very diverse team. They have good knowledge of what is considered market in the sector.’
‘Sara Pickersgill in particular has been a pleasure to work with. She is both technical and commercial. She is user friendly and knows when to give key advice. She holds strong relationships across the market and is very dedicated. Sara is one of the best infrastructure lawyers in the market.'
'Toby Parkinson is a strong and experienced lawyer who is also very personable. He has good market intel and is well respected in the infrastructure space. James Boswell is another key figure at the top of the game in terms of infrastructure financing lawyers.’
‘The K&E team has wide ranging experience in various industries in the application of EU competition law. They provide business-oriented legal advice and are very available and efficient in their work.’

Key clients

EQT Infrastructure
Beacon Rail
KKR Infrastructure
Sandbrook Capital
Digital 9 Infrastructure plc
Energos Infrastructure
Nordic Infrastructure AG
Antin Infrastructure Partners
Energy Capital Partners
Apollo Infrastructure
Ventient Energy
GTR/Ajax
BlackRock
Swiss Life Asset Managers
AXA IM Alts
Solör Bioenergi
Carlyle
Brookfield Infrastructure
Actis

Work highlights

Advised Beacon Rail on all aspects of the acquisition of Mitsui Rail Capital Europe.
Advising KKR on its €21.7bn acquisition of Telecom Italia’s fixed-line network.
Advised a consortium led by Sandbrook Capital on signing an agreement to acquire NeXtWind Capital Ltd from a syndicate led by Crestline Investors.

Lawyers

Hall of fame: Corporate M&A

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.