Kirkland & Ellis International LLP is ‘exceptionally good at breaking down complex transactions and particularly strong in their financing advice’, and is highly active for borrowers and private equity sponsors. Team lead Jonathan Birks is a well-known expert in debt finance and primarily acts on acquisition financing, restructuring and distressed investing. ’Exceptional lawyer’ Kazik Michalski continues to work with TPG Real Estate on the financing of its “StartLiving” joint venture with Gatehouse Bank to construct up to several thousand suburban, purpose-built family rental homes throughout the UK. Private equity specialist Peter Chandler joined in September 2022 from Clifford Chance LLP, while Usman Khan left for McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP in September 2023.
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘K&E financing team are best in class. They are incredibly thoughtful and commercial and always get it done despite the difficulty of circumstances or counterparties.’
‘Jonny Birks and Kazik Michalski are outstanding lawyers. They are able to cut through all the less important issues to focus on what the threshold issues are and come up with solutions to complicated problems.’
‘The Kirkland and Ellis real estate financing team are world-class. Their knowledge of the market is exceptional and their ability to execute is second to none.’
‘Kazik is an exceptional lawyer, he knows the real estate finance markets better than anyone. Collectively we have worked with him on over 6billion of financing transactions across Europe’
‘Kirkland & Ellis are our most trusted law firm working with us on M&A, financing and fund structuring. They are exceptionally good at breaking down complex transactions and particularly strong in their financing advice. Their work ethic and commitment is as good as any, whilst always keeping a commercial approach.’
‘Kazik and Jonny do all of our financings across Europe. They expertly balance strong technical knowledge with commercial acumen.’
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Jonathan Birks