North America - United States • Energy
Featuring a team of ‘consistent high performers’ who possess ’incredible breadth’ across the oil and gas space, Kirkland & Ellis LLP continues to be a chief point of contact for both longstanding investors and new market entrants seeking counsel for big-ticket work. Bringing together sophisticated experience in M&A, private equity, joint ventures, and complex financing structures, the group has seen an influx of multi-billion-dollar transactions as major players seek to consolidate inventory, working with the likes of EQT, Ovintiv, ONEOK and Diamondback Energy, whilst also boasting an impressive array of mandates in the midstream space that involve energy-focused private equity entities such as I Squared Capital and Blackstone Energy Partners. Team head and founding partner of the firm’s Houston office Anthony Speier has deep-rooted connections to the local market and is equally well-equipped to advise across M&A, commercial, development, regulatory and financing matters. David Castro and Christopher Heasley are widely praised by clients for their ‘exceptional work ethic, problem solving, and industry knowledge’, with both practitioners holding M&A and private equity as the flagship components of their work, while Dallas’ Will Eiland is similarly praised by clients for his creative and constructive approach towards transactions. Andrew Calder handles acquisitions, disposals, investments and joint venture deals with a firm focus on LNG and natural gas-fired generation facilities, a practice akin to Sean Wheeler and William Benitez, who have engaged with blockbuster buyouts and mergers in the upstream space. Chad Smith showcases in-depth knowledge of both upstream and midstream oil and gas assets and is active on acquisitions of operating and non-operating interests in a multitude of basins and subbasins. Beyond her work as a strategic and commercial advisor to complex energy projects, Lindsey Jaquillard is also well-reputed for her M&A proficiency. Associate Isaac Bate has been a growing presence on the firm’s key mandates. Other than Eiland, the team is based in Houston.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Incredible breadth, very consistent high performers among all lawyers, top to bottom. Incredibly responsive and will go the extra mile.’
‘The KE transaction group brings its vast resource of talented people to each transaction which enables you to quickly and efficiently negotiate, sign, and close.’
‘Chris Heasley and David Castro are both exceptional in their work ethic, problem solving, and industry knowledge.’
‘David Castro, Will Eiland and the rest of the Kirkland team have been instrumental in our success. Kirkland takes a creative and constructive approach when working with seller's counsel and over the last year we have had to come up with bespoke solutions given the new deal structures around co-buying assets. They are available round the clock and are always proactive in moving things along no matter what stage a deal is in.’
‘David Castro, Will Eiland, Chad Smith all stand out for their creative and constructive approaches during negotiation. If there's a point to be made, context is provided in order to help the other side understand where we are coming from and in turn we're able to find solutions for both sides compared to a reversion to a redline that comes across. They also offer their strategic vision when the commercial team has questions or needs to weigh the pros and cons of accepting certain proposed revisions.'
‘The Kirkland team does have its pulse on the market. They have just done so many different deals. They know market terms and are creative in approach. As such, we can easily rely on the team.’
'David Castro, Chris Heasley and Chad Smith are all exemplary lawyers. They are also very user friendly.’
Leading lawyers
Partner focusing on mergers and acquisitions, corporate and securities law, and corporate governance, with a focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors. Represents many of the largest private equity sponsors, such as Blackstone, KKR, EIG and GSO and many of the leading energy companies. Has worked on many of the largest transactions in the sector.
David’s practice focuses on acquisitions, divestitures and the formation of joint ventures involving energy assets, including upstream, midstream and renewable assets. David also advises clients on joint development and farmout agreements, exchange agreements, gathering and processing agreements and other commercial arrangements concerning the development of oil and gas properties.
Anthony’s practice focuses on corporate mergers & acquisitions and formation of joint ventures involving assets across the energy value chain, including traditional, renewable and alternative energy sources.
Partner representing public and private companies, including private equity firms, in their most complex transactions. Sean’s experience spans the entire range of M&A activity, including strategic mergers, joint ventures, take-privates and cross-border transactions. He also has an active securities law practice, having led more than 50 IPOs and many debt and follow-on equity offerings. Sean practice also includes offerings and acquisitions involving special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). He has counseled clients across numerous industries, including the energy, infrastructure, space, healthcare, technology, real estate and travel industries.
Next Generation Partners
Bill’s practice concentrates on complex business transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital investments, SPAC transactions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, executive compensation and equity incentive arrangements, and related general corporate counseling. Bill has worked on transactions in a variety of industry segments, including clean energy and power generation, upstream, transportation and midstream, coal and other mining, chemicals and industrials, energy and industrial services, recycling and engineering and construction.
Lindsey’s practice focuses on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and joint venture formation involving energy assets and companies across the energy value chain, with an emphasis on domestic energy transactions in the upstream and midstream sectors. Lindsey's transactional experience includes advising clients in connection with the purchase and sale of a broad range of energy assets, complex joint development projects, farmout and participation agreements, oil and gas financing transactions, transportation and gathering agreements, natural gas processing agreements and other commercial transactions.
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Anthony Speier