Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Leading asset managers and alternative sponsors entering the retail market recognize Kirkland & Ellis LLP‘s growing practice in the registered funds and BDC space, the latter being a particularly strong suit for the firm. Nicole Runyan leads the New York-based team, working with the team’s major clients including 26North, Apollo and Blue Owl. The team grew significantly in February of 2024, when Goodwin’s entire registered funds team joined the firm, namely Paul Delligatti, Christopher Palmer and Jason Monfort, all of whom substantially bolster the firms offering in the areas of open-end and closed-end funds, exchange traded funds, interval funds and BDCs as well as Andrew Zutz and Nicole Griffin, who handle regulatory, compliance and governance issues.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Breadth of talent and knowledge.'
'K&E is in my view among the leading global law firms, to be trusted with the most important client matters. They provide the highest level of client service. They are knowledgeable and at the cusp of all leading trends. They do a great job of training their younger attorneys.'
'Nicole Runyan - business-minded, practical.'
'Pamela Chen embodies K&E’s “can do” ethos. Knowledgeable but practical as well in helping clients achieve their business objectives. Super engaged as outside counsel and I felt as if they were part of our internal team with the same motivation to achieve business success.'

Key clients

26North Partners LP / 26North BDC, Inc.
Alger Family of Funds and ETFs / Fred Alger Management
Ares Management / Ares BDCs / Ares Private Markets Fund
ARK Investment Management
BBR Partners / BBR ALO Fund, LLC
Blue Owl Capital / Blue Owl BDCs
Cliffwater LLC
Crescent Capital / Crescent Capital BDCs
Eagle Point Credit Management
Engine No. 1
First Eagle Investment Management
Gladstone BDCs / The Gladstone Companies
Lord Abbett & Co.
Neuberger Berman Registered Private Equity Funds
Oaktree Capital Management / Oaktree BDCs

Work highlights

Advised Vista Equity Partners in connection with a first-of-its kind, multi-manager direct access vehicle sponsored and managed by iCapital—iDirect Private Markets Fund.
Represented Engine No. 1 in the acquisition by The TCW Group of Engine No. 1’s Transform ETF business and infrastructure, which manages more than $600 million in U.S. equity ETFs focused on supply chain onshoring and energy transition.
Advised BBR and the Fund in ongoing operations of the Fund, including coming into compliance with new Rules 2a-5 and 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act.