Kirkland & Ellis LLP’s non-contentious tax group advises on a broad range of high-value matters, including domestic and international M&A, buyouts, real estate investments, fund formations, restructurings, and bankruptcy reorganizations. Dean Shulman in New York, with considerable experience handling tax-free spin-offs, leveraged buyouts, IPOs, and fund formations, leads the team alongside Chicago’s Todd Maynes, who focuses on tax issues in debt restructurings as well as bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings. Chicago-based Rachel Cantor has a strong track record handling acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, joint ventures, recapitalizations, and debt and equity restructurings. David Wheat, operating from Dallas and Houston, offers expertise in M&A transactions and divestitures involving large public and private corporations and partnerships, while Vin Thorn in Boston is well known for advising on the tax aspects of private equity transactions. Los Angeles-based Anne Kim counts private equity funds, public and private companies, and publicly traded partnerships among her client roster. Mike Carew in Chicago is also a key contact, advising on the tax aspects of securities issuances, recapitalizations, joint ventures, and debt and equity restructurings, among other issues. New York’s Sara Zablotney focuses on the tax aspects of M&A, spin-offs, divestitures, and joint ventures. Chicago-based Gregory Gallagher‘s domestic practice covers M&A, spin-offs, IPOs, and debt restructuring, while Mark Schwed in New York is noted for his experience advising on SPAC IPOs, financings, and business combinations. New York-based Joseph Tootle advises on the tax aspects of REITs and real estate transactions, among others. In 2023, David Foster and Sam Kamyans joined the firm’s Washington DC office from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Allen & Overy LLP, respectively.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Key clients

  • Alpine Investors
  • BAE Systems
  • Bain Capital
  • Blackstone
  • Civitas Resources
  • Eli Lilly and Company
  • GTCR
  • Kellogg Company
  • Madison Dearborn Partners
  • Patient Square Capital
  • Thoma Bravo
  • Vista Equity Partners
  • Voyager Digital Holdings
  • WeWork
  • World Wrestling Entertainment

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading lawyers
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.

Todd Maynes, Dean Shulman

Other key lawyers

Sara Zablotney, Rachel Cantor, Mike Carew, Anthony Sexton, David Grenker, Adam Kool, Anne Kim, David Wheat, David Kung, Douglas Gessner, Mark Schwed, Gregory Gallagher, Joseph Tootle, Vin Thorn, David Foster