David Higgins > Kirkland & Ellis International LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

‘City powerhouse‘ Kirkland & Ellis International LLP is variously praised by clients for its ‘deep market knowledge‘ and ‘high customer service’. It maintains a dominant position in the London market, acting for leading buyout names on multi-billion-pound acquisitions, exits, and take-privates. In recent months, the team has taken steps to concentrate its position further with the hire of infrastructure specialist Sara Pickersgill, who joined from Allen & Overy in January 2023. The large practice is jointly chaired by David Higgins, a key contact for many of the firm’s top clients, and Matthew Elliott, whose recent highlights include big-ticket acquisitions and divestments in the infrastructure and real estate sectors. Adrian Maguire is regularly engaged on multi-billion-dollar transactions, most recently in the manufacturing and life sciences arenas, while the ‘vastly experienced‘ Stuart Boyd is lauded for bringing ‘a real gravitas to the negotiating table.‘ Other names to note include Celyn Evans, whose sponsor-side practice is focused on the infrastructure and real asset sectors. David Holdsworth left to become general counsel at TDR Capital in January 2023, while Tom McCarthy left for a position at Triton Partners in October 2022. Rachel Wolfenden joined Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP in December 2022. Partner Roger Johnson left the firm in August 2023.