Ms Sophia Hudson > Kirkland & Ellis LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Kirkland & Ellis LLP has a buoyant DCM practice, principally driven by issuer engagements. Along with standalone corporate issuers, the firm also receives numerous mandates through its illustrious private equity clients and their portfolio companies. The firm is particularly well known for sponsor-backed company high-yield debt offerings and acquisition finance-related debt offerings. It represented a consortium led by Hellman & Friedman and Bain Capital on its acquisition of Athenahealth, which involved a $2.35bn offering of senior notes as part of the financing of the deal. The firm is also rated for liability management transactions. Joshua Korff and Sophia Hudson are key partners in New York, along with Robert Hayward in Chicago.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP remains known for its advice to private equity houses and their portfolio companies on their equity offerings. It advised Thomas H Lee Partners on its portfolio company AutoStore’s IPO on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The firm has also been active in SPAC IPOs and direct investments by private equity sponsors in public companies. It continues to impress in liability management matters, including advice to Norwegian Cruise Line on its $1.1bn registered direct offering of common equity. Los Angeles partner Philippa Bond and New York’s Sophia Hudson and Joshua Korff are key figures in the team, along with Robert Hayward in Chicago.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP has an outstanding record in high-yield debt offerings. The firm primarily operates on the issuer side, benefitting from its extensive private equity client base and their portfolio companies; it has a record of advising more sponsor-backed companies in high-yield debt offerings than any other law firm. Private equity clients include Bain Capital, Hellman & Friedman and TPG Capital, while the firm also represents a wide range of public companies, along with a sprinkling of underwriters. It is additionally recognised for its expertise in debt offerings linked to refinancings and restructurings. Joshua Korff is widely regarded as one of the premier names in high-yield debt, while Sophia Hudson and Los Angeles partner Philippa Bond are also rated. Named partners are based in New York unless stated otherwise.