Mr Robert Hayward > Kirkland & Ellis LLP > Chicago, 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.