Mr Damian Jacobs > Kirkland & Ellis LLP > San Francisco, United States > Lawyer Profile

Kirkland & Ellis LLP
555 CALIFORNIA STREET
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104
CALIFORNIA
United States
Damian Jacobs photo

Position

Partner

Career

Damian’s practice focuses on forming and structuring investment funds and related transactions, with a particular focus on GP and LP-led secondaries and liquidity transactions, including fund recapitalizations and restructurings, single-asset liftouts, LP portfolio sales, strip sales, captive team spin-outs, stapled secondary offerings and LP portfolio sales, as well as real estate fund formation, including platform formations, joint ventures, club structures and other significant transactions.

Damian has been recognized by IFLR1000 as “Highly Regarded” in Private Equity Funds in 2023, and as “Notable Practitioner” in Private Equity Funds in 2022. He has also been recommended as “Leading Lawyer” and “Up and Coming” in Investment Funds by Chambers Greater China.

Education

University of Tasmania, J.D., with Honors, 2004

University of Tasmania, B.A.; LL.B., with Honors, 2004

Lawyer Rankings

Hong Kong > Investment funds

(Leading individuals)

Damian JacobsKirkland & Ellis

Leveraging deep firm-wide institutional ties with many global private equity heavyweights and also entrenched in the regional market with more regional participants, Kirkland & Ellis maintains a compelling offering for a GP-focused client base across the spectrum of their needs, from fund structuring, advice on co-investment vehicles, secondary transactions, regulatory advice and subsequent downstream transactional work. As well as deep knowledge of the local market, clients also benefit from access to experts in London and throughout the US and thereby to give real time advice to an international investor base. Triple qualified in Hong Kong, US and the PRC, Carol Liu can effectively bridge the cultural gap between Chinese sponsors and international investors, and is a popular choice across a range of high-profile primary fundraisings and secondary transactions. As well as fund formation work, including within the credit fund and real estate front, Damian Jacobs is active on GP and LP-led secondary transactions, an area of considerable activity given recent market conditions. Justin Dolling is another key contact in the group.

China > Investment funds: foreign firms

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP‘s Hong Kong-based team specialises in the formation and operation of private funds and has additional expertise in matters relating to buyout funds, credit funds, limited partner representations, distressed debt and restructuring. The practice is co-directed by a trio of experienced partners, comprising Justin Dolling, who handles the restructuring, leveraging and refinancing of private equity funds; Carol Liu, whose broad experience includes fund tender offers and advising on equity stakes transactions; and Damian Jacobs, who majors on the acquisition of portfolios and the restructuring of funds.