Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Capital Markets: Equity; Capital Markets: Debt

Bob Hayward — named a 2025 “Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer — helps lead the global team that has been awarded “Capital Markets Practice Group of the Year” numerous times by Law 360. Bob was also named a “Notable Gen X Leader” by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2021 and a “Trailblazer in the Midwest” by The American Lawyer in 2022.

Bob provides direct, thoughtful and practical advice to publicly-traded corporations — across all industries — and private equity funds and their portfolio companies in all aspects of securities, M&A, spin-offs, SEC compliance / disclosure, corporate governance, stockholder activism, executive compensation, crisis management and general corporate matters. He has extensive experience representing companies in IPOs, high-yield and investment grade debt offerings, private financings, joint ventures and public and private M&A transactions.

Some of the publicly-traded corporations that Bob regularly advises include: The Boeing Company, Deere & Co., Kellanova, Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM), WK Kellogg, Cushman & Wakefield, Ryan Specialty Group, PowerSchool, JAMF Software, R1 RCM, Inc., Whirlpool Corporation, Sylvamo Corp., Victoria’s Secret, Wynn Resorts, Carvana Co., Maravai LifeSciences, Express, Inc., Flutter Entertainment, U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., Innovage, Integrated Ad Science, Champion Homes and Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. After representing Kellogg Company for over 20 years, Bob led its separation into two independent, publicly traded companies — Kellanova and WK Kellogg Co.

Northwestern University, Board of Trustees (and member of the Educational Properties Committee and Governance and Nominations Committee)

TheCorporateCounsel, Advisory Board Member

Ray Garrett Jr. Corporate and Securities Law Conference, Chairman (Former) and Executive Committee Member

The Boardroom Forum, Executive Committee Member

Northwestern University, Former National Co-Chair of Annual Fund

Northwestern University Leadership Circle, Regional Council Member

We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern, Regional Campaign Committee Member

Northwestern Gridiron Network, President and Board Member (2000–2013)

Northwestern University Alumni Association (various positions including Chairman of 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th reunion committees)

Northwestern University, Member of Trustee Participation Task Force

Village of Northfield, Traffic & Transportation Committee (Chairman) and Zoning Board of Appeals (Member)

Music Institute of Chicago, Trustee (2000–2009)

Chicago Bar Foundation’s Young Professionals Board, Board Member (2001–2009)

Chicago 2016, Corporate Governance Advisor (2008–2009)

The Economic Club of Chicago

Chicago Commonwealth Club

Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals

National Association of Stock Plan Professionals

The Lawyers Club of Chicago

Rancheros Visitadores

Charlie Russell Riders Foundation

American Bar Association

Chicago Bar Association

State Bar Association of Arizona

Northwestern University School of Law (J.D., 1997, cum laude; B.S., 1994).