Kirkland & Ellis International LLP provides expert tax advice on M&A, investment management, finance, real estate, and restructuring, with a strong reputation for its work on behalf of investment funds and private equity firms. Core team members include Mavnick Nerwal, Ceinwen Rees, and Alexander Cox. Nerwal has an aptitude in high-end M&A and restructuring matters, while Rees and Cox share a strong focus on investment fund tax. James Morgan, who joined from Linklaters LLP in 2024, covers tax aspects of corporate reorganisations and debt restructuring transactions, Peter Abbott is key for public and private M&A, and Ian Ferreria handles primary fund raises and secondary fund transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • Peter Abbott is a great lawyer that combines deep technical skills with strong commercial awareness - he's a pleasure to work with.’

  • ‘Kirkland & Ellis' tax team in the UK is best of class. The team is extremely knowledgeable, with great connections across Europe and the US, allowing a full service for global investment managers. Their advice is timely and pragmatic.’

  • ‘Peter Abbott is a first class tax partner with his collaborative, pragmatic, friendly nature making him a pleasure to work with.’

  • ‘Excellent technical knowledge, proactive, responsive and client service.’

Key clients

  • Ares Management Corporation
  • Privatisation of ESR Group Ltd. – Consortium and Starwood Capital Group
  • WeWork Inc.
  • Accell Group
  • Brookfield Asset Management LLC
  • Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
  • Oaktree Capital Management
  • Armen Capital
  • Altera Infrastructure and Brookfield
  • Vitruvian Partners
  • GIC
  • CVC, Nordic Capital and ADIA

Work highlights

Advised Ares Management Corporation, a leading NYSE-listed global alternative investment manager, on the tax aspects of its sixth (and largest to date) commingled European direct lending fund, Ares Capital Europe VI.
Played a critical dual role in covering all tax matters relating to a significant financing (and related finance structuring) for a consortium led by Starwood Capital Group regarding the privatisation of ESR Group Ltd.
Advised WeWork on the tax aspects of a restructuring transaction to reduce USD 4 billion of the group’s debt as part of its emergence from US Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Other key lawyers

Mavnick Nerwal; Ceinwen Rees; Alexander Cox; James Morgan; Peter Abbott; Ian Ferreira; Art Ward