Deliberately and determinedly focused on borrower-side mandates, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP remains a tour-de-force for many of the world’s largest financial sponsors seeking to execute high value and often very complex leveraged finance deals. Stephen Lucas and Ian Barratt, who joined the firm at the end of 2023 from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, are two of the most experienced practitioners in the market and continue to drive growth in the practice, both on new money and refinancing deals. As well as his vibrant fee-earning practice, Chris Shield has also recently taken on increased management commitments within the team, a reflection of his market profile. New York and UK-qualified partner Evgeny Zborovsky excels in incorporating US terms in the European market and is consequently a very popular choice for clients seeking to exact the most flexibility across both big-ticket and mid-market deals. Daniel Borg, Kirsteen Nicol, Sinead O’Shea and Vanessa Xu are also key members of the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team's commercial judgement is exceptional.'
- 'Evgeny Zborovsky is one of a kind. He is one of the smartest lawyers I have ever worked with. His level of technicality/ability to combine complicated concepts and creativity is exceptional.'
Key clients
- Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA)
- Advent International
- Antin Infrastructure Partners
- Apax Partners
- Apollo
- Bain Capital
- Blackstone Infrastructure Partners
- CapVest Partners
- Cinven
- CPP Investments
- CVC
- EQT
Work highlights
Advising Harp Bidco Limited, a special purpose acquisition vehicle financed by the Consortium consisting of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (via their subsidiary Platinum Ivy), CVC and Nordic Capital, on its recommended cash acquisition of the entire issued and to-be-issued ordinary share capital of Hargreaves Lansdown plc.
Advised KKR and CPP Investments on a new syndicated €1.925bn-equivalent TLB and €300m RCF to support the acquisition of The Stepstone Group and provide standalone financing for The Stepstone Group following its spin out from Axel Springer.
Advised TPG Rise Climate and GIC on the debt financing aspects of the acquisition of Techem Group, including: (i) a €750m senior secured note offering; and (ii) a change of control amendment in respect of Techem’s €1,850m TLB and €375m RCF.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Other key lawyers
Stephen Lucas; Ian Barratt; Chris Shield; Kirsteen Nicol; Daniel Borg; Evgeny Zborovsky; Sinead O'Shea; Vanessa Xu; Leon Daoud