Established in 1909, Kirkland & Ellis is a Chicago-based law firm with 2,300 lawyers and 15 offices worldwide.The firm caters to its clients with an interest in Greater China from its offices in Beijing and Shanghai and opened its Hong Kong office in 2006. 

Focusses / specialisms  

The firm is best known for its strength in private equity and restructuring work, but it also has solid corporate, banking, capital markets and investment funds practices and a growing regulatory presence.  

Key clients  

Key clients of the firm include Bain Capital, Blackstone, Carlyle, CVC Capital Partners, KKR, Warburg Pincus, Advantage Partners, AMP Capital, Apax, Apollo Management, China Everbright and CITIC Capital. 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

Leveraged finance 

“Subject-matter expertise, knowledge of changing regulatory landscape, accurate guidance and timeliness are some of the attributes.” 

Private equity 

“Kirkland and Ellis have been very helpful in guiding us through our first fundraising, carefully navigating through important negotiations with key LPs, thanks to their widespread expertise. We really felt that they were an integral part of our team throughout the process.”