Restructuring/Insolvency - UK
What the team is known for
Kirkland & Ellis has an outstanding reputation in the restructuring market for handling high-value cross-border cases. The firm has expertise in European restructurings and US Chapter 11 cases. The team is able to draw on firm-wide experts in private equity, finance and high-yield bonds when advising on complex multidisciplinary matters. Its lawyers advise clients on the company and creditor sides, with an impressive following of blue-chip investors. Kirkland & Ellis continues to advise on some of the most prominent restructuring and insolvency matters, including notable recent work in the retail sector.
Strengths
"They are incredibly well equipped and well resourced to handle the most complex transactions."
"They are fantastic at bondholder work and schemes of arrangement."
"One of their stronger suits is being aware of a client's commercial needs and adapting accordingly."
"Kirkland & Ellis provide great service and are consistently available."
"Kirkland & Ellis has a phenomenally deep bench of restructuring specialists."
Work highlights
Kirkland & Ellis successfully represented Nordic Aviation Capital and 116 affiliated companies in their Chapter 11 proceedings, reducing the companies' outstanding debt by USD4.1 billion and providing USD540 million in new debt and equity capital.
Notable practitioners
Kon Asimacopoulos is held in high regard by both companies and investors, who rely upon his expertise for advice on many of the UK's most complex restructuring mandates. He is also well placed to act on cross-border transactions, with his experience including the European and US markets. "The combination of his technical expertise and strategic gravitas is unparalleled in the market. I trust him with the most complex and challenging engagements." "He is an excellent operator on big-ticket, complicated transactions." "I think he sits at the very top of the market. His ability to combine excellent legal and commercial nous and lean on his team to drive complex processes is unparalleled." "Kon is excellent at stakeholder management."
Sean Lacey is a distinguished practitioner known for his advice on complex and cross-border restructurings and special situations. His client base consists of sponsors and borrowers. "Sean is experienced and very calm and collected at handling stakeholder dynamics." "Sean is one of the best partners in the market. He is experienced, very smart and his energy on a deal is super-constructive." "Sean Lacey is extremely good."
Partha Kar is highly regarded for his experience advising on cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters for both creditors and debtors. His practice spans an array of sectors including retail, travel and pharmaceuticals, among others. "Partha has a very nice style and is very good on stakeholder management." "Partha Kar is very cool under pressure and has a brilliant way of decoding complex legal matters and making them easy to understand. He combines a fine legal brain with commercial, pragmatic and realistic advice and strategies." "He is smart, has a great manner and tells you straight, which is the reason why he is loved by fund clients."