Kirkland & Ellis to Open Hong Kong Office

Kirkland & Ellis today announced its plan to open an office in Asia.  The new office is the Firm's eighth worldwide and first in Asia.  Kirkland intends to move into office space in Hong Kong in fall 2006 subject to regulatory approval.  The new office will initially focus on transactions for large transnational private equity funds.

Kirkland partner David Patrick Eich, 39, will head up the Hong Kong office.  Mr. Eich is moving from London, where he was instrumental in building Kirkland's European transactional practice.

"Greater China presents a very attractive opportunity for the Firm," Eich said.  "Kirkland's deep experience in the most complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions will allow us to provide superior service to financial sponsors and other clients investing in this high-growth and potentially vast but uniquely challenging marketplace."

"With major clients in Asia and our experience in private equity, there is a strong business case for opening a Hong Kong office," said Thomas D. Yannucci, Chairman of Kirkland's Firmwide Management Committee.  "A presence in Hong Kong will enhance the service we provide to all of our clients with business in Asia."

In addition to Eich, lawyers Chuan Li and Tai Hsia will relocate to Hong Kong from the Firm's Chicago and London offices, respectively.  Both are fluent in Mandarin Chinese and have substantial experience in private equity transactions.  In addition, for several years, Kirkland has been cultivating and expanding its Asian practice with more than a dozen Asian lawyers in its U.S. and European offices.

Kirkland represents more than 70 private equity funds and has been involved in some of the largest and most complex private equity backed deals in recent years.  The Firm's private equity practice has been recognized by legal publisher Chambers & Partners as one of the best in the world.

About Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP is an international law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers located in Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.  Kirkland & Ellis topped Mergermarket's league table for the most private equity deals handled by a law firm in 2005.