Columbia Business School Private Equity Venture Capital Conference

The 19th annual Private Equity & Venture Capital Conference, 'Creating Value in a Shifting Landscape' focused on the emerging challenges and opportunities facing the private equity and venture capital industries in the coming year. Panelists discussed a breadth of topics including middle market operational investment, the wave of early stage investment, and the directive between General and Limited partners.

Kirkland partner Taurie Zeitzer spoke on the Leveraged Buyout panel. Panelists discussed the key challenges facing LBO managers today. Where are firms identifying attractive investment opportunities? How are firms creating value in today's uncertain macroeconomic environment?

Kirkland partner Nicole Greenblatt spoke on the Turnaround and Distressed panel. This panel discussed current opportunities in distressed and turnaround private equity investing, as well as how their own investment and strategies have changed in light of the underlying weakness in the global economy and intense competition for deals. Panelists also discussed the impact of regulatory changes on their investment process and provided their outlook for distressed investing.