Mackenzie Drutowski

Mackenzie’s work is of the highest quality and she has an amazing ability to meet client deadlines, while focusing on key issues and proposing sophisticated solutions.” - Chambers USA Impact Investing

Mackenzie Drutowski is a sustainability partner in Kirkland’s Washington, D.C., office where she provides sophisticated counsel to private equity firms and public and private companies on the dynamic and rapidly evolving legal landscape of sustainability and impact investing. With a deep understanding of emerging regulations, investor priorities and voluntary frameworks, she helps clients navigate complex compliance challenges while identifying strategic opportunities to drive long-term value.

Mackenzie’s practice spans a broad range of sustainability-related matters, including fund formation — particularly energy transition and emerging manager-focused funds — and M&A transactions, where she advises on due diligence and contract negotiations. She also advises on corporate sustainability strategies, guiding clients in the development and enhancement of policies, disclosures and initiatives.

Mackenzie also advises on social enterprise matters, including public benefit business certifications and related governance and transaction considerations.

Beyond her client work, Mackenzie is recognized as a thought leader in sustainability law. She is a frequent speaker at industry and legal conferences, including events hosted by the American Bar Association, Women in Climate Investing and Finance, KAYO and New Private Markets, where she shares insights on regulatory developments, investor trends and best practices for responsible investment integration.

Mackenzie’s practice is grounded in her extensive corporate experience, having spent five years advising on complex domestic and cross-border M&A transactions as part of Kirkland’s Corporate Practice Group. Her multidisciplinary experience allows her to provide clients with comprehensive, forward-thinking guidance in an increasingly complex regulatory and business environment.

Mackenzie has been selected for inclusion in The Legal 500 U.S. and Chambers USA as “Up and Coming” in Impact Investing.

Representative Clients

Berkshire Partners, The Carlyle Group, EIG Partners, GTCR, Oaktree Capital Management, Ohmium, Patient Square Capital, Starwood Capital Partners, TA Associates, TPG, Waud Capital and 26North.