David Higgins

Partner Mergers & Acquisitions Private Equity
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP

London T +44 20 7469 2200

M +44 77 4173 0100

David Higgins

Practices

Overview

David Higgins is 'one of the leading lights of the private equity market, with a long track record of excellence in high-end deals.' - Chambers UK (2018)

Private equity partner and co-managing partner of Kirkland’s London office, David Higgins advises private equity funds and other financial investors on a range of transactions including mergers and acquisitions, carve-outs and dispositions and complex cross-border deals. In close collaboration with lawyers throughout the Firm’s private equity platform in Europe, Asia and the U.S., he crafts strategic and creative solutions to advance clients’ interests on deals across jurisdictions. David also serves as a member of Kirkland's Global Management Executive Committee.

David brings vast experience, leadership, sound judgment and market knowledge across multiple jurisdictions to his work for clients. He is known for his ability to build trust with all parties involved in a deal, identify and employ commercial solutions and manage risk in settings where decisions need to be made quickly. His team has earned a reputation for helping clients navigate deftly around obstacles that may arise during complicated and fast-moving transactions, while working to pre-empt challenges they may face in the future.

Chambers UK (2019) ranked David as a Band 1 lawyer for UK-wide Private Equity: Buyouts, and The Legal 500 UK (2018) recognized him as one of 30 “Leading Individuals” for private equity transactions. Financial News and Private Equity News have listed David in their inaugural list of “Europe’s 50 Most Influential People in Private Equity” (2018).

David has acted for clients including BC Partners, Blackstone, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Cinven, GIC, Hellman & Friedman, Partners Group and The Carlyle Group, on both public and private M&A, and advises corporate and investment banks on restructurings and joint venture transactions.

Advising BC Partners on its acquisition of a majority stake in United Group, a leading media and communication services provider across Southeast Europe, from KKR.

Advising Carlyle International Energy Partners on its acquisition of EnerMech Group.

Advising Rowan Companies plc in its $12 billion combination with Ensco plc in an all-stock transaction.

Advising Rhône Capital on its acquisition of a stake in Maxam from Advent.

Advising Blackstone on its bid for Sportradar AG from EQT AB.

Advising Pamplona Capital Management on the sale of Partner in Pet Food (‘PPF’), a market-leading European pet food company headquartered in Hungary, to Cinven.

Advising Canada Pension Plan Investment Board on its £675mn investment for a 30 per cent stake in BGL Group.

Advising Hellman & Friedman on the takeover offer by Evergood 5 AS to acquire Nets A/S, a leading provider of digital payment services and related technology solutions across the Nordic region.

Advising Cinven on its disposal of CPA Global to Leonard Green & Partners, L.P., a leading US buyout firm for an undisclosed consideration.

Advising a consortium comprised of funds managed or advised by Blackstone’s Tactical Opportunities business and GIC, and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company on its acquisition of Goldman Sachs’ entire shareholding in Rothesay Life.

Advising Cinven on its sale of Host Europe Group.

Advising Canada Pension Plan Investment Board in connection with its potential equity investment in Elis SA.

Advising Hellman & Friedman and GIC on their €1.8bn acquisition of Allfunds Bank, S.A., from Intesa Sanpaolo Group, Santander Group, General Atlantic and Warburg Pincus.

Advising The Carlyle Group on its $3.2bn acquisition of Atotech from Total.

Advising Blackstone on the dual-track exit process and ultimate sale of Center Parcs to funds managed by Brookfield.

Advising GIC on its investment in RAC.

Advising Cinven and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board on their agreement to acquire Hotelbeds.

Advising Canada Pension Plan Investment Board on its acquisition of a 40 per cent stake in Glencore Agricultural Products.

*Some matters occurred prior to joining Kirkland

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, London

  • Partner (2001–2018)

  • Co-head of the Global Financial Investors sector group (2010–2016)

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Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 1994, Admitted to Practice as a Solicitor of England and Wales

Education

  • The University of Law, ChesterLaw Society Finals1991
  • Exeter UniversityLL.B.Hons1990