James B. Kelly
Overview
Experience
Representative Matters
Since joining Kirkland, James has been involved in the following representations:
- LM Energy, a portfolio company of Old Ironsides Energy, in the carveout sale of its crude oil gathering business in the Delaware Basin.
- Quantum Capital Group, 547 Energy and ConnectGen in the $768 million sale of ConnectGen to Repsol.
- Hornbeck Offshore Services, a leading provider of technologically advanced, new generation offshore service vessels, in connection with its financing matters.
- Civitas Resources (NYSE: CIVI) in various matters, including:
- its $2.45 billion definitive agreement to acquire oil producing assets in the Delaware Basin from Tap Rock Resources, a portfolio company of NGP Energy Capital Management.
- its $2.25 billion definitive agreement to acquire oil producing assets in the Midland Basin from Hibernia Energy III, a portfolio company of NGP Energy Capital Management.
- Nuveen in connection with financings in the energy industry.
- SiO2 Medical Products, a material life sciences company, in its prearranged Chapter 11 cases filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
- LEMOINE, a Bernhard Capital Partners portfolio company, in its acquisition of Macro Companies, a leading emergency fuel and water supplier.
- Main Street Capital Corporation in various financings in the software and technology industry.
- Greenbelt Capital Partners in its majority investment in Unirac, a leading designer and manufacturer of solar photovoltaic mounting solutions.
- Goodnight Water Solutions, a Tailwater Capital portfolio company and a leading midstream produced water infrastructure company, in connection with a $100 million revolving credit facility and $325 million senior secured notes.
- Warren Equity Partners in connection with financing for its acquisition of MacQueen Equipment, LLC, a heavy environmental equipment dealer, lessor and service provider.
- Tailwater Capital, together with Waste Management (NYSE: WM) through a newly formed joint venture, in its acquisition of a significant interest in Continuus Materials, a waste-to-product business that transforms discarded plastic and fiber material into engineered building products.
- HPS Investment Partners, LLC (HPS) in C$120 million term loan financing provided to Canaccord Genuity Group, Inc. (CGGI), a leading financial services firm based in Canada, in connection with CGGI’s redemption of its convertible debentures and the subsequent acquisition by HPS of preferred shares issued by CGGI’s UK wealth management subsidiary.
- Subscription/capital call facilities, NAV facilities, management company and topco loans and other fund financings for numerous private equity clients including Summit Partners, Golub Capital and Bluescape Energy Partners, among others.
- Multiple private equity and developer clients in connection with real estate-based financings, including acquisition and development loans, construction loans and revolving credit lines.
Prior to joining Kirkland, James was involved in the following representations:
- AB Private Credit Investors in connection with a senior secured acquisition financing to Comvest Partners in its acquisition of Engage2Excel, Inc.
- Antares Capital in connection with multiple acquisition financing transactions for private equity sponsors.
- Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (NASDAQ: BECN) in connection with its corporate credit facilities.
- Eagle Materials Inc. (NYSE: EXP) in connection with its corporate credit facilities.
- Highview Capital, LLC, in connection with financing for its acquisition of Gold Star Foods, Inc.
- Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: INSE) with respect to its £240 million senior secured facilities established in connection with its acquisition of the Gaming Technology Group of Novomatic UK Ltd.
- Legacy Reserves Inc. in connection with its $350 million DIP financing and $1.5 billion reserve-based exit facility established in connection with its financial restructuring and emergence from Chapter 11.
- Luxor Capital Group, LP, in connection with a SPAC-related acquisition financing transaction for a corporate borrower.
- Raising Cane’s Restaurants in connection with its financing matters.
- ShoreView Industries in connection with financing for its acquisition of California Retina Associates.
- Affiliates of Z Capital Partners, L.L.C., in connection with their acquisition of Techniks Tool Group.
- Affiliates of ZMC in connection with financing for their acquisition of Simeio Solutions.
- A media company in connection with multiple secured margin loan facilities.
- Multiple private equity sponsors in connection with their subscription credit facilities.
- A privately held manufacturer of building and construction material and packaging products in connection with the refinancing of its $1.25 billion secured credit facility.
- An upstream oil and gas company in connection with multiple reserve-based revolving credit facilities.
- An upstream oil and gas company with respect to financing for an asset purchase and related corporate restructuring in connection with a joint venture.
Clerk & Government Experience
Judicial ExternHonorable Michael P. MillsUnited States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi
Judicial Extern, Honorable Neil P. Olack, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi
Prior Experience
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Memberships & Affiliations
Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
Dallas Bar Association
State Bar of Texas
- Business Law Section
- Corporate Counsel Section
- Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section
The Real Estate Council
Turnaround Management Association, Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- 2018Texas
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Education
- University of Mississippi School of LawJ.D.summa cum laude2018
First in Class
Editor-in-Chief, Mississippi Law Journal
Editor-in-Chief, Federal Courts Law Review
Champion, Bicentennial Moot Court Competition
Champion, Fourth Annual National Moot Court Competition in Law and Religion
- Georgetown UniversityA.B., Government2011