Diane Lee

Prior to joining Kirkland, Diane was involved in the following matters:

• Represented the lead arrangers and the agent in connection with a multi-billion dollar warehouse facility for Roark’s acquisition of Subway (with a reported enterprise value of approximately $9.6 billion), a global sandwich franchise, to support one of the largest whole business securitizations on record.
• Represented the direct lenders and the agent in connection with the debt financing for Carlyle’s take-private acquisition of ManTech (with a reported enterprise value of approximately $4 billion), a leading national security and cybersecurity contractor.
• Represented the lead arrangers and the agent in connection with the debt financing for KKR’s acquisition of Barracuda Networks (with a reported enterprise value of approximately $4 billion), a cloud security and data protection company.
• Represented the direct lenders and the agent in connection with the debt financing for Haveli’s take-private acquisition of Couchbase (with a reported enterprise value of approximately $1.5 billion), a global enterprise database platform.
• Represented the direct lenders and the agent in connection with the cross-border debt financing for Altor’s acquisition of CCM Hockey, a Canadian-based sporting goods brand.
• Represented the direct lenders in connection with the cross-border debt financing for Onex’s acquisition of Farsound, a UK-based aerospace supply chain company.
• Represented the direct lenders in connection with the debt financing for Advent’s acquisition of LayerZero, a leading manufacturer of mission-critical power infrastructure.
• Represented the direct lenders in connection with the debt financing for an add-on acquisition of Quala, a bulk container service provider, by Boasso, a portfolio company of KKR.
• Represented the lenders and the agent in connection with the establishment of a revolving credit facility for the financing and development of various renewable energy projects by Copia Power, a portfolio company of Carlyle.
• Represented a lender in connection with the mezzanine debt financing of solar panel facilities for a portfolio company of a top-tier global private equity sponsor.

Milbank LLP, 2021–2026

Seward & Kissel LLP, 2017–2021

Successfully represented survivors of domestic violence in their self-petition for legal status under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Following an initial rejection of the client’s application, drafted an extensive supplemental brief and evidentiary memorandum that successfully overturned the decision, securing long-term immigration relief and a pathway to permanent residency for the client.

Provided pro bono representation to low-income individuals in matrimonial matters, navigating court filings to secure finalized decrees and essential legal protections for clients in underserved communities.