Overview

Michael Weisser is a partner in the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Michael represents private equity sponsors, pension plans and their portfolio companies in connection with acquisitions, dispositions, financings, restructurings and general corporate matters. He has extensive experience with leveraged buyouts, going-private transactions and minority investments, and frequently counsels clients on a variety of securities law, corporate governance and strategic matters.

Michael regularly represents Altas Partners, American Securities, BPEA EQT, Brightstar Capital, CDPQ, Claure Capital, The Jordan Company, Monomoy, Partners Group, Patient Square, Providence Equity Partners, Raine, TPG and Wendel and their portfolio companies.

Michael has been consistently recognized by Chambers USA and Chambers Global in the field of private equity and was ranked Band 1 for Private Equity: Buyouts in the 2020–2022 editions of Chambers USA. According to Chambers Global, “‘he is noted for his astute advice to private equity firms and their portfolio companies on significant acquisitions. Clients comment that ‘he is an exceptionally talented lawyer and he has very commercial judgement,’ appreciating that ‘he's able to explain whatever's going on in the legal, technical side in very plain business terms.’" Interviewees in Chambers USA describe him as an “exceptional lawyer, and our experience working with him has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve appreciated his expertise, guidance and partnership, and he is differentiated from other lawyers we work with by his strong commercial judgment and business-mindedness." He has also been recognized by Legal 500 U.S., IFLR1000, New York Super Lawyers and Practical Law Company. Michael was named “Dealmaker of the Week” by The Am Law Daily in June 2010 and was selected in 2011 by Investment Dealers’ Digest for its annual “40 Under 40” list of the top up-and-coming professionals in the finance industry.

In addition, Michael has served on Law360's Private Equity Editorial Board, has taught at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and New York University School of Law, and frequently writes articles for various publications on cutting-edge legal developments, including an article in The New York Times on private equity deal terms.

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Thought Leadership

Press Mentions

Q&A, "Alumni Spotlight with Michael Weisser, Senior Partner, Kirkland & Ellis," Wharton Private Equity / Venture Capital Club Alumni Newsletter, 2022

Recognition

Named a "Top 50 Lawyer" for Mergers & Acquisitions, The M&A Atlas Awards

Named a “Leading Lawyer” for Private Equity: Buyouts, Chambers USA

Named a “Leading Lawyer” for Private Equity: Buyouts: USA, Chambers Global

Named a “Leading Lawyer” for Private Equity Transactions in the U.S., IFLR1000

Named a “Recommended Lawyer” for Telecoms and Broadcast: Transactional, Legal 500 U.S.

Named a “Recommended Lawyer” for Private Equity Buyouts, Legal 500 U.S.

Named a “Top Rated Lawyer” for Mergers & Acquisitions, New York Super Lawyers

Named to “40 Under 40” List (2011), Investment Dealers’ Digest

Memberships & Affiliations

Member, Cohen Children’s Medical Center Advisory Board

Member, Northwell Health Board of Overseers

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 1999New York

Education

  • Columbia Law SchoolJ.D.1998
  • University of PennsylvaniaB.A.1995