Overview

Thomas Woodhead is a partner in the London office of Kirkland & Ellis International LLP and co-leads the Firm’s ex-US financial services regulatory practice.

Thomas has extensive experience advising private fund sponsors on financial services regulation and the regulatory aspects of fund structuring, and on M&A in the financial services sector. His experience spans all major alternative investment strategies, with a particular focus on new industry developments and regulation, including tokenisation and the use of AI.

Thomas advises leading sponsors, including Arrow Global, Castlelake, Hg, J.P. Morgan, Montagu Private Equity and Starwood Capital, as well as other firms associated with the private funds industry, such as Gen II, Universal Investment and Waystone.

Before joining Kirkland, Thomas advised international banks on obtaining banking licences in the UK and large investment brokers on conduct of business and trading compliance, including market abuse and brokerage requirements. He previously worked at the Financial Services Authority.

Thomas is a member of the UK Private Capital Regulatory Committee and regularly works with other industry bodies, including the Alternative Investment Management Association and Invest Europe.

External Recognition

  • Thomas is recognized by The Legal 500 UK as a Recommended Lawyer for Corporate and Commercial – Financial Services: Non-Contentious/Regulatory (2026)

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Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2013, Admitted to practice as a Solicitor of England and Wales

Education

  • College of Law, London MoorgateLegal Practice Course2009
  • Oxford Brookes UniversityGraduate Diploma in Law2007
  • Lincoln College, University of OxfordClassical Archaeology and Ancient History2006