The World's Leading Lawyers 2002-2003: Private Equity: Fund Formation: East Coast

On an annual basis, Chambers Global conducts extensive research and thorough data analysis in compiling their objective list of legal talent available at the highest level of international legal practice. Their research methodology has been independently audited and confirmed to be thorough, robust and complete.

In Chambers' 2002-2003 regional review of international legal talent in the area of "Private Equity: Fund Formation: East Coast," Kirkland & Ellis ranked fourth. This ranking reflects the opinion of the marketplace as revealed by Chambers' systematic and objective research.

Kirkland partner Kirk A. Radke was selected as a leading individual in this area.

Chambers' comments:

Although the firm receives greater recognition for its unrivalled Mid-West private equity practice, with the majority of its "heavy hitters" based in Chicago, the New York office remains highly respected. Four New York partners and two dedicated tax partners act for a number of NY-based private equity clients in all aspects of fund work from fund creation to buyout transactions. Said to be "aggressive on behalf of its clients," the group has a loyal following among pension funds, investment banks and insurance companies.

Kirk Radke maintains a "sophisticated" practice representing both sponsors and general partners in the formation of capital pools. He is admired for contributing significant tax expertise to both fund management and private placement transactions. Clients commend him as particularly "helpful in guiding them through new ground in a difficult market environment." On the venture capital side, Radke represented Citigroup Venture Capital in its fund formation, reorganisation and partial spin-out. The firm has supporting practices in DC and London, with whom New York partners co-ordinated work on a $4 billion buyout fund closure for CBC Capital Partners.

Clients: Vestar Capital; CBC Capital Partners; Bain Capital Partners; Merrill Lynch; Citigroup; Morgan Stanley Capital Partners; Whitney Group; Thomas H Lee Fund.

Reprinted with permission from Chamber's Global: The World's Leading Lawyers 2002-2003