North America Innovative Lawyers Awards 2023
The Financial Times recognized Kirkland & Ellis as the “Most Innovative Firm in Digital Solutions” as part of its 2023 North America Innovative Lawyers Report. The Firm was recognized for its SideTrack platform, which “automates the creating and tracking of side letters” and “allows efficient processing of such documents, often hundreds of pages, and tracks side letters globally to avoid duplication of terms.” Kirkland partner James Desjardins, who was instrumental in the implementation of SideTrack, was recognized as a Commended Individual.
Additionally, Kirkland was named a Standout Firm in Healthcare and Life Sciences for its representation of UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UHG) (NYSE: UNH) against an attempt by the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Antitrust Division, the State of New York and the State of Minnesota to block UHG’s $13 billion acquisition of Change Healthcare.
FT also named Kirkland a Standout Firm in the Technology category for its representation of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. on its definitive agreement with Intel Corp. to jointly fund Intel’s under-construction semiconductor fabrication facility in Chandler, Arizona with Brookfield investing up to $15 billion for a 49 percent stake in Intel’s manufacturing expansion.
Kirkland was also recognized as a Commended firm in the Deals and Financing category for its Liability Management & Credit Opportunities Practice Group, which “helps clients facing the threat of bankruptcy to reduce debt, raise capital and buy time.”
Meanwhile, Kirkland partner Josh Sussberg was recognized among the top 10 Most Innovative Practitioners for being “one of the most high-profile advisers in the field of bankruptcy and corporate rescues” and for his work on behalf of such clients as Bed Bath & Beyond, Cineworld and crypto companies such as Voyager, BlockFi and Celsius.
The annual North America Innovative Lawyers Awards spotlight the key trends and transformations taking place in the legal sector over the past 12 months.
