Dealmakers of the Year Finalist: David Feirstein, Kirkland & Ellis
David Feirstein was named a finalist for the “Dealmakers of the Year” award as part of New York Law Journal’s New York Legal Awards, and participated in this Q&A.
What were some of your most satisfying successes of the past year, and why?
Representing EQT Corporation in its merger with Equitrans was among my more memorable deals of the past year. EQT is a longtime client of mine and it’s especially rewarding work with a client as a long term strategic adviser to craft unique deal structures that satisfy their core business objectives. Despite being faced with some pretty novel challenges, we were able to close months ahead of estimates, resulting in nearly $150 million of savings relative to forecasts. The opportunity to share wins like this with my clients is why I do what I do.
What qualities make a great dealmaker?
A great dealmaker knows every detail of a transaction and then goes beyond the details to really forge a relationship with a client to learn the ins-and-outs of their business and deliver value-enhancing results. Great dealmakers also have to be adept communicators to distill complex legal and business concepts concepts in the middle of a fast moving deal, while maintaining nuance and depth. And while none of us have a crystal ball, a great dealmaker will do all they can to help their clients see around corners, assessing possible obstacles at each stage of a transactions and coming to the table prepared with solutions already in mind.
What recent market factors have been the most challenging in your practice area?
The dealmaking landscape is pretty complex right now, with uncertainties driven by regulatory changes, macroeconomic pressures and geopolitical considerations. To get deals done, we’re employing greater creativity to deliver for our clients at a level of comfortability similar to what they’ve experienced in more stable cycles.
A prospective client calls and asks why you or your team should be retained. What is your response?
Our team-based approach to dealmaking at Kirkland and our partnership approach are both designed to serve clients the best legal and commercial advice in the market. The depth of Kirkland’s platform is unmatched, with best-in-class practitioners in every discipline. If I don’t have an answer, someone who does is a quick phone call away. We also view ourselves as an extension of a client’s team rather than in a silo. Our goals are intertwined, and we approach our role in a transaction commercially and pragmatically, creating value for the client every step of the way.
