Dealmakers of the Year Finalist: Sean Wheeler and Debbie Yee, Kirkland & Ellis

Sean Wheeler and Debbie Yee were named as finalists for “Dealmakers of the Year” as part of Texas Lawyer's Texas Legal Awards, and participated in this Q&A.

Sean Wheeler and Debbie Yee, partners with Kirkland & Ellis, are among the finalists for Texas Lawyer's 2025 Dealmakers of the Year Award. Read a Q&A with them below.

How do you stay ahead of the curve in a competitive market, especially when managing high-stakes transactions?

To stay ahead in a competitive market, you have to approach transactions with a strategic and adaptable approach. It involves staying on top of trends in the industry, leveraging data and building client relationships focused on long-term goals. In M&A, transactions are high-stakes, timelines are tight, and reputations are always on the line. Our clients know they’re getting industry-leading talent and, across the firm, including in Texas, we are dedicated to developing lawyers who are the best in their fields.

What trends in the market do you foresee having the greatest impact on dealmaking in the coming years?

There is a huge focus on power in the wake of data center energy demands, with new capital solutions being employed, including joint ventures, YieldCos and hybrid financing structures. We also expect the rapid pace of technological and regulatory change to continue to foster a really dynamic dealmaking environment. Overall, relatively high interest rates, geopolitical risk and some regulatory uncertainty are likely to lead way to more creative deal structures to bridge gaps in valuation and return on investment risk.