Merger and Acquisition Attorney of the Year Finalist: Armand Della Monica, Kirkland & Ellis
Armand Della Monica was named a finalist for “Merger and Acquisition Attorney of the Year” as part of Connecticut Law Tribune’s New England Legal Awards, and participated in this Q&A.
Armand Della Monica, partner with Kirkland & Ellis, is among the finalists for the New England Legal Awards' Merger and Acquisition Attorney of the Year Award. Read a Q&A with him below.
What qualities are fundamental to becoming a successful M&A attorney?
Successful M&A attorneys demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the continuous, relentless improvement in providing superior client service and expert legal advice. They invest deeply in client relationships to learn how their clients think and to anticipate their next move—in other words, they develop a shorthand with their clients. They stay current on developments in all aspects of the law that can impact an M&A transaction, and they maintain commercial sensitivity to provide balanced legal advice to facilitate, rather than obstruct, transactions. Another key component is investing in building and training their team because teamwork is vital to every successful M&A transaction.
What accomplishments are you most proud of from the past year?
I’m most proud of my leadership in the continuing build-out of Kirkland’s Boston office and my work mentoring and training associates and young partners. Of particular note, we’ve built a top-tier private equity and fund formation practice. As of July 2025, our office has grown to 170 attorneys, and we’ve made multiple marquis lateral hires this year. Further to that, this is the seventh-straight year that the Boston office has had 100% pro bono participation from all attorneys, an achievement I’m particularly proud of.
How do you see M&A law changing in the coming years?
The M&A legal landscape is constantly evolving. We are seeing complex and creative deal structures to help mitigate risk and uncertainty, a shifting regulatory environment, and the use of AI and other technologies in the deal-making process. We are also seeing continued proliferation of private equity secondaries and “continuation vehicles” as alternatives to traditional exits. These are just a few trends that I anticipate will impact M&A law in the next couple years.
