Dealmakers of the Year Finalist: Eduardo M. Leal, Kirkland & Ellis

Eduardo Leal was named a finalist for “Dealmakers of the Year” by Daily Business Review and participated in a Q&A.

Eduardo M. Leal, partner with Kirkland & Ellis, is one of the finalists of the Daily Business Review's Dealmakers of the Year award. Read a Q&A with the firm below.

What are some of your most significant achievements of the past year?

Every transaction regardless of deal size presents different challenges. I’m most proud of my ability in the past year to effectively navigate both smaller transactions involving founder sellers while also advising clients on significantly larger transactions involving financial sponsors and strategics. For instance, in the past year, I advised on various transactions with enterprise values in excess of a billion dollars for clients such as Shore Capital and 26North, while also advising on middle-market transactions for clients such as Brightstar Capital Partners and A&M Capital. It’s been especially rewarding to advise 26North, a relatively new fund based in Miami, on some of its first platform acquisitions. In these transactions you are not only advising on the particular transaction at hand but are also establishing the precedent and guidelines the fund will use for future transactions.

I’m also particularly proud of the growth of our Miami office. We currently have more than 80 attorneys and have an exceptional pipeline of summer associates that will continue fueling our growth in the coming years.

What does it take to become a trusted transactional lawyer in Florida?

The same qualities that make a transactional lawyer in Florida a trusted adviser also apply throughout the rest of the country. The minimum requirement is to be technically skilled, understand each issue being negotiated and how similar issues have been addressed in other transactions. You also need to have the necessary communication skills to succinctly convey those issues and potential solutions to clients. To be truly exceptional, you shouldn’t limit yourself to just understanding the particular legal issues at hand. You also need to understand the broader business context of the transaction. Doing so will allow you to better guide your client, not just as an outside adviser but also as a confidant that understands the business rationale underpinning the transaction. This will allow you to view the transaction through the same lens as your client.

Dealmakers are extraordinarily busy people. What must firms do to ensure that they remain engaged with pro bono work, their communities and their families?

Balancing both professional and personal demands is one of the most difficult challenges dealmakers face, regardless of seniority. I’ve noticed transaction timelines have shortened. Transactions that used to require multiple months to complete are now being completed in weeks and in some cases days, which puts tremendous strain on personal demands. Being an exceptional and trusted transactional lawyer requires you to meet those timelines when they arise. Firms also need to ensure that attorneys have the ability and are actively encouraged to recharge afterwards, rather than simply jumping on to the next transaction.