Leading Fund Formation Partners Join Kirkland & Ellis International LLP

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP is pleased to announce a significant expansion of its fund formation team in London with the hiring of three leading partners, Mark Mifsud, Richard Watkins and Justin Dolling from SJ Berwin LLP.

With SJ Berwin since 1995, Mr. Mifsud concentrates in fund formation, co-investment plans, secondaries, carried interest structuring and related matters.  Cited as a leading investment funds lawyer in a number of legal directories, including Chambers UK 2006, Guide to the Legal Profession, Mr. Mifsud is recognized as a key figure in UK fund formation.  The Lawyer named him to its prestigious "Hot 100" list of rising stars in 2006 and Legal Business listed him as one of the top rainmakers in London.

Mr. Watkins primarily advises in relation to private equity fund structuring, carried interest, co-investment and other private equity incentive matters, and also advises on private equity transactions including secondaries, spin-outs and mergers of private equity houses.

Mr. Dolling's practice focuses on advising private equity managers in the  restructuring and establishment of private equity investment funds, secondaries, carried interest arrangements and co-investment plans.  He also advises on a broad range of transactions relating to the restructuring of private equity funds, leveraging and refinancing of such funds, and buyouts and spin-outs relating to management houses.

"Fund formation is a major component of our well-established international private equity practice," said Thomas D. Yannucci, Chair of Kirkland's Management Committee. "The addition of these outstanding lawyers will only enhance Kirkland's depth and range in our fund formation practice."

"It's an honor to have lawyers of this stature join our partnership," said James Learner, senior corporate partner in Kirkland's London office.  "These talented lawyers will be assets to building our international presence."

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a 1,200-attorney law firm representing global clients in complex corporate, litigation, dispute resolution and arbitration, intellectual property and technology, restructuring and tax matters.  The Firm has offices in London, Chicago, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.