Kirkland & Ellis LLP Partner Sarah Kirson Named to Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 List

Kirkland & Ellis LLP today announced that partner Sarah E. Kirson has been named to the prestigious Crain's Chicago Business "40 Under 40" list.

Crain's "40 Under 40" list is an annual award honoring emerging leaders in Chicago's business community.  This list appeared in the Nov. 5, 2007, issue of Crain's Chicago Business.

Ms. Kirson joins two other Kirkland Crain's "40 under 40" recipients - litigator Emily Nicklin (1991) and former restructuring partner James Sprayregen (1989), who is now a managing director at Goldman Sachs.

Ms. Kirson started at Kirkland in 1994, after graduating cum laude from Harvard Law School.  Tapping her undergraduate business background, she began her legal career doing M&A and other corporate work for the Firm's private equity clients.  This work grew to include advising these clients on the formation, development and management of their private equity funds.  Under the guidance of Bruce I. Ettelson, head of the Private Funds Group, Ms. Kirson has become a key member of this practice group that involves 125 lawyers across eight offices.

"Sarah is an exceptional talent who is extremely bright, hardworking and dedicated," Mr. Ettelson said.  "She is an integral part of our Private Funds practice, and we congratulate her on this honor."

Ms. Kirson works on a broad array of funds for a variety of clients, ranging in size from under $100 million to multi-billion dollar funds, including leading the formation of Bear Stearns Merchant Banking's $2.7 billion third fund last year.

"It's a privilege to be recognized alongside so many impressive and accomplished professionals," Ms. Kirson said.

In addition to her thriving practice at Kirkland, Ms. Kirson has three young children.  She enjoys riding and competing her horses, and was formerly a nationally-ranked show jumper.

For additional information on Ms. Kirson's career, please click here.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a 1,300-attorney law firm representing global clients in complex corporate and tax, litigation, intellectual property, and workout, insolvency and bankruptcy matters. The Firm has offices in Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.