James H.M. Sprayregen Returns to Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is pleased to announce that James H.M. Sprayregen will rejoin the Firm as a partner in its Restructuring Practice Group, effective December 12, 2008. Mr. Sprayregen will work from the Firm's Chicago and New York offices.

"Jamie was instrumental in laying the foundation for the premiere restructuring practice we have today," said Thomas Yannucci, chair of Kirkland's Worldwide Management Committee. "We are pleased to welcome our friend and colleague back to the Firm."

"I am thrilled that Jamie has decided to return to the practice," said Rick Cieri, a senior partner in Kirkland's Restructuring Practice Group. "His knowledge, experience and business acumen will help us continue to provide the highest quality service to our clients, while contributing to the growth and success of the group."

Mr. Sprayregen has extensive experience representing major U.S. and international companies in restructurings around the world. He returns to the Firm after nearly three years with Goldman Sachs, where he was co-head of Goldman Sach's Americas Restructuring Group and helped lead Goldman Sach's practice advising clients in restructuring and distressed situations.

Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Mr. Sprayregen spent 16 years at Kirkland, where he led some of the most complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases in recent history, including for United Airlines, Conseco,  NRG Energy and TWA Corp. among others.

"I am excited to return to the practice of law," said Mr. Sprayregen. "I look forward to working with the talented lawyers at Kirkland and helping clients find solutions to their toughest financial problems."

Mr. Sprayregen has been recognized as one of the top restructuring lawyers in the world by publications including The American Lawyer, Crain's Chicago Business, Turnarounds & Workouts and the Chicago Tribune. International legal publisher Chambers & Partners noted "clients described him as 'probably the best restructuring lawyer in the world.'"

Mr. Sprayregen, 48, earned a law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law and a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a 1,500-attorney law firm representing global clients in complex restructuring, corporate and tax, litigation, dispute resolution and arbitration, and intellectual property and technology matters. The Firm has offices in Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.