Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a global titan in the restructuring and bankruptcy field. Despite a slowdown in Chapter 11 cases, the firm has led the market in liability management transactions, applying its extensive resources in the restructuring segment, along with complementary expertise from the firm’s debt finance, capital markets and tax departments. The firm has a huge presence in company-side engagements, though due to the size of the team, it is also prominent in creditor-side matters. Its huge private equity client base brings it a wealth of company-wide relationships, along with representing the funds in acquiring assets out of bankruptcy. Amongst a multitude of headline mandates, the firm represented Rite Aid in its Chapter 11 cases in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, which involved the de-levering of its balance sheet by approximately $2bn through a recapitalization transaction with its senior secured noteholders, right-sizing its lease portfolio, and through the court-approved sale of Elixir. It also advised WeWork on its landmark Chapter 11 filing, involving $18bn of total liabilities. Edward Sassower and Joshua Sussberg co-head the team, which includes Anup Sathy and Ross Kwasteniet . Steven Serajeddini and Ciara Foster impressed in the WeWork chapter 11 filing. Chicago’s Patrick Nash led the team in Yellow Corporation’s chapter 11 case, while Nicole Greenblatt and Christopher Greco are also names to note, along with Christine Okike. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.