Kirkland Bolsters Debt Finance Practice with Veteran Private Credit Advisor

Kirkland & Ellis, a leading global law firm, has announced the addition of H.T. Flanagan, a seasoned private credit and liability management expert, to its prestigious debt finance practice. Flanagan's move to Kirkland is seen as a significant boost to the firm's already formidable capabilities in the rapidly growing private credit sector.

Unlocking Opportunities in the Evolving Debt Finance Landscape

Expanding Kirkland's Debt Finance Powerhouse

Kirkland's debt finance practice, which the firm claims is the largest in the world, has undergone a strategic restructuring to better serve its diverse client base. By combining its debt finance and structured finance teams into a single group, Kirkland aims to leverage its deep expertise across the broad spectrum of debt finance solutions. This move positions the firm to capitalize on the growing demand for comprehensive debt finance services, particularly in the private credit space.

Tapping into H.T. Flanagan's Extensive Experience

The addition of H.T. Flanagan, a seasoned private credit and liability management expert, is a significant coup for Kirkland. Flanagan's extensive experience in advising private credit funds, alternative lenders, and other investors in traditional private credit financings and bespoke capital solutions will bolster Kirkland's leading liability management and opportunistic credit practices. His expertise in representing private equity firms and their portfolio companies on borrower-side leveraged finance transactions, as well as his work with private capital clients in acquisition financings, liability management transactions, debtor-in-possession financings, hybrid capital instruments, and special situations investments, will further strengthen Kirkland's market-leading position.

Strengthening Kirkland's Debt Finance Bench

Kirkland's strategic move to add Flanagan to its debt finance team follows the recent additions of other high-profile partners, including Paul Sandler from Paul Weiss and Vanessa Xu from Allen & Overy. These hires underscore Kirkland's commitment to building a world-class debt finance practice that can cater to the evolving needs of its diverse client base, particularly in the private credit and liability management sectors.

Flanagan's Perspective: Joining a "World-Class" Team

In his own words, Flanagan expressed his excitement about joining Kirkland's "world-class debt finance team" and the opportunity to add his "diverse private capital experience" to the firm's market-leading credit opportunities and liability management practices. Flanagan's decision to move to Kirkland is a testament to the firm's reputation and its ability to attract top talent in the debt finance space.

Freshfields' Farewell: Wishing Flanagan the Best

Flanagan's departure from Freshfields was met with a gracious farewell from the firm, which wished him all the best in his new endeavor at Kirkland. This transition highlights the competitive nature of the legal talent market, as top firms vie to strengthen their debt finance capabilities to meet the evolving needs of their clients.

Expanding Kirkland's Footprint: Dallas and New York

Flanagan will be based in Kirkland's Dallas office, but he will also spend time in the firm's New York office. This geographic flexibility underscores Kirkland's commitment to providing seamless service to its clients across multiple jurisdictions, leveraging its deep bench of talent to address complex debt finance challenges.