Partners Michele Cumpston and Hamed Meshki Honored Among LABJ’s “Leaders of Influence: Private Equity, Investors & Advisors”

The Los Angeles Business Journal named Kirkland partners Michele Cumpston and Hamed Meshki to its 2025 list of “Leaders of Influence: Private Equity, Investors & Advisors,” which showcases the most notable private equity-related professionals in the region.

Michele was recognized as a “fierce advocate for her clients,” which include Francisco Partners, Oaktree Capital Management and H.I.G. Capital. Hamed was profiled for his “highly structured and complex private equity transactions” for clients including Brentwood Associates, Industrial Growth Partners and Sycamore Partners.

Michele concentrates her practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, private equity and corporate governance. She represents buyers, sellers, private equity funds and their portfolio companies and financial institutions in a variety of complex M&A transactions, including leveraged buyouts, going-private transactions, divestitures, restructurings, recapitalizations, minority investments, business combinations, and executive compensation and equity incentive arrangements.

 
Hamed’s practice focuses on highly structured and complex business transactions, including M&A, leveraged buyouts, restructurings, recapitalizations and financings. He has structured, negotiated and completed transactions across industries, including apparel, broadcast media, consumer products, energy and oilfield services, gaming and lodging, healthcare, industrials and manufacturing, publishing, software and technology, sports and entertainment, and transportation and shipping.