Overview

Bill Benitez is a partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, equity investments, recapitalizations, joint ventures and corporate governance, with a particular emphasis on the energy and infrastructure sector.

Clients have described Bill as a “great practitioner” who provides “incredible client service” in connection with his recognition in various industry publications, including Chambers Global, The World's Leading Lawyers for Business, Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business, IFLR1000 and The Legal 500 U.S.

Bill also devotes substantial time to immigration-related pro bono matters involving victims of domestic violence and actively participates in diversity and recruiting efforts as a member of the Firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Prior to Northwestern University’s JD-MBA program, Bill was a Manager in the North America consulting practice of Accenture in Houston. During his tenure with Accenture, Bill led consulting teams on behalf of various clients in connection with new system and process implementation, as well as post-merger integration.

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Thought Leadership

Seminars

Presenter, “Innovative and Tax-Efficient REIT Structures for the Midstream Sector,” Midstream REIT Seminar, Houston (February 2020)

Presenter, “Recent Trends in Midstream Oil and Gas Joint Ventures,” Webinar (January 2019)

Recognition

Notable Practitioner, Private Equity and Mergers & Acquisitions, IFLR1000, 2019–2024

Next Generation Lawyer, Energy Transactions — Oil and Gas, 2017–2024 editions of The Legal 500 U.S.

Up and Coming, Chambers Global, Energy: Oil & Gas — Transactional (USA), 2022

Chambers USA, Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional), 2020–2021

Kirkland & Ellis LLP Pro Bono Service Awards, 2010–2018 & 2020–2021

National Immigrant Justice Center Rising Star Award, 2014

Memberships & Affiliations

Member, Posse Foundation - Houston Advisory Board

Member, Law School Fund Board - Pritzker Northwestern School of Law

Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2009Illinois
  • 2015Texas

Education

  • Northwestern Pritzker School of LawJ.D.cum laude2009
    Public Service Star Award winner
  • Northwestern University Kellogg School of ManagementM.B.A., Finance2009
    Co-President of the JD-MBA Association, 2007–2008 and 2008–2009
  • Louisiana State UniversityB.S., Marketingcum laude1998
    Athletic Department Scholarship