Edward Hillenbrand

Commercial Litigation

• Represented a venture capital firm in a multi-venue litigation against its former general counsel alleging claims for breach of contract, fraud, tortious interference, and misappropriation of trade secrets.
• Advised a family-owned grape supplier company in a potential dispute with its management company.
• Advised a real estate company in potential disputes concerning college housing lease agreements.
• Advised a wholesale and retail gas company in a potential dispute concerning land use and building lease agreements.
• Represented an artisanal coffee company in a federal action alleging civil RICO violations and claims for fraud, misrepresentation, tortious interference, and unfair business practices in connection with the purchase of specialty imported coffee.
• Represented a media magnate’s ex-fiancée in a state action alleging elder abuse, breach of fiduciary duty, and constructive fraud claims, and in her two crossclaims alleging breach of contract and invasion of privacy.
• Represented one of the country’s largest investor-owned utility companies in a federal CERCLA action in connection with an environmental clean-up at the most valuable land development in New York City at the time.

Securities Litigation

• Representing an international digital media company in federal securities putative class action and federal shareholder derivative action alleging false or misleading statements in the company’s registration statement.
• Represented a global hotel and casino developer in a federal class action alleging Section 10(b), Rule 10b-5, and Section 20(a) violations in connection with the former CEO’s alleged misconduct and resignation.
• Represented a women’s plus-size clothing company in federal putative class action alleging Section 10(b), Rule 10b-5, Section 20(a), Section 11, Section 12(a)(2), and Section 15 violations in connection with pandemic-related supply chain disruptions.
• Represented a hedge fund in a federal class action alleging Rule 14e-3, Section 20A, and Section 20(a) violations in connection with a joint, unsolicited offer to acquire a pharmaceutical company.
• Represented one of the Big Three rating agencies in a federal FIRREA action brought by the Department of Justice and nineteen states in connection with its ratings of CDO and RMBS offerings.

Government, Regulatory & Internal Investigations

• Representing a national behavioral healthcare company in internal investigation and response to government inquiries.
• Represented an internet technology company in internal investigation of export sales practices and OFAC issues.
• Represented commercial bank in CFPB and DOJ investigations of sales practices and related topics.
• Represented an investment bank in an SEC investigation of alleged OTC market exchange irregularities.
• Represented an investment bank in a DOJ investigation of FCPA and OFAC violations.

Compliance and Safety Oversight Monitorships

• Assisting the independent compliance monitor of the world’s largest live event promoter.
• Assisted the independent compliance, safety, and ethics monitor of California’s largest investor owned utility.
• Assisted the independent compliance and safety monitor of the world’s second largest automobile manufacturer.

Prior to joining the Firm in 2016, Ned was an associate at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP in New York.

Representing parents of students (after a successful appeal (95 Cal. App. 5th 740)), in a state class action challenging a large school district’s distance learning policies during COVID-19 pandemic school closures.

Represented Afghan nationals in a federal class action challenging the U.S. government’s failure to expedite adjudication of their asylum applications, resulting in the largest U.S. asylum settlement since the 1980s. Earned the Firm a nomination for American Lawyer's “Litigator of the Week.”

Represented several immigrant detainees in their asylum applications and removal proceedings, which contributed to Kirkland & Ellis receiving Public Counsel’s Law Firm Pro Bono Award in 2022.

Represented low-income tenants in a state wrongful eviction case, for which Kirkland & Ellis received Legal Aid of Los Angeles’ Pro Bono Law Firm Award in 2019.