Linda K. Myers, P.C.
Overview
Linda Myers 'does an incredible job and is an incredible attorney' with 'the relevant experience and a great demeanor in negotiations. Clients appreciate that she 'makes herself available, no matter what,' while always 'picking up on points that may not necessarily be on the page.' - Chambers USA
Until February of 2022 when she retired from law practice, Linda Myers was a corporate partner at international law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP where she had three decades of experience advising clients. Nationally recognized by top attorney ranking agencies, Linda Myers also received praise from numerous clients. They called Linda “exceptional, the real deal. She's very knowledgeable, professional and extremely bright,” and “a wonderful lawyer and a pleasant individual – we need more people like her in the market.” Linda was a member of Kirkland’s Global Management Committee from 2010 to 2020. As one of the original members of the Firm’s Debt Finance Practice Group, she focused her work on transactions for private equity groups, commercial lending institutions and major private and public companies. Linda was ranked by Chambers Global and Chambers USA as one of a very exclusive group of “Eminent Practitioners” nationwide.
Linda’s practice served private equity sponsors and companies in connection with leveraged buyout financings for acquisitions, as well as working capital facilities, CP backup facilities, refinancings and other commercial banking matters. She also represented lenders in distressed transactions and in acquisition financing and refinancing opportunities. In the restructuring arena, Linda predominantly counseled debtors looking for financing to navigate through and exit bankruptcy. Her work encompassed a full spectrum of industries, including healthcare, technology, retail, professional services, manufacturing and consumer brands.
In 2020, The Legal 500 inducted Linda into its Hall of Fame in Finance and Commercial Lending. This honor highlights law firm partners “at the pinnacle of the profession” who “have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence.” In 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2018, the IFLR1000 Women Leaders guide named Linda as one of the 1,000 female lawyers ranked as the best transactional practitioners in their markets and practice areas. In 2020, Linda was named to Lawdragon’s list of the “500 Leading Lawyers in America” and was inducted into their “Hall of Fame” in 2023. Also in 2020, Linda received the St. Ignatius College Prep 39th Annual Law Society Award for Excellence in the Field of Law. Recently, Linda was recognized by Who’s Who Legal in the practice area of Banking for 2023.
Excelling at both law and deal management, Linda assembled and managed top-notch legal teams, gathered resources, supervised work streams, and fostered relationships for the Firm. With a style that’s communicative, inclusive, flexible, direct and extremely efficient, Linda relates to people from all backgrounds and believes that building bridges – including with those on the opposing side – tends to lead to more satisfactory outcomes for her clients.
Included by Crain’s Chicago Business in the “Who’s Who in Chicago Business” in 2016 and 2017, selected as a “Notable Gen X Leader in Law” in 2019, named one of “The Most Powerful Women in Business” in 2018 and “The Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago” in 2017, Linda enthusiastically supports marquee cultural and educational organizations. For example, she serves on the boards of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Chicago Shakespeare Theater and has done pro bono work for both organizations. Linda sat on the board of St. Ignatius College Prep, a Jesuit Chicago high school, from 2016 to 2022 and is a member of the Parents Council to the Chancellor at Washington University in St. Louis. In addition, Linda serves on the board of the Advisory Board of Kinzie Capital Partners, a women-founded private equity fund based in Chicago.
Experience
Representative Matters
Financing Transactions
- Negotiation, structuring and documentation of various types of financing transactions, including secured, unsecured, senior, mezzanine and subordinated debt
- Various uses with financing proceeds, including debt refinancing, working capital, acquisitions, dividends and recapitalizations
- Asset-based financings, synthetic letter of credit facilities, asset securitization transactions, real estate financing and leasing transactions
- Intercreditor and subordination issues
- General legal counseling regarding the Uniform Commercial Code
Acquisition Financing
- $90 billion pending acquisition of Celgene by Bristol-Myers Squibb
- Confidential financing for the acquisition of Epic Health Services by Bain Capital
- $1.7 billion financing, including $1.1 billion first lien term loan, $100 million revolver loan and $500 million second lien term loan for the acquisition of Vertafore by Bain Capital and Vista Equity Partners
- $6.2 billion senior secured financing, including a $4.5 billion senior secured loan and $1.7 billion unsecured bridge loan to finance the acquisition of BMC Software by Bain Capital and Golden Gate Capital
- $3.5 billion facility for Zebra Technologies, Inc., including $2 billion senior term loan, $250 million revolver and $1.25 billion bridge commitment to backstop a high yield deal, in connection with the acquisition of Motorola Solutions, Inc.'s Enterprise business
- $3.14 billion bridge commitment to backstop second lien notes offering in connection with Apollo Global Management’s (NYSE: APO) $7.0 billion acquisition of The ADT Corporation (NYSE: ADT)
- $3.1 billion facility for Hanesbrands consisting of $2.15 billion first lien facility, $450 million second lien facility and a $500 million bridge in connection with the spin-off of Hanes from Sara Lee
- $2.3 billion senior secured financing for the acquisition of Nuveen Investments, Inc. by Madison Dearborn Partners
- $2.2 billion facility for PSP Investments Credit USA consisting of $1.2 billion term loan, $100 million revolving credit and a $600 million bridge in connection with the Apollo Global Management acquisition of Diamond Resorts
- $1.5 billion revolving credit facility to backstop commercial paper used to finance the acquisition of Amylin Pharmaceuticals by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
- $1.5 billion senior secured multi-currency facility in connection with the acquisition of the sensors and controls business of Texas Instruments by Bain Capital
- $1.15 billion financing for the acquisition of a majority interest in TransUnion Corp. by Madison Dearborn Partners and a subsequent $900 million refinancing of TransUnion’s term loan facility
- $1 billion bridge financing commitment for the acquisition of Bemis of the Food Americas packaging business of Alcan Packaging, a division of Rio Tinto
- $900 million senior secured term loan facility and $750 million ABL facility in connection with the acquisition of Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation by Bain Capital
- $835 million senior secured term loan facility and $175 million senior secured revolving credit facility for the acquisition of Apex Tool Group, LLC by Bain Capital
- $715 million facility consisting of a $560 million first lien term loan facility, a $65 million first lien revolving facility and a $90 million second lien term loan facility in connection with the acquisition of Crosby Worldwide Limited by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.
- $500 million senior term loan financing for the acquisition of DBApparel by Hanesbrands
- $475 million facility consisting of a $320 million first lien term loan facility, a $115 million second lien term loan facility and a $40 million revolving facility in connection with the acquisition of C.H.I. Overhead Doors by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.
- $415 million first lien financing for the acquisition of Beacon Health Options by Bain Capital
- $375 million ABL facility, $650 million term loan facility, $375 million senior bridge facility and $375 million holdco bridge facility to finance the acquisition of Guitar Center, Inc. by Bain Capital
- $300 million financing for the acquisition of Bob’s Discount Furniture by Bain Capital
- $275 million for the acquisition of Totes Isotoner Corporation by MidOcean Partners
- $235 million senior secured financing for the acquisition of Apple Leisure Group by Bain Capital
- $51.5 million senior secured financing and $18.4 million senior subordinated financing for the acquisition of Eating Recovery Center by Thomas H. Lee Partners
- Confidential senior loan financing for the acquisition of Sundial Brands by Bain Capital
- Financing related to two simultaneously negotiated acquisitions in the health care space, Epic Health Services and PSA Healthcare, by Bain Capital
- Financings for the acquisitions of Daymon Worldwide, Inc. and Blue Nile by Bain Capital
General Financing
- $6.7 billion in credit facilities for Deere & Company including, $1.75 billion 364-day unsecured revolving facility, $2.5 billion 4 year unsecured revolving facility and $2.5 billion 5 year unsecured revolving facility
- $2.35 billion amend/extend and subsequent $1 billion first-lien amend/extend, $500 million first-lien amend/extend and $500 million second-lien refinancing for Nuveen Investments, Inc.
- $2.0 billion 364-day revolving credit facility for Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
- $1.9 billion senior incremental loan refinancing for Hanesbrands
- $1.2 billion refinancing of its existing term loan, $1 billion senior secured refinancing, $950.5 million term loan refinancing and $800 million amend/extend of ABL facility for Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation and two repricing amendments thereof
- $1.15 billion amend/extend for Hanesbrands
- $1.1 billion senior secured refinancing for Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
- $1.1 billion term loan and $250 million revolving loan covenant lite refinancing for Sensata Technologies
- $950 million refinancing of its existing capital structure for Six Flags Theme Parks
- $900 million senior refinancing for Navistar Financial Corporation
- $800 million term loan facility and $350 million ABL facility for Visteon
- $755 million senior secured facility for Conseco
- $750 million term loan, $600 million secured revolving facility and $400 million revolver for Hanesbrands
- $620 million amend/extend of term loan facility for Guitar Center, Inc.
- $600 million multi-currency revolving credit facility for Dade Behring Inc.
- $580 million revolver and first/second lien facility for Tower Automotive
- $580 million first/second lien refinancing for IMC OP, LP
- $500 million first lien secured bonds and $200 million second lien secured bonds for United Airlines
- $430 million repricing for KKR and its building products portfolio company, C.H.I. Overhead Doors, Inc.
- $411 million term loan and revolver refinancing and $350 million amendment and restatement of term loan and revolver for Radio One, Inc.
- $375 million amend/extend of ABL facility for Guitar Center, Inc.
- $350 million refinancing for Urban One Inc. (formerly Radio One, Inc.)
- $300 million term loan refinancing for SIRVA
- $284 million senior secured facility for Bally Total Fitness
- $235 million refinancing for Affinity Gaming LLC
- $200 million repricing amendment for Affinity Gaming LLC
- $160 million first-lien refinancing and delayed draw facility, $85 million asset-based lending refinancing and $80 million second-lien refinancing for Totes Isotoner Corporation
- $100 million working capital facility for Jackson Hewitt led by JPMorgan
- $80 million revolving and $450 million term loan secured facility for Conseco
- $50 million senior secured first and second lien refinancing for Affirmative Insurance Holdings
- CAD30 million refinancing for Sagent Pharmaceuticals
Workouts, Reorganizations And Bankruptcy
- Chapter 11 reorganizations for creditors and debtors — representation of parties in Chapter 11 proceedings (prepackaged/prearranged and freefall bankruptcies)
- Representation of creditors and debtors in loan workouts and restructurings, including debtor-in-possession and exit financing
- Negotiation and documentation of trade lien programs and plans of reorganization
- Financing considerations related to acquisitions and dispositions of businesses/business assets
- General legal counseling for businesses
Debtor-in-Possession Financing
- $1.4 billion dollar debtor-in-possession financing for Vistra Energy (formerly Texas Competitive Electric Holding Company LLC)
- $5.4 billion first lien debtor-in-possession financing for Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC
- $4.48 billion debtor-in-possession financing for Vistra Energy (formerly Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC)
- $1.8 billion refinancing of credit facilities for subsidiaries of Dex One Corporation in connection with its Chapter 11 plan and proposed merger
- Financings for Revel AC, Inc. in connection with its prepackaged Chapter 11 plan
- $1.65 billion, $1.3 billion and $1 billion debtor-in-possession refinancings for United Airlines
- $1.2 billion and $300 million debtor-in-possession secured credit facilities for United Airlines
- $1.1 billion debtor-in-possession financing for Circuit City Stores in connection with its Chapter 11 filing
- $800 million debtor-in-possession refinancing for The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.
- $725 million debtor-in-possession financing for Tower Automotive
- $292 million debtor-in-possession financing and exit amendment for Bally Total Fitness Corporation
- $160 million term loan facility and $50 million ABL facility for SIRVA Worldwide, Inc.
- $150 million debtor-in-possession financing for Collins & Aikman
- $150 million debtor-in-possession secured credit facility for Fleming Companies
- $74 million debtor-in-possession financing for Delta Air Lines in connection with the restructuring of Pinnacle Airlines Corp.
- $70 million debtor-in-possession financing for Anthony Crane Rental Company
Exit Financing
- $2.85 billion dollar exit financing for Vistra Energy (formerly Texas Competitive Electric Holding Company LLC)
- $3 billion exit facility for United Airlines in connection with its emergence from Chapter 11
- $2.1 billion refinancing of exit facility for United Airlines
- $1.3 billion secured credit facility for Conseco in connection with its emergence from Chapter 11
- $900 million term loan facility for Conseco to refinance its exit facility
- $575 million multi-currency exit facility for Dade Behring Inc. and certain of its foreign subsidiaries
- Exit financing for SIRVA Worldwide, Inc. ($215 million exit credit facility and $150 million second lien term loan facility)
General Restructuring Arrangements
- Federal Communications Commission in connection with resolution of multi-billion dollar claim against NextWave Communications
- Counseling in connection with the restructuring of Japan Airlines Corporation in its Chapter 15 cases
- Restructuring of the United Mileage Plus Card arrangement
- Restructuring of the United credit card processing arrangement
- Restructuring/collateralization of United’s credit card arrangement with American Express
- Restructuring of United’s Visa credit card program
- Restructuring of the United credit card processing arrangement with Paymentech
Pro Bono
Representing the Lyric Opera in contract negotiations with a high-profile creative consultant and subsequent extensions of that contract
Reviewing closing loan documents for a line of credit for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, a nonprofit dedicated to providing students from underserved neighborhoods free access to instrumental music training and orchestral performance opportunities
Advising on legal structure and template contract agreements for Us TOO International, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to cancer support
Corporate counseling for The Chicago Network, an organization of Chicago’s professional women whose mission is to inspire and support the next generation of women leaders
Corporate counseling relating to governance functions and financing for Catherine Cook School
More
Recognition
Linda has been recognized or quoted in numerous articles in various publications. Select highlights include:
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“Women in Law Honoree,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin & Chicago Lawyer, May 2020
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Received the St. Ignatius College Prep 39th Annual Law Society Award for Excellence in the Field of Law in February 2020
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“2019 Notable Gen X Leaders in Law,” Crain’s Chicago Business, May 30, 2019
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“More law firms join ‘best for women’ lists, but statistics are stalled,” ABA Journal, October 2018
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“The Most Powerful Women in Chicago Business,” Crain’s Chicago Business, August 30, 2018
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“Who's Who in Chicago Business,” Crain's Chicago Business, August 2016 and September 2017
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“National Law Journal's Outstanding Women Lawyers,” The National Law Journal, April 15, 2015
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“Dealmakers and Their Deals: A Texas Company’s Twofer,” The American Lawyer, April 2015
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“Firm Life: News and notes from the legal community,” Chicago Lawyer, April 1, 2015
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“The Most Powerful Women in Chicago Business: Linda Myers,” Crain's Chicago Business, September 1, 2014
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“Big Deals (Madison Dearborn Partners),” The American Lawyer, May 29, 2014
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“Am Law Trio on Motorola Unit Sale,” The Am Law Daily, April 15, 2014
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“Motorola Inks $3.5B Sale of Enterprise Business,” Law360, April 15, 2014
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“Big Deals: BMC Software Buyout,” The American Lawyer, July 2013
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“Women Worth Watching,” Profiles in Diversity Journal, September/October 2012
Memberships & Affiliations
Member of Marex Board of Directors
(also sits on the Audit & Compliance Committee and serves as chair of the Remuneration Committee)
Member of Arcs Healthcare Board of Directors
(also sits on Human Resource Committee)
Member of Gibraltar Industries (NASDAQ: ROCK) Board of Directors
(also serves as chair of Nominating, Governance & Corporate Social Responsibility Committee and sits on Audit & Risk Committee, Capital Structure & Asset Management Committee and Compensation & Human Capital Committee)
Member of LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII) Board of Directors
(also serves as Chair of Corporate Governance, Nominating & Sustainability Committee and sits on Risk Committee and Strategy, Acquisition, and Capital Deployment Committee)
Member of Kinzie Capital Partners Advisory Board
Director at Chelsea Lighting
Chair of National Philanthropic Trust Board of Trustees
(also serves as Vice Chair of the Executive Committee, sits on Nominating & Governance Committee and is co-chair of the Search & Transition Committee)
Member of the American Bar Association Section of Business Law
Fellow of The American Bar Foundation
Member of the Catherine Cook School Board of Trustees, 2005 – 2019
(also served as Chair of the Board, 2014 – 2019; Chair of the Executive Committee, 2014 – 2019; and Chair of the Trustee & Nominating Committee, 2012 – 2014)
Member of the Center for WorkLife Law Board, 2012 – 2020
Member of the Chicago Finance Exchange
Member of The Chicago Network Board of Directors, 2014 – 2020
(also served as Governance Committee Chair, 2018 – 2020)
Member of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater Board of Directors
(also sits on the Executive Committee and Nominating Committee and is Chair of the Membership Committee)
Member of The Economic Club of Chicago
Member of the Illinois and New York State Bar Associations
Member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Board of Directors
Member of the St. Ignatius College Prep Board of Trustees, 2016–2022
(also sat on the Development Committee, 2016–2022)
Member of the St. Clement Finance Council
Kirkland Committees
- Member of the Firm Committee, 2010 – 2020
- Chair of the Administrative Committee, 2009 -2021
- Member of the Firmwide Associate Review Committee, 2001 - 2021
- Member of the Associate & Non-Share Partner Compensation Committee 2010- 2021
- Member of the Audit Committee, 2014 – 2022
- Member of the Diversity Integration Task Force and the Diversity Committee
- Member of the Finance Committee, 2007 – 2018
- Member of the 2017 Proposing Partners Committee
- Member of the 2014 Admissions Committee of Non-Share Partner Review
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- 1990, New York
- 1993, Illinois (retired)
Courts
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Education
- Georgetown University Law CenterJ.D.1989
Dean's List
American Criminal Law Review
- University of Wisconsin-MadisonB.A.1986Dean's List
Press Coverage
- “Kirkland Guides Dex One in All-Stock SuperMedia Deal,” Law360, August 21, 2012
- “Office Space: Linda Myers,” Chicago Tribune, May 7, 2012
- “Hiring new lawyers in the Chicago legal landscape,” Chicago Lawyer, August 2011
- “Maybe not the Center of the Universe, but Close; Chicago is Becoming a Hub of Activity as Recovery Spurs Dealmaking and Firm Growth,” The National Law Journal, August 9, 2010
- “In-House Counsel Name Favorite Corporate, M&A Attys,” Law360, January 26, 2010
- “Bemis, Food Americas Wrap $1.2 Billion Deal,” The AmLaw Daily, July 6, 2009
Linda actively promotes Kirkland’s recruiting and diversity initiatives and has been quoted in various publications. Select highlights include:
- “The Rule Breakers,” Working Mother, August 6, 2014
- “Lean In Sparks Success Connections at Kirkland & Ellis,” Profiles in Diversity Journal, November/December 2013
- “Women Worth Watching,” Profiles in Diversity Journal, September/October 2012
- “State of Diversity: ‘I Think We’re Ready to Leap to Another Level,’” Chicago Lawyer, July 2011
- “Groups release ‘Call to Action’ report this week,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, June 10, 2010
- “Four Local Firms Recognized for Family Policies,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, May 7, 2010