Joseph O’Brien is a corporate partner in the London office of Kirkland & Ellis International LLP. Joseph advises private equity houses and financial sponsor clients on a vast range of domestic and cross-border leveraged transactions, including private acquisitions, take-privates, carve-outs, consortium deals, distressed acquisitions, management incentive plans and exits.
Experience
Representative Matters
Since joining Kirkland, Joseph has advised on the following matters:
Arctos Partners and the management team of Hayfin in connection with Arctos’ majority investment in Hayfin.
KKR on its acquisition of Eugin Group.
Centerbridge Partners on the sale of its majority interests in APCOA.
CapVest on its acquisition of Butcher’s Pet Care.
Vista Equity Partners on its acquisition of Egress.
Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. on the sale of its Spanish and Italian businesses to subsidiaries of JCDecaux SE.
GBL on the acquisition of Sanoptis, a leading network of ophthalmology clinics across Germany and Switzerland.
TA Associates and the consortium vehicle on the $2 billion acquisition of Unit4, a global leader in enterprise cloud software.
AXA Investment Managers on its acquisition of the Kadans Science Partner platform from Oaktree Capital Management.
Advent International on its investment in the Hermes Group businesses in the UK and Germany.
Warburg Pincus on its investment in Polyplus, a developer of innovative technology used in gene and cell therapy.
Certain lenders on the successful recapitalisation of BARTEC Group.
Hospital Topco (majority owned by Centerbridge and KKR) on the c. £1.8 billion disposal of BMI Healthcare and the GHG Group.
Thomas H. Lee Partners on its acquisition of the AutoStore Group, a robotics and software company providing automation technology, from EQT.
Brookfield on its c. £3 billion consortium bid for Intu plc.
Francisco Partners on its acquisition of EG, a leading Scandinavian software company, from Axcel for DKK 3.7 billion.
TDR Capital and its portfolio company, Stonegate Pub Company, on the £1.27 billion recommended cash offer for Ei Group.
TDR Capital on its acquisition of NKD, a German retailer of textile, fashion products and other accessories, from OpCapita.
Oaktree Capital Management on its acquisition of MWH Constructors, a global water and energy project delivery company, from Stantec.
Prior to joining Kirkland, Joseph advised on the following matters:
Cerberus Capital Management on its €1.2 billion acquisition of Worldwide Flight Services.
Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division on its €645 million acquisition of Caldic Chemie B.V., a full service distributor and manufacturer of chemicals for the food, health & personal care and industrial markets.
I Squared Capital on its €1 billion acquisition of TIP Trailer Services, a leading pan-European and Canadian trailer leasing and services company.
TDR Capital on its portfolio company’s acquisition of Virgin Active health and racquet clubs across the United Kingdom.
Cerberus Capital Management on its £220 million disposal of Admiral Taverns, a leading leased and tenanted pub company.
Countryside Properties Plc on its £135 million acquisition of Westleigh Homes, a leading partnerships project and home builder.
Carlyle on various MIP restructurings.
TDR Capital on its acquisition of a gastro pub company.
Prior Experience
Linklaters LLP, London
Associate (2018)
Trainee Solicitor (2016–2018)
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Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
2018, Admitted to practice as a Solicitor of England and Wales
Education
University of Law, LondonLegal Practice Coursewith Distinction2016
London School of Economics and Political ScienceLL.B., LawHons2015
