Kirkland Welcomes Private Equity Partner John Kaercher

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is pleased to announce that John Kaercher has joined the Firm as a partner in the Corporate Practice Group to help launch its Austin office. 

“John is a talented lawyer and a strong addition to our newest office in Austin,” said Jon A. Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland’s Executive Committee.

Mr. Kaercher counsels clients on complex transactions, including domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, SPACs, private equity and public and private securities offerings, with a particular focus on the technology, media, telecommunications and energy sectors. 

“John has built a name for himself in the energy and technology M&A space, and we are excited for him to join the team in Austin,” said Andrew Calder, a corporate partner and a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. 

Mr. Kaercher was co-chair of his prior firm’s private equity pillar and was recognized as a Texas Super Lawyers - Rising Star in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

He earned degrees from the University of Virginia School of Law and the University of Texas.

In Texas, Kirkland’s presence has grown to include nearly 300 lawyers across offices in Houston, Dallas and Austin. The new Austin office, which opened in April, is Kirkland’s 16th location, 10th in the U.S. and third in Texas. Since 2017, Mergermarket has ranked Kirkland No. 1 for representing Texas-based companies in M&A based on deal volume.

Kirkland’s energy practice was recognized by Law360 as a 2020 Practice Group of the Year and by The American Lawyer as 2020 Energy Department of the Year. The Firm’s technology practice combines market-leading private equity expertise with deep industry experience through the Firm’s offices in Palo Alto and San Francisco.