Kirkland & Ellis Adds Leading Debt Finance Partner Adam Shapiro

Kirkland & Ellis announced today that Adam Shapiro will join the Firm as a partner in the Debt Finance Group.

“Adam has advised some of the biggest private equity firms in the world and brings an incredible amount of experience,” said Jon A. Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland’s Executive Committee. “We are excited to add him to the debt finance team at Kirkland.”

Mr. Shapiro focuses on banking and credit matters within the debt financing sector while advising private equity firms and their portfolio companies on some of the most sophisticated transactions in the space. He has experience with acquisition financing, bridge loans and refinancing transactions and has worked across industries, including technology, healthcare and entertainment. Mr. Shapiro regularly represents clients including Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Apax Partners, Silver Lake Partners, Stone Point Capital and GI Partners.

“We are thrilled to welcome Adam to Kirkland,” said Melissa Hutson, a debt finance partner and member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. “His track record speaks for itself, and his deep experience in private equity will fit perfectly with our team and strengthen our market-leading debt finance practice.”

Kirkland’s debt finance practice is recognized by Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and other publications for its work on complex, high-profile transactions; exceptional commercial understanding of U.S. and international financing markets; and excellence in client service. With more than 300 dedicated debt finance lawyers, the team is the largest in the market and serves more than 500 private equity clients. According to Bloomberg, Debtwire and Refinitiv, Kirkland consistently handles more transactions for borrowers than any other law firm in the world and, for the last five years, has led the market in U.S. borrower transactions.

Mr. Shapiro joins Kirkland from the New York office of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, where he was a partner.