2015 Practice Group of the Year

Kirkland & Ellis LLP spent the last year ushering billions of dollars’ worth of deals across the globe for Thoma Bravo, Sycamore Partners, LP and other private equity clients old and new, earning the firm a spot among Law360 ’s Private Equity Groups of the Year for the fifth consecutive year.

Kirkland has been a top player in the maintain its success in the sector: a management software company was world of private equity for decades, lengthy history as a significant player acquired by Vista in a $6.5 billion deal. and 2015 was no exception. The firm in private equity going back more than helped create the third-largest food 30 years, a teamwork-first approach, Meanwhile, Kirkland handled a litany and beverage company in the U.S. and a drive to always get better. of work for GTCR LLC, helped Apax by representing 3G Capital in the Partners complete its $2.7 billion sale $55 billion merger of H.J. Heinz Co. “The overarching theme is not being of a majority stake in health care and Kraft Foods Group Inc.; guided complacent,” he said. “Not being software provider TriZetto Corp. Thoma Bravo in multiple billion-dollar satisfied that we’ve been a private amid a number of other transactions, transactions; helped Madison equity group of the year for the last and assisted KKR & Co. LP on a Dearborn Partners ink several massive several years. We have a ‘never handful of deals. deals; and aided Bain Capital as it good enough’ mentality, and we’re bought and sold assets worldwide. constantly trying to self-evaluate and “We really seek to establish long-term get better while looking for relationships with clients,” noted “The year has again played out what opportunities.” Matthew Steinmetz, also a corporate has been a longstanding theme for partner and member of the firm’s us -- a ton of deal activity from The above deals are just a sampling global management executive longstanding Kirkland clients,” Jon of the transactions Kirkland helped committee. “Real partnerships rather Ballis, a corporate partner at the firm cross the finish line in 2015. The firm than mere service provider and a member of its global also guided Vista Equity Partners in relationships.” management executive committee, more than a dozen transactions, and told Law360 . “At the same time, we’ve even sat across the table from Vista As for new clients, Sycamore also done a number of deals this year during its representation of Solera Partners retained the firm last year to with clients who are either new to the Holdings Inc. as the risk and asset help complete a $3 billion purchase firm or fairly recent relationships.” “... we’re constantly trying to self-evaluate and get According to Ballis, there are a few reasons Kirkland has been able to better while looking for opportunities.”

Attorney Advertising of Southern department store chain “Within 18 months, the firm said, the Houston office Belk Inc. has grown from having zero attorneys to 45 ...” “The constant deal flow in and of itself allows us to become better at what “We realized that [oil and gas] was where the industry is headed so it can we do,” Ballis said. “We’re able to stay very tangential to our existing client properly adapt and stay ahead of the on top of the market and understand base,” Ballis said. “We didn’t have it, curve. where there are opportunities. The and opening an office there was the sheer volume certainly helps us stay right thing to do.” “Kirkland has grown up with the in our leading market position.” [private equity industry,]” Steinmetz Within 18 months, the firm said, the said. Ballis explained that one of the busiest Houston office has grown from having clients Kirkland had this past year was zero attorneys to 45 through new hires Thoma Bravo, which tapped the firm REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE and transfers, illuminating another of JANUARY 28, 2016 EDITION OF LAW360 for its $4.5 billion acquisition of the firm’s abilities: snapping up the © 2016 PORTFOLIO MEDIA INC. ALL RIGHTS information technology management best available talent. RESERVED. FURTHER DUPLICATION WITHOUT software provider SolarWinds Inc. and PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED $3.5 billion purchase of San Francisco Ballis explained that the many years software company Riverbed of high-quality work Kirkland has Technology Inc. performed in the private equity sector has led to the firm’s having one of the “They’ve had a very active 12 months,” more well-regarded reputations in the Ballis said, describing Thoma Bravo. industry. “Very large, significant transactions.” “People who are interested in private And when it opened a Houston office equity have long thought about in 2015, Kirkland showcased another Kirkland,” he said. “Many law students reason the firm has competed in the [who are] not quite sure what they private equity sector so successfully want to do but might have an inkling for so long. The firm had determined about private equity often come to us.” the move was necessary to help Kirkland wiggle its way into the oil and Going forward, Ballis and Steinmetz gas industry, where many private equity said the firm plans to keep chugging firms such as Blackstone Group LP along, continuing to do deals for its and KKR are extremely active. many clients while keeping an eye on

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