By moving to Kirkland, Mr. Flanagan will join what Kirkland says is the world’s largest leading debt finance practice, with more than 500 private equity clients. Earlier this year, Kirkland combined its debt and structured finance teams into a single group to capitalize on client demand for firms with expertise across a wide range of practices.
Dave Nemechek, Kirkland’s senior debt finance partner, said in a release that Mr. Flanagan brings skills in handling complex financing issues for clients, particularly those in the growing private credit sector.
“We are excited to leverage HT’s private credit and debt management experience on behalf of Kirkland’s clients,” Nemechek wrote.
“HT’s extensive private credit experience will enhance our state-of-the-art debt management and opportunistic credit practices,” added company chairman John A. Burris in the release.
Mr. Flanagan advises private credit funds, alternative financial institutions and other investors on traditional private credit financing and bespoke capital solutions. He also advises private equity firms and their portfolio companies on borrower-side leveraged finance transactions, and in connection with acquisition finance, debt management transactions, debtor-in-possession finance, hybrid capital instruments and special situation investments. Represents private capital clients.
Flanagan, who joined Kirkland on Wednesday, could not be reached for comment. But his firm’s bio says he has represented clients such as Hayfin Capital Management, CPPIB Credit Investments, Apollo Credit, Fortress Investment Group, J Crew, DE Shaw and Searchlight Capital Partners.
Flanagan said in a release that he has worked side-by-side with Kirkland’s attorneys on numerous occasions and witnessed the “talent, collaboration and depth of experience” the firm brings.
“I am excited to join this world-class debt finance team and bring my diversified private capital portfolio to Kirkland’s market-leading credit opportunities and debt management practice advising private credit funds and opportunistic asset managers,” he said. I’m very excited to add that experience.”
“We wish HT the best of luck,” Freshfields said through a spokesperson.
Mr. Flanagan will be based in the Dallas office, but will also be based in the New York office.
Earlier this year, Kirkland added Paul Sandler, a debt finance partner at Paul Weiss, as a partner in New York, and Allen & Overy added London finance partner Vanessa Hsu to Leverage.
