Kirkland & Ellis Asia PE head to relocate to London

Eich, one of the founders of Kirkland's Hong Kong office in 2007, is one of the Chicago-headquartered firm's key relationship partners with major client Bain Capital.

In two decades at the firm, he has practiced in Kirkland's Chicago, London and Munich offices, and is one of a handful of lawyers globally to be treble-qualified in English, US and Hong Kong law. He is also being registered as a foreign lawyer in Germany.

His work includes advising financial and strategic sponsors in multi-jurisdictional leveraged buyouts and acquisitions, fund formation and other complex transactional matters.

"David's very well-liked by the Bain people," said one Kirkland insider. "Ten years ago, the two biggest clients of the London office were Sun Capital and Bain, and 10 years on, that's not really changed."

Since Bain relationship partner and de facto City head Jim Learner departed in 2012 to Huntsman Gay Global Capital, much of Kirkland's work with the private equity client in London has fallen to US-qualified Sam Pakbaz, who previously worked with Eich during a tenure in London.

"David's move is to help build our M&A strength in London. When we're speaking to private equity clients, depth is increasingly important for them," said another Kirkland source. "The Asian team has fully embedded itself out there, and are in a very strong position."

This article was originally published in unquote" sister title Legal Week. Click here to read it in full.

• Tweet  
• Facebook  
• LinkedIn  
• Google plus  
• Send to  

• Topics
• People
• Advisory
• Bain Capital
• United Kingdom