Founded in 1888 in New York, Willkie Farr & Gallagher is best known for its work in private equity and investment funds, especially regarding M&A. The firm has also since expanded to 12 offices across the United States and Europe, with six of those offices being in the United States. The New York office remains the hub for the firm’s operations and is its largest office. 

Focusses / specialisms

In addition to its strengths in private equity, registered funds and hedge funds, the firm also does notable work in banking and restructuring and insolvency. 

The banking practice acts for borrowers and lenders in acquisition financing, refinancing, project financing and general working capital financing. 

In M&A, the practice acts on both the buy and sell side in private equity and strategic acquisitions, mergers, privatizations and joint ventures. The team most often acts for private equity firms in acquisition matters. The firm also has a private equity team that works on acquisitions, privatizations, recapitalizations and financial investments. 

In the restructuring and insolvency practice, the firm represents creditors and debtors in out of court financial restructurings, Chapter 11 proceedings and distressed M&A matters.

Key clients

Many, but not all, of Willkie Farr & Gallagher’s clients are private equity firms. Key clients for the firm include FIS, Insight Partners, CenturyLink, Genstar Capital, HealthEquity, Centerview Partners, Colony Capital, AIG, Aquiline Capital Partners, Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Aralez Pharmaceuticals, Glansaol Holdings and Brookfield Business Partners. 

Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)

Over the research period, the banking practice acted largely on the borrower side in acquisition finance related transactions. In M&A, the team worked on numerous high value acquisitions on the buy and sell side. 

In both banking and M&A, many of the clients the firm represented were private equity firms. The private equity team assisted the M&A on matters regarding private equity acquisitions. It also worked on some financial transactions including privatizations and recapitalizations. 

The restructuring and insolvency team advised a mix of creditors and debtors in Chapter 11 proceedings and out of court restructurings. 

Regarding lateral hires and departures, banking partners Leonardo Klingbaum and Andrea Hwang left for Ropes & Gray. Additionally, partner Michael Zinder retired. In the M&A practice, partner Claire James was recruited from Kirkland & Ellis. Partner Craig Menden, who specializes in private equity, joined the firm from Cooley. The restructuring and insolvency practice brought over partner Jeffrey Pawlitz from King & Spalding. 

The year 2019 also saw the opening of the firm’s San Francisco office. 

Deal highlights: 30th edition (2019/2020)

FIS / Worldpay merger

Hudson’s Bay Company $1.4 billion privatization

Mylan $12 billion merger with Upjohn

PG&E Chapter 11 proceedings