Kirkland replenishes PE ranks

After suffering a string of senior level departures, Kirkland & Ellis has added seasoned private equity and M&A lawyer Douglas Ryder to its ranks as a corporate partner in its New York office.

Ryder, who was previously a partner at Weil Gotshal & Manges in New York, represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies as well as public and private companies on various merger and acquisition, financing, restructuring and general corporate matters.

The hire follows news of the departure of David Breach, who left his role as founding partner of Kirkland’s San Francisco office to join private equity firm Vista Equity Partners as chief administrative officer. Just last week, rival law firm Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson hired Kirkland senior partner Graham White as its new head of private equity in Europe, as well as a managing partner of the firm’s London office.

Ryder’s past clients include such private equity powerhouses as Advent International and Apollo Global Management, as well as a number of public and private companies, including IAC/InterActiveCorp, AMC Entertainment and Norwegian Cruise Line.

“Doug brings significant experience representing clients in the types of complex transactions that are the hallmark of our preeminent transactional practice,” said in a statement Jeffrey Hammes, who chairs Kirkland’s “Global Management Executive Committee.”