Freshfields partner HT Flanagan has exited the firm to join Kirkland & Ellis' debt finance group in New York and Dallas. 

At Kirkland Flanagan will work as part of a debt finance practice that the firm says is the largest in the world, with more than 300 dedicated lawyers and more than 500 private equity clients. 

Dave Nemecek, a senior debt finance partner at Kirkland, pointed to Flanagan's skill in handling complex financing issues for clients, particularly those in the growing private credit sector.

"We are thrilled to be able to tap into [Flanagan's] private credit and liability management experience on behalf of Kirkland's clients," Nemecek added. 

Flanagan advises private credit funds, alternative lenders and other investors in traditional private credit financings and bespoke capital solutions. He also advises private equity firms and their portfolio companies on borrower-side leveraged finance transactions, and has extensive experience representing private capital clients in connection with acquisition financings, liability management transactions, debtor-in-possession financings, hybrid capital instruments and special situations investments.

Flanagan has worked with clients including Hayfin Capital Management and CPPIB Credit Investments on private credit matters, while on the liability management and private equity finance side he has advised J Crew, Searchlight Capital Partners and Lee Equity Partners, among others. 

He joined Freshfields in New York last year from Weil Gotshal & Manges, one of a number of partners the UK firm hired from US rivals as it moved to build its private capital offering in the city. 

At Kirkland Flanagan will work primarily out of Dallas – increasingly a focus for private client firms – though he will also spend significant time in its New York office, the firm said. 

Flanagan said he had worked across from Kirkland many times in the past and saw the firm's depth of talent and experience. 

“I am beyond excited to join this world-class debt finance team and to add my private capital experience advising private credit funds and opportunistic asset managers to Kirkland’s market-leading credit opportunities and liability management practices,” he added. 

Kirkland also bolstered its debt finance team in New York in February with the hire of Paul Sandler from Paul Weiss. Meantime in April the firm recruited debt finance partner Vanessa Xu in London from legacy Allen & Overy, as it replenished its City ranks following a series of partner raids by Paul Weiss.