Private equity lawyer Kirk A. Radke will be moving to Kirkland & Ellis to Willkie Farr & Gallagher, where he will become a partner in the New York-based firm's Private Equity Practice Group. In a statement, Willkie Farr said Radke is one of the leading private equity practitioners in the country and that he has acquired a reputation for his expertise and knowledge in the industry, deal making experience and relationships.

A report from The New York Times The Dealbook said Radke had helped arrange private equity deals behind the scenes for decades. Citing a 2020 report from The Wall Street Journal gathered from bankruptcy filings, The Dealbook reported that Radke was paid USD 1,250 per hour for his services which revealed the value some clients placed on his work.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher Co-Chairman  Steven Gartner said in a statement, "Kirk is recognized internationally as a thought leader in the field. Kirk's joining Willkie further strengthens our private equity platform, which we believe is now recognized by clients and practitioners as one of the very best in the United States and Europe. The addition of Kirk highlights our ongoing commitment to providing the highest level of excellence for our clients."

Radke said he was pleased to be joining a highly-regarded firm in the international private equity business. Willkie Farr represents over 75 private equity sponsors both in the US and worldwide and over 200 portfolio firms and managements teams in a wide range of industries.

This year, Willkie handled several transactions. It represented Hudson's Bay Company in its USD 2.9 billion acquisition of Saks Incorporated. It also represented Insight Venture Partners when it closed its latest USD 2.57 billion private equity fund. It was also a part of the USD 1.15 billion sale of Pearl Therapeutics to Astra Zeneca, among others.