Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP today announced that Kfir Abutbul has joined the firm’s Private Equity Practice Group as a partner in Houston. Mr. Abutbul was formerly a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in its Houston office.
Mr. Abutbul focuses on advising private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, and
management teams on the execution and successful completion of key corporate transactions
both domestically and throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and his native Israel. He advises
clients on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and spin-offs, leveraged buyouts, joint ventures,
the formation of sponsor-backed investment platforms and related corporate counseling.
Mr. Abutbul has also worked extensively with distressed debtors and investors of debt and equity
on recapitalization, disposition and restructuring transactions, both in and out of bankruptcy
court. During his time in Houston, Mr. Abutbul has focused on power and renewables,
industrials and chemicals, as well as general energy and infrastructure transactions, including in
steel manufacturing, mining and transmission facilities, and oil field services.
“We continue to add top talent to our team of lawyers who specialize in private equity
transactions in the energy sector and broader buyout space,” said Bruce Herzog, Willkie’s
partner in charge of the Houston office. “Kfir checks all of the boxes that we and our clients care
most about: legal acumen and experience, commitment to client service, prodigious work ethic
and commercial sensibility. In addition, Kfir is a terrific guy whom we’ve known from his days
as a former Willkie associate in our New York office. We’re delighted to have him rejoin our
firm.”
“I know the Willkie culture well as a former associate in the New York office,” said Mr.
Abutbul. “When the opportunity arose to rejoin the Willkie platform, with its top tier private
equity practice, commitment to forging long term client relationships in energy and power and a
refreshingly collaborative work environment, I was thrilled. I’m excited to join the outstanding
team in Houston and to work closely with Willkie’s clients around the globe.”
