Kirkland & Ellis announced that Kelsey Baumberger has joined the Firm as a Partner in the Debt Finance Practice Group in New York.
“Kelsey brings unique and highly valuable experience with hybrid capital, a rapidly evolving space where Kirkland is out front,” said Jon A. Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland’s Executive Committee. “Her addition will further boost our leading team in this area, and we’re excited to welcome Kelsey to the Firm.”
Ms. Baumberger brings deep experience in structuring sophisticated financing arrangements, including asset-backed securities and other tailored capital solutions. She represents lenders and borrowers in complex domestic and cross-border financing transactions, debt restructurings and structured financings, with particular experience in alternative asset manager financing, highly structured transactions and back-leverage arrangements. Her work also includes direct lending, first and second lien credit facilities, syndicated financings, debtor-in-possession and exit facilities, asset-based lending and other innovative credit solutions.
“Kelsey’s background with hybrid capital solutions, asset-backed securities and a broad range of complex financing structures will be instrumental in supporting the continued growth and success of the firm’s Hybrid Capital Solutions group,” said John Pitts, a corporate partner at Kirkland and member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. “We are excited to have her join the team, which has seen tremendous demand for this specialized knowledge.”
Ms. Baumberger was recognized on Bloomberg Law’s 2025 “They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40” list, which honors exceptional young lawyers for their outstanding client service, leadership, mentorship and pro bono contributions. She was also shortlisted for “North America Structured Finance & Securitization Lawyer of the Year” at Euromoney’s Women in Business Law Awards in both 2025 and 2023.
“Kirkland’s platform is unmatched for the work I do,” said Ms. Baumberger. “It’s a world-class firm with a highly collaborative model of working, a focus on innovation and exceptional resources to stay at the forefront of sophisticated finance work, including hybrid capital.”
