Kirkland & Ellis is excited to announce that Josh Birenbaum has rejoined the Firm as a partner in the Corporate Practice Group.

“Josh is a talented lawyer with a unique combination of skills gained from his time in the military, consulting and private practice that give him a distinctive perspective for our private equity clients,” said Jon A. Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland’s Executive Committee. “We are thrilled to have him on board.”

Mr. Birenbaum represents private equity funds and their portfolio companies, public and private companies, and financial institutions on complex mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, joint ventures and other strategic transactions. His clients are active in areas including technology, consumer products, manufacturing, aerospace, defense and residential and commercial services.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Birenbaum worked as a senior consultant for IBM Global Business Services and served as an officer in the U.S. Army. He was previously an associate at Kirkland from 2012 to 2014.

Mr. Birenbaum joins Kirkland from Allen & Overy’s Los Angeles office. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and was a Distinguished Honor graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point, advancing to the rank of second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He earned his law degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.

Kirkland has the largest and most active private equity practice in the world, serving more than 500 private equity sponsors and generating the largest deal flow of any law firm. Kirkland has continually ranked first among legal advisors both for number of private equity buyouts and fund formations.