Francesco Penati

is a corporate partner in Kirkland’s San Francisco office after relocating from Kirkland’s Chicago office. He has 18 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions finance and secured lending. Francesco focuses his finance practice on leveraged buy outs, including take-private acquisitions of software and IT companies. In the last year, he worked on several transactions involving domestic and foreign credit facilities, including first and second lien facilities and subordinated debt. He led the negotiations and financings for companies based in, or with operations in, Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada and several Asian countries. In addition to software and IT, he has worked on several transactions involving healthcare and pharmaceutical businesses. Francesco also counsels borrowers and lenders involved in the restructuring and work-out process. Prior to attending law school, he worked as an officer at two international banks for six years, specializing in transnational financings. Francesco is admitted to practice in California and Illinois.