Mendez joins from Crowell & Moring, advising on fund-related transactions including LP- and GP-led secondaries, fund restructurings, and continuation vehicles.
The hiring spree adds experience across GP stakes, GP-led secondaries, and continuation vehicle transactions, as competition among law firms for established secondaries talent intensifies.
"Our clients have told us that they need market leading secondaries capability. We listened," said UK Managing Partner Denise Gibson.
The former Freshfields Global Co-Head of Private Funds and Secondaries will advise on secondary transactions and related liquidity solutions, including CVs, LP portfolio sales, and recapitalizations.
The returning Akin Counsel advises sponsors and institutional investors on various matters, including secondary and GP-led transactions.
This marks the third notable departure from Kirkland so far this September, with former Partners Michael Farrell and Christopher Pristouris also joining competing law firms in liquidity-focused roles.
The New York hire adds experience across secondary funds and GP-led liquidity transactions to the firm's Private Capital & Funds Practice.
Farrell brings experience across corporate and partnership tax matters, advising on GP-led secondaries, M&As, and other transactions.
The former Kirkland & Ellis Partner brings over a decade of experience, including advising on strategic investments in fund sponsors, minority stake sales, secondaries, and open-end fund formation.
The former Reed Smith fund finance counsel advises on a full range of products, including subscription, NAV, GP, co-invest, management line, and continuation vehicle financings.
