Holland & Knight announced today that Finance Attorney Gregory Bauer has joined its Chicago office as a partner in the firm’s Financial Services Practice Group. He previously was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis.

Mr. Bauer focuses his practice on commercial lending transactions, representing equity sponsors, borrowers, institutional investors, lenders and mezzanine funds in secured and unsecured lending transactions and debt placements. He regularly advises private equity clients and other borrowers on all aspects of acquisition financing, recapitalizations and portfolio restructuring transactions, including sponsors focused on distressed mergers and acquisitions and turnarounds. Mr. Bauer also has significant experience representing lenders in a wide variety of financial transactions.

“Greg has more than 20 years of experience handling sophisticated transactional finance matters,” said Matthew Fontane, co-chair of Holland & Knight’s Financial Services Practice Group. “His work with private equity firms will help position us as a leader in a key market segment.”

“Greg brings additional depth to our finance team in Chicago and will be an important contributor to its continued growth,” said Cindy Brazell, co-chair with Mr. Fontane of the firm’s Financial Services Practice Group. “He’s a great fit strategically, and we are delighted that he has joined us.”

“Holland & Knight’s finance attorneys are among the best in the country,” said Mr. Bauer. “I look forward to working with them to help expand the practice in Chicago and nationwide.”

Mr. Bauer received a J.D. degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and a B.A. degree from John Carroll University.

With more than 200 members throughout the firm, Holland & Knight’s Financial Services Practice Group assists borrowers and lenders with all of their legal needs. With lawyers located in almost every major U.S. market, the team regularly advises financial industry clients on their most sophisticated transactions, including asset-based lending, syndicated loans, structured finance, public finance, derivatives, capital markets, insurance, project finance and real estate finance. The team also includes skilled litigators and counsel in the area of white collar defense and regulatory compliance.