Joining Kirkland & Ellis' Investment Funds Group is Greg Durst
Kirkland & Ellis Welcomes Greg Durst to Strengthen Private Equity Leadership
Top legal advisory firm Kirkland & Ellis has announced the appointment of Greg Durst as Senior Director of Global Fund Partnerships in their Investment Funds Group. With over 1,900 investment funds advised since January 2019, totaling more than $2.17 trillion in capital commitments, Kirkland aims to maintain its leadership position in the market.
Before joining Kirkland & Ellis, Durst served as the Senior Managing Director of Global Growth at the Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA). During his tenure at ILPA, Durst played a significant role in advancing the interests of institutional investors in private equity.
Durst led initiatives to improve transparency, governance, and best practices in private equity investments. He advocated for limited partners (LPs) to have stronger rights and influence in fund terms and operations. Under his leadership, ILPA expanded its membership and global reach, making it a leading voice for LPs worldwide. Durst also enhanced ILPA’s educational programs and resources to support LPs in their investment decisions.
Durst's leadership at ILPA strengthened the position of institutional investors in private equity. His understanding of both practical and philosophical aspects of fundraising makes him a perfect fit for Kirkland & Ellis. Daniel Lavon-Krein, an investment funds partner and member of Kirkland's Executive Committee, expressed this sentiment, stating, "Greg Durst's unique blend of practical and philosophical insights into fundraising makes him an ideal addition to our team."
Jon A. Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland's Executive Committee, also praised Durst's appointment, stating, "Greg Durst's background will be an incredibly valuable resource to our team and our investment fund clients. We are excited to have him join us."
Kirkland & Ellis values Durst's strengths in creating lasting partnerships that benefit all sides of the investment fund formation process. Erica Berthou, an investment funds partner and member of Kirkland's Executive Committee, emphasized Durst's ability to create such partnerships, stating, "Greg Durst's ability to create lasting partnerships beneficial to all parties in the investment fund formation process is a significant asset to our firm."
Kirkland seeks to deepen trust with their GP clients and their investors by building on Durst's insights regarding LP/GP dynamics and improving LP expectations into workable solutions. Jon A. Ballis also stated that Durst will help further build efficiency and consensus with limited partners.
Greg Durst expressed his excitement to join the Kirkland team, highlighting the firm's recognized market leadership and commitment to continuous improvement. With over 600 investment fund attorneys offering extensive resources and expertise in private fund formation, liquidity solutions, and regulatory advice across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Kirkland & Ellis is poised to continue its leadership in the private funds sector.
Durst holds a degree in Finance from Georgetown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His diverse background, including serving as the founding Chief Operating Officer of a hedge fund manager in New York and as head of investor relations at a leading growth capital provider in Southern Africa, will undoubtedly contribute to Kirkland's continued success.
Durst's appointment is seen as a meaningful contribution to the firm's efforts towards continuous improvement. Kirkland views his experience in translating LP expectations into workable solutions as key to their continued growth in the private funds sector. With Durst on board, Kirkland & Ellis is well-positioned to meet the goals of their clients and their investors.
- Greg Durst's extensive experience in advancing the interests of institutional investors in private equity, particularly his focus on transparency, governance, and best practices, will contribute significantly to Kirkland & Ellis's private equity leadership.
- Kirkland & Ellis's strategic hire of Greg Durst, a seasoned professional with a background in finance and business, underscores their commitment to strengthening their investment fund partnerships in the private equity market.
