Jeffrey C. Hammes

Jeff currently serves as the Chairman of L&F Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: LNFA), a Special Purpose Acquisition Corp focused on the convergence of technology, software, and services dedicated to governance, risk, compliance, and legal functions. He previously served as the Chairman of Kirkland & Ellis LLP from 2010, until his retirement at the end of 2019. During his tenure as Chairman, K&E’s revenues grew from $1.4 billion to more than $4.0 billion, and net income rose from nearly $700 million to more than $2.2 billion, making Kirkland the largest and most profitable law firm in the world.

Jeff was integral to K&E’s expansion around the world. As Chairman, he developed the strategy and implementation of the significant transformation and growth of the firm’s offices in New York and London. In the U.S., Jeff established Kirkland’s presence in the Bay Area as a founding partner of the San Francisco office in 2003 and led the opening of the firm’s office in Houston in 2014. He also led Kirkland’s entrance into Asia with the opening of the Hong Kong office in 2007.

Prior to taking on the full-time role of Chairman, Jeff’s practice focused on representing private equity funds in connection with mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and going private transactions. 

Jeff serves as a Life member on the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Advisory Board, the Board of Trustees of the Ravinia Festival Association, and the Wisconsin School of Business Advisory Board. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received a J.D. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.