Willkie Advises KKR in Initial Public Offering and Acquisition of KKR Private Equity Investors

The firm served as special investment management counsel to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. in connection with KKR's agreement to acquire KKR Private Equity Investors, L.P. (“KPE”).   Under the terms of the transaction, which has garnered widespread press attention, KKR will become publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange.  Published reports estimate a market valuation for the combined company of between $12 to $15 billion.  KKR, established in 1976, is a leading global asset manager focused on managing funds that make private equity investments in North America, Europe and Asia.   KPE went public on Euronext Amsterdam in May 2006 in a $5 billion IPO, the sixth largest since 2001, and currently holds a $5.4 billion portfolio comprised primarily of private equity assets.  The transaction is being handled by partners Barry Barbash and James Silk, and associate Marc Ponchione.