Stephen L. Ritchie is a partner in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis, which he joined in 1989. Steve's practice is concentrated in the areas of complex business transactions, with a particular focus on structuring, negotiating and managing the legal aspects of mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, venture capital and growth equity investments, restructurings and workouts. He has also served as lead counsel in the representation of numerous portfolio companies of private equity funds. Prior to joining Kirkland, Steve clerked for Judge James L. Buckley of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.