James H.M. Sprayregen

Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP

James “Jamie” H.M. Sprayregen is a senior partner at Kirkland & Ellis, the world’s largest revenue law firm—and the founder of the Kirkland worldwide Restructuring Group, building the group from inception in 1990 to become the premier restructuring group in the world. He served on Kirkland’s worldwide management committee from 2003–2006 and 2009–2019. He was co-head of the Restructuring Group at Goldman Sachs from 2006–2008 and returned to Kirkland at the end of 2008. Described as “a legend in the bankruptcy space” and “one of the United States’ most sought-after bankruptcy attorneys,” Jamie has led some of the most complex Chapter 11 filings in history.

In 2010, Jamie was selected by The National Law Journal as one of “The Decade’s Most Influential Lawyers”, was named “Global Insolvency & Restructuring Lawyer of the Year” in 2013 by Who’s Who Legal Awards, receiving more votes from clients and peers than any other individual worldwide. In 2013, he was inducted into the Turnaround Management Association “Turnaround, Restructuring, and Distressed Investing Industry Hall of Fame.” From 2013 to 2015, Jamie served a two-year term as the president of INSOL International, the world’s leading international insolvency association. He is a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy and a member of the International Insolvency Institute and the National Bankruptcy Conference. Chambers USA 2022 describes Jamie this way: “He is a rock star—the Mick Jagger of the bankruptcy Bar.” Jamie also serves as an adjunct full professor of finance at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania teaching a joint course on corporate restructuring with the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Jamie earned his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.

Jamie is a member of the National Board of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the American Jewish Committee Board of Governors. He also serves on the Board of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.