Kirkland & Ellis LLP: Traxler Seth

For leading public companies, premier private equity sponsors, and businesses where technology and intellectual property are at the core of their value, Seth Traxler stands as a highly sought-after legal advisor within the "Nearby Lawyers" category in Chicago. As a prominent partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, a globally recognized law firm, Mr. Traxler plays a pivotal role in their formidable Technology & IP Transactions practice. His office is located at 300 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, USA, a strategic address in Chicago's vibrant commercial and legal hub. For direct inquiries, the firm can be reached at (312) 862-2000 or +1 312-862-2000.

Seth Traxler co-leads Kirkland & Ellis's global Technology & IP Transactions practice, a testament to his expertise and standing in the field. With over 25 years of experience, he serves as lead counsel in complex and strategic deals where technology assets and opportunities are central to the transaction's value proposition. His work spans transformative mergers and acquisitions (M&A), financings, joint ventures, collaborations, and other strategic commercial agreements.

Seth Traxler practices at Kirkland & Ellis LLP's Chicago office, situated at 300 N La Salle Dr. This address places the firm in a prime location in the heart of Chicago's business district, along the north branch of the Chicago River. A building at this address, often a modern skyscraper, signifies a sophisticated and well-equipped legal environment. Such an office would feature state-of-the-art technology for seamless virtual and in-person meetings, extensive resources for intellectual property and technology research, and secure facilities for handling highly confidential client information. The professional ambiance, typically characterized by contemporary design and efficient workspaces, is designed to support high-stakes transactions and complex legal negotiations. The location offers excellent accessibility, being well-connected to public transportation networks and major thoroughfares, making it convenient for clients traveling from various parts of Chicago and beyond. This strategic positioning in a major technological and financial center underscores the firm's capacity to handle intricate legal matters that impact global industries.

Seth Traxler's practice is deeply specialized in the intersection of technology, intellectual property, and complex corporate transactions. His key services include:

• Technology & IP Transactions: As co-leader of the global practice, Mr. Traxler advises on a broad spectrum of deals where technology and intellectual property assets are core. This includes:
  • Technology-Intensive M&A: He has worked on over 200 completed technology-intensive M&A deals, advising on the acquisition and sale of businesses where technology plays a crucial role.
  • Carve-outs: With over 125 completed carve-outs, he is particularly experienced in complex business separations involving the disentanglement of technology and intangible assets.
  • Joint Ventures & Strategic Alliances: He helps clients structure and negotiate more than 40 joint ventures and collaborations, where technology and IP are key components of the partnership.
  • Licensing: A significant part of his practice involves negotiating and drafting intellectual property licensing agreements.
  • Sourcing & Information Technology: He advises on outsourcing, service agreements, and other IT-related contracts.
  • Data Centers: His expertise extends to legal matters surrounding data centers.
  • Artificial Intelligence & Related Fields: He is at the forefront of advising clients on the legal aspects of artificial intelligence, including co-development agreements and harnessing generative AI for new applications.
• Advising Private Equity Sponsors: Mr. Traxler provides comprehensive counsel to sponsor clients throughout the full lifecycle of their investments, particularly concerning the technology and IP aspects of these transactions.
• Complex Dealmaking: He is particularly experienced in complex aspects of dealmaking, including transactions where underwriting heavily intersects with technology and legal matters, and advising on technology's impact on corporate strategies and business models.
• Data Security & Privacy: He helps lead Kirkland's Data Security & Privacy Practice, including advising Boards of Directors when clients experience significant security breaches.

Seth Traxler's professional profile showcases remarkable features and a high level of expertise:

• Co-Leader of Global Practice: His role as co-leader of Kirkland's global Technology & IP Transactions practice signifies his significant influence and leadership within a top-tier law firm.
• Extensive Transactional Experience: With over 25 years in the field and a track record of hundreds of completed technology-intensive M&A deals, carve-outs, and joint ventures, his practical experience is virtually second to none.
• Industry Recognition: He is consistently recognized by prestigious legal directories and publications:
  • Named one of the "Top Intellectual Property Lawyers in North America" by MergerLinks (March 2025) for leading high-value transactions.
  • Ranked in Legal 500 for Media, Technology and Telecoms: Media and entertainment: transactional, Intellectual Property: Patents: Licensing, and Technology Transactions (2017–2024).
  • Recognized by IAM Patent 1000 for his "tech-intensive M&A experience is virtually second to none" and called him "a master craftsman of complex, international deals of all stripes."
  • Ranked by Chambers USA for Technology & Outsourcing (Band 3, Illinois), and as a "Recognized Practitioner" in 2018.
• Notable Representative Matters: His experience includes advising on innovative financing arrangements for United Airlines (IFLR's Debt Capital Markets U.S. Deal of the Year in 2021), Blackstone's transformative partnership with Hipgnosis Song Management (IFLR's Private Equity Deal of the Year in 2022), and numerous other high-profile deals involving major corporations like Eli Lilly, Accenture, and Mars. He was also instrumental in advising Kellanova on its historic $36 billion acquisition by Mars.
• Academic Background: He earned his Juris Doctor (JD), cum laude, from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in 1997 and a Bachelor of Arts (BA), cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Kansas in 1993, providing a strong foundation for his complex legal work.
• Firm Contributions: He serves as a Director of the Kirkland & Ellis Foundation and on the Firm's Technology Committee, demonstrating his broader commitment to the firm's operations and values.

For companies, private equity sponsors, and investors operating in technology-driven sectors in Chicago and globally, Seth Traxler at Kirkland & Ellis LLP is an indispensable legal asset within the "Nearby Lawyers" category. His role as co-leader of a global practice, coupled with his extensive transactional experience, particularly in technology and IP-intensive M&A, makes him a premier choice for complex dealmaking. His consistent recognition by leading industry publications like MergerLinks, Legal 500, IAM Patent 1000, and Chambers USA provides compelling evidence of his top-tier capabilities and deep expertise.

Clients seeking counsel on transformative M&A deals involving technology, intricate carve-outs, strategic joint ventures, or cutting-edge AI-related legal matters would find Mr. Traxler's insights and track record highly advantageous. The illustrative list of his representative matters, including work for industry giants like Blackstone, United Airlines, Eli Lilly, and Accenture, showcases his ability to navigate high-value and complex transactions successfully. Engaging with Seth Traxler means gaining access to a master craftsman of complex, international deals, supported by the vast resources and global reach of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Prospective clients are strongly encouraged to contact the firm's Chicago office at (312) 862-2000 or +1 312-862-2000 to discuss their strategic technology and IP transaction needs with an attorney of Mr. Traxler's caliber, ensuring their deals are structured and executed with the highest level of legal sophistication.