Melissa J. Hutson

Melissa Hutson is a finance partner in Kirkland’s New York office and a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. Melissa’s practice focuses on syndicated debt facilities, debt commitments and bridge loan financings for leveraged acquisitions by private equity firms, their portfolio companies and public and private companies. She also advises clients on a broad range of other secured lending and financing transactions, including debt restructurings.

Melissa advises private equity sponsors, borrowers and lenders in the structuring, negotiation and documentation of debt financing transactions. She has substantial experience in acquisition financings, recapitalizations and debt restructuring.

Melissa was recognized for her work in Banking & Finance in the 2021 and 2022 editions of Chambers Global and the 2020–2022 editions of Chambers USA, where clients note "She is very client relationship-focused in terms of response timing and communication style." "She is very smart and a very constructive partner." Clients also describe her as an “absolute superstar” and say they have “complete trust in her work product and counsel” in the 2020 edition of Chambers USA.