Robert M. "Bob" Hayward

Robert M. "Bob" Hayward

Chicago, IL recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2006
Kirkland & Ellis LLP

216 Best Lawyers awards

Kirkland & Ellis LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Securities Regulation Securities / Capital Markets Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Chicago.

Biography

Bob Hayward – named a “Notable Gen X Leader” by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2021 and a “Trailblazer in the Midwest” by The American Lawyer in 2022 -- helps lead the team that has been awarded “Capital Markets Practice Group of the Year” numerous times by Law 360.

Bob provides direct, thoughtful and practical advice to publicly-traded corporations — across all industries — and private equity funds and their portfolio companies in all aspects of securities, M&A, SEC compliance/ disclosure, corporate governance, stockholder activism, executive compensation, crisis management and general corporate matters. He has extensive experience representing companies in IPOs, high-yield and investment grade debt offerings, private financings, joint ventures and public and private M&A transactions.

Some of the publicly-traded corporations that Bob regularly advises include: The Boeing Company, Deere & Co., Kellogg Company, Cushman & Wakefield, Ping Identity Holding Corp., Ryan Specialty Group, PowerSchool, JAMF Software, R1 RCM, Inc., Whirlpool Corporation, Sylvamo Corp., Victoria’s Secret, Wynn Resorts, Carvana Co., Datto Holding, Maravai LifeSciences, Oak Street Health, Express, Inc., U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., Tenneco Inc., Innovage, Integrated Ad Science, LiveVox, Inc. and Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

216 Best Lawyers awards

Kirkland & Ellis LLP logo

Overview

  • Northwestern University, J.D., graduated 1997
  • Northwestern University, graduated 1994
  • Northwestern University, J.D., graduated 1997
  • Northwestern University, graduated 1994

Client Testimonials

In addition to knowing all the requisite substantive corporate governance, securities, and disclosure law, Mr. Hayward is the most responsive and friendly attorney I have ever worked with in my 30 years of practice.

Robert LaForest (Whirlpool Corporation)

St. Joseph, MI

Bob is very commercial minded and always provided top-drawer advice on corporate governance and securities law matters. Bob knows what challenges public companies face, and always thinks creatively on how to address those challenges.

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Securities Regulation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Securities / Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Securities / Capital Markets Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Securities Regulation, Chicago (2026)
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law, Chicago (2019)
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law, Chicago (2015)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Securities Regulation
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Corporate Governance Law
Special Focus:
  • Capital Markets
  • Corporate
  • Disclosure
  • High Yield
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Private Equity

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