As the leader of a firm that is widely recognized for its early adoption of — and longstanding commitment to — a multidisciplinary approach to lawyering, Joe is the embodiment of a true generalist. The Financial Times, in naming him an Agent of Change, aptly noted Joe is “one of the rare lawyers who can turn his hand to many legal disciplines.” Joe is a personal adviser to dozens of the world’s most influential business leaders and families, and he has counseled clients on significant transactional matters across multiple practice areas and industry sectors. The scope of Joe’s practice is broad and deep and includes mergers and acquisitions (public and private); domestic and cross-border joint ventures; the representation of private equity investors and family investment offices in the Americas, Europe, and Asia; securities offerings; private and public financings; commercial real estate; professional sports-related transactions; and tax and estate planning.

Joe began his legal career at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP as a summer associate in 1979. He began practicing with the firm full time in 1980 and was elected to the partnership in 1986. He went on to lead the firm’s global commercial real estate practice for over 20 years, became a member of the firm’s management committee in 1996, was named vice chair of the firm in February 2006, and was elected chair of the firm in January 2010. 

Joe is also an active and engaged member of the community, serving as a member of the Dean’s Council of Columbia Law School, chair emeritus and board director of UJA partner Met Council on Jewish Poverty (having previously served as chair of the board and before that as president), long-time member of the Board of Trustees of Mesorah Heritage Foundation and has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Mount Sinai Medical Center, among other pro bono activities. In 1995, Joe became the fourth recipient of UJA’s Fogelson Award. Lastly, and most importantly, Joe is a family man — a husband, father of four, and a proud grandfather many times over.

Meredith Levy is a tax partner in the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where she represents clients on a variety of federal income tax matters. 

Meredith has significant experience advising clients on the tax aspects of forming and investing in private funds, including private equity funds, credit and debt funds, real estate funds, and hedge funds. She also represents sponsors and institutional buyers in connection with the tax aspects of strategic investments in private investment firms.  

Meredith also has extensive experience counseling clients on tax issues related to mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. She has an expertise in tax matters related to transactions involving real estate investment trusts (REITs).

Meredith’s practice also includes the representation of pro bono clients, and she has worked with several charitable organizations applying for tax exempt status or operating as tax exempt entities. 

Prior to joining Kirkland & Ellis, Meredith was an associate at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in New York.

At UJA-Federation, Meredith serves on the Young Lawyers Leadership Committee and has been involved in planning multiple Young Lawyers events over the years. Meredith is also a member of the New York State Bar Association Tax Section.

Meredith received a B.A. from Duke University and graduated cum laude from Duke University School of Law. Meredith remains an active Duke alumna and often returns to Duke for recruiting and alumni events.

Meredith and her fiancé, Scott Hefler, live in Manhattan. They are getting married this summer.