They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40 - Kamal Nesfield of Milbank

Please describe two of your most substantial, recent wins in practice.
Both of my recent wins are transactions where I worked with opposing counsel to close the deal against formidable odds. In each, there was a late development that made it likely the parties would walk away and pursue litigation. For example, in an acquisition financing for a pharmaceutical company, there was a dispute regarding when the buyer gained knowledge of a certain diligence finding. This was exacerbated by a disconnect between the conditionality of the acquisition agreement and the debt commitment papers (i.e., the lenders arguably had a right to walk away from the borrower (buyer) whereas the buyer could not walk away from the seller). Both times, my team remained amicable with opposing counsel as we worked together to hammer out a deal that left all parties satisfied.

What is the most important lesson you learned as a first-year attorney and how does it inform your practice today?
The most important lesson that I learned as a first-year attorney was “you are a lawyer working on this deal, not just [senior associate]’s assistant.” I was told this by the senior partner on my very first deal, barely two weeks into my first year. It was another way of saying the very common (almost to the point of cliché) big law refrain—“take ownership of your matters,” but for some reason, hearing these exact words made the point hit home so much harder than just “take ownership.” It informs my practice to this day in the way that I treat my associates (from the most junior to those on the doorstep of partnership). With the rapid pace at which today’s deals are done, we are all tempted to “just get it done” without taking the time to teach or delegate appropriately, so I make sure to keep this advice in mind (as well as share it) at all times.

How do you define success in your practice?
I define success in my practice as protecting and defending my client’s interests while facilitating the deal getting done in a way that makes all parties happy. It is imperative that I achieve this delicate balance because (1) my clients are in the client service business just like I am and (2) there are many different constituencies within each of my clients (primarily large investment banks), each with a different function and goal for the transaction. Navigating this tightrope successfully requires just as much EQ as IQ, as well as a ton of humility because my job isn’t to win the most points or defeat the other side, it is to get the deal done right in a way that makes everyone happy. When done correctly, it is deeply rewarding work.

What are you most proud of as a lawyer?
As hard as I try to think of a less obvious answer, I can’t think of anything other than making partner at a premier law firm. My parents are blue-collar Caribbean immigrants who always knew I would be a “doctor or lawyer” even though such a future was never in the cards for them. The fact that they could imagine it for me doesn’t make reaching the pinnacle of my profession any less surreal. Apart from representing the culmination of a decade of working like a maniac, it fills me with deep pride to change my family’s life forever, as well as to be one of a mere handful of Black leveraged finance partners at elite law firms.

Who is your greatest mentor in the law and what have they taught you?
Having worked at three great law firms (Milbank, Latham, and Debevoise), I have far too many great mentors to name, and I feel bad having to narrow it down, but I would have to say Scott Selinger and Paul Brusiloff (Debevoise partners), each of whom took me under his wing during my formative years and did the most to mold me into the lawyer that I am today. They taught me too many invaluable things to count, but if I had to pick one—Scott is responsible for the following gem, “the key to your success will be to develop associates who will run through a wall for you just like you would for me.”

Just for fun, tell us your two favorite songs on your summer music playlist.
“Through the Fire” by Chaka Khan. “I Like It” by DeBarge.

Kamal Nesfield represents large banks across the globe in his leveraged finance practice. He has led firm recruitment efforts for his alma mater, Howard University School of Law. He also serves as a member of 1844, a group of Black male lawyers who practice primarily in New York’s Big Law firms and investment banks.