Rajab S. Abbassi

Rajab S. Abbassi is a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in New York and a highly respected corporate attorney with over two decades of experience guiding major insurance industry transactions. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, reinsurance arrangements, joint ventures, securities offerings, and strategic investments. Known for strong commercial judgment and deep industry insight, he regularly advises boards of directors and senior executives on high-stakes transactional and governance matters.

Abbassi earned his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and his B.A. from Rutgers University. His academic foundation in law and business supported early development of analytical and negotiation skills essential to complex corporate work. These educational experiences continue to inform his approach to structuring deals, evaluating regulatory considerations, and advising clients through sophisticated financial and insurance-related transactions across domestic and international markets.

Recognized consistently by Chambers USA since 2016, Abbassi is regarded as a leading practitioner in Insurance Transactional and Regulatory matters. Clients describe him as exceptionally intelligent and commercially focused, valuing his ability to navigate intricate deal structures and regulatory frameworks. He has also been named a BTI Client Service All-Star, a Super Lawyers honoree in M&A, and has been recognized by The Legal 500 U.S. for excellence in non-contentious insurance work, reflecting his longstanding reputation for client-centered service and transactional leadership.

Throughout his career, Rajab S. Abbassi has advised on many of the industry’s most significant transactions, representing private equity firms, insurance companies, financial institutions, and global investment groups. His extensive deal experience, strategic vision, and commitment to practical solutions make him a trusted advisor for clients operating in the dynamic insurance and financial services sectors.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
• Member, New York State Bar Association

Licensed State

• New York

Education

• Fordham University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Rutgers University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges