Thoma Bravo, a Chicago-based private equity investment firm focused on software and technology, announced Tuesday the hiring of a Kirkland & Ellis partner to serve as its general counsel, after years of turning to him as outside counsel.

Gerald Nowak now serves as the firm’s managing director, general counsel and chief administrative officer. In this role, he leads the firm’s legal and compliance, IT and other administrative functions. Nowak began his role Jan. 1 and is based in Chicago.