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Firm Summary

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

18Kirkland

Consistently recognized as one of the world’s elite international law firms, Kirkland and Ellis was founded in Chicago in 1909. Since then, it has expanded to 15 offices on three continents, employing approximately 2,500 attorneys. The multifaceted firm serves a diverse roster of clients in a broad range of practice areas on both the corporate and litigation sides of the spectrum, with notable expertise in areas like private equity, M&A, restructuring, intellectual property, and white collar and government investigations. Kirkland and its attorneys are consistently recognized as being at the top of the industry, earning countless awards and commendations every year. The organization strives to achieve a one-firm philosophy, with no physical headquarters and an open assignment system that encourages attorneys to be entrepreneurial and seek out the work they most want.

Firm Stats

Firm Name
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
U.S. Lawyer Headcount
2423
Headcount Change Since 2016

Overall+895Partner+331

Salary Scale
Market
Bonus Category
Market +
Hours Required
Unspecified
Top Feeder Schools
Northwestern University School of Law, Harvard Law School, University of Chicago Law School
Average Lawyer Tenure at Firm (Years)
4.6
Revenue Per Lawyer Change Over Five Years
17%
Women Partners (as Percentage of U.S. Lawyer Headcount)
12%
Women Partners (As a Percentage of U.S. Partnership)
28%
Promotion Rate
7%
Most Common Federal Case Types
Product Liability, Personal Injury, Medical/Pharmaceutical Product Liability
Most Active Federal Jurisdictions
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Frequent Federal Litigation Clients
Abbott Laboratories, 3M Company, Aearo Technologies LLC
Leopard Solutions is our primary data partner for the Law Firm Transparency Project. This data was compiled in the first quarter of 2022. For the most current data, visit Leopard Solutions.

Firm Policies

Work/Life Balance

  • 18 weeks primary caregiver leave
  • 10 weeks family leave
  • Flex and/or reduced hours
  • Subsidized backup care/emergency dependent care
  • Telecommuting

Benefits and Perks

  • Bar review course
  • Bar exam fees
  • $10K graduation bonus
  • Direct billing with preferred movers; movement of car; house hunting services; preferred treatment from lenders for broker fees; 6 month furniture storage; one house-hunting trip
  • Full stub bonus
  • Pro rata payback required if associate leaves in 12 months
  • Mentoring

Superstars

dagg-nicola

Nicola Dagg
Partner - Intellectual Property

One of the most highly regarded IP attorneys in London, Dagg joined Kirkland in October 2018 from Allen & Overy, where she was that firm’s global head of IP.

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Dale Cendali
Partner - Intellectual Property

Named to the New York Law Journal’s list of Distinguished Leaders for 2019, Cendali is a highly regarded IP litigation attorney. She has successfully tried many high-profile cases and has appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court.

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Daniel E. Wolf
Partner - Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity

This M&A/Private Equity partner was named “Dealmaker of the Year” at The Deal’s recent annual awards.

sprayregen-james-hm-pc

James H.M. Sprayregen
Partner - Restructuring

A restructuring partner in the firm’s Chicago and New York offices, Sprayregen is one of a small number of Biglaw attorneys rumored to be billed out at over $2,000 an hour.

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Joseph Halloum and Joshua Zachariah
Partners

This pair of San Francisco partners were named on The Trailblazer’s list of 2019 California Trailblazers, notably for their creation of the Executive Fellowship Program, which brings together in-house lawyers from tech and biotech companies.

Above the Law Coverage

 

 

The Law Firm Transparency Project draws upon Above the Law research as well as data provided by Leopard Solutions and UniCourt. Click here for an expanded methodology and definition of terms.