Firm Summary
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
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%
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
Above the Law Coverage
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Law School Students Stand Up To Biglaw Firm, Win
Look out Biglaw, there are other firms in their sights.
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The Latest In Biglaw Perks? Concierge Service. Oh Good, Now You Have More Time To Bill.
The firm says they want their attorneys to be able ‘to spend their very precious downtime on what they want to do.’
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Kirkland Has Spoken… Can We Now Declare The Salary Wars Over?
The last best hope for a firm going over the top has merely matched.
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There’s A New Biggest Law Firm (By Gross Revenue) In Town
The revenue increase was largely driven by the firm growing its headcount to almost two thousand lawyers last year.
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Which Biglaw Firm Is Best For Pro Bono? (2017)
The pro bono all stars!
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UPDATE: Bunches Of Kirkland And Ellis Above-Market Bonus News
Tons of inside information on the K&E bonuses.
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Associates’ Favorite Kirkland & Ellis Offices
The midlevels have spoken.
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Kirkland & Ellis Delights With Extra Special Bonuses For Some Of The Hardest Workers At The Firm
Kudos to the firm!
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.
