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LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
Kirkland & Ellis [Joann Chang] Tops among Chicago firms, Kirkland & Ellis has a reputation for getting the best work - and the best associates.
As the most prestigious of the Chicago law
over 2,000 billable hours per year at this firm
equity and non-equity levels, rewards its
firms, Kirkland & Ellis continues to demon-
and those who cannot pull their weight are
hard and loyal workers. Making it to the non-
strate its regional and national dominance
quickly weeded out. Social interactions are
equity level is reported to be a reasonable
in litigation and corporate law matters. More
minimal and associates state that they prefer
expectation after six years and the firm pro-
than 125 years ago, Stewart G. Shepard
spending their spare time with family and
vides candid evaluations at regular intervals.
and Robert R. McCormick created the firm
their outside lives. Whether the firm has se-
Though achieving the more desirable and
and, to this day, have had a greater impact
lectively chosen exceptionally motivated and
more financially rewarding equity partner-
than its current name implies. Specifically,
independent attorneys or has internally bred
ship is near impossible, associates nonethe-
McCormick’s later role as publisher to his
this type of work ethic, associates at Kirkland
less appreciate the near guarantee of making
family’s newspaper, The Chicago Tribune,
& Ellis are well-suited to the environment
it to some level of partnership.
led to the firm’s historic work on free speech
and find great professional satisfaction here.
that established its fame. Partners Kirkland
Kirkland & Ellis has a single compensa-
and Ellis subsequently made their mark on
While encouraging self-reliance, Kirkland
the firm by working in defense of the Tribune
& Ellis does not leave its associates without
sates equally, regardless of office location.
and other prominent newspapers in various
excellent training. The law firm has two
The firm’s standardized salaries begin at
libel cases.
highly renowned training programs, the Kirk-
$125,000 for all its first-years, but London
land Institute for Trial Advocacy (KITA) and
associates get an additional $30,000 to help
These days, the firm of over 1000 lawyers re-
the Kirkland Institute of Corporate Practice
defray the cost of living increase. And al-
ceives press for its representation of Fortune
(KICP). Both programs hold two sessions,
though bonuses have been lacking in recent
500 companies. Corporate Counsel Magazine
one for summer associates and the other for
years due to the recession, the firm generally
ranked Kirkland & Ellis fourth in a survey of
first years. Associates participate in video-
provides a $10,000 summer stipend for its
top choices for outside counsel and first for
taped mock trials or mock negotiations that
first years, as well as merit-based bonuses
its litigation team. In the past year, Kirkland
are supervised and later critiqued by senior
for its associates. The firm also supplies a
& Ellis attorneys have worked with S.C.
partners. Although the rigorous training may
generous benefits package which includes
Johnson on its acquisition of German cor-
sound intimidating for some, most associates
stipends for judicial clerkship experiences,
poration Bayer, Conseco on its dispute over
find it extremely useful and rank Kirkland as
paid moving expenses, and three weeks of
Donald Trump’s shares of the New York GM
having one of the nation’s best lawyer train-
vacation.
building, and General Motors on its defense
ing programs.
tion plan for its associates and compen-
Jobs
of trademark infringement claims. Among its top litigators, Kirkland & Ellis also boasts
While reputed to exclusively favor the top ten
famous Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr
law schools, Kirkland & Ellis also consid-
Kirkland & Ellis currently has several open-
whose career will perhaps remain forever
ers local sources for talent. Graduates from
ings in all of its domestic offices, including
linked with the Clinton administration.
Harvard Law and Pepperdine University alike
opportunities for experienced real estate,
frequently make up the summer associates
litigation and corporate associates. More
The determined attitude with which Kirkland
program. Besides stellar grades, attorneys
information regarding attorney positions at
& Ellis approaches its trade often bleeds into
with plenty of energy and strong independent
Kirkland & Ellis can be found in the Law-
its workplace environment. Serious work
qualities have the best chances of getting
Crossing job database.
and long hours are expected by associates
hired and making it at this firm. Additionally,
and partners alike. Associates easily clock in
Kirkland & Ellis’ two tier partnership system,
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