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Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is one of the world's leading law firms.

Categories

Law Practice  
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Leadership team

David Z. Bodenheimer (Global Chair and Managing Partner)

Jeffrey C. Hammes (Global Chair of the Executive Committee)

Miguel A. Noya (Global Managing Partner )

Industries

Law Practice

Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Established
1909
Company Type
Private company limited by shares or Ltd
Revenue
Above - 1B
Social Media
Overview
Location
Summary

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is one of the world's leading law firms. Founded in 1909, the firm has grown to become a powerhouse in the legal industry, representing some of the world's most influential companies and individuals. With offices in the US, UK, Europe, and Asia, Kirkland & Ellis LLP offers a full range of legal services, including corporate, litigation, tax, intellectual property, and bankruptcy.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is known for its dedication to client service and its commitment to the highest ethical standards. The firm's lawyers bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to each case, utilizing the latest legal technology to provide the best possible outcomes for their clients. The firm's attorneys are also well-versed in international law, allowing them to handle complex legal matters in multiple jurisdictions.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP has a long history of successfully representing clients in high-stakes cases. The firm has represented some of the most recognizable companies in the world, including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and McDonald's. It has also been involved in several high-profile cases, such as the Enron litigation, the Microsoft antitrust case, and the BP oil spill.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP has been recognized for its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The firm has received numerous awards for its commitment to promoting diversity in the workplace and its efforts to advance gender equality. It is also committed to giving back to the communities in which it operates, donating time and resources to support a variety of charitable organizations.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a top-tier law firm that is dedicated to providing its clients with the highest level of legal services. With an experienced team of attorneys, the firm is well-positioned to handle a wide range of legal matters. Whether you are a company looking for corporate counsel or an individual needing representation in a legal dispute, Kirkland & Ellis LLP can help.
 

History

Kirkland & Ellis was founded in 1909 by two Chicago lawyers, Edwin K. Kirkland and Alfred S. Ellis. Kirkland had come to Chicago from his native Texas in 1903 to join the firm of Isham, Lincoln & Beale, where Ellis was already a partner. The two developed a close friendship and decided to form their own law firm in 1909, naming it Kirkland & Ellis. In its early years, Kirkland & Ellis was primarily a corporate law firm and focused on representing large industrial and financial clients. The firm also quickly developed a reputation for providing legal advice to some of the most powerful companies in the country, such as U.S. Steel and Standard Oil.

The 1920s saw the firm expand and become a major player in the Chicago legal scene. During this period, the firm began to take on more complex corporate cases, and its lawyers became increasingly involved in the national legal arena. In 1926, Kirkland & Ellis opened its first office outside of Chicago in New York City. The 1930s saw the firm’s reputation grow even more. It represented many of the key players in the New Deal, including the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, the National Recovery Administration, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The firm also developed a strong international practice, representing major companies in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

By the end of the 1930s, Kirkland & Ellis had become one of the most respected and successful law firms in the country. It had grown to include over 200 attorneys, and its attorneys had become known for their expertise in a wide range of legal areas, including corporate law, tax law, and labor law. The firm continued to expand and today is one of the largest and most successful law firms in the world.

In the 1940s, Kirkland & Ellis expanded its practice to include tax law, securities law, and labor law. The firm also started representing some of the largest companies in the United States, including Standard Oil Company and Procter & Gamble.

In the 1950s, Kirkland & Ellis continued to expand its practice areas, adding intellectual property and international law. The firm opened offices in New York, Los Angeles, and London, and it represented some of the first initial public offerings (IPOs) in the US.

In 1960, Kirkland & Ellis had grown to become one of the largest law firms in the United States. It had over 100 attorneys and offices in seven cities. The firm continued to represent some of the largest companies in the US, as well as Fortune 500 companies. It also began to represent foreign governments and multinational corporations.

In 1970, Kirkland & Ellis merged with the New York-based law firm of White & Case, which had been founded in 1901. The new firm was known as Kirkland & Ellis, White & Case. Through this merger, the firm gained a strong presence in the New York legal market, as well as a global reach.

In the 1980s, Kirkland & Ellis continued to expand its practice areas and geographic reach. The firm opened offices in London and Tokyo, and began to practice in areas such as intellectual property, tax, and international law. In 1984, the firm merged with the Los Angeles-based firm of O’Melveny & Myers, further strengthening its presence in the West Coast legal market.

In the 1990s, Kirkland & Ellis continued to grow, expanding its practice areas and opening offices in cities such as Washington, D.C., Frankfurt, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. The firm also began to focus more on private equity and restructuring.

In the 2000s, Kirkland & Ellis continued to expand, opening offices in cities such as San Francisco, Beijing, Dubai, and Seoul. The firm also continued to expand its practice areas, focusing on areas such as white collar defence, antitrust, environmental law, and government contracts.

Today, Kirkland & Ellis is one of the world’s leading law firms, with more than 2,500 attorneys in offices all over the world. The firm continues to practice in a wide variety of areas, from corporate law to private equity, and from antitrust to environmental law.
 

Mission

According to their website, their mission is as follows: “We are committed to advancing the communities in which we live and work, and we dedicate substantial energy, talent and resources to meaningful causes and initiatives that reflect our values and vision. For us, it’s simple. We have a responsibility to make a difference and to help our communities succeed. And we bring the same energy and discipline to this pursuit as we do to our service to clients. To fulfill our mission, we provide pro bono legal services to those who cannot afford counsel; we support charitable and law-related organizations through the Kirkland & Ellis Foundation; we embrace and promote diversity within Kirkland and the legal profession; and we innovate to reduce our impact on the environment.”

Vision

The firm has represented some of the world’s most successful companies and individuals, including Microsoft, Google, and Apple, in addition to many Fortune 500 companies. The firm also provides pro bono legal services to those in need around the world.

Key Team

Robert R. McCormick (Founder)

David Z. Bodenheimer (Global Chair and Managing Partner)

Jeffrey C. Hammes (Global Chair of the Executive Committee)

Miguel A. Noya (Global Managing Partner )

Recognition and Awards
• Recognized as a "Powerhouse" firm in the U.S. and globally by Chambers and Partners • Ranked as a top 10 firm in the U.S. by the American Lawyer • Named the most innovative law firm in the U.S. by Financial Times • Ranked by the National Law Journal as one of the country's top ten law firms for pro bono work • Named the #1 law firm in the U.S. for private equity by Mergermarket • Ranked among the top 5 firms for M&A by Global M&A Law Firm Rankings • Recognized as a top 10 firm for Antitrust by Global Competition Review • Ranked as a top 10 firm for Technology, Media and Telecoms by Chambers and Partners • Ranked as a top 10 firm for Intellectual Property by Managing Intellectual Property
Products and Services

The products of Kirkland & Ellis include:

• Corporate Law: Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity and Venture Capital, Antitrust, Securities and Capital Markets, Bankruptcy and Restructuring, Tax and Employee Benefits, and Corporate Governance.

• Litigation: Antitrust, Appellate, Arbitration, Class Action, Construction, Environmental, Financial Services, Healthcare, Insurance, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Private Equity and Venture Capital, Securities, and White Collar Defense.

• International: Cross-Border Transactions, International Arbitration, International Dispute Resolution, International Tax, and Trade and Investment.

• Regulatory: Advertising, Antitrust, Banking, Energy, Environmental, Food and Drug, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), Healthcare, Insurance, Investment Management, Securities, and Telecommunications.

• Private Client: Art Law, Charitable Giving, Estate Planning, Family Wealth and Succession Planning, Immigration, and Trusts and Estates.

• Real Estate: Acquisition, Development, Finance, Investment, Leasing, and Zoning.
 

References
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Leadership team

David Z. Bodenheimer (Global Chair and Managing Partner)

Jeffrey C. Hammes (Global Chair of the Executive Committee)

Miguel A. Noya (Global Managing Partner )

Industries

Law Practice

Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Established
1909
Company Type
Private company limited by shares or Ltd
Revenue
Above - 1B
Social Media