Kirkland & Ellis

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

Kirkland hires team players and hard workers from T14 schools, as well as promising candidates from other schools. Colleagues are friendly, respectful, and collaborative, and they enjoy both scheduled and unplanned social events together. In general, partners value and care about associates and invest in their professional development. Formal training is highlighted by the firm’s trial advocacy institute, weekly programs, and CLEs, and while many first-year associates receive assigned mentors, senior attorneys support and guide all associates informally. Laterals receive training and assistance with staffing, making the transition seamless. Responsibilities increase with experience, and associates say that they work at or above their level on high-level matters with client interaction. Associates receive assignments through an open assignment system, which aligns with the firm’s flexible workplace and working hours policy. Even though Kirkland does not have a formal billable requirement for associates to receive a market bonus, the expectation is said to be 2,000 hours, not including billable business development and pro bono hours. Salaries match BigLaw standards, and bonuses based on merit and hours can exceed market rates. Firm technology includes a generative AI platform, and the IT staff is responsive. The firm provides access to 1:1 therapist consultations, seminars, and activity challenges. Pro bono work is promoted. Advancement to income partner is much more realistic than making equity partner, and those who leave tend to go in-house or to other firms.