Kirkland & Ellis

Our Survey Says

VAULT'S VERDICT:

Kirkland & Ellis associates frequently invoke “entrepreneurial” and “free market” when discussing life at their firm. Associate success at Kirkland begins with the hiring process, which emphasizes work ethic and fit into the firm’s self-starter culture. Recent graduate and lateral hires alike tend to hit the ground running, taking on more advanced responsibilities as fast as they can learn. The firm’s formal training includes regular online and in-person events, including mock boards and trials, but associates may need to take the lead in finding informal mentorship opportunities. Attorneys take on new work through an open assignment system, which allows them to choose partners to work with, manage their own workloads, and pick assignments that fit their career goals. Although the firm does not have a billable hour requirement to earn a lockstep market bonus, associates say there’s more than enough work to go around to reach the 1,800 and 2,000 billable hour milestones to receive an additional merit bonus. Uncapped pro bono hours count toward the total hours considered for bonus. Associates benefit from a variety of perks and well-being benefits, such as  mental health resources, healthy food options, and exercise classes available across offices. Promotion to non-equity partner is a realistic outcome for associates. Although making equity partner is difficult, it’s not impossible, and associates have a wide range of exit opportunities, including corporate and lateral positions.