Kirkland & Ellis
About
Kirkland & Ellis
Kirkland & Ellis is the world’s largest law firm by revenue.
Founded in Chicago in 1909 by Robert McCormick, heir to the Chicago Tribune, the firm takes its name from two partners behind its early growth: Weymouth Kirkland, a talented trial lawyer; and Howard Ellis, his associate.
Today, the firm has more than 4,000 lawyers across 21 offices worldwide. As of 2026, its gross revenue stands at $10.5 billion - comfortably the highest of any law firm in the world.
Among Kirkland’s fastest-growing offices is its London office, which celebrated its 30th birthday in 2024.
Riding the private equity boom, the firm’s London operation has ballooned in recent years, now boasting over 500 lawyers.
This growth has stemmed largely from its talent acquisition strategy. Kirkland has consistently targeted partners from London’s elite (particularly A&O Shearman, Linklaters and Latham & Watkins), who tend to bring their big-name clients with them.
Beyond the eye-watering remuneration (average profit per equity partner stands at north of $11 million), part of Kirkland’s allure may also stem from its speedy partner track.
Promotion to Kirkland’s non-equity ranks can happen at six years' post-qualification. As a result, in contrast to much of the rest of the City, it is not uncommon to find partners in their early 30s.
For many years Kirkland’s London base was spread across 12 floors of Sir Norman Foster’s world-famous Gherkin building in the heart of the City. However, thanks to its rapid expansion, the firm upped sticks and settled in at 40 Leadenhall in 2025 (just across the road), where employees enjoy rooftop terraces and a cinema room.
As a true member of the ‘global elite’, lawyers in Kirkland’s London office work closely with colleagues in Europe and around the world to deliver a full service offering.
Kirkland & Ellis is particularly renowned for its work in private equity, M&A, restructuring, and investment funds. It represents a diverse clientele, including private equity firms, financial investors, and multinational companies.
Recent work highlights
Recent deal and industry highlights for Kirkland & Ellis in London include:
$4.8bn acquisition of Cillit Bang business: In July 2025, Kirkland & Ellis advised private equity giant Advent on its acquisition of the homecare arm of Reckitt, a FTSE 100-listed consumer goods specialist.
€2.5bn acquisition of E45 maker: In April 2025, Kirkland & Ellis advised private equity giant KKR on its acquisition of E45 maker Karo Healthcare from fellow private equity firm EQT.
£5.4bn acquisition of Hargreaves Lansdown: In August 2024, Kirkland & Ellis represented a consortium comprising CVC, Nordic Capital, and Platinum Ivy in the £5.4 billion acquisition of FTSE 100 investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown. As part of the deal, Hargreaves Lansdown was delisted from the London Stock Exchange.
Recent coverage
What is Kirkland & Ellis known for?
Kirkland & Ellis is a full service corporate law firm and firmly part of a handful of law firms that can claim to be part of the esteemed ‘global elite’ - the select group of firms recognised for their extensive global reach, prestige, and dominance in high-value, complex legal work.
In the UK and European market, it is best known for its expertise in the following areas:
Private Equity
Kirkland is renowned as the pre-eminent private equity shop in the City and worldwide for its expertise in the full spectrum of private equity-led transactions across all sectors. The firm is ranked Band 1 by Chambers for the highest-value private equity buyouts.
Investment Funds
Kirkland is recognised as a global leader in advising clients on the formation and operation of funds of all varieties, including: buyout, venture, real estate, private equity, credit, and hedge funds, among others. The firm is ranked Band 1 by Chambers for investment funds.
Restructuring/Insolvency
Kirkland is known for its work on some of the largest multi-jurisdictional restructurings in recent years. The firm has deep experience in European restructurings and US Chapter 11 proceedings. The firm is ranked Band 1 by Chambers for restructuring and insolvency.
Financial performance
Kirkland & Ellis is the biggest law firm in the world by revenue. For 2025, its total revenue was $10.56 billion.
In 2025, its profit per equity partner (PEP) was $11.1 million.
London salaries
Here’s what Kirkland & Ellis pays its London trainees and newly qualified (NQ) lawyers:
Who does Kirkland & Ellis compete with?
Kirkland competes with the Magic Circle firms in the UK for the biggest corporate and banking mandates. On the global stage, its main competitors are the likes of:
Trainee information
Other things to know
Keeping Hold of the Best Talent: Despite being a champion talent poacher itself, in July 2024 Kirkland announced changes to its partnership model to withhold deferred earnings from partners who depart to rival firms. This followed a slew of partner raids by rival US powerhouse Paul Weiss - including, most notably, private equity rainmaker Neel Sachdev - in an operation it named ‘Project Springsteen’.
Uncooperative Negotiators: Kirkland made headlines in 2025 when reports emerged that its lawyers have a reputation for "uncooperative behaviour" when acting for private equity clients. The firm reportedly gave associates communication training to soften their style.
No Partner Announcement: The firm raised eyebrows when - for the first time in at least two decades - it decided not to publicly announce its 2025 partner promotions round. There was speculation the shift could have something to do with a higher-than-liked turnover among newly promoted partners.
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