Founded in 1909 by lawyers Stewart G. Shepherd and Robert R. McCormick, Kirkland & Ellis is headquartered in Chicago and has nine offices across the world. With average per partner profit estimated at $2.12 million in 2005, it is considered one of the United States’ most profitable law firms. In 2006, it was named the 7th largest U.S. law firm and 13th largest in the world in terms of revenue. Its approximated 2007 revenue was equal to $1.3 billion.

Consistently recognized as being one of the country’s top litigators, Kirkland & Ellis’ expertise lies in the areas of Litigation, Corporate and Tax Law, Intellectual Property, and Restructuring. It works with a team of result-oriented lawyers determined to deliver the best results through innovative and practical strategies that meet the clients’ needs.

The firm is also committed to community service and this it carries out through its pro bono lawyers who offer the best of their services to people who need legal representation but cannot afford one. Its community service is further strengthened by the Kirkland & Ellis Foundation which provides financial help to non-profit charitable and law-related groups, especially those working for the improvement of life through community-related activities and projects like youth programs, cultural awareness, community outreaches, and various humanitarian efforts.

Part of its community service is the firm’s “Diversity Fellowship Program” where law students from several of the country’s prestigious law schools are given the chance to become “fellows” and work as paid summer associates. A $15,000 stipend is also awarded to the lucky “fellows.”

Kirkland & Ellis also supports Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)-related activities through its LGBT Subcommittee.

With 1,400 attorneys working in various areas of Law, Kirkland & Ellis has continuously reaped awards from various organizations and Law award-giving groups. In 2004, Chambers and Partners gave the firm the Litigation Department of the Year award. In 2007, the firm received the International Law Firm of the Year award. The following year, the firm was recognized as first in Litigation on Vault Survey.

Kirkland & Ellis normally recruits recent graduates from top U.S. law schools, especially those who were previously hired as summer associates.

Current U.S. Solicitor General Paul D. Clement, former George W. Bush policy advisor Jay Lefkowitz, and Dean of Pepperdine University School of Law Kenneth Starr, are some of the firm’s most notable lawyers.

Weymouth Kirkland and Howard Ellis, the firm’s namesakes, joined Kirkland & Ellis in 1915.

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