Kirkland & Ellis sets record with 225 partner promotions
Kirkland & Ellis elevated at least 225 lawyers to partner rank this October, breaking its 2023 record of 205 promotions, according to Pirical research. The global firm declined to publicly announce the class, a tradition it had followed each fall, citing concerns that non-equity partners would leave shortly after promotion.
American offices accounted for 90 percent of advancement, led by Chicago with 58 new partners, New York with 45 and Houston with 20. The remaining promotions spread across international locations, with London gaining 19 partners and Hong Kong, Beijing and Paris adding four combined.
Mergers and acquisitions attorneys dominated with 41 promotions, followed by litigation with 32 and investment funds and corporate practices each adding 26. The firm generated $8.8 billion in revenue last year, after 80% growth over five years.
Roughly two-thirds of the 1,600-member partnership now holds salaried rather than equity status. About one in 10 partners promoted last year have already departed.
