Kirkland & Ellis is acknowledged as one of many nation’s best legislation companies. Not solely does the agency supply a compelling mixture of status, profitability, and pay, but it surely often shatters the market on companions in an enormous means — however not this yr. In 2025, the agency has determined to remain quiet about one thing Biglaw companies often like to shout from the rooftops. As Legislation.com experiences, the Chicago-based powerhouse received’t be publicly releasing its annual associate class announcement, “marking [a] technique shift.”
The agency’s choice isn’t humility. It’s a blunder. The agency’s silence isn’t modesty. It’s a mistake. For a agency that constructed its model on transparency in all issues enterprise, it’s greater than a little bit embarrassing. And worse but, that is merciless to the individuals who earned a partnership ring — be it fairness or nonequity — on the world’s high agency.
Simply final yr, almost each authorized trade publication coated Kirkland’s announcement of yet another enormous partnership class, showcasing a agency unafraid to flex. Again then, Kirkland couldn’t resist the highlight, basking in its personal swagger. Now, out of the blue, the agency is slamming the door shut.
Legislation.com hints at what many available in the market might already suspect: Kirkland could also be steering away from public bulletins as a result of many newly minted nonequity companions have headed for the exits fairly quickly after they’ve been named associate, bringing “unfavorable consideration” to the agency’s listing. Listed below are some further particulars from Law.com:
Among the many 200 names introduced in 2024, a minimum of 20 legal professionals, or 10%, weren’t on the agency’s web site this week, in keeping with a Legislation.com evaluation. A number of have left within the final yr to work at different legislation companies or be part of company authorized departments.Among the many 205 names introduced in 2023 as new companions, a minimum of 43, or 21%, are now not on the web site.
By declining to call its 2025 associate class, Kirkland appears to be avoiding the chance that headlines about its new companions could possibly be shortly adopted by tales about their departures. Whereas this type of expertise churn could also be upsetting for Kirkland, simply think about how upsetting it’s for the associates who’ve longed to be named associate for his or her complete profession. A public announcement of their crowning achievement has now been stripped away from them. As famous by Jeffrey Lowe, market president for Washington, D.C. and government committee member for recruiting agency CenterPeak, the agency’s transfer is uncommon certainly. “I do know everybody appears ahead to that and appears ahead to there being a pleasant announcement,” he mentioned.
It’s one factor for a agency to reasonable its public bulletins. It’s fairly one other for a agency to deprive its new companions of their day within the solar. Making associate at Kirkland & Ellis is among the hardest-earned titles in Biglaw. Being named associate is the achievement you share together with your dad and mom, your partner, your mentors, your pals. It’s the headline you submit to LinkedIn. It’s the tangible proof that each lengthy night time was value it. By withholding that announcement, Kirkland is denying newly promoted legal professionals their second of glory. That’s chilly. For a agency that claims to be among the many world’s best, it’s extremely tone-deaf. It’s stunningly unkind.
Kirkland is among the world’s best and most worthwhile legislation companies. Its dominance is undisputed. However silence isn’t power — it’s weak point disguised as restraint. It appears tactical, even defensive. It appears as if the agency fears scrutiny greater than it values the onerous work of its new companions, no matter their fairness or nonequity standing.
Should you’re the richest agency in Biglaw, act prefer it. Have fun your individuals. Personal your success — and theirs. Congratulations to Kirkland’s new associate class — whoever you might be.
Kirkland & Ellis Won’t Publicly Announce New Partners This Year, Marking Strategy Shift [Law.com]
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Legislation, the place she’s labored since 2011. She’d love to listen to from you, so please be happy to email her with any suggestions, questions, feedback, or critiques. You may comply with her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or join together with her on LinkedIn.
