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Kirkland & Ellis LLP

United States 2025
National flag for United States 40 National Rankings
111 Regional Rankings
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Overview

We are an international law firm that serves a broad range of clients around the world in private equity, M&A and other corporate transactions, litigation, white collar and government disputes, restructurings and intellectual property matters. We offer the highest quality legal advice coupled with extraordinary, tailored service to deliver exceptional results to our clients and help their businesses succeed. We invest in the brightest legal talent and build dynamic teams that operate at the pinnacle of their respective areas. And we believe in empowering our lawyers, encouraging entrepreneurialism, operating ethically and with integrity, and collaborating to bring our best to every engagement. These principles have guided us in building successful long-term partnerships with clients since our founding in 1909.
Founded:
1909
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Practice Areas:
56
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Best Lawyers Recognized:
188

Rankings

"Law Firm of the Year" Awards

Star inside a segmented circle
2025 "Law Firm of the Year"
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Star inside a segmented circle
2025 "Law Firm of the Year"
Corporate Law

National

Tier
1
National Ranking
Antitrust Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
National Ranking
Copyright Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Corporate Law

Regional

Austin

Tier
1
Austin
Litigation - Patent

Boston

Tier
1
Boston
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Boston
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tier
1
Boston
Tax Law
Tier
2
Boston
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law

Chicago

Tier
1
Chicago
Antitrust Law

Rankings

151 United States Rankings
16 Germany Rankings

"Law Firm of the Year" Awards

Star inside a segmented circle
2025 "Law Firm of the Year"
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Star inside a segmented circle
2025 "Law Firm of the Year"
Corporate Law

National

Tier
1
National Ranking
Antitrust Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
National Ranking
Copyright Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Corporate Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
National Ranking
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Antitrust
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Environmental
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Patent
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Securities
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Tier
1
National Ranking
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
1
National Ranking
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Oil and Gas Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Patent Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Tax Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Technology Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Trademark Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Trusts and Estates
Tier
2
National Ranking
Construction Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Energy Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Environmental Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Financial Services Regulation Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Information Technology Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Insurance Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Mutual Funds Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Project Finance Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Securities Regulation
Tier
3
National Ranking
Appellate Practice
Tier
3
National Ranking
Communications Law
Tier
3
National Ranking
Litigation - Construction

Regional

Austin

Tier
1
Austin
Litigation - Patent

Boston

Tier
1
Boston
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Boston
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tier
1
Boston
Tax Law
Tier
2
Boston
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law

Chicago

Tier
1
Chicago
Antitrust Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier
1
Chicago
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Chicago
Construction Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Corporate Governance Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
Chicago
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Insurance Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Litigation - Antitrust
Tier
1
Chicago
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier
1
Chicago
Litigation - Environmental
Tier
1
Chicago
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
Chicago
Litigation - Patent
Tier
1
Chicago
Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Tier
1
Chicago
Litigation - Securities
Tier
1
Chicago
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Tier
1
Chicago
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Patent Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Tier
1
Chicago
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Tax Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Technology Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Trusts and Estates
Tier
2
Chicago
Financial Services Regulation Law
Tier
2
Chicago
Information Technology Law
Tier
2
Chicago
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Tier
3
Chicago
Litigation - Construction

Dallas/Fort Worth

Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Environmental Law
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Litigation - Antitrust
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Venture Capital Law
Tier
2
Dallas/Fort Worth
Appellate Practice
Tier
2
Dallas/Fort Worth
Litigation - First Amendment

Houston

Tier
1
Houston
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
Houston
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Houston
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Houston
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
1
Houston
Energy Law
Tier
1
Houston
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier
1
Houston
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Tier
1
Houston
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
1
Houston
Oil and Gas Law
Tier
1
Houston
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Tier
1
Houston
Tax Law

Los Angeles

Tier
1
Los Angeles
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Litigation - Patent
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Tax Law
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Trademark Law
Tier
2
Los Angeles
Bet-the-Company Litigation

New York City

Tier
1
New York City
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
New York City
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
New York City
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
New York City
Copyright Law
Tier
1
New York City
Corporate Law
Tier
1
New York City
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
New York City
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier
1
New York City
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
New York City
Litigation - Patent
Tier
1
New York City
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
1
New York City
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
1
New York City
Patent Law
Tier
1
New York City
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tier
1
New York City
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Tier
1
New York City
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
New York City
Tax Law
Tier
1
New York City
Trademark Law
Tier
2
New York City
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
2
New York City
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier
3
New York City
Health Care Law
Tier
3
New York City
Mutual Funds Law

San Francisco

Tier
1
San Francisco
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
San Francisco
Litigation - Patent

Utah

Tier
1
Utah
Commercial Litigation

Washington, D.C.

Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Antitrust Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Energy Regulatory Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
International Trade and Finance Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - Patent
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - Securities
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Mutual Funds Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Project Finance Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Securities Regulation
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Tax Law
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Communications Law
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Energy Law
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Government Relations Practice
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Patent Law
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Tier
3
Washington, D.C.
Litigation and Controversy - Tax

Practice Areas

Kirkland & Ellis LLP has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 49 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Antitrust Law
  • Appellate Practice
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Communications Law
  • Construction Law
  • Copyright Law
  • Corporate Governance Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
  • Energy Law
  • Energy Regulatory Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Financial Services Regulation Law
  • FinTech Practice
  • Government Relations Practice
  • Health Care Law
  • Information Technology Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • International Trade and Finance Law
  • Labor and Employment Law - Management
  • Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
  • Litigation - Antitrust
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Environmental
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Litigation - Patent
  • Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
  • Litigation - Securities
  • Litigation and Controversy - Tax
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
  • Mutual Funds Law
  • Oil and Gas Law
  • Patent Law
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
  • Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
  • Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Project Finance Law
  • Public Finance Law
  • Real Estate Law
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Securities Regulation
  • Securitization and Structured Finance Law
  • Tax Law
  • Technology Law
  • Trademark Law
  • Transportation Law
  • Trusts and Estates

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Kirkland & Ellis LLP proudly has 188 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
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Offices & Contacts

Los Angeles, CA
2049 Century Park East, Suite 3700
Los Angeles, CA 90067
United States
310-552-4200
Get Directions
Los Angeles, CA
555 South Flower Street, Suite 3700
Los Angeles, CA 90071
United States
213-680-8400
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Palo Alto, CA
3330 Hillview Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94304
United States
650-859-7000
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San Francisco, CA
555 California Street, 27th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
United States
415-439-1400
Get Directions
Washington, DC
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
United States
202-389-5000
Get Directions
Miami, FL
Three Brickell City Centr, Suite 700
98 S.E. 7th Street
Miami, FL 33131
United States
305-432-5600
Get Directions
Chicago, IL
333 West Wolf Point Plaza
Chicago, IL 60654
United States
312-862-2000
Get Directions
Boston, MA
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116
United States
617-385-7500
Get Directions
New York, NY
601 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
United States
212-446-4800
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Philadelphia, PA
2005 Market Street, Suite 1000
Philadelphia, PA 19103
United States
215-268-5000
Get Directions
Austin, TX
401 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
United States
512-678-9100
Get Directions
Dallas, TX
4550 Travis Street
Dallas, TX 75205
United States
214-972-1770
Get Directions
Houston, TX
609 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
United States
713-836-3600
Get Directions
Salt Lake City, UT
95 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
United States
801-877-8090
Get Directions
Beijing, CN
58th Floor, China World Office Two
No.1 Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue
Beijing 100004
China: Global Firms
8610 5737 9300
Get Directions
Shanghai, CN
11th Floor, HSBC Building, Shanghai IFC
8 Century Avenue, Pudong New District
Shanghai 200120
China: Global Firms
8621 3857 6300
Get Directions
Berlin, DE
Greater Berlin Area
Berlin
Germany
Get Directions
Frankfurt/Main, DE
Junghofstraße 9
Frankfurt/Main 60315
Germany
49 69 5050 604255
Get Directions
Munich, DE
Maximilianstrasse 11
Munich 80539
Germany
49 89 2030 6000
Get Directions
Paris, FR
43-45 Avenue Kléber
Paris 75116
France
33 1 88 24 57 00
Get Directions
London, GB
30 St Mary Axe
London EC3A 8AF
United Kingdom
44 20 7469 2000
Get Directions
Central, HK
26th Floor, Gloucester Tower
The Landmark
Fifteen Queen's Road
Central
Hong Kong
852 3761 3300
Get Directions
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