Kirkland & Ellis promoted a record number of lawyers to the firm’s partnership this year, topping the previous high of 205 in 2023, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The record setting number shows the world’s biggest law firm by revenue is building its leadership ranks along with business growth. Since 2020, the firm’s revenue has grown 82%, reaching nearly $9 billion in 2024, according to data provided by the American Lawyer.
Kirkland broke from tradition this year by making no public announcement of partnership promotions. The people who confirmed this year’s record requested anonymity to do so because the firm has not publicly disclosed it. The people didn’t provide the exact number, beyond confirming it topped the previous record of 205.
Bloomberg Law, by reviewing LinkedIn announcements and Kirkland webpage updates, estimates that at least 220 of the firm’s lawyers were promoted to partnerships. Kirkland didn’t respond to a request for comment.
The firm in recent years would made public partner announcements in early October. The firm a year ago announced that 200 attorneys were promoted to partner, and its record number of 205 in 2023 followed classes of 193 in 2022 and 151 in 2021.
Kirkland’s associates often earn the title of partner after their sixth year of practicing law. The junior class of partners don’t have a share of the firm’s profits as do their more senior equity-owning counter-parts.
— With reporting by James Booth.
(Adds tally of new partners in fourth paragraph. )
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