This firm deserves to be named and shamed for the treatment of its attorneys and support staff during the slowdown of work and pandemic outbreak. It is resorting to the most disgusting behavior to get rid of the people it hired. This firm’s greed knows of no limits! To avoid bad press it is now resorting to stealth layoffs. So much for all the press releases of how much money everyone is making!
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The shameful and unlawful behavior at Kirkland & Ellis will never stop:
They have published the most BS response to the law suit brought by an ex-Associate at the firm and we are now learning more about the scheming and completely ludicrous sub-culture that exists in every K&E office globally:
https://www.abajournal.com/web/article/fired-female-associate-at-kirkland-alleges-biased-treatment-by-discriminatory-cadre-in-ip-group
This woman deserves nothing but praise and admiration.
“A Kirkland spokesperson said in a statement that it had investigated Kovalenko's claims and found them "entirely without merit." Its attorneys were "unfairly targeted" in the lawsuit and are "known for their integrity and commitment to mentorship," the spokesperson added.”
LOLLL - Kirkland lawyers are the complete polar opposite of FAIR, INTEGRITY and MENTORSHIP. Kirkland will literally lie to your face to save its face.
SHAME SHAME SHAME
Orrick adds three new partners to Corporate team - JANUARY 11, 2021
Orrick announced has added three new parters to its global Corporate team: private equity M&A advisor Leah Recht from Kirkland & Ellis
Certainly a great year for the Kirkland corporate team!
https://www.reuters.com/article/orrick-snags-corporate-trio-from-cooley/orrick-snags-corporate-trio-from-cooley-cravath-and-kirkland-idUSL1N2JM2MV
More departures:
https://www.thelawyer.com/kirkland-partner-takes-in-house-role-at-advent/
Kirkland partner takes in-house role at Advent
London partner Helena Drury has left the US firm....
And The Winner for the title “Most Partner Exits for 2020 Award” is none other than:
———->> KIRKLAND & ELLIS
https://www.law360.com/pulse/modern-lawyer/articles/1338662
CONGRATULATIONS!
A coincidence? Absolutely not!
Yet another Corporate partner jumps ship...
NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ – Latham & Watkins LLP is pleased to announce that Justin Elliott has joined the firm as a partner in the Corporate Department
Latham Continues to Build its Real Estate Team with Experienced Real Estate Partner Addition in New York, Justin Elliott represents private and public clients in sophisticated commercial real estate transactions
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/latham-continues-to-build-its-real-estate-team-with-experienced-real-estate-partner-addition-in-new-york-301201531.html
Kirkland London Corporate Partner To Join Milbank
By Hannah Roberts | January 04, 2021 at 06:25 AM
https://www.law.com/international-edition/2021/01/04/kirkland-london-corporate-partner-to-join-milbank/
Milbank has appointed Andrej Wolf as a partner in its Global Corporate Group in London, further expanding the firm’s international private equity and M&A capabilities.
Of course, Kirkland’s corporate department must be living the dream!
Exits, exits and more exits from “The Best” Law Firm
Chicago Private Equity Firm Hires Longtime Kirkland Partner as General Counsel
At Kirkland & Ellis, the new GC represented Thoma Bravo in the sale of its portfolio company Ellie Mae to Intercontinental Exchange in August 2020, a deal valued at $11 billion.
By Dan Clark | January 05, 2021
KATHRYN RUBINO‘S piece on the treatment and stealth layoffs of associates and staff members by Kirkland & Ellis, pasted below:
“Notice, if you will, the complete lack of empathy in the letter [the e-mail sent to Associates by a member of the firm’s global management committee] — no mention that people who work at the firm might be suffering from COVID-19 or have a loved one hospitalized with the virus, or that in-person school has been canceled and all the parents working for him are likely trying to balance the demands of their children with the demands of this job, or that the isolation caused by the pandemic can exacerbate existing mental health issues. Nope, none of these very real concerns are mentioned, let alone validated in the email. The message — from a member of the management committee — is clear: you are only useful to the firm if you keep on billing. And if you can’t bill because there is a goddamned pandemic going on? Tough sh–, figure it out yourself [stealth layoffs].”
The bonuses were a disappointment because there was not enough for everyone to begin with, and those who did get a bonus, got it because of the many stealth layoffs at the firm! How convenient for Kirkland to adopt “individualised bonuses” - isn’t this firm supposed to be doing SO WELL that it cannot afford to give bonuses to everyone at the firm! Surprise, surprise, surprise.
David Lam must be pulling so many strings at Above The Law to try to spin this into something positive.
Departures, departures and more departures:
Goodwin Hires Kirkland M&A Partner Amid ‘Perfect Storm’ of Deals - 16 December
Bloomberg Law
Goodwin Procter is expanding its mergers and acquisitions practice with Kirkland & Ellis partner Joshua Zachariah, adding deal making firepower …
https://www.goodwinlaw.com/news/2020/12/12_16-joshua-zachariah-joins-goodwin
We all know where the “perfect storm” is really taking place.
More departures:
Weil Adds Corporate Partner Shawn B. Cooley - December 01, 2020
Mr. Cooley joins Weil from Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where he was an International Trade & National Security partner advising wealth funds, private equity funds, pension plans and top Fortune 500 companies.
https://www.weil.com/articles/weil-adds-corporate-partner-shawn-b-cooley-in-washington-dc
More departures:
Kirkland Munich Private Equity Partner Quits for Local Rival - December 08, 2020
Kirkland & Ellis Munich private equity partner Bernhard Guthy has left the firm to join German outfit GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten.
https://www.law.com/international-edition/2020/12/08/kirkland-munich-private-equity-partner-quits-for-local-rival/?slreturn=20201109075347
More exits:
Latham & Watkins scoops up Kirkland partner - 09 Dec 2020
Navneeta Rekhi has transferred her mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity practice to Latham & Watkins.
https://iclg.com/news/15231-latham-and-watkins-scoops-up-kirkland-partner
More exits - The London office continues to bleed
Ropes & Gray Grabs Kirkland & Ellis London Partner
Kirkland & Ellis London partner Samuel Norris has left the firm to join Ropes & Gray.
Ropes & Gray hires second Kirkland & Ellis partner in London this year
Special situations specialist climbs on board as Boston-based firm targets transatlantic deals
https://www.law.com/international-edition/2020/11/30/ropes-gray-grabs-kirkland-ellis-london-partner/?slreturn=20201101181634
And the departures continue:
Kirkland & Ellis London Partner Jumps to Bryan Cave
Kirkland & Ellis investigations partner Sarah Klein has joined Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in London.
https://www.law.com/international-edition/2020/11/25/kirkland-ellis-london-partner-jumps-to-bryan-cave/
November 25, 2020
It is absolutely NOT true that people are getting severance payments. On the contrary, the layoffs are “performance” related. Both for support staff and attorney layoffs.
****
Layoffs at Kirkland & Ellis, the World’s Sh***iest Law Firm
Above the Law posted on October 26 that Kirkland & Ellis has quietly been conducting layoffs.
Even for a firm with more than 1,000 partners, Kirkland has lost an unusually high number of them (54) in 2020. The firm was the first to refuse to offer special fall bonuses to associates, which begged the question of why K&E was unwilling to share the wealth in a supposedly banner year.
During COVID, several firms have let staff go to through outright layoffs — sometimes to rightsize (what a great way not to say that you need to get rid of employees) their ranks or to adjust to the different requirements of working remotely.
Apparently, a number of insiders have reached out to Above the Law to let them know that support staff at Kirkland & Ellis are being quietly laid off.
The post contains quotes from a number of people with inside information. Apparently, only support staff had been laid off – legal assistant, paralegals, IT personnel, legal secretaries, etc. More layoffs are reportedly expected by the end of the year.
Sources told Above the Law that they will receive assistance with COBRA payments from the firm as well as generous severance packages, but their separation agreements reportedly state that the severance pay will be withheld if they discuss the reason for their departure with anyone.
Yes, that classifies as layoffs on the down low. Above the Law has asked the firm several times for a statement but has not heard back.
Insert in Gomer Pyle's voice, "Surprise, surprise, surprise."
Please stop referring to this firm as the “Wealthiest” “Richest” etc., etc., if that were the case, it would not have resorted to stealth layoffs and we would all be getting the fall bonuses that so many other attorneys are getting.
If there was ever any need for the outside world to have any proof that this firm is not wealthy (it just likes to flash and has accumulated a massive bill through its unsustainable practices, best described as a ponzi scheme with an army of mid-level associates re-packaged as salaried partners for clients to think they’re buying “partner” time)...you’ve now got it!
Just when you thought this firm cannot sink any lower!!! She must be feeling so comfortable in her position right now preaching to the world about wellness and care, wonder how the editors at that publication don’t bother doing any research before publishing
To all those support staff and attorneys being laid off by stealth layoffs at Kirkland:
There is nothing to worry about!
The Kirkland & Ellis Director of Wellbeing, Robin Belleau, is discussing Kirkland's Wellbeing Program and approach to mental health and wellness in the month of October: http://example.com/Vwhe50C7ENU Of course, Robin will have many examples to share with her audience of how to cope with a stealth layoff, so stay tuned.
Those who cannot sign up through the firm’s intra-net will have to make do with what’s publicly available online: https://raganwellness.com/how-kirkland-ellis-supports-the-well-being-of-its-lawyers/
I can confirm that it’s attorneys too.
The cuts and layoffs are not limited to the U.S. offices.
See this:
Some recruiters say many other staff layoffs are happening behind the scenes at other firms, and they know of other layoffs that have gone unreported. Law firm staff...
https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2020/10/28/quiet-staff-layoffs-run-through-big-law/
https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/kirkland_lays_off_perhaps_57_staff_but_no_attorneys
It is NOT true that Kirkland has not laid attorneys. The layoffs are across the board.
Wake Up Call: Kirkland Making ‘Stealth’ Layoffs, Report Says
Oct. 27, 2020, 12:43 PM
“Leading off, legal blog Above the Law said it’s received several anonymous reports that Kirkland & Ellis, the world’s biggest law firm by revenue, has made dozens of “stealth” layoffs of staff, including about 50 in Chicago, an unspecified number in Houston, and staff in other offices. In stealth layoffs, firms blame job cuts on performance and productivity reasons rather than admitting they were for economic reasons. Says one anonymous commenter, “I’m sure I will not be the only person to receive a phone call and I’m sure they’ll be making cuts throughout the week.” (Above the Law)”
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/wake-up-call-kirkland-making-stealth-layoffs-report-says
Hi, I'm a senior reporter with Law360, covering the legal industry. Law360 has been tracking the law firms that are doing salary cuts and layoffs. (https://www.law360.com/legalindustry/articles/1264699/coronavirus-how-law-firms-are-handling-the-downturn?editor_picks=1#Greenspoon_Marder")
I'd be keen to speak with anyone who's had any insight about the layoffs that are happening at the firm. Feel free to try me at xiumei.dong@law360.com.
“In 2020, These Big Firms Have Seen the Most Partner Exits” - October 19, 2020
“Kirkland & Ellis saw more partner departures in the first eight months of 2020 than any other large firm. But unlike in recent years, when a high volume of lateral hires balanced out that movement, the firm experienced a net loss in the lateral market in 2020.”
But we are told that Kirkland is such a wonderful place to work? How could all these people “depart” from THE “BEST” LAW FIRM IN THE WORLD! (sarcasm)
https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2020/10/19/in-2020-these-big-firms-have-seen-the-most-partner-exits-405-69749/
Why not also check the number of associate and support staff departures, now that would be interesting news.
This is absolutely preposterous. The firm reported having a record breaking year and then this happens? Does the firm need extra money to continue sending useless, expensive gifts to the attorneys? If so, letting go of the support staff is not the solution.
I myself am a support staff person who was “let go” because of performance issues. It’s simply not the case. I had a lot of admiration for Kirkland during my time there but I am now glad that I am free from that toxic greed.
History repeats itself
***
Reporting from 2009 by David Lat when his focus was not attorney recruitment and presumably did not list Kirkland & Ellis as a client on his recruitment website.
***
Nationwide Layoff Watch: Kirkland & Ellis Fires Non-Equity Partners
“A tipster points out:
“All were told it’s because [of] performance, but most were considered fine lawyers and rated with or above their class each year.“
“Kirkland & Ellis has asked a number of non-equity partners to leave, multiple sources report. The timing is unclear, but they may have up to six months to pack their things.“
“It’s important to remember that Kirkland & Ellis has a fairly large class of non-equity or income partners. Kirkland uses the “non-share partner” classification liberally, and they tend to make more lawyers “partners,” at earlier stages in their careers. Some K&E “partners” would be senior associates at other firms.“
“Kirkland also paid out Cravath-level bonuses. When Kirkland announced their bonuses, many commenters opined that bonuses were better than layoffs and that K&E would not do layoffs.”
***
WSJ:
“This just in: Kirkland & Ellis earlier today laid off more than 20 associates in its New York office, according to a person familiar with the matter. Associate layoffs also hit the firm's Washington, D.C. office.
The layoffs came at the end of the firm's annual associate-review process. Associates deemed to have not been on track to make either equity partner or non-equity partner were asked to leave, the person familiar with the matter said. The numbers of associates asked to leave were higher than last year's, partly due to the economy and partly due to a lack of attrition experienced by the firm throughout the year.“
***
Nationwide Layoff Watch: Kirkland & Ellis Chicago
Last week, news broke about layoffs at Kirkland & Ellis. The firm has not released an official statement about the layoffs. A Kirkland source says that associates not on track to make partner were let go. Since the firm won’t say, we’ve been trying to cobble together the full extent of Kirkland’s layoffs. We’ve already reported on layoffs in New York, D.C., and San Francisco.
Just before Labor Day weekend, Kirkland & Ellis got around to making layoffs at its main office in Chicago. We are still gathering numbers, but as of now we know that at least 12 people were let go. Other tipsters suggest that the number is higher.
Did these layoffs fit in with K&E’s performance review philosophy? After the jump, tipsters weigh in.
Our sources say that Kirkland’s Chicago layoffs focused on first years:
At least a dozen first-year associates were laid off, including a disproportionate number in IP. … [I]t was a total bloodbath.
IP and corporate were not the places to be if you wanted to keep your job at K&E:
I heard from a friend in corporate who was laid off that they got rid of 50% of the corporate first years and a third of corporate overall. They got rid of every first year in the soft IP litigation group.
It’s hard to know what kind of performance review will get you canned after just a few months at the firm. Does Kirkland really want everybody to believe that they hired 12 attorneys who were so bad at their job that they had to be let go just months after starting work?
One source took issue with the way Kirkland handled this round of layoffs:
“Bury layoffs before a long weekend? Check.
Fire first years? Check.
Convince the world that you hired terrible attorneys? Check.
Kirkland’s reputation? Worthless!!“
If you add the numbers, it’s starting to look like the extent of Kirkland’s layoffs were fairly significant.”
What this firm hasn’t published is the list of all those people that have been laid off as a result of the “promotions”! Keep on paddling bllsht Kirkland! The attorneys working at the firm know exactly what’s going on and even those who’ve been “promoted” are uncomfortable about it.
Justice Ginsburg would be mortified to learn of layoffs made in such an arbitrary and capricious manner. Not to mention baseless and scurrilous. The nerve!
The reason Above the Law won’t be covering layoffs anytime soon - this is the founder’s new focus in 2020:
“David Lat is a managing director in the New York office, where he focuses on placing top associates, partners and partner groups into preeminent law firms around the country.”
In the section of his recruitment website titled “A few of our clients” Kirkland & Ellis is the first firm that’s listed. So hey guys, if you’re in trouble just give him a call and he’ll sort you out!
“Lateral Link.
The major Am Law 200 and specialty firms partner with us as their go-to legal recruiter. With offices in over a dozen cities across the United States and Asia, our established relationships and reputation position us to attract and deliver the best legal talent. Over the past ten years, we have completed thousands of successful placements as a best-in-class legal recruitment agency.“
https://www.laterallink.com/
Simpson Thacher Adds Tax Partner From Kirkland & Ellis
By David Hansen
September 9, 2020, 6:27 PM EDT
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP announced that a former Kirkland & Ellis LLP partner whose practice specializes in transactional tax joined the firm's New York office as a partner.
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.law360.com/amp/articles/1302304
Proskauer Continues Busy Lateral Year with Kirkland Partner Hire
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/proskauer-continues-busy-lateral-year-with-kirkland-partner-hire
Proskauer Rose is picking up Kirkland & Ellis’ Christopher Robinson as a partner in its private funds group in New York as it seeks to build on core strengths in areas like asset management during a challenging time for the broader legal market.
https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2020/09/14/kirkland-capital-markets-vet-jumps-to-hogan-lovells/
“Kirkland Capital Markets Vet Jumps to Hogan Lovells”
Richard Aftanas' arrival at Hogan comes as the firm is actively working to bolster its presence in New York.
Can confirm from the inside that stealth layoffs are happening. People with ZERO performance issues are getting shady reviews purporting to show that they fell behind their class in performance and asking them to find new jobs by 2021. It’s insane.
This is EXACLTY what K&E is an expert in doing and does on repeat: Sham processes so that it doesn’t make any headlines when it lay-offs off people!
And we’re supposed to believe the statements published by the firm about #BLM and taking the moral high ground, when at the first opportunity they fired a longtime admin. assistant at the firm just after returning to work after undergoing a serious surgery.
Isn’t Kirkland that firm that’s supposed to be making so much money that it can’t stop flashing it around?
Thankfully, one person decided it was enough.
Sadly for so many, Kirkland does this to so many people who are unable to take action because it would jeopardise their careers.
“...Perkins says that despite these consistently good job reviews after returning to work following brain surgery, she was rushed through a “sham process” of reapplying for her job that resulted in several 55+ employees being laid off....”
Step 2 in Kirkland’s strategy after firing people is the following - a Kirkland textbook case wrongful firing and cover up - :
“.....The complaint further alleges that at the same time Perkins was being let go from the firm, it was “advertising on its website that it needed candidates for ‘new positions’ with the Firm with job descriptions that were nearly identical to the job description for Ms. Perkins’ position with the Firm. ....”
This is Kirkland’s way of trying to mislead the market about its practices.
Kirkland Sued by Ex-Staffer for Age, Disability Discrimination
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/kirkland-sued-by-ex-staffer-for-age-disability-discrimination
This lady deserves nothing but the utmost respect and admiration. If only she knew how many more others would like to do the same but instead choose not to, to avoid the very unfortunate stigma attached to suing one’s firm. Best wishes to her.
One departure after another is exposing all the weak spots in Kirkland’s practices globally and how unsustainable this firm has grown when business grinds to a halt.
Shame that so many people have invested so much into a firm that’s now kicking so many people out and treating its staff so badly.
Kirkland sees second London partner loss in two weeks
“Kirkland & Ellis has lost its second partner in a matter of weeks, this time to US rival Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. The US firm has hired finance partner Ben Myers from the London outpost...”
https://www.thelawyer.com/kirkland-sees-second-london-partner-loss-in-two-weeks/