There was a strong international flavour to this week’s round of lateral partner appointments, with firms making key hires in Europe, Asia and the USA.
So far, Kirkland hasn t missed a beat since a change at the top a little over a year ago. It is riding a deal-making boom, topping Wall Street bluebloods like Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz and running circles around Chicago competitors.
Can Jon Ballis, a lower-key successor to Jeffrey Hammes as chair, sustain the momentum as management of larger firms grows more complex? Kirkland has 2,900 lawyers, almost three times what it had 15 years ago, and it s not stopping there.
Kirkland s revenue gain in 2020 alone would put it among the top 100 U.S. law firms. Law firms of its ilk are benefiting from an anxious flight to quality. Profits per partner for the 100 largest were up 13 percent in last year versus 5 percent in 2019, according to the American Lawyer.
Kim Hicks and
Doug Tedeschi will be relocating to Austin to help launch the firm’s new office. Alongside them, 20 lawyers, a combination of lateral hires and relocaters, will also be joining the new office.
It follows Kirkland’s opening of its Houston office in 2014, and its Dallas office four years later.
Chairman of the firm’s executive committee
Jon Ballis said in a statement: “This expansion to Austin places us in a dynamic city at the centre of exciting changes in the infrastructure, technology and energy sectors,” while partner and member of the executive committee
Andy Calder explained: “Austin has become a significant hub for technology, renewables and alternative energy, an area where we have leading teams and significant experience.”
Kirkland & Ellis opens Austin office to tap into city s tech and renewable energy markets
21 April 2021
Kirkland & Ellis opens Austin office to tap into city s tech and renewable energy markets
New office is the firm s third in Texas, adding to its presence in Houston and Dallas
Shutterstock Kirkland & Ellis is opening its third office in Texas after announcing plans to set up shop in Austin to tap into the city’s growing market for technology and renewable energy. The new Texas office will be led by partners Marc Browning, Stephen Butler, Kim Hicks and Doug Tedeschi, who are all relocating to Austin to help with the launch. They will be joined by roughly 20 lawyers, either Kirkland employees transferring from other offices or lateral hires.
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