Landing an interview at Kirkland & Ellis is an exciting milestone in your legal career. As one of the most prestigious law firms in the world, known for its elite transactional and litigation practices, Kirkland receives thousands of applications every year. Standing out and getting to the interview stage is an accomplishment in itself.
Now you want to make sure you absolutely nail the interview. Preparation and insight into the types of questions you’ll face can help you put your best foot forward. With offices around the globe and a highly selective recruitment process, getting hired at Kirkland requires demonstrating you have the intelligence, drive, credentials and personality to succeed at the firm.
Here’s an inside look at what to expect during the Kirkland interview process and how to wow your potential future colleagues
Know the Kirkland Basics
Before your interview you should brush up on the firm’s history culture, practice areas, big cases, and attorney bios. Here are the key facts to familiarize yourself with
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Founded in 1909 in Chicago, now with 15 offices globally and over 2,500 attorneys
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Known for its elite corporate, private equity, litigation, restructuring, intellectual property and regulatory practices
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Clients include private equity firms, Fortune 100 corporations, financial institutions and high profile individuals
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Handles large M&A deals, IPOs, patent disputes, government investigations, bankruptcy cases, etc.
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Uniquely competitive, intense culture with attorneys working in shifts around the clock
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Compensation is merit-based, linking pay directly to productivity
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Partners are accessible advisors rather than removed supervisors
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Strength in recruiting and mentoring top legal talent
This background will help you speak knowledgably about Kirkland’s work and demonstrate your fit within the firm’s culture.
Expect Behavioral and Fit Interview Questions
The Kirkland interview isn’t designed to grill you on obscure legal trivia. Rather, lawyers will assess critical thinking skills, personality fit, career goals and more through behavioral interview questions. Common examples include:
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Why Kirkland? What attracts you to our distinct culture?
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Walk me through your resume. What were your key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned in each role?
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Describe a time you had to complete a complex assignment under a tight deadline.
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Give an example of when you had to get consensus from a difficult colleague or client. How did you handle it?
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What are your short and long term career aspirations? How will Kirkland help you achieve them?
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What is your work style? Are you more introverted or extroverted?
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How do you handle stress and manage your time when balancing multiple priorities?
The key is having compelling stories ready demonstrating you have the abilities and traits Kirkland attorneys possess. Use the STAR method – explain the Situation, Task, Action you took, and Results achieved. Quantify your accomplishments with numbers when possible.
Ask Thoughtful Questions
The interviews are a two-way street – you’ll have opportunities to ask questions to determine if Kirkland is the right fit for you too. Absolutely take advantage of this. Being engaged, thoughtful and inquisitive is looked upon highly.
Some ideas:
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How would you describe the working environment and team culture?
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What types of matters do associates get exposure to early in their careers?
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How are associates trained, mentored and evaluated?
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What’s your favorite part about working at Kirkland?
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How does Kirkland give back to the community?
Other Interview Insights
Here are a few more tips to maximize your chances of interview success at Kirkland:
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For in-person interviews, dress impressively – polished suit, leather portfolio, etc.
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Articulate why you specifically want to work at Kirkland rather than a competitor.
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Convey a team mentality – collaboration and consensus building are valued here.
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Back up claims about your work ethic with examples of going above-and-beyond.
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Note business development experience; Kirkland attorneys are expected to help market the firm.
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Ask partners about significant matters they’ve worked on recently.
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Send thank you notes after the interview acknowledging something specific discussed.
With preparation and practice, you can tackle the Kirkland interview with confidence. Showcase how your unique talents and personality align with this prestigious firm’s principles. The interview is your chance to demonstrate the skills, passion and fit needed to excel as a Kirkland & Ellis attorney. Stay focused on making a great impression, and you’ll be on your way to an exciting career with limitless opportunities. You got this!
Law Training Contract: Application Dates and Information
Craigland The vacation schemes are designed to provide you with an insight into how the London office operates. Vacation placements run throughout April and June. Each year, applications will be accepted from the beginning of October until the beginning of January of the following year. You can apply directly for the training contracts from the beginning of April until the middle of July.
Kirkland is the highest-grossing firm in the world. It posted a revenue of $4. 83 billion in its last financial year. The revenue in London increased by 29% in that same year to around $550 million. It was also the first law firm to break the $4B barrier. Profit per equity partner has climbed to $6. 2 million in recent years. The firm is Chicago-founded, and has managed to become synonymous with private equity. It is placed number one in the world by Chambers Global for this area of work. It is also thought to be a top firm in capital markets, corporate law, and M&A.
Techniques, Insight & Past Interview Scenarios With Example Answers
One to One Support With An Interview Specialist. Optimise Your Preparation; Maximise Your Success Rate.
Tips, Techniques & Insight from Training Contract Specialists & Past Successful Applicants
Firm Specialisms & Training Contract Seats
Trainees have mixed feelings about their time at the firm. Some think the training isn’t as good as it is at Magic Circle firms, but others think the hands-on training is more than enough. In other words, lectures, seminars, workshops etc are lacking. You should expect to take a seat in each of corporate, investment funds, and debt finance. You will then be given more experience, which you can choose to take. Most trainees try to get jobs in the investment funds department. You will also have the chance of a secondment abroad in Hong Kong, New York, or elsewhere.
Kirkland’s Open Assignment System
FAQ
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