Key facts
- Kirkland & Ellis has expanded its senior income partner tier by adding lawyers in London.
- The firm's model includes a large nonequity partner tier, reportedly over 1,000 individuals strong.
- This structure allows Kirkland to promote lawyers more quickly than many competitors.
- The success of Kirkland's salaried partner model has led other firms to adopt similar strategies.
Kirkland & Ellis has expanded its senior income partner tier by adding lawyers based in London. This move underscores the firm's successful strategy of utilizing a two-tier partnership model, which includes a substantial nonequity partner tier that now exceeds 1,000 individuals. This structure has enabled Kirkland to promote lawyers at a faster pace compared to many competitors, transforming what was once viewed as a mere marketing tactic into a powerful business model.
The firm's approach has gained significant traction, with recruiters actively seeking out Kirkland's nonequity partners, describing them as "hot property." The initial criticisms of Kirkland's salaried partner model have largely subsided, and its success has prompted other major law firms to explore and implement similar partnership structures.