Kirkland
&
Ellis
is
recognized
as
one
of
the
nation’s
greatest
law
firms.
Not
only
does
the
firm
offer
a
compelling
combination
of
prestige,
profitability,
and
pay,
but
it
usually
shatters
the
market
on
partners
in
a
huge
way
—
but
not
this
year.
In
2025,
the
firm
has
decided
to
stay
quiet
about
something
Biglaw
firms
usually
love
to
shout
from
the
rooftops.
As
Law.com
reports,
the
Chicago-based
powerhouse
won’t
be
publicly
releasing
its
annual
partner
class
announcement,
“marking
[a]
strategy
shift.”
The
firm’s
decision
isn’t
humility.
It’s
a
blunder.
The
firm’s
silence
isn’t
modesty.
It’s
a
mistake.
For
a
firm
that
built
its
brand
on
transparency
in
all
things
business,
it’s
more
than
a
little
embarrassing.
And
worse
yet,
this
is
cruel
to
the
people
who
earned
a
partnership
ring
—
be
it
equity
or
nonequity
—
at
the
world’s
top
firm.
Just
last
year,
nearly
every
legal
industry
publication
covered
Kirkland’s
announcement
of
yet
another
enormous
partnership
class,
showcasing
a
firm
unafraid
to
flex.
Back
then,
Kirkland
couldn’t
resist
the
spotlight,
basking
in
its
own
swagger.
Now,
suddenly,
the
firm
its
slamming
the
door
shut.
Law.com
hints
at
what
many
in
the
market
may
already
suspect:
Kirkland
may
be
steering
clear
of
public
announcements
because
many
newly
minted
nonequity
partners
have
headed
for
the
exits
quite
soon
after
they’ve
been
named
partner,
bringing
“negative
attention”
to
the
firm’s
list.
Here
are
some
additional
details
from
Law.com:
Among
the
200
names
announced
in
2024,
at
least
20
lawyers,
or
10%,
were
not
on
the
firm’s
website
this
week,
according
to
a
Law.com
analysis.
Several
have
left
in
the
last
year
to
work
at
other
law
firms
or
join
corporate
legal
departments.Among
the
205
names
announced
in
2023
as
new
partners,
at
least
43,
or
21%,
are
no
longer
on
the
website.
By
declining
to
name
its
2025
partner
class,
Kirkland
seems
to
be
avoiding
the
possibility
that
headlines
about
its
new
partners
could
be
quickly
followed
by
stories
about
their
departures.
While
this
kind
of
talent
churn
may
be
upsetting
for
Kirkland,
just
imagine
how
upsetting
it
is
for
the
associates
who
have
longed
to
be
named
partner
for
their
entire
career.
A
public
announcement
of
their
crowning
achievement
has
now
been
stripped
away
from
them.
As
noted
by
Jeffrey
Lowe,
market
president
for
Washington,
D.C.
and
executive
committee
member
for
recruiting
firm
CenterPeak,
the
firm’s
move
is
unusual
indeed.
“I
know
everyone
looks
forward
to
that
and
looks
forward
to
there
being
a
nice
announcement,”
he
said.
It’s
one
thing
for
a
firm
to
moderate
its
public
announcements.
It’s
quite
another
for
a
firm
to
deprive
its
new
partners
of
their
day
in
the
sun.
Making
partner
at
Kirkland
&
Ellis
is
one
of
the
hardest-earned
titles
in
Biglaw.
Being
named
partner
is
the
achievement
you
share
with
your
parents,
your
spouse,
your
mentors,
your
friends.
It’s
the
headline
you
post
to
LinkedIn.
It’s
the
tangible
proof
that
every
long
night
was
worth
it.
By
withholding
that
announcement,
Kirkland
is
denying
newly
promoted
lawyers
their
moment
of
glory.
That’s
cold.
For
a
firm
that
claims
to
be
among
the
world’s
greatest,
it’s
incredibly
tone-deaf.
It’s
stunningly
unkind.
Kirkland
is
one
of
the
world’s
greatest
and
most
profitable
law
firms.
Its
dominance
is
undisputed.
But
silence
isn’t
strength
—
it’s
weakness
disguised
as
restraint.
It
looks
tactical,
even
defensive.
It
looks
as
though
the
firm
fears
scrutiny
more
than
it
values
the
hard
work
of
its
new
partners,
regardless
of
their
equity
or
nonequity
status.
If
you’re
the
richest
firm
in
Biglaw,
act
like
it.
Celebrate
your
people.
Own
your
success
—
and
theirs.
Congratulations
to
Kirkland’s
new
partner
class
—
whoever
you
are.
Kirkland
&
Ellis
Won’t
Publicly
Announce
New
Partners
This
Year,
Marking
Strategy
Shift
[Law.com]
Staci
Zaretsky is
the
managing
editor
of
Above
the
Law,
where
she’s
worked
since
2011.
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