Getting a job at Kirkland & Ellis is highly competitive. The firm hires top law graduates from elite schools, often requiring top academic performance, law review participation, and strong clerkship or internship experience. Only a small percentage of applicants receive offers due to the firm’s high standards.
Kirkland & Ellis is a prestigious law firm known across the legal profession for high pay, elite training, and leadership in private equity, corporate law, and litigation. It ranks consistently as a leading law firm, attracting thousands of applications from law students and associates each year. Because the firm handles high-value matters for global clients, it hires only the most prepared candidates from top tier law schools and competitive programs.
What Makes Kirkland & Ellis So Competitive?
Kirkland & Ellis leads in profits per partner, client deal volume, and global expansion. The firm forward model encourages professional growth, autonomy, and working directly with senior partners and clients from the start.
Reasons it’s hard to get hired at Kirkland:
- It is a top law firm for private equity, capital markets, and intellectual property
- The firm expects long hours, deep commitment, and skills under pressure
- It offers rapid career progression—but only to those who perform at elite levels
- The firm’s culture prioritizes drive, attention to detail, and ambition
- You will be involved in high profile cases or deals early
These high expectations apply to both summer associates and first year associates. The fast pace, work environment, and early responsibility make Kirkland a fit for lawyers looking for intense challenge and high pay.
How Selective Is the Hiring Process?
The interview process at Kirkland & Ellis is one of the most selective in the legal field. Candidates from top tier law schools still face rejection if their application lacks focus, quality, or personality alignment.
Selectivity Overview:
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Applications | ~1,000 per year for 10–15 training contracts |
| Academic Requirements | Strong academics from law schools or non-law programs |
| Application Process | CV, cover letter, video screening, and multi-stage interviews |
| Interview Difficulty | Medium to hard (rated 5/10 by candidates) |
| Work Environment | Fast-paced, long hours, strong feedback culture |
| Training & Development | Blends formal learning with working directly with partners |
| Diversity & Inclusion | Open to different personalities and law students from all backgrounds |
| Retention & Progression | High if performance meets expectations |
Applicants should be up to date on firm news, practice focus areas, and trends in private equity, life sciences, and corporate law to succeed.
What Kirkland & Ellis Looks for in Candidates
Kirkland is selective not just about grades or school, but about mindset. The firm values entrepreneurial thinkers who develop ideas, solve client problems, and contribute to a team.
Candidates who succeed often:
- Come from top law schools or stand out in competitive programs
- Have done a summer associate program or pro bono work
- Show commercial insight into industries like tech, finance, and life sciences
- Are clear, specific, and personal in their cover letters and interviews
- Match the firm’s culture of excellence, intensity, and impact
The firm seeks law students who are not just academically gifted, but adaptable and resilient. Most associates who succeed here balance client needs, internal management expectations, and steep learning curves from day one.
The Kirkland & Ellis Interview Process
The hiring journey typically involves multiple touchpoints, testing both intellect and behavior. This process screens out candidates who lack precision, interest, or preparation.
Steps in the Kirkland process:
- Submit your application online, with a tailored CV and cover letter
- Complete a video interview, where you answer behavioral and situational questions
- Attend an assessment day (for UK training contracts), which includes case studies and team tasks
- Sit for a partner interview—where clear thinking, motivation, and calm under pressure are assessed
- Meet with senior partners or HR leaders to confirm culture fit and long-term career goals
The interview process favors those who understand Kirkland’s clients, structure, and what it takes to thrive in a law firm environment that rewards intensity and performance.
What It’s Like to Work at Kirkland & Ellis
Working at Kirkland & Ellis is rewarding but intense. High pay comes with long hours, short deadlines, and high stakes. Trainees and first year associates handle live matters for clients early—often with direct support from senior partners.
Life as a Kirkland associate:
- Expect a steep learning curve, but strong development support
- Pro bono work is encouraged, with institutional backing
- Benefits include market-leading salaries, bonuses, and prestige
- The work environment fosters independence and fast promotion
- Expect intense collaboration and frequent interaction with peers, attorneys, and leadership
Associates often say they enjoy working with sharp teams and being involved in impactful deals, but the work life balance is often described as limited, especially in busy teams like litigation, corporate law, and capital markets.
Tips to Improve Your Odds of Getting Hired
Getting hired at Kirkland requires more than good grades. It demands a strong, consistent message across your documents and interactions that explains why Kirkland is your target firm.
How to increase your chances:
- Tailor your answers to show deep knowledge of Kirkland & Ellis and its practice areas
- Highlight career motivation clearly, not just credentials
- Attend open days or apply through Kirkland’s outreach events
- Reference the firm’s pro bono work, DEI initiatives, or high-stakes jobs
- Show you have the mindset to work hard and grow with the company
Use examples from internships, law review, or past jobs to prove skills like time management, problem solving, and client service. Also, align with the firm’s core values and culture—these matter as much as your education.
Peer Firms Similar to Kirkland & Ellis
If you’re exploring firms with similar values or expectations, several other law firms offer intense, rewarding careers in elite legal practice areas.
| Firm Name | Focus Areas | Similarity to Kirkland |
|---|---|---|
| Latham & Watkins | M&A, litigation, capital markets | Similar prestige and pay |
| Skadden Arps | Litigation, corporate law | Comparable career paths |
| Quinn Emanuel | Pure litigation firm | Great for trial lawyers |
| Sidley Austin | Broad practice, strong in Chicago | Culture similar in origin |
| Simpson Thacher | Private equity, global capital | Client overlap and intensity |
All these firms share the same expectations: long hours, fast learning, and exposure to high profile clients across industries like finance, tech, and healthcare.
Questions We Get Asked the Most
These are the questions we get asked most frequently about how hard it is to get a job at Kirkland & Ellis.
How much does attention to detail in the application really matter at Kirkland & Ellis?
It matters a lot. Recruiters reject applications for minor typos, vague answers, or lack of personalization. At this level, every word counts.
Do non-law graduates have a realistic chance of getting a training contract?
Yes. The firm welcomes both law and non-law grads. What matters is showing a clear case for why you want a legal career and what you bring to the legal community.
How important is understanding private equity for applicants?
Very. Kirkland is a leading law firm in this area. Knowing how private equity funds operate—and why they matter to the firm—shows preparation and commercial awareness.
What is the work-life balance really like for trainees and junior staff?
Work life balance is limited. The firm delivers excellent professional growth, but only if you’re ready to work hard under pressure.
Are there any unique diversity or outreach programs that help applicants get noticed?
Yes. The firm works with groups like Aspiring Solicitors and SEO to reach underrepresented talent. Events, mentoring, and early careers access programs are available.
What are the most common mistakes that lead to rejection?
Copy-pasting, generic applications, or not addressing the firm’s culture. Use personal, proof-backed examples that show you’ve done the work.
