Jennifer’s Career Story

Kirkland’s culture is entrepreneurial, meritocratic and deeply focused on giving associates meaningful responsibility early in their careers, regardless of their class year. I have been encouraged to take ownership of my workstreams and deals, form my own judgment and contribute in ways that might not arise until much later at other firms. The combination of high expectations and real opportunity makes Kirkland’s workplace stimulating and dynamic.

Associates are not just along for the ride; they are trusted to take ownership and help drive outcomes. I am proud to be at a place where excellence is the baseline, and mentorship, collegiality and professional growth are taken seriously. The balance between high performance and meaningful investment in people is something I value a lot.

One of the most significant matters I handled early in my Kirkland career was an out-of-court deal that I ran and closed as a third-year associate. I was the main point person at Kirkland and coordinated across co-heads of groups, partners and managing directors. I also worked directly with senior client leadership, including their CEO and CFO, in a way that encouraged me to think strategically and execute carefully. Having this opportunity on live deals with senior leaders has been unique and incredibly formative.

My experience at Kirkland has made me more comfortable taking on responsibility and more confident under pressure. I have learned to trust my judgment, stay composed and keep growing even when a challenge is outside of my comfort zone.

What excites me most about the next stage of my career is the opportunity to mentor and train junior associates. I have several mentors who helped train me and gave me meaningful opportunities early on, and I am excited to help create that same experience for others.

Kirkland’s open assignment system has enabled me to work on a range of deals with different teams, which has helped me build a broader base of experience. The flexibility encourages senior attorneys to invest in junior associates, creating a culture where people are motivated to be supportive, collaborative and invested in your growth.

Informal training and mentoring have been some of the most important parts of my Kirkland experience. Partners and senior associates have trusted me with meaningful work and given me the guidance and confidence I’ve needed to grow into that responsibility. Over time, that support has helped me move from assisting on matters to running deals myself.

My experience as a college athlete has helped shape my perspective at work. It taught me discipline, preparation, competition and the idea that excellence comes from sustained practices — qualities that translate naturally to the law.

I love being active, whether it is running, going for a long walk or taking a barre class. I enjoy having something outside of the office that is structured, challenging and energizing. It gives me a way to reset while still tapping into the parts of myself that enjoy discipline and competition. This balance is incredibly important to me.