Kimberly’s Career Story

Kirkland has an entrepreneurial culture that rewards and celebrates individual growth. The Boston office is a tight-knit community that thrives on mutual support. As a recently established office, we have a culture that embraces continuous development and encourages individuals to shape their roles.

I’m proud to be a Kirkland attorney because we do great work. We not only embrace challenges, but also thrive on them. I find the intellectual challenges and the sense of accomplishment at the closing of a deal to be the most fulfilling parts of my job. The exposure to complex transactions and unique issues at Kirkland not only challenges me and hones my skills, but also allows me to be at the forefront of the legal industry.

At the beginning of my second year, I was given the opportunity to lead a diligence call with the management team of a company and mark up a purchase agreement. I’ve had a lot of client-facing experience and substantive work that is beyond the typical responsibilities of a second-year associate at any other firm. It just shows how growth-oriented Kirkland is.

Since I joined Kirkland, I’ve worked in so many different practice groups and on different types of transactions (private equity M&A, debt finance, fund formation, GP stakes, restructuring… you name it!). Being able to gain experiences in such diverse areas has allowed me to better understand deal structures and stay updated on legal nuances. Given the breadth and complexity of the legal issues that we face day-to-day at Kirkland, I’m constantly honing my analytical abilities, strategic thinking and adaptability.

At Kirkland, people are very collaborative and happy to help you grow. I’m always asking questions, that’s just the way I learn, and everyone on my deal teams is always willing to invest time and explain the details. I remember for my first M&A deal, the mid-level associate I was working with took the time to walk me through the entire purchase agreement, even though it was not necessary for any of my immediate tasks as a first-year. Having that high-level understanding provided valuable context and allowed me to be more actively involved in other workstreams.

The open assignment system at Kirkland provides attorneys the flexibility to choose their own path and diversify their skillsets. When I first joined Kirkland, I barely understood the difference among the corporate practice groups, and the open assignment system allowed me to work with different groups and experience a variety of matters at the same time. Now, I’m able to control which matters I work on and stay focused on developing skills in the practice areas that I’m interested in.

I’ve learned that communication is key when navigating the open assignment system. When I’ve expressed my interest in certain types of work, my mentors have gone out of their way to help me get staffed and made sure I gained those experiences. On the other hand, when I’ve communicated that I don’t have capacity to take on more work, people have also been extremely understanding and happy to accommodate.

I’m very involved in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts in my office. We have monthly lunches, and I’ve made so many close friends through this community. I recently joined the Associates Committee and look forward to building stronger connections with others in my office.

Being an Asian woman in the legal field, I appreciate the Firm’s diversity initiatives and commitment to fostering inclusivity. I hope to bring valuable perspectives and help create an environment where people like me who are from diverse backgrounds feel empowered.

Kirkland provides many training programs, including in-person seminars and workshops and recorded videos. The Boston office recently started a training series focused on Excel and financial acumen skills. This has been a great learning experience and opportunity. I appreciate that the Firm and the office are thoughtful in these training offerings, which shows how invested they are in our professional growth.

My interactions with more senior associates and partners have provided practical insights and real-world perspectives that go beyond formal education. The informal nature of these interactions also allows for more candid discussions that help me better understand the practical challenges and nuances in this field. They are my informal mentors, trusted advisors and, even more importantly, friends who care for my work-life balance, mental health and personal growth.