Yan-Xin’s Career Story

Something that stood out to me when I joined Kirkland was how quickly I was included in leadership roles. Shortly after I started, one of the senior partners in the Intellectual Property Practice Group took me to lunch and we talked about growth for the group. He asked if I was willing to take an active part in making sure that we retain and attract good talent.

At the same time, I was included in various associate-focused and diversity initiatives for the San Francisco office, which allowed me to connect with colleagues outside of my practice group. My experience at Kirkland has been one of inclusion, where people proactively ask you to be a part of things, which is important to me.

If I have concerns with a case or issue I'm working on, I've found that the partners I work with listen to and validate what I have to say. If a change needs to be made, they make an effort to actively improve the situation and implement change.

I enjoy the work that I do as an IP litigator. The type of work that we have at Kirkland and the clients we serve directly align with my subject matter interests.

The types, caliber, and quality of experiences I've had at Kirkland are unlike those I've previously had. For example, a few months after I started, I received an email from a partner in our New York office asking me to take a series of depositions. She supported me, gave me examples, was available when I had questions and trusted me to figure things out. I was able to take important damages-related depositions and defend an expert deposition.

I appreciate the variety of pro bono work available and the dedication the Firm and our attorneys have to it. My pro bono work has been substantive in terms of helping our pro bono clients while allowing me to build on additional skill sets and capitalize on cross-office staffing opportunities.

I took on a pro bono case initially thinking that I was going to serve only as local counsel in California for a Texas-based team, but I ended up making the oral argument before an administrative law judge. I secured a victory for our client such that he was able to get the necessary licenses to work as an auto mechanic.

I'm currently working on a pro bono case to file a complaint under the Federal Torts Claims Act. I'm driving the case and dictating the schedule with the support of a partner and additional colleagues. It's really empowering to have this type of opportunity and level of responsibility.

Kirkland's training programs are incredibly beneficial and educational. The effort that goes into preparing for the Kirkland Institute for Trial Advocacy (KITA) is remarkable, and it truly does simulate what it's like to be at trial. You get the opportunity to work on oral advocacy skills, conduct voir dire, and see colleagues execute their own strategies for presenting a witness or taking a cross-examination. Multiple Kirkland partners give you feedback, ideas and suggestions on how to improve.