Erica’s Career Story

The leaders of each practice group do an amazing job of cultivating a collegial culture. I feel comfortable stopping by senior associates' and partners' offices with any questions I have, both work-related and non-work-related.

I've been pleasantly surprised by the support system at Kirkland, on both the attorney and the administrative side. My colleagues want me to succeed, and the Firm continually provides the resources to help me do so.

I'm proud to be a Kirkland attorney because I can take ownership of my career path and work on matters I'm genuinely interested in. When I first interviewed at Kirkland, a partner described the Firm as a "Choose Your Own Adventure" type of place. Kirkland lives up to that description with the breadth of opportunities I've had through its open assignment system.

It's a win-win for all parties because the client receives a better work product, and the associate gains their desired work experience.

Every day that I'm at Kirkland, I learn something new and hone my skills as an investment funds associate. Kirkland represents a large variety of funds in the market, providing endless opportunities to learn and grow, which is important to me.

The most fulfilling thing about working at Kirkland is the learning experience, both from other associates and our clients. The more you know your client's business, the better you can help serve their interests. I've worked on a variety of funds — from first-time funds to established players in the market — and I've learned so much about the industry from our clients.

Kirkland gives you the opportunity to work on complex tasks and lead projects when you're a junior associate. Early in my Kirkland career, I was given the opportunity to interact with clients directly, negotiate documents, and interact with investors and answer their questions. I didn't think I would gain that experience until later in my career. Partners and senior associates give me the resources and help I need to succeed.

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee has been an integral part of my time at Kirkland. As a Black woman, I've worked with the DEI Committee and the recruiting team in Boston to increase outreach and be a resource for laterals and incoming law students.

Kirkland University's formal training program provides classes and presentations based on your class year. I enjoy watching the videos when I have downtime or if I want to know about a specific topic that I don't have significant experience with. There is also the informal training you receive from working with your peers and asking questions of senior associates and partners. Both have been instrumental to my learning process and in making me a better lawyer.