Eric White is a trial and litigation partner in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP who focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, mass tort, and internal investigations. He has broad experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of industries, including energy, pharmaceutical, technology, food and beverage, private equity, higher education, and health insurance. He has successfully represented clients in all aspects of state and federal litigation, including complex eDiscovery, motion practice, fact and expert depositions, and bench and jury trials. He also leads and counsels clients in sensitive internal investigations which have included allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, and employee misconduct.
Eric has also represented numerous pro bono clients, including the Minnesota Department of Human Rights in their investigation of race-based policing practices of the Minneapolis Police Department in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.
Eric draws upon his experience as a sixth grade teacher in a low-performing urban school during all aspects of his legal work — from making complex concepts easily understandable for jurors and stakeholders, to zealously advocating for his clients in negotiations, to leaning into highly-charged environments with grit and empathy.
Recently, Eric was named to Crain’s Chicago Business’ 2022 list of Notable Black Leaders and Executives, was recognized as one of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s 2022 40 Best LGBTQ+ Lawyers Under 40, and was named in the National Bar Association’s 2022 list of 40 Under 40: Nation’s Best Advocates.