The 2020 D.C. Rising Stars
Kirkland partner Winn Allen was named to The National Law Journal's list of 2020 D.C. Rising Stars, recognizing the Washington, D.C. region’s 40 most promising lawyers age 40 and under.
We are pleased to present our 2020 D.C. Rising Stars. Selected from a competitive pool, our 40 honorees represent a cross-section of practice areas.
We are thrilled to present our 2020 D.C. Rising Stars. Selected from a competitive pool of finalists, our 40 honorees represent a cross-section of practice areas—from appellate to first amendment to international trade. They’ve excelled on some of the biggest stages, representing high-profile clients and securing high-dollar victories. One honoree oversaw the $130 billion merger between E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. and Dow Chemical Co. Another won a major partisan gerrymandering challenge to North Carolina’s state legislative districts. And a third represented city councilors in Charlottesville, Virginia, who were sued for voting to remove Confederate statues. This year, they share their biggest successes in practice, their keys to success and what they’ve learned along the way.
Employer: Kirkland & Ellis Title and Practice Area: Partner, Litigation
Describe your biggest win or accomplishment in practice. My most valued accomplishment is the strong relationships I’ve formed with a variety of different clients. Helping clients solve their problems is the best part of my job.
What was the most valuable lesson you learned in your first year practicing law? Credibility and integrity are essential. If judges or jurors don’t think you are credible, you can’t be an effective advocate. Our goal in every case is to play it straight with the court, even if that means giving up some ground every now and then in service of a broader strategy.
Who is your greatest lawyer mentor and what has he or she taught you? Kirkland & Ellis partners Gene Assaf, Craig Primis and Susan Davies. Gene for his litigation instincts and dedication to the craft; Craig for teaching me the nuts and bolts of litigating cases at the highest levels; and Susan for teaching me to develop and mentor younger lawyers.
Please share a brief key to your success. Our job is to facilitate our clients’ success. We can only do that by being true partners with our clients and putting ourselves in their shoes. We have to think like our clients think, understand their business, and anticipate their needs and pressures.
