Top UK Legal Publication Ranks Kirkland & Ellis as the Most Prestigious Law Firm According to Assistants at U.S. Law Firms

Legal Business, a well-respected European legal publication, ranked Kirkland & Ellis International LLP as the most prestigious law firm as rated by assistants (associates) at U.S. law firms.  The publication featured this ranking and other tables as part of an annual survey of assistants in its November 2004 issue.

This year’s Legal Business Assistant Survey was sent to the top 100 UK firms and the top 50 U.S. firms in London.  According to the publication, the response was an overwhelming success as it received more than 1,000 returned responses.  For purposes of the survey, Legal Business divided firms in four categories based on its own Legal Business 100 -- UK global elite, other London firms, which include all firms with a significant London presence, regional firms and U.S. firms.

Kirkland received a 8.72 average ranking out of a possible 10 score ahead of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw (8.65), Slaughter & May (8.49), Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (8.45) and Allen & Overy (8.40).  Kirkland associates were not allowed to vote for their own firm.

“We are very pleased to have received this recognition in London which is perhaps the largest and most competitive market for legal services in the world,” said Kirkland London partner Stuart L. Mills, who helped establish this office 10 years ago.  “To be singled out in this way by the younger lawyers is very gratifying.”

About Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis is an international law firm with 1,000 lawyers located in London, Chicago, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, San Francisco and Washington DC.  Kirkland & Ellis ranks among the top 15 global law firms according to The American Lawyer’s 2004 Global 100 survey.

The London office has a reputation as a leading European private equity practice together with experience in Insolvency and Restructuring, M&A and Capital Markets, Intellectual Property, Banking and Finance, International Litigation and Dispute Resolution.