Press Release

Kirkland & Ellis LLP Wins Chambers USA Award for Excellence in IP Litigation

Kirkland & Ellis LLP's Intellectual Property Practice Group was honored with the Award for Excellence in IP Litigation from international rating firm Chambers & Partners at its annual Chambers USA Awards dinner held June 11, 2009, in New York.

Kirkland was selected from seven finalists, including Irell & Manella LLP; Keker & Van Nest LLP; Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP; Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges, LLP; Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP; and WilmerHale.

In Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2009, Chambers said, "The huge commitment this firm has made to its national IP litigation practice is very much in evidence. Clients point out that 'the depth and the quality of work really run from the very top all the way down,' making it a key destination for high-stakes litigation and trial work. Clients called the group 'extremely talented in terms of litigation strategy.'"

"We are honored to be recognized by Chambers for this prestigious award," said John Desmarais, partner in Kirkland's Intellectual Property Practice Group. "We are delighted to have been selected from this group of impressive finalists."

Kirkland was also a finalist in the Restructuring Team category and partner David Bernick was a finalist in the Litigation: Business Trial Lawyers category.

The Chambers USA Awards honor excellence in legal services in jurisdictions around the world. Chambers determined finalists based on independent research carried out during the prior 12 months compiling the Chambers USA directory. A panel of corporate buyers of legal services selected the winning firms. Chambers & Partners, based in London, produces the internationally recognized guides to the legal profession described by The New York Times as "the gold standard" in legal rankings.

Kirkland has been recognized numerous times by Chambers & Partners in the past. In 2008, the Firm's Restructuring Practice Group received the Award for Excellence in the Bankruptcy Team category. In 2006, Kirkland was honored as the USA Law Firm of Year. In 2004, Chambers selected Kirkland as the USA Litigation Law Firm of the Year and in 2002 and 2003, the Firm took home honors for its private equity practice.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a 1,500-attorney law firm representing global clients in complex intellectual property and technology, litigation and dispute resolution/arbitration, corporate and tax, restructuring and real estate matters. The Firm has offices in Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.