Crisis Response
Related ProfessionalsOverview
They are remarkable - they are the firm that best understands these reputational risks. - Chambers Crisis & Risk Management, 2022
In an era of real-time reporting, social media, and a 24-hour news cycle, the need for rapid, coordinated response during a crisis is critical as legal risks are closely intertwined with reputational risks.
Boards of directors and officers of the world’s leading corporations turn to Kirkland’s Crisis Response Practice Group to provide the experience and skills needed for mitigation and proactive engagement during times of legal and reputational crisis. Kirkland’s SWAT team approach helps to resolve and mitigate what can quickly develop into enterprise-level risks.
Kirkland’s experienced multidisciplinary team works hand-in-hand with clients to address, advise on and respond to a myriad of issues, including those relating to worldwide multi-jurisdictional crises, federal and state criminal and regulatory inquiries, shareholder activism, #MeToo, Congressional inquiries, internal investigations, cybersecurity, environmental events, and corporate governance challenges. By leveraging the extensive experience of partners across the Firm, Kirkland provides a holistic, deep bench of attorneys with the most relevant knowledge to help guide our clients through these legal crises.
Experience
BP America
Representing BP America, Inc. in multidistrict and related civil litigation, a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal investigation, and various other state and federal investigations arising out of the April 20, 2010, Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion and fire and resulting oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Criminal investigation completed in 2013. Lead outside counsel for litigation communications and crisis management throughout all phases and aspects of the legal crisis.
Caterpillar Inc.
Cisco Systems
Avis Budget Group, Inc.
World Fuel Services
#MeToo Advice & Activism Advisement
Representing a top casino hotel resort company and its directors and officers in state and federal derivative cases and federal securities class actions arising from allegations of sexual misconduct by the former CEO, chairman and founder.
Kirkland also is advising the company on crisis response, particularly with respect to shareholder activism in connection with the “withhold-the-vote” proxy fight by its largest shareholder and former director and in connection with the subsequent standstill agreement entered into with the shareholder in August 2018, in addition to other matters.
Confidential
Kirkland represented a major pharmaceuticals company with respect to legal communications regarding a criminal investigation into allegedly false disclosures to governmental officials about the manufacturing of chemical gas antidotes for the Defense Department and Department of Homeland Security.
Confidential
Kirkland advised a large international energy company regarding the legal communication aspects surrounding a major overseas environmental accident.
Confidential
Kirkland is representing a major chemical company regarding litigation alleging Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) violations and multi-decade fraud on litigants and courts in asbestos litigation across the country. Kirkland has provided strategic crisis management support throughout the litigation.
"The team is very effective and of one mindset strategically."
Chambers USA, 2022
Leading Firm in Crisis Management
Chambers Crisis & Risk Management, 2022
"It's a rock-solid team offering open, candid and frequent communication."
Chambers USA, 2022