About Us

Kirkland & Ellis is a global law firm specializing in advising on private equity M&A and financing transactions, fund formation, litigation and restructuring.   The firm is pre-eminent in those areas globally across its 15 offices in US, Europe and Asia.  The firm has developed its leading position by focusing on, empowering its lawyers with accelerated career paths to partnership, rewarding dedication, focus and teamwork and allowing its lawyers to be entrepreneurial and client facing at all stages in their careers.

Open Days

Candidates may apply for our open day taking place in November if they are in the penultimate year of a law degree, final year of a non-law degree, or beyond. There will also be an open day in March which is open to students in their first year of a law degree or penultimate year of a non-law degree. Open days are a great way to experience an insight into working at Kirkland & Ellis.

Vacation Schemes

We offer two two-week placements throughout the spring and summer months. Candidates are eligible to apply if they are in their penultimate year of a law degree, final year of a non-law degree or beyond. We look to recruit as many of our future trainees as possible from the vacation scheme.

Training Contracts

Thanks to the small intakes, trainees are given early responsibility to work on complex multijurisdictional matters.

The principal focus of the training is on transactional law with a specialism in private equity. Trainees complete four, six month seats and obtain training in areas such as corporate M&A, debt finance, investment funds, restructuring, real estate finance, international arbitration and litigation, financial services regulatory, antitrust and competition, and tax. In addition there are opportunities to apply to undertake an overseas secondment to enable trainees to experience the international resources and capabilities of Kirkland & Ellis.

Our trainees gain experience through active involvement in deals throughout their careers together with extensive technical training.

Applying

To apply for our open days, vacation schemes and training contracts, please click the Apply button.