In the world of BigLaw, Kirkland is about as big as it gets—and we are referring to more than its size. Despite representing some of the most influential clients in the world, Kirkland doesn’t have a reputation for being elitist in terms of hiring; that is, merits and accomplishments are weighed more than pedigree alone. Personality matters too, and the firm is looking for people, whether straight from college or a second career, ready to hit the ground running. The work is abundant, but the long hours are mitigated by a fair amount of flexibility and rewarded by high-quality assignments and substantive experience. The firm’s top compensation package also helps counterbalance the heavy workload. In a firm as large as Kirkland, it’s not surprising that associate reviews of firm cul...
